Dearest Crone and Daniel,

He ghosted me.

Fuck that, his loss.

My cat has more emotional intelligence than that, but I'm one heartbreak away from turning my love life into a book series...

Any suggestions for a title?

Sincerely,

Lovefool

Dear Lovefool,

If this does awaken something within you, I’m going to warn you that Lesbian Ghost Hunters is already copyrighted.

HOWEVER, if you’re sticking to men, may I suggest Head to Me?

Entendre-ly,

The Crone

Since I’m reading the sequel, The Strength of the Few, I figured it was necessary to include this novel solely because I need to talk about it with more people.

The Hierarchy rules over all, its citizens ceding their Will in a pyramid of subjugation.

But Vis Telimus refuses.

His past is dangerous, his future is uncertain, but his goal is clear:

Vengeance.

Infiltrating the society that destroyed his home, Vis must climb its ranks while keeping his identity a secret.

Genuinely, I hope he proves successful.

With less than 48 hours until I fly to Salt Lake City, I thought it only right to remind you all of one of my absolute favorite Cosmere novels.

Following a failed assassination attempt that has left Emperor Ashravan comatose, Shai has been tasked with the impossible: she must use her talents as a Forger to remake his soul and revive him.

Never mind the fact that the government has outlawed her magics, never mind that its ministers will execute her if she’s successful.

Shai has the opportunity to Forge a masterpiece, and the challenge is half the fun… if she survives.

An excellent starting point to the Cosmere, The Emperor’s Soul is a quick read that you can enjoy again and again.

The book that started my Dragonsteel Nexus journey, and another great starting point for the Cosmere!

Tress has spent her simple life collecting cups, but the disappearance of her closest friend, Charlie, drives her beyond her home in the center of the Emerald Sea.

Her only hope is the Sorceress, a being as fearsome and dangerous as the Midnight Sea upon which she makes her home.

As nothing more than a stowaway, Tress must venture to save her friend, and not accidentally bleed, sneeze, spit on, or otherwise wet any of the various elemental spores that rain across her planet and terrorize its populace.

Dear Crone,

I’m a high schooler right now, trying to figure out why nothing seems to be getting easier.

My school day ends at 5, and with after-school activities, I end up staying until 7 most days.

I feel like I have no way of balancing all of my work and extracurriculars, but my after-school activities are the only thing that I’m actually enjoying.

I tried talking to teachers, but none have been helpful so far.

What do I do to stop feeling like I’m drowning and burnt out?

Sincerely,

I’m burnt out

Dear Burnt Out,

The only way to handle burnout is to rest.

Even if it’s for a day.

It’s wonderful that you’re enjoying your extracurriculars, but the surest way to lose your enjoyment of them is to keep going when you can’t keep up.

Take a day off from something, use the extra time to do low-effort care, and see how you feel when you go back to it afterwards.

If you need to pause something, do it. It’s better than growing to resent it.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Howdy y’all!

I'm living with an Army buddy while I go through a 3rd divorce.

We've known each other for 20+ years as we went to training and war together.

We've knocked boots exactly 3 times...2004-bit awkward, 2014-not as awkward, and 2024-fan-frackin-tastic!

I moved in August 2025.

I haven't brought up knocking combat boots again because I fear the initial rejection, which is the worst that’ll happen.

He's my literal Battle Buddy.

Frustrated,

IGY6 Battle

Dear IGY6,

I’m going to suggest that he’s probably fine with the idea, considering you moved in together.

You can casually ask OR wait for him to get home in nothing but your combat boots.

That being said, consider having a backup place to stay if things go south (in the bad way).

Cautiously,

The Crone

Hey, Crone and her loyal vessel,

I hope you are doing well.

I recently moved to another state and am trying to adjust to the new language and culture; however, at work, there is this grown ass man who comes and talks to me and once even tapped my head.

When I questioned, he said that I reminded him of his daughter.

But I found it uncomfortable and have been avoiding the area like a plague affecting my work.

Am I overreacting?

Love,

Confused Sof

Dear Confused Sof,

It’s entirely possible that this is a cultural behavior, though that doesn’t mean you have to accept it.

So long as it doesn’t interrupt your professional or personal life, by all means avoid the guy.

If the conversation somehow comes up, I think it’s acceptable to say that you dislike such behavior.

However he responds is on him, but if you are communicating through a written medium (for whatever reason), for the love of gods (worldbuilding), keep records for HR!

Heedfully,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I'm 19, and I've never been in love or even had a crush.

At least I think so. I feel like the media show this grand feeling you should have when falling for someone, but all I've ever felt is "they seem kinda cool" and "I'd like to know them better".

I feel weird asking anyone else, but can you tell me, what does it feel like?

Does it really feel so different from meeting a new friend, or am I expecting something impossible that only happens in films?

Sincerely,

Not In Love

Dear Not in Love,

Like most things in life.

It depends.

In truth, love isn’t a grand explosion; it’s a product of something you build.

You’ll meet someone with whom you see a future, and you’ll create it together.

Sure, there’s passion and a honeymoon phase, but that’s not the basis of any relationship.

In your case, it’ll start with giddiness, and you’ll likely be flustered when you speak to them.

It’ll hit you like a ton of bricks after that, but you needn’t rush.

Happily,

The Crone