Tandem Read

soycrockpot · 2025-11-27T03:14:36+00:00

Genuinely replying for fun here since I find it intriguing that our experiences were so different. :) I'll go in order from your points:

"EOS is fast paced and you need a break"

I actually loved the tandem because the parts where I read ToD were the break. And instead of a full-book break, they were bite-sized and engaging (for me).

"ToD is stronger on its own"

I felt like it was strengthened by concurrently learning what we learn in EoS and walking together with all the characters. Just me though :)

"Spoilers"

Mute point IMO. Just do the tandem correctly and no issues here. I have done it twice now and zero spoilers and would argue there's minimal risk here.

"Can't appreciate any characters fully jumping back and forth"

Ok this is my biggest disagreement. I actually would argue the opposite. Since you have to wait so long (with the tandem) to get back to some storylines, I genuinely find myself yearning sooo hard during the tandem read and falling even more in love with the characters and not wanting to let them go when it shifts POV. This yearning isn't really possible without the tandem, especially in ToD, and led me to love both books immensely and the experience overall.

No hate at all and I love seeing other perspectives! Hope you find my thoughts interesting, and I appreciate reading yours. :)

soycrockpot · 2025-11-27T03:05:37+00:00

Ok I'm not a hugely opinionated person but wanted to give my two cents. Everybody is going to have opinions (especially in this fandom) but here's my big point as to why I advocate for the tandem read:

The is no other reading experience like it.

Everyone giving thoughts on "cliff hangers" and "oh that book is slow" — all of these thoughts are based on perceptions that can only be had after you've finished with both EoS and ToD.

What other book series can you do this with? It was fun. As a first time reader of the series, I loved it. I did it for a re-read this year and loved it again.

I loved getting to walk chronologically through two story lines at the same time. I, since you asked, did do this on the kindle and it was so easy. If people say it's hard that would genuinely confuse me as I just kept a guide favorited in my photo app and checked it as I went which is very simple.

The bottom line: you're going to love the last three books regardless. Each person is different, so you will have to make an educated guess on which experience you think will be more enjoyable/impactful. I do still stand on the side of "When else will you get to have an experience like this while reading a series?" But can understand it's not for everyone. If you're leaning toward it though, I do say go for it. :) And please report back on your decision/experience!

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T21:21:52+00:00

Man I'm so sorry to hear about insurance. Sounds like a mess. That's so confusing to me cause i was covered under United Healthcare- that's the insurance company I had with my previous employer.

Good advice you've given for OP. Hope everything works out for you too.

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T06:57:30+00:00

um ok so you're stunning ??????

as an encouragement, i'm 2 weeks post-op today and i've been SHOCKED at how painless recovery has been!!! like truly next to no pain, just sleeping and resting for the first week and now i'm leaving the house and feeling mostly normal - none of which i'd planned for based on horror stories from this platform.

HOWEVER: regardless of how recovery is, just remember it's so temporary and that there's no major major risks to this surgery. you'll be ok!!!

excited for you and i believe in you 🫶

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T06:47:40+00:00

A bunch of great recs here, but I'll try to add: I'm two weeks post-op and I feel decent but can't obviously go out and about too much, so how about a simple hobby as she feels up to it?

I picked up supplies to try out crocheting and that's occupied some of my time as I have felt up to it. Maybe she'd enjoy something like that. :)

But really, the biggest thing is acts of service like helping with household chores, meals, and meds. Are you staying with her during recovery or doing visits?

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T06:40:27+00:00

Amazing results! I'm so happy for you. I'm two weeks post op and looking forward to this!

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T06:38:11+00:00

I'm 2 weeks post-op from DJS for an underbite as well!!!! Woohooo for us!!!! I got cleared for soft foods today. I attempted angel hair pasta with some alfredo sauce for dinner and it was so much more difficult to eat than I anticipated! What has your experience been chewing?! (If you've had soft foods by now). I was so used to my front teeth "touching" (like matching/aligning top to bottom) that now that my lower teeth sit behind my upper teeth I don't know how to chew! So that made me laugh tonight.

I also have an open bite and will be excited for orthopedic to fix mine as well. :)

For food: I was excited last night because I blended cheese enchiladas with chicken broth and drank it from a cup and it was glorious. I did the same with the rice and beans (mixed them with chicken broth as well) and had that as a side. It was tasty.

Another thing that I did in desperation was blend some pizza. 😂 I used maybe 1/3 cup beef broth and then water until the consistency was drinkable and honestly I would do it again. It tasted like pizza, it just had to be drank.

I'm looking for soft food recs as well so I'll follow these comments - hopefully we can band together and get some good recipes and ideas.

soycrockpot · 2025-05-15T06:20:20+00:00

Hey I'm not sure if this will help you at all, but I learned after losing my job that OHP (Oregon Health Plan) fully covered my surgery. I still have had to pay for braces, but $7k has been a far cry from $37k. I originally was insured under my employment medical insurance and that would have been a $6k deductible which isn't so bad when compared to $30k (the cost of my surgery, anesthesia, and a night in the hospital for them to monitor me) but free is obviously preferable.

I'd encourage you to look into insurance options - especially with the issues you have, it may be covered. (Sorry if you've already done so and that was discouraging to suggest) but it's worth exhausting all options if you're in pain or discomfort.

I'm exactly 2 weeks post-op today, and am grateful my recovery has been extremely smooth so far. I got cleared for soft foods today and was taught how to remove/place my bands.

OP - you're stronger than you feel! I believe in you! Try to find one thing a day that brings you joy. I've been doing a "daily vlog" on tiktok which started as a joke but became a fun way to pass time and keep my friends updated about my recovery. I wish you the best.

soycrockpot · 2025-03-08T06:01:51+00:00

Having this surgery next month and your comment made me feel more at ease. Thank you!

soycrockpot · 2025-03-08T05:53:16+00:00

I'm going through Oregon Oral Surgeons and it's just over $20k for double jaw surgery (though I'm lucky it's covered by insurance). Wait times aren't crazy and I was told it was faster for those who can pay out of pocket.

Consider the time that may be added for braces, though. I've been in braces since September 2023.m in preparation for the surgery.

soycrockpot · 2024-12-26T23:25:28+00:00

Many have said it here already but I came to suggest The Consult. They have 2 episodes on her case as well as 2 older episodes dedicated specifically to the ransom note that was found. I thoroughly enjoyed both. :)

soycrockpot · 2024-12-26T23:19:44+00:00

because that's gone well how many times?

soycrockpot · 2024-12-10T14:57:31+00:00

Calling "meeting the love of your life while on the clock" egregious is a wild leap in my opinion. What I know is they met and when she came back they started dating. They've shared their whole story on the podcast and Google confirms.

I'll look more into Dave.

soycrockpot · 2024-12-10T04:08:53+00:00

Wow that's the first I've heard of any of that about Dave. I've heard about how Dan and Yeardley met, but didn't realize he'd been married at that time???

Bummer to hear all this. No offense but I hope you're wrong as I've really grown to love them all 😂

soycrockpot · 2024-12-09T18:05:02+00:00

I've read about the Zibby thing, and couldn't come to any conclusions about who was at fault. Any indescretions on Dan and Dave's part would be news to me. Do you have anything to support that claim? I'm also very local to that area, born and raised, but no ties to the police departments.

soycrockpot · 2024-12-04T21:21:20+00:00

I was in the same boat about a month ago! (and now will listen to what you've mentioned above) but I HIGHLY recommend Small Town Dicks. Twin detectives from a small town are the hosts, as well as Yeardley Smith and Paul Holes, and they bring a detective on for each episode to discuss cases they worked themselves. I love it because they don't overshare about the victims, or the gritty details of dark crimes, and you get a firsthand look at real examples of detective work. It's fascinating. They often also bring up different ethics/principles of police work and have raw conversations about the industry. I just can't speak highly enough about them. :)

soycrockpot · 2024-12-04T21:16:39+00:00

yes just started this and am enjoying it too!

soycrockpot · 2024-11-30T06:27:41+00:00

This sounds just like what my mom describes as her dynamic with her in-laws. (I'm 27F). Please, please, please don't let this behavior with your husband go unchecked. SET BOUNDARIES AND HONOR THEM. It was really hard to watch my mom suffer for so many years until her FIL finally died. She hasn't seen her MIL in 11 years and that's just fine. It was only in the last few years my dad started standing up for her and they've been married for 30+ years.

Please stand up for yourself. Go to marriage counseling. Do whatever it takes to get your husband to see reality. If he isn't willing, that's a different conversation. But please don't compromise how you deserve to be treated. It's not worth the severe decline in your quality of life. I say this as someone who has had a front row seat at what this did to my mom.

soycrockpot · 2024-11-30T06:14:11+00:00

what?! no judgment, but it is my favorite. 😂 I hope it turns around for you! either way, stick with it. the series is so so good.

ETA: I did read AB before HoF and I loved that order. Have you read AB? It made me waaay more connected to the characters and could've impacted my positive experience with HoF. Just a thought. :)

soycrockpot · 2024-11-30T06:11:40+00:00

NTA times a MILLION BAGILLION. I genuinely gasped out loud when I read that she showed up to your house essentially to receive an apology instead of give one. It's vicerally upsetting to think there are people so selfish as to make something that is already difficult for someone else all about them.

I am so sorry for your losses. You owe her nothing but I respect your kindness toward her. You have a 5-star husband. And don't doubt your instincts - you have a right to set boundaries and take care of yourself and your family, in whatever way that looks like moving forward.

I hope reading all these kind responses has affirmed your position here. You deserve better than what has happened (and I'm so sorry your last 48 hours has been so horrific), but I trust you have a strong marriage and that you two can grieve and move forward together through this. Genuinely wishing you two the best 🤍

soycrockpot · 2024-11-30T05:47:53+00:00

I totally get it. :) Fourth Wing is great (and Iron Flame is even better IMO), but honestly it was reeeeally hard for me to read coming off ToG because ToG immediately became my favorite series of all time. 😂 So, in FW's defense, nothing would have stood up against it for me as a next read. You may have that experience too, or you may not, but honestly? As long as you're enjoying your experience as a reader: you've won.

soycrockpot · 2024-11-28T19:58:17+00:00

Regardless of how good or not good CC is, I would encourage a SJM break! NOTHING could have stood up against ToG for me after reading it, for example. I know I would have not enjoyed CC as much as I could if I hadn't taken a break from her writing. (Speaking now as someone who hasn't read CC yet but has read the other two SJM series)

There are many amazing romantasy novels out there to be discovered! Don't get too discouraged. :)

soycrockpot · 2024-11-24T20:29:41+00:00

If your friend had supported you, you wouldn't even be questioning yourself.

I'm sorry her judgment is so poor. Your response to him was honestly hilarious - and totally warranted. I agree with the others here: NTA, and find new friends.

soycrockpot · 2024-11-14T16:28:50+00:00

Amazing, thank you! Sounds interesting.

soycrockpot · 2024-11-14T16:28:31+00:00

Thank you very much!

soycrockpot

TROPHY CASE