We should be able to craft the (presumably to be introduced) "true" AF gear with a melded white set. I have no plans on touching my melds until I get those new pieces. I'll be replacing and melding my accessories first. I haven't penta'd my white set, but I didn't want to until we got the required stats for the new stuff.

My order of books will be my specialists (GSM ALC and WVR) and then everything else. I will probably get CUL last as I can probably craft just fine without the highest tier of food possible. Seafood Stew was best for all of HW, after all. (And I'm still using it, but it's mostly because i made A LOT and I'm lazy.)