labyrinth_witch's reviews
549 reviews

The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham

1.0

A story about a exquisite dressmaker who returns to her sordid past to take care of her deteriorating mother. Modern day, Australian country-side is the setting. Unfortunately, the narrative did not live up to its cinematic equivalent. I personally did not feel there was any suspense of the main character figuring anything out about herself or her past, the characters simply portrayed small-town pettiness, and there was a strange focus of the description on nipples and scrotums. The one thing I did like was that the main character hatches her revenge plan herself, unlike in the movie where her mother implements the revenge plan. But that is a minuscule redeeming quality. Overall, I do not recommend.

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

5.0

Always love Brene brown. This book found me when I most needed to be found. She explores more of her anatomy of trust in this book, BRAVING. She also lays out a path for finding our way back to one another in the midst of the intense dichotomies that we feel today. But most importantly she explores the nuanced difference of belonging versus fitting in. And that’s what I needed most. It often feels both really shitty and really satisfying to stay true to yourself. But the tragic part is never allowing yourself to feel the intensity of that duality. You often ask yourself, “should I have just kept my mouth shut and gone along with it?” Yes, that would have been easier and safer. But it numbs you to the core. This books inspires me to be the wilderness.

Spell on Wheels, Vol. 1 by Kate Leth

5.0

This trade literally made me laugh out loud. Excellent female characters, beautiful art with real female bodies, great movement and expression. I literally felt like they were my best friends. As a practicing witch, it is so refreshing to have a respectful and exciting representation of witchcraft in literature.

Do Not Interrupt: A Playful Take on the Art of Conversation by Stephen Kuusisto

5.0

This is one of the best primers on wit that I’ve ever read. Provides a beautiful framework to think about your own conversation and introduces some games to teach you how to play with words and logic. Also had a wonderful story about a conversation with his dad when he was 8-years-old that is representative of how I hope I parent.

How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard

5.0

This book was like a balm to my very stressed-out, overextended, and weary self. Her story about getting so sick so randomly did truly drive home the point that such things can happen at any time to any one. As someone who seems to be getting sicker and sicker, I realized I had fallen into the “why me? Poor me?” Camp. Also all the other camps- resentful, blaming myself for getting sick, despairing at not being able to function like I used to or do the things I want to do. It’s a strange thing to realize what a hard, unforgiving person you’re becoming toward yourself. She provides not only compassion for this part of journey, but also practical exercises and meditations to work with your mind. At one point during the book, I asked myself, “maybe I don’t want to be graceful about my conditions” but then, I do. I don’t want to make it harder on myself or harder on the people in my space. Why deprive myself of the joy that is to be had when it can be had? And so, this book has renewed my desire to practice again and to work with my mind states. Short, easy to read- I highly recommend for anyone struggling with any long-term/chronic/persistent illness and their caregivers.

Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love by Patrice Hannon

5.0

This was a delightful book written very much in Jane Austen’s style. I think I would give it to my teenage children and to any friends approaching a point in their lives where they would like to reset themselves.

Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears, Volume 1: Baby Talk by Dennis Hopeless

5.0

Absolutely love a pregnant super heroine! Not only was this an amazing read, but seeing the 4th trimester visually depicted was so accurate and so wonderful and so hilarious I had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard.

I’m going to get this issues as a gift for all my pregnant friends that’s how much I loved it!

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

4.0

The idea that everything that annoys you on a day-to-day basis is because of the “messing around” of a wayward demon and a well-intended angel makes you looks at your world a little differently. I laughed out loud at the “unfood” and the only thing left after the apocalypse are the “cockroaches and fundamentalists.” In fact, I’m still laughing about it. It’s even hard to choose a favorite character, I loved them all. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman perfectly understand the minds of children. So when they write the anti-Christ as an eleven year old boy, it makes perfect sense. In fact, I kinda hope my son grows up to be playful and imaginative like the Them. Overall, ridiculous and fun, with poignant moments to think about why we wish the world would end.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

5.0

This is a symbolic fictional retelling of her non-fiction book, “Dance of the Dissident Daughter” (which I would recommend reading first).

After reading her non-fiction, it was really wonderful to have the concepts play out in the lives of fictional characters. I felt the concepts more, which was needed after intellectually understanding them. I was invested in Jessie’s transformation on the same level that I am invested in my own transformation. The quotes and lines from this books will resonate inside of me for many years to come.

This is another scary book, where you feel if you look too closely you will come to understand a truth about yourself from which you can ever go back. Once known, you are changed. I looked, and I am changed.

As Old as Time by Liz Braswell

5.0

LOVED this interpretation of Disney’s beauty and the beast! Surprisingly feminist, answers all the unanswered questions, and makes belle the real hero she was always meant to be. Also an interesting commentary on genocidal experiments and what is means to be “mad.”