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shcleveland's reviews
165 reviews
The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year by Linda Raedisch
3.0
Why did I read a book about Christmas/Yuletide in June? Well, it was available from the library, that's why. And it was okay, definitely an interesting read for a more appropriate time of year. The content was interesting and seemed decently researched. There's a few things in the bibliography that I think I may want to read. I did find that things sort of jumped around a bit too much and were a little disjointed. I may try one of the recipes though.
Honoring Your Ancestors: A Guide to Ancestral Veneration by Mallorie Vaudoise
4.0
If you're wholly unfamiliar with ancestor veneration and want to come at it from a western perspective, I think this book is overall an okay place to start. The writing style was enjoyable and easy to read. I really like the journal prompts at the end of each chapter. I think they were probably the best/most helpful part of the book. The prompts are honestly what pushes this from a 3 to a 4 in my opinion.
As many of other reviews have pointed out, the actual ritual examples were very Catholic-leaning. I don't find them particularly useful with in my belief system. However, the general ideas and approach that the author suggests are interesting and worth consideration. The author does acknowledge that these things are from her personal practice, which is all she can really speak to and I give her points for acknowledging that her way is not the only way.
As many of other reviews have pointed out, the actual ritual examples were very Catholic-leaning. I don't find them particularly useful with in my belief system. However, the general ideas and approach that the author suggests are interesting and worth consideration. The author does acknowledge that these things are from her personal practice, which is all she can really speak to and I give her points for acknowledging that her way is not the only way.
Seasons of a Magical Life: A Pagan Path of Living by H. Byron Ballard
4.0
It seems to me that Seasons of a Magical Life is a book that you're either going to enjoy, or greatly dislike. Whether or not you love it or hate it will depend primarily on two things: what you want from the book and your feelings around essay collections.
The structure of the book is interesting. It is divided into four sections: a foundational section; the waxing year; the waning year; and a wrap-up section. The chapters in the center portions focus on a different wedges of the Wheel. Each contains a "letter from the forest-farm" followed by sections on skills to hone during the season, activities to enjoy with friends and family, chores that need doing, etc. It can feel slightly disjointed and may not be to everyone's taste. Once I got used to the rhythm of the writing and the format of the book, I found it enjoyable.
Numerous parts of Ballard's "letters" resonated with me. Although, as a different kind of pagan living in a different place, I find much of it requires adaptation for my lifestyle and my practice. Still, I found much value in the little snippets of life by the wheel in the author's little piece of paradise. I also enjoyed the discussion of an animist worldview and re-enchanting the world around us.
That said, if you're looking for step-by-step instructions on how to celebrate the Wheel of the Year or specific festivals, I think you'll be disappointed. This book focuses more on the philosophy of living with the seasonal shifts than it does set instructions. There are no rituals or spells to mimic, but definitely some practical advice on gardening and the baking of bread. Personally, I intend to try the furniture polish recipe!
All in all, it was an enjoyable book that gave me things to mull over in the coming days and weeks.
The structure of the book is interesting. It is divided into four sections: a foundational section; the waxing year; the waning year; and a wrap-up section. The chapters in the center portions focus on a different wedges of the Wheel. Each contains a "letter from the forest-farm" followed by sections on skills to hone during the season, activities to enjoy with friends and family, chores that need doing, etc. It can feel slightly disjointed and may not be to everyone's taste. Once I got used to the rhythm of the writing and the format of the book, I found it enjoyable.
Numerous parts of Ballard's "letters" resonated with me. Although, as a different kind of pagan living in a different place, I find much of it requires adaptation for my lifestyle and my practice. Still, I found much value in the little snippets of life by the wheel in the author's little piece of paradise. I also enjoyed the discussion of an animist worldview and re-enchanting the world around us.
That said, if you're looking for step-by-step instructions on how to celebrate the Wheel of the Year or specific festivals, I think you'll be disappointed. This book focuses more on the philosophy of living with the seasonal shifts than it does set instructions. There are no rituals or spells to mimic, but definitely some practical advice on gardening and the baking of bread. Personally, I intend to try the furniture polish recipe!
All in all, it was an enjoyable book that gave me things to mull over in the coming days and weeks.
The Vampires Will Save You by Rebecca F. Kenney
5.0
I binged it in a night, and now I'm annoyed that I don't have the rest of the series in paperback yet.
While I love post-apocalyptic type books, I usually get pretty annoyed about zombies. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Kenney handled some pretty over-used mosters (zombies and vampires). I'm invested in this world she's created with science run amok, and interested to see how more of it reveals itself in the upcoming books.
I also enjoyed the characters. Finley and Atlan are probably the least toxic couple I've read so far in any of the author's books. Don't get me wrong, the Peter Pan retelling is hot and fun, but not exactly relationship goals, haha.
Anyway, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
While I love post-apocalyptic type books, I usually get pretty annoyed about zombies. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Kenney handled some pretty over-used mosters (zombies and vampires). I'm invested in this world she's created with science run amok, and interested to see how more of it reveals itself in the upcoming books.
I also enjoyed the characters. Finley and Atlan are probably the least toxic couple I've read so far in any of the author's books. Don't get me wrong, the Peter Pan retelling is hot and fun, but not exactly relationship goals, haha.
Anyway, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Kingdom of Thorns by Katherine Macdonald
4.0
Overall, I ended up really enjoying this book. I don't think it's Macdonald's strongest, but I also don't think it's her weakest. Truth be told, I was pretty meh about the book until the classic Macdonald emotional gut punch hit and I spent the last 3rd of the book or so sobbing. The twist to the story is an interesting take on the classic tale, and I really appreciated the surprising amount of agency that Briar had in her own story.