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What I Finished Reading This Week
Tarot: Beyond The Basics – Anthony Louis
I last read this one in (I think) 2017; the parts that I remember liking then have held up well, and the parts that I remember disliking are as disappointing as ever. It’s a great introduction to the astrological underpinnings that inform modern interpretations of the cards’ meanings, as well as the contributions of Neo-Platonist theories (chiefly numerology and the four humors). But there are also major flaws.( Read more... )
TL;DR: the astrological information is well-presented and very useful, as is the information on elemental dignities and Neo-Platonist numeric and bodily humor theories, so long as you’re able to take some of the basic premises Louis lays out with a grain of salt. Read for the good stuff, ignore the bad.
The Age Of Waiting – Douglas J. Penick
This short book punches far above its page count. It collects 13 essays Penick contributed to publications such as Tricycle, and there's not a false note among them. Thematically, the essays focus on insecurity, whether rooted in the coronavirus pandemic, political developments, environmental degradation, or mortality itself. Penick's writing is stark and beautiful, and best taken in a bit at a time because there is a lot to chew over here. This is an incredibly moving book that will snap readers out of habitual rumination and into appreciating what's going on around them, and I highly recommend it.
What I Am Currently Reading
Mythos – Stephen Fry
The jacket copy says that Fry “reimagines” the Greek myths in this book. I say he offers pretty straightforward retellings, but they're still very enjoyable regardless.
Women Of The Golden Dawn – Mary Greer
Ugh, those first few chapters are kind of a slog. But once you break past them, the book really comes into its own.
Spellbreaker – Charlie Holmberg
Holmberg’s Victorian London reads vaguely like her 19th century American southwest, probably because I’m still spoiled by Paraic O’Donnell's scene-setting prowess. But her worldbuilding and magical systems are as inventive as ever, and I’m enjoying the ride.
Experience The Mystery Of Tarot – Katalin Jett Koda
Koda is, per her introduction to the book, an initiate of Buddhist, Hawaiian, Wiccan, and Yogic traditions. i have grown leery of authors with such pedigrees.
Gideon The Ninth – Tamsyn Muir
Still enjoying it well enough when I’m reading it; still not feeling much drive to choose it over other in-progress books once I’ve put it down.
Binti: The Night Masquerade – Nnedi Okorafor
Ironically, I lost steam after the previous novella’s cliffhanger ending. That said, I should have this one finished by next week.
What I'm Reading Next
This week I acquired Christelle Dabos’s The Winter’s Promise, John O'Donohue's Anam Cara, Natalie Haynes's A Thousand Ships, and Anna North’s Outlaws.
これで以上です。
Tarot: Beyond The Basics – Anthony Louis
I last read this one in (I think) 2017; the parts that I remember liking then have held up well, and the parts that I remember disliking are as disappointing as ever. It’s a great introduction to the astrological underpinnings that inform modern interpretations of the cards’ meanings, as well as the contributions of Neo-Platonist theories (chiefly numerology and the four humors). But there are also major flaws.( Read more... )
TL;DR: the astrological information is well-presented and very useful, as is the information on elemental dignities and Neo-Platonist numeric and bodily humor theories, so long as you’re able to take some of the basic premises Louis lays out with a grain of salt. Read for the good stuff, ignore the bad.
The Age Of Waiting – Douglas J. Penick
This short book punches far above its page count. It collects 13 essays Penick contributed to publications such as Tricycle, and there's not a false note among them. Thematically, the essays focus on insecurity, whether rooted in the coronavirus pandemic, political developments, environmental degradation, or mortality itself. Penick's writing is stark and beautiful, and best taken in a bit at a time because there is a lot to chew over here. This is an incredibly moving book that will snap readers out of habitual rumination and into appreciating what's going on around them, and I highly recommend it.
What I Am Currently Reading
Mythos – Stephen Fry
The jacket copy says that Fry “reimagines” the Greek myths in this book. I say he offers pretty straightforward retellings, but they're still very enjoyable regardless.
Women Of The Golden Dawn – Mary Greer
Ugh, those first few chapters are kind of a slog. But once you break past them, the book really comes into its own.
Spellbreaker – Charlie Holmberg
Holmberg’s Victorian London reads vaguely like her 19th century American southwest, probably because I’m still spoiled by Paraic O’Donnell's scene-setting prowess. But her worldbuilding and magical systems are as inventive as ever, and I’m enjoying the ride.
Experience The Mystery Of Tarot – Katalin Jett Koda
Koda is, per her introduction to the book, an initiate of Buddhist, Hawaiian, Wiccan, and Yogic traditions. i have grown leery of authors with such pedigrees.
Gideon The Ninth – Tamsyn Muir
Still enjoying it well enough when I’m reading it; still not feeling much drive to choose it over other in-progress books once I’ve put it down.
Binti: The Night Masquerade – Nnedi Okorafor
Ironically, I lost steam after the previous novella’s cliffhanger ending. That said, I should have this one finished by next week.
What I'm Reading Next
This week I acquired Christelle Dabos’s The Winter’s Promise, John O'Donohue's Anam Cara, Natalie Haynes's A Thousand Ships, and Anna North’s Outlaws.
これで以上です。
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