I read several books per month, and these are the ones that top my list. Watch this section grow each month with a new selection.

Don't forget to check out the Archives!:

2001 | 2002

Book Of The Month: December 2002

Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

Another Gaiman book on the list? Well, I am a bit of a fan, soooo....

Actually, K'Tok gave me this book for Yule, and I read it in a day. It is a fiction story written for the young adult level, but there are elements that even adults in need of an Alice In Wonderland fix will enjoy. It's delightfully spooky, can be the stuff of nightmares, and is so very very Gaiman.

Coraline is a story about a girl who finds a life on the other side of a doorway that almost exactly matches her own...but it's better. Does she decide to stay with her Other Mother and Other Father? What about the children she finds trapped there?

To find out, you have to read the book!

Book Of The Month: November 2002

Applied Magic by Dion Fortune.

This book was for a change of pace. Applied Magic is a collection of articles that Dion Fortune wrote for her Inner Light Magazine. I found it absolutely fascinating to see what she had to say about the magickal comunity during this period of time...and you think we have it bad now!

Some of the articles require some knowledge as to what groups were practicing during the late 1920's to early 1940's. What you don't know is pretty much supplied by Gareth Knight in his introduction in the book.

More than anything, this book gives an interesting insight as to where she saw the Occult world going during her time. Her ruminations about Crowley, SL MacGregor Mathers, the Golden Dawn, the Qabalah, etc. along with her esoteric glossary at the end makes it worthwhile.

Book Of The Month: October 2002

Wicca for Couples by AJ Drew.

AJ Drew is an upstart author, and I love it. He almost gets into biting the hand that feeds him by criticizing the publishers and many other Pagan authors...however, he's really good at explaining exactly why he is critical and what needs to be done.

First of all, Wicca is a religion of peace and love, correct? One of his arguments is that Wicca is becoming sterile...what good is a fertility religion when you take out the fertility? Where's the love when you tell people that your coven becomes a new family so go ahead and shun your blood relations if they disagree with you?

This book emphasizes family, love, and connecting to Deity through those people you love. Considering how so many books now focus on either Solitary or Coven work, this is a great book for couples (no matter what orientation you may be) to emphasize their bond.

I bought this book in August when K'Tok and I moved in together...we were looking to practice our religion together, and this book has some wonderful ideas. Good author, new information, guts to speak out...that's why I chose this as the Book of the Month for October.

Book Of The Month: September 2002

The Magician's Companion by Bill Whitcomb.

I was in the process of moving during the month of August, which is why there is no Book of the Month for that month. For a good portion of the time, my books were all still in crates and boxes, waiting to be put on my shelves.

I actually began reading this book in July, but it is the September BOTM because I finished it during this month. It normally would not take me so long to finish a book, but I liked the way it was divided into sections and then further broken down into "Models" based on certain magickal numbers.

These models served a great purpose...I would read one, and only one, per night just before bedtime, and then meditate or even merely think about the information contained within the model. It was difficult to not rush ahead and read more, but this way I was really able to mull around some ideas and get a brief introduction into other systems of magick and religion.

This works like the "Physician's Desk Reference"...don't expect to learn everything there is to know about each subject. There are also some small errors in the text (it could be even better with some thorough editing and being re-printed as a second edition), but they're easy to find and figure out what was *meant* to be said. If you're looking for a good introduction to various belief systems, plus a handy reference later on, this is an excellent book to pick up.

Book Of The Month: July 2002

When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone.

Again, I needed a scholarly book. This time, I had been to a bookstore and was so disgusted with the number of cheapie spell books on the shelves that I was about to give up hope. So I went to the local witchnook instead. When we were ready to leave, I knew there was something in the store that I had to get...I couldn't place my finger on it, but knew it was there. We wandered the rooms of the store again, and When God Was a Woman positively jumped out at me. There wasn't some bright light that washed over me...more like a feeling of, "Hello!...Rhaevyn's brain! Of course!" I knew I had been wanting to read this book for a long time, and I simply kept forgetting about it. I'm glad I finally found it!

The premise of the book is a trace of the various Goddess religions and the cultures that followed them...and how they were eventually overcome by cultures with masculine deities. I didn't feel that Stone candy-coated the various Goddess religions by making them all seem like hearts and flowers, nor did she demonize the male-based religions by making them seem like they were nothing but barbarous aggressors. And as a good author should, she backs up her research with referenced quotes. It always makes me happy to see that. I really enjoyed reading about religious history from a different perspective. Yes, I always take things with a grain of salt when I read, but that's because I tend to be a skeptic... But anyway, this is definitely a worthwhile read, if for anything, to see how gender issues and politics can transform with the governing religion.

One thing that I was happy to see this book did *NOT* do was try to "prove" how all Goddess worship stems from one culture that had a three-fold goddess in the Maiden, Mother, Crone archetype. But that's been done in another book... *grin*

Book Of The Month: June 2002

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler.

Actually, I read this book about two and a half years ago, and I still think it ranks as one of my top favorites. I'm putting it as my June, 2002 selection because I finally broke down and bought a new copy. I miss my old one (and the notes I took in it! I recommend taking notes when you read it!) but this is just one book I want to always have on my bookshelf.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this book? First of all, it starts out pretty dry...you have to get through the first few chapters which have a very nice and realistic view of the history of Neo-Pagan religions. Once you stick it through the beginning, it definitely gets better. There are so many different varieties of Neo-Pagan paths, and I think Adler manages to only skim the surface...but there's more information on them than you'd normally find on a typical website.

This is the kind of book I like to read: Scholarly, informative, interesting, and real. While I'd love to see yet another updated version, it's fascinating to see where the Neo-Pagan religions stood just a few years ago, and in comparison with what we see on the internet, where they are now.

Book Of The Month: May 2002

Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott.

I have to admit, I had many hesitations about reading this book. For one, I really have a hard time taking people seriously when they have to put their titles (in this case, "Wiccan High Priestess") all over the cover of the book, as though it proves some mysterious point. Then there was the review on the back cover mentioning that "Wicca" means "Wise one," which is still argued, though Isaac Bonewits pretty much did a thorough trace of the etymology to "To bend or twist." (See his book, Witchcraft: A Concise Guide for futher information.) But as usual, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Curott actually does a wonderful job turning her experiences into a novel. You get hooked into the book, and she craftily manages to give you just enough in each chapter to make you want to read the next chapter, no matter how late you've already been up reading and how early you're supposed to get up the next day. The book pretty much covers most of the information that a fledgling witch would learn up through the first year and possible initiation, though it is not a guide to learn from. Instead, it is inspirational and gives you the drive to continue learning, knowing that you are not alone.

Even though I know my personal experiences were nowhere near as colorful as Curott's (and very few of ours probably will be as exciting), I do recommend this book because it gives one person's experiences, the ups and downs of learning the religion, and the message that we should stick it out if we are truly serious. Just remember, it is a novelization of her life, not another Wicca 101 book. I think the bookstores need more books like this one on the shelves.

Book Of The Month: April 2002

Pagans & Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience by Gus DiZerega, Ph.D.

I was ready for something different when I picked up this book. I made one mistake though: I tended to read it as a "bedtime book." Many times I wanted to scold myself for being so tired that I would accidentally skim a part of a chapter, because it was just such an interesting concept of a book that I didn't want to put it down.

Basically, the author is a Third Degree Gardnerian and instead of just exploring why Pagans tend to "defect" from Christianity, he analyzes both religions and their attitudes towards one another. He calls the two "sister religions," and writes it for both Pagans and Christians alike. He explains to Christians why Pagans have switched, plus he also explains to Pagans why Christians don't agree with our practices, either. I think giving both sides of the story, so to speak, is a wonderful concept to bridge the gaps between the religions. Along with Cunningham's The Truth About Witchcraft Today, I think this is a good book to hand to a friend or family member to help explain your feelings on religion. (I even recommend handing it to the person before Cunningham's book...it's more scholarly and I felt it was more welcoming to both sides by admitting that each has its own strengths and weaknesses.) However, be sure to read it yourself, first! DiZerega's style does make you think why you may have left one religion for another.

Book Of The Month: March 2002

Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women's Spirituality Group by Robin Deen Carnes and Sally Craig.

Due to work, I didn't have time to do much reading during February, but I finished this book in March, making it the March Book of the Month. And no, it's not the BOTM just because it was the only one I read, either! Even for those of the male persuasion, I think this book has a lot to offer for people interested in starting a new Student Pagan Organization.

I've read several books on creating Pagan groups...some are better than others (I will be doing reviews of them soon), but what makes this book different is that it is not a Pagan-specific book even though it is Pagan-friendly. Many other books focus on forming covens or Wiccan Circles. If you're in college, you're going to inevitably have people interested in a group for "alternative spiritual traditions" but do not want to focus on one particular religion. You will find that members will drop out if you constantly focus on one Pagan tradition. What I like about this book is that it tells how to start a spirituality group that can encompass a large variety of beliefs.

And while the book is meant for women, the information presented will work for any Pagan Organization, though you may have to tweak some of the ideas presented. It not only gives the technical details on how to start a group and keep it running, but it also gives personal anecdotes to show how different people dealt with various situations that will arise in a group setting. Overall, it's a very balanced book.

If you have a Student Pagan Organization or thinking of starting one, this book is handy to help you deal with including everyone's beliefs. If that doesn't convince you to check it out...it also has a large appendix full of information that includes other good books, suggested music for various moods, and movies to watch and discuss as a group. The appendix and the inclusiveness of various spiritual traditions make this a worthwhile book.

Book Of The Month: January 2002

The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels.

I have to admit I was a little biased about this book from the beginning...Elaine Pagels, the author, spoke at my college during my sophomore year on this topic, and I had been wanting to read it ever since. However, I've had this book on my shelf for a long time, kept picking it up, then putting it back down for something more "fluffy" because I was in college at the time and needed something lighter after studying. However, I figured it was about time to finish reading it, and I'm glad I did! (For example, I found my copy of my family's *wonderful* bread stuffing recipe that I had been using as a bookmark, but that's beside the point.) Pagels traces how "Satan" went from being a non-specific title of any of God's angels to a particular character that opposes God and stands for all that is evil. She tells the political climate and possible biases for each of the gospels, but allows the reader to make his/her own opinion based on the information provided. The character of Satan evolves in a very interesting way, and I have to say that while the book is quite scholarly, it was a great read because it gave me something to think about and the desire to explore some of the works she referenced. It really does give a good account of the "origin" of Satan and it was nice to have a different topic to learn about for an enlightening change.