jessicaminster's reviews
123 reviews

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Side to side with the horrors of the author's experiences in Auschwitz, he examines the very things that kept him going and allowed for him to survive. The most stark of any example of this is in Frankl's discussion on love's eternal nature. Literally brought me to tears.

The Forbidden Universe: The Occult Origins of Science and the Search for the Mind of God by Lynn Picknett

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

"The Forbidden Universe" stands as by far the most underrated/under-read book I've ever read. My girlfriend is the person who recommended it to me and it held up to every bit of praise she gives it. It's not only a riveting exercise almost from start to finish (there's stuff near the end that dragged on a tiny bit), it also gives a sense of absolute urgency, a rallying cry for its own legitimacy and importance to the modern world. I consider this to be an immensely important book as well, and I think it could very well change the world if it were studied by more people-- namely scientists. Blew me away.

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This book, which I was recommended because I am interested in the occult, is simply life changing. It completely alters your perspective if you're willing to engage with it on an honest level and while not every last prediction is correct that Wilson makes, the overall outline of the human mind and human history is so compelling that it can't help but really make you think on these things. The MOST thought-provoking book I've read, ever. I do think it is great for occult learners and those interested in magic, but I think anyone with an interest in the consciousness revolution, history, and/or psychology has got to check this out.

The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice by John Beckett

medium-paced

4.0

It's a pretty well rounded guide to getting into and practicing Paganism-- as far as an overview goes. There are some moments where I found myself losing focus since some of the info here is very well trodden by sources about Paganism, whether that be other books or articles. Do be warned that it is not an overview of the many traditions of Paganism so much, that would make the book twice as long as it is perhaps. So if you already know you're wanting to get into Kemeticism or Hellenism or Druidry, this might not be the best place to get all of the juicy details on that stuff.

I did appreciate the commitment Beckett gives to the live and let live mentality of Paganism, and taking a neutral stance in the middle of all of the traditions therein.

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice by Thea Sabin

adventurous informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

This is, indeed, a beginner's guide to Wicca. It has a better reputation with the serious Wiccan community than Cunningham's work, so I opted for this as my big introductory Wiccan book. I enjoyed most of it and identified with a lot of it too. I still feel like I have some research to do but I do think that for most people this is a good enough book to get you to really know if you're into Wicca or not (though it doesn't automatically make you one if you finish it or something, of course).

There's a little bit too much repetition for my taste but that's probably for the best, since people can get confused by having a number of different concepts introduced at different times and not put together into one cohesive whole and really hammered home, so to speak.

Also the author's little anecdote about her husband's cat using energy to enhance his massage practice is the shit I LIVE FOR.

Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding the Power of Magic: Understanding Power Before You Use It by Carl McColman

fast-paced

3.5

Although the lessons and ideas that are presented in this book are very helpful for someone who's just getting into witchcraft (read: me), it is a weirdly underhanded "Backdoor Wicca" book. I really thought the information is totally useful, from what you should understand ethically to just mechanically about magic before doing a single spell. I happened to be sucked in with the Wicca stuff too, so read at your own discretion with all that. There is a good deal of repetition in the book, but it never gets to be too much-- it's more so for the sake of emphasis than anything, and it's stuff that you really should know, so I think it's excusable. The Wicca stuff is potentially troubling, but for someone who's open to it, I was receptive. If you're vehemently opposed to Wicca for whatever reason, maybe stay away or at least keep in mind that regardless of what it appears to be, this *is* a primarily Wiccan text.

Also, side note: McColman's use of very casual language was sometimes a little grating, or even cloying. Maybe I'm just more accustomed to more academic language at this point, I'm not sure. It's not super bad, he's not using terrible outdated slang or anything, it's just a little bit distracting at times.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

A very concise spiritual parable that condenses a lot of knowledge deemed esoteric and mystical. Simple in its plotting and characterization, almost a children's story, but still impressive in its learned quality.

Blood on the Tracks, Vol. 2 by Shuzo Oshimi

5.0

It is such a shame that there isn't an omnibus release of this manga yet! Oshimi REALLY knows how to write a cliffhanger!
This is a fantastic artistically nuanced work of art, and it's shaping up to be a better manga to me than even "Uzumaki" or "Akira".

Leaves of Grass: The First (1855) Edition by Malcolm Cowley, Walt Whitman

4.5

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Did not finish book.

4.5