Book Recommendation - Tumblr Posts

I'm listening to the audio book right now and it's great! Helped me relax after a VERY stressful afternoon. You've got the character voices down pat. Well done! To everyone else, if you wanna read a great murder mystery and also Sherlock Holmes says trans rights in Victorian London, check this one out!

'Circle of the Sun' is one of the only extensively researched handbooks on the rituals of Kemetic paganism that is readily available on the market. Anyone seeking a closer relationship to the Egyptian deities will find this book immensely useful and informative. In particular, I enjoy that everything is simple to understand and nothing is left open-ended. For someone who is truly a newbie, you will have everything explained in clear words.

Some of what it contains includes:

- daily, weekly, and monthly prayers and rites

- magic, heka, and spells

- rituals for genuine Egyptian holy days

- how to self-dedicate as a solitary Kemetic, and how to choose a deity name

- hymns to all the major deities

- how to cope as a solitary Kemetic

and heaps more!

One of my favourite things about this book is that it contains a quick reference guide for the ancient Egyptian language. Whilst pronunciation is varied (we literally have no idea how some of these words were said), the spelling is relatively straight-forward. Words like 'beloved' and other praising terms make for simple prayers you can write yourself and having that guide there is super helpful.

The author has even included photos of her altar during different times of the year to give you an idea of what you could do. While mine altar is always set up how I like it, many new Kemetics struggle with how they should create an offering space that is suitable. (Hint: it's all suitable!)

There are also recipes to create your own incense, information about prominent deities... honestly, it's just a super informative book. Retailing at only $31, you can't go wrong.

Sharon LaBorde is a well-respected Kemetic recreationalist and has published a few other books as well, including 'Following the Sun', which is a practical guide to Kemetic religion and paganism. I haven't read that one, but it does differ and contain other information. Sharon's website says... "It includes major topics such as explanations of Egyptian history versus conspiracy theories, understanding the concept of ma'at (justice) and Egyptian ethics, how to build your own altar or shrine, crafting your own ritual garb and oils, and rituals and prayers for a variety of purposes. Now with expanded sections on ancient Nubia's relation to ancient Egypt, ancient polytheism and the Exodus story, and complete rituals for a Wheel of the Year. With a down-to-earth, easy to read format, this book is a must for anyone seeking to explore Egyptian Paganism."

I highly recommend this book to those who are curious! And I'd venture a guess that 'Following the Sun' is just as good.

'Circle of the Sun' is one of the only extensively researched handbooks on the rituals of Kemetic paganism that is readily available on the market. Anyone seeking a closer relationship to the Egyptian deities will find this book immensely useful and informative. In particular, I enjoy that everything is simple to understand and nothing is left open-ended. For someone who is truly a newbie, you will have everything explained in clear words.

Some of what it contains includes:

- daily, weekly, and monthly prayers and rites

- magic, heka, and spells

- rituals for genuine Egyptian holy days

- how to self-dedicate as a solitary Kemetic, and how to choose a deity name

- hymns to all the major deities

- how to cope as a solitary Kemetic

and heaps more!

One of my favourite things about this book is that it contains a quick reference guide for the ancient Egyptian language. Whilst pronunciation is varied (we literally have no idea how some of these words were said), the spelling is relatively straight-forward. Words like 'beloved' and other praising terms make for simple prayers you can write yourself and having that guide there is super helpful.

The author has even included photos of her altar during different times of the year to give you an idea of what you could do. While mine altar is always set up how I like it, many new Kemetics struggle with how they should create an offering space that is suitable. (Hint: it's all suitable!)

There are also recipes to create your own incense, information about prominent deities... honestly, it's just a super informative book. Retailing at only $31, you can't go wrong.

Sharon LaBorde is a well-respected Kemetic recreationalist and has published a few other books as well, including 'Following the Sun', which is a practical guide to Kemetic religion and paganism. I haven't read that one, but it does differ and contain other information. Sharon's website says... "It includes major topics such as explanations of Egyptian history versus conspiracy theories, understanding the concept of ma'at (justice) and Egyptian ethics, how to build your own altar or shrine, crafting your own ritual garb and oils, and rituals and prayers for a variety of purposes. Now with expanded sections on ancient Nubia's relation to ancient Egypt, ancient polytheism and the Exodus story, and complete rituals for a Wheel of the Year. With a down-to-earth, easy to read format, this book is a must for anyone seeking to explore Egyptian Paganism."

I highly recommend this book to those who are curious! And I'd venture a guess that 'Following the Sun' is just as good.

It’s fun being in a fandom that literally doesn’t exist

If there is anybody out there that enjoys the book series Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins, please please make yourself known because I have been alone for too long

Dritten! 💜

K. Imani’s 2020 Faves

What a year! I decided to use a fancy planner to keep track of my reading this year and I started off on my usual pace, but with quarantine and a slew of so much literary goodness, I’m on track for a new reading record. I knew this year was going to be a banner year for Black SciFi/Fantasy and I wasn’t disappointed. So, of course, this list will be full of Black SciFi/Fantasy because I couldn’t get enough!

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. A flying demon feeding on human energies. A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down. And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates. She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

A Song of Wraiths & Run by Roseanne A. Brown

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom. But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic … requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition. When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell

Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic. Evoking Beyoncé’s Lemonade for a teen audience, these authors who are truly Octavia Butler’s heirs, have woven worlds to create a stunning narrative that centers Black women and gender nonconforming individuals. A Phoenix First Must Burn will take you on a journey from folktales retold to futuristic societies and everything in between. Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them. Authors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi.

For Transgender Day of Visibility, here’s several books about Gender that I haven’t recommended before (I Think)!

Keep reading

Rae D. Magdon Masterpost

Hi! I'm Rae, a queer author of speculative fiction. My novels put lesbians, bi women, queer women, trans women, and nonbinary folks at the center of the story.

Wondering where to start?

Try my award-winning Lucky Breaks series!

It's got...

☑️ Cyberpunk!

☑️ Virtual Heists!

☑️ F/F Romance!

☑️ Trans & Nonbinary Characters!

☑️ Found Family Trope!

Prefer Fairytales? Not much $?

The Second Sister is a lesbian retelling of Cinderella and the first in my Amendyr Series. (The others are Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.)

Space Operas more your thing?

The Dark Horizons Series has...

☑️ Sexy Marine Aliens!

☑️ Digging/Subterranean Aliens!

☑️ Gyroscopic Spaceships!

☑️ Multiple Prison Escapes!

Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading these books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Please reblog if you can! 🥰️

Book shelf clean out: young wizards

I loved this series! I don't know where my copy of the 1st book went but the others are on their way to the library bookstore, and I hope they find a new home there

It was hard to say bye to these books (but I plan to get the new millennium editions in ebook soon... and i need the space). I read them when I was in high school and college.

They're really excellent, set in Our World (not fantasy whatever land). They remind me in some ways of Terry Pratchett's work--not the setting or voice, but in the underlying ethos of the work. Although the characters go through difficult things (big warning for A Wizard's Dilemma), the world overall feels... kind?

More things to love about this series

Hispanic & queer representation, if you pay attention. In other, more recently-written series, these aspects of the characters might have been played up. In this series, those aspects are still present but more subtly. I actually like this because it's more fitting with my experience of the world. It also serves the story itself better and allows the characters' choices and actions to be the focus of the story.

Even in the case of the antagonists, the characters are... They extend civility and understanding to the antagonists, but they don't veer into "all-forgiving hero" territory. The story doesn't get into really black-and-white good-and-evil morality, but it isn't that tiresome "everyone sucks enjoy your undifferentiated grey." The heroes are heroic because of how they choose to treat others.

I love it when stories say "the way you treat others does matter." Kindness is repaid with kindness.

The styles of magic are cool too! I think many people have read "this character has a connection with plants and growing things" magic before. One of the other characters has a connection with mechanical and technical things! There's a scene in one of the books where he communes with, I think it's an airplane? And he can feel its eagerness to be flying, its fierce joy in speed and movement. I think that's lovely.

There are some good jokes in there, like the pig!

If you love space and astronomy, you'll probably like this series :) Especially the later books.

If you like alien cultures (and more traditional fantasy other-cultures) you'll probably like this seriies

Overall I just really enjoy these books and recommend them okay byeeee

Drop in recommendation

I read the Heart Test by Helen Hoang tonight and it was really good.

Emotionally harrowing in some parts*, but I found the HFN/HEA conclusion extremely satisfying. I cried and cheered and urgently wished for a specific character to be launched into the sun

More detailed thoughts to come but! Another recommendation

Spoilers below for what made it harrowing (not detailed, just like in the form of content warnings)

Parental death. Ableism. Suicidal ideation. Austistic burnout following masking. Cancer (character had testicular cancer innpast year)

Oh and there are sex scenes! Those aren't harrowing but JSYK. They're nice sex scenes though.

Exploring the Shadows of Indigenous Dark Fiction: Never Whistle at Night Anthology Shaina Tranquilino October 27, 2023

In a world where diverse voices are increasingly being heard, literature plays a crucial role in amplifying marginalized perspectives. One such remarkable work is the anthology "Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology," edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. This collection of haunting stories offers readers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of indigenous folklore, horror, and speculative fiction. As we delve into the depths of this book, we discover tales that challenge stereotypes and provide a fresh perspective on traditional storytelling.

Diverse Voices Unleashed:

Never Whistle at Night stands as an important literary milestone in its ability to bring together Indigenous authors from various tribes and backgrounds. Each story is crafted with immense care, capturing the essence of cultural heritage while embracing the dark realms of fiction. The authors skillfully blend elements of horror, fantasy, and suspense to create narratives that both entertain and educate.

Exploring Indigenous Folklore:

One notable aspect of this anthology is its exploration of Indigenous folklore, which has often been overlooked in mainstream literature. With each turn of the page, readers are transported into worlds filled with spirits, supernatural creatures, and ancient traditions—elements deeply rooted in native cultures. These stories serve as powerful reminders that Indigenous peoples have their own myths and legends that deserve recognition.

Challenging Stereotypes:

A prominent theme throughout Never Whistle at Night is challenging stereotypes surrounding Indigenous communities. By weaving these narratives within dark fiction genres, the authors subvert expectations and offer nuanced portrayals far removed from common clichés. They confront issues such as colonialism, displacement, identity struggles, and generational trauma head-on while simultaneously delivering captivating plots.

Blending Darkness and Light:

The editors' expert curation allows for an engaging balance between darkness and light within the anthology's pages. While some stories may leave readers trembling with fear, others offer solace and hope. This careful equilibrium serves as a reminder that Indigenous experiences encompass both the shadows and the light, just like any other culture.

Impactful Storytelling:

"Never Whistle at Night" showcases the immense talent of its contributors, each story delivering a unique experience to the reader. From chilling tales set in contemporary urban environments to more traditional stories deeply rooted in cultural heritage, there is something for everyone within these pages. The authors' ability to effortlessly blend genres creates an anthology that transcends labels and speaks to a universal human experience.

In "Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology," editors Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. skillfully bring together Indigenous voices that deserve wider recognition. This collection offers readers an opportunity to immerse themselves in captivating narratives while challenging preconceived notions about Indigenous cultures. By showcasing dark fiction infused with rich folklore and thought-provoking themes, this anthology leaves a lasting impact on its audience—a testament to the power of diverse storytelling and literature's ability to bridge gaps between cultures.

I'll come back and update this because I JUST picked out a book from my doom box I haven't read yet and I already forgot the title.

HOWEVER I did just finish a 2-book series:

Book 1 The Cerulean

Book 2 The Alcazar

By Amy Ewing

--------> Okay found it I'm going to be reading Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading