Witches of America | 
pickWhen making a documentary film about non-mainstream religions, Alex Mar grew intrigued by paganism/witchcraft. She decided to delve into it personally and chronicles her experiences here. I really like the history and anthropology she mixes in, and wish there was more of that, but I appreciate the memoir as well. I have no interest or belief in witchcraft personally, and this was a good match for me to learn more.
Omg thank you soooo much @SMayWrites for this awesome box of goodies for the #witchpleaseswap I can't wait to check out the Oracle cards!!!
This is Stone City, one hundred acres dedicated to witchcraft in Santa Clara County. #halloween #witches #spookyread #nonfiction
so-soFascinating topic. It starts off as almost an anthropological study in paganism and turns in to the author‘s search for religion. While I did find a lot it interesting, the tone of the author seems almost bored and almost like she is making fun of the subject.
Tibetan Monk or human rot. Hmmm... 🤔
panSo recently I've kinda been into the idea of witchiness. I've done full and new moon rituals and just paid attention to moon cycles in general. Also, I own a black cat. 😏 I wanted to read something as an intro to different types of witchcraft to maybe find something that interests me. This wasn't the book for me tho.
Nature is every witch's temple...she can place her hands on the trunk of a tree...and draw power up from the earth.
so-soI really liked parts of this book but it felt too much like a memoir of a person that I didn't care too much to know about. It was interesting that she delved so deep into the world of modern-day witches but some of her writing was uninteresting to me.
pickAn interesting look at modern strains of witchcraft and paganism in America. I had some questions/concerns about methodology and sincerity, but I did appreciate her honesty and felt I learned a lot. #RogueBookBingo
Sometimes it pays to leave the Halloween decorations around all year! Just added this book to the collection yesterday.
bailedSadly, I couldn't get into this one. I was super excited about the topic but really didn't care for the author and how much she inserted herself into the story. It also felt completely distant and dry for being such a fascinating topic. Disappointing.
Evening plans include witches, kitten snuggles, pajamas, homemade cheeseburger and tater tots.
I may still need to decorate my tree but at least I have some good reading material ready. #bookhaul finally arrived from the Book Outlet. Super excited about the good deals I found. 😍👍
pickFascinating book. Reading it as a cynic means a lot of raised eyebrows but it's certainly thought provoking. The writing's excellent,especially when she's describing the rituals. Not sure how 'immersive' research like this should be but it gives a great insight.
Books n booze n boats. Farewell, Belgium, you've been lovely. #booksandbooze #ReadHarder
#photoadaynov16 #BookAndBrew #booksandbooze
Greetings from Bruges. I need more beer. America needs more witches.
#ReadHarder challenge 20: a book about religion #booktober #HalloweenReads
pickThis is my book choice for a scary #nonfiction read for #allhallowsread and today's challenge. I read this a few months ago and also watched Alex Mar's documentary on Amazon that features on of the witches she wrote about. No pic of the book so here's a cat photo :)
pickReally enjoyed this look at modern-day paganism and the journey the author goes on to see what she believes. I especially enjoyed reading about some of the practices that have wrongfully been called demonic or evil by people outside the pagan world, as well as how modern pagans deal with those who DO pervert occult practices.
#somethingforsept It's probably a bit too early for me to #BlameItOnLitsy cos I only joined a few days ago, but the @bookriot Littens are responsible for these on my TBR shelf. and for me trying unsuccessfully to persuade my siblings to get me Barbara The Slut for Christmas last year. (My mum is called Barbara. They refused. ) #septphotochallenge
"But I am talking about how, in a singular situation, at a singular time--at the witching hour, if you will--a person can find herself thoroughly unsettled. At such a moment, the weakest part of you floats up through viscous liquid, up through your gut, your intestines, your fleshy arteries, through the very source points of your wateriest emotions, as unstable as water. Anything becomes possible, and a person finds she is capable of many things."
The Salem Witch Trials began this day in 1692. I read about them as a kid - it's one of those areas of American history that still fascinates me. Salem is still one of my favorite places I've visited, and I really enjoyed hearing Alex Mar speak earlier this year about modern witches!
pickIt had its ups and downs, but overall was an interesting read. I found some of the chapters boring and I get the sense that Alex disguises a lot of her conniving as just being a "formless, lost girl." Maybe I'm morbid, but I was disappointed that more page time wasn't dedicated to the corpse guy.
I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about this book. I'm classifying it as a memoir, and Alex and I don't always agree. I don't know if I can trust her. I sympathize with her draw to the liminal, but is that impetuous enough?
"A self-mythologizing takes place when we assimilate the stories of our ancestors into our own--it's automatic." --Alex Mar, in the latest issue of the Oxford American
