I enjoyed the descriptions of everyday life, the cultural differences (including in worldview) between the Farsalans, the Hrum and the Suud tribe. FarI enjoyed the descriptions of everyday life, the cultural differences (including in worldview) between the Farsalans, the Hrum and the Suud tribe. Farsala is based on Persia and the Hrum are based on the Romans. The story is told thru the eyes of three main characters- Kavi- a sly peddler, Soraya- a haughty deghass (noblewoman) and Jiaan, the unacknowledged son of Soraya's military commander father. I like that these three perspectives were shown, as all too often in fantasy we get *only a noble/royal POV- or a rags to riches type story. All three characters grow over the course of the story, yes even Soraya who seems really obnoxious to begin with, learns from her experiences. If you want a storyline that quickly gets into the plot, I'd steer clear of this one, as it does take time to build. But I found it to be an interesting enough journey....more
I came across this in Patricia Wrede's list of books, and remembered that I read it in high school. I remember it being so-so. It just didn't seem supI came across this in Patricia Wrede's list of books, and remembered that I read it in high school. I remember it being so-so. It just didn't seem super-original to me, though that may reflect the time it was written- in the 1980's when feminist flavored fantasy was newer, and fantasy in general was evolving from pulpy sword & sorcery type books (a la Conan the Barbarian)
What I mean by the feminist flavor is the theme of witches being depicted as good, and being persecuted by the Eeevil Patriarchy. (particularly priests- no not an analog for the Catholic Church/Christianity at all, right?) For better books by Patricia, check out her Dealing with Dragons series. They make fun of fairy tale cliches, while having original plots/characters. ...more
Growing up, James McBride knew nothing of his mother's past. His father was black & his mother was white, but she left her previous life behind her anGrowing up, James McBride knew nothing of his mother's past. His father was black & his mother was white, but she left her previous life behind her and refused to discuss it. Finally as an adult, he convince her (Ruth McBride) to tell her story, and share it in this memoir. She grew up the daughter of a Polish rabbi in Suffolk, Virginia, and fled to the North with her African-American lover. She married twice (both husbands died) and raised mostly by herself 12 children, defying the grim odds of poverty. I thought the Color of Water was quite well-written. The chapters alternate between James' recollections of his childhood, and his mother's narrative. She is (or was?) a strong, determined woman, and a stern but loving mother. I found it interesting, for one because in my generation, interracial relationships & families are seen as no big deal for the most part. But Ruth faced stares of puzzlement and hostility as she led around her children around New York City. ...more
In Beyond Ramps, Marta Russell gives an excellent critique of disability policy & cultural attitudes in the American political & economic system. She In Beyond Ramps, Marta Russell gives an excellent critique of disability policy & cultural attitudes in the American political & economic system. She shows how inadequate the Americans with Disabilities Act is in broadening opportunities and inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream society. There is not enough of a push for businesses to hire people with disabilities, and there was too much compromise on not putting an "undue burden" on businesses to make their buildings accessible.
She also covers issues of bio-ethics, the history and current practices of eugenics & euthanasia. She gives some terrible examples of people who were put to death against their will, by people who thought they knew best. Though I do have to disagree with her on the Terry Schiavo case- doctors were almost all agreed that she was beyond help, not conscious at all, and really just artificially being kept alive. Really, it's a big example of why we all need to write living wills. There is a lot more awareness & encouragement of writing living wills by health care professionals now. Russell also challenges us- what is the "perfect baby" anyway? Where do we draw the line as far as parents choosing what traits their unborn children have? Are we loosing important parts of the human condition or playing God by aborting these embryos or screening out "bad" genes? How much is the pro-choice movement quietly supporting selective abortion as a parent's choice? (Though she does overall support a women's right to choose) Lots of disturbing things to consider, both on an individual and societal level.
Keep in mind, however that this book is now 14 years old- Clinton was president at the time, and so the statistics and policies are now quite different. I don't have all the information as to *how* they differ, but one thing I can say is that the tides have turned a lot regarding nursing homes vs. Personal Care Attendants. During the 2000's it became realized that PCAs were cheaper, and better for the people involved, and so there has been a strong shift in that direction, though funding for them is often not enough. I also thought she was too harshly critical of nonprofits. I think non-profits and charities can be a good *supplement* to government aid, but they definitely cannot replace them, and I agree we can't just depend on people to donate to them.
I learned a lot from this book, and it often challenged my views, and deepened my understanding of disability rights issues. I hope it will for you too! I will re-post this review on my blog- http://www.mariahmuse.blogspot.com and you can read more of my thoughts & opinions on disability issues there. ...more
I find it amusing how there are now so many really specific niches of mystery novels- mysteries for dog lovers, knitters, park rangers and yes now teaI find it amusing how there are now so many really specific niches of mystery novels- mysteries for dog lovers, knitters, park rangers and yes now tea lovers. Theodosia Browning runs the Indigo Tea Shop in a peaceful, historic district of Charleston, NC. But on the night of the Lamplighter Tour, a annual event showcasing the stately homes of the area, a ruthless* real estate developer is found dead, with a cup of tea from her shop in is hand. When the police detective casts suspicion on her and her employees, she decides to take matters into her own hands and investigate. This proves difficult, as the developer is disliked by many in the community.
I would definitely say this is more of a book for tea-lovers who like mysteries, rather than mystery lovers who casually like tea. That said, the story drew me in, Theodosia was a unique and appealing heroine and the descriptions of the characters and the historic city of Charleston also added interest. This is a nice, light read, and while a murder mystery, it is still not gruesome or that creepy. So you can give it to your grandma the tea maven :)
This isn't the kind of book I normally read, but I thought I'd give it a try, as I was curious about Amish culture. The story is about Katie Lapp, a yoThis isn't the kind of book I normally read, but I thought I'd give it a try, as I was curious about Amish culture. The story is about Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who sometimes struggles will the strict lifestyle of her community. She enjoys playing the guitar given to her by her dead beau, and creating songs. These are both forbidden, as the Amish require simple a cappella singing (without parts) only their traditional hymns. One day she finds a satin baby dress in the attic embroidered with the name "Katherine Mayfield" and wonders such a fancy thing could've come from. When she asks her mother she nervously dismisses it. Throughout the book Katie continues to be preoccupied with the significance of the dress as she prepares for her upcoming wedding to an older, widowed bishop.
After discovering the truth about herself, she makes some radical decisions that I thought were well, unnecessary, rash? Not sure what to say. The story drew me in, in spite of having a rather soap-operish, melodramatic tone to it (Oh, how can I resist temptation? Whatever shall I do? etc) and the plot move pretty slowly. But I guess that kinda goes with the Amish theme doesn't it? I agree with other reviewers that its rather predictable, but I was curious about how things would happen. I also thought the author wove in a lot of details of everyday Amish life without it being too distracting from the plot. Beverly Lewis is from Lancaster, PA herself so she is familiar with the Amish, in addition to doing thorough research. The story continues in 2 more sequels. I am not sure if I will read them.
In all the controversy surrounding abortion in American culture- one voice we never get to hear is that of the doctors who perform them. Here is a uniIn all the controversy surrounding abortion in American culture- one voice we never get to hear is that of the doctors who perform them. Here is a unique chance to hear such a voice. Susan Wickland's journey toward becoming an abortion provider began when she herself had an abortion. It was an unpleasant experience for her- the doctor & nurses were cold, did not counsel her or explain the procedure. After that, she decided that women ought to have better treatment as they deal with a terrible decision.
The women that come to her come from a variety of situations and consider abortion for a variety of reasons- poverty, rape/sexual abuse, the stigma of being an unwed mother, medical reasons. She makes extra sure that this is what they really want- asking them several times, carefully explaining the procedure and comforting them before and after.
Ms. Wickland faces many trials as the result of her chosen profession. Protestors crowd around her home, harass her daughter at school, and threaten her over the phone. Often she has to have police escort her into the clinic. The book ends up reading like a spy/adventure novel, as Susan develops various strategies to protect her family. I am amazed by her bravery and dedication. Even if you disagree with abortion, I would hope you can appreciate all the sacrifices and suffering she goes through for something she believes in. Would you do that?...more
I have long been curious about Walpurgisnacht, the eve of May Day (Maitag in German) but there is little information available about it. It is much liI have long been curious about Walpurgisnacht, the eve of May Day (Maitag in German) but there is little information available about it. It is much like Halloween if it was celebrated in spring. I was impressed, this book was surprisingly well researched for a New Age press book. The first portion gives us the history and origins of Walpurgisnacht, discusses witches in German folklore and holiday customs. The second part of the book has recipes, crafts and activities for the occasion. Many of them are simple & easy, including the materials needed, so it is quite family-friendly, as well as fun for adults who enjoy whimsy. All in all, Night of the Witches was fun & interesting, striking a good balance between background information & ideas for celebrating. ...more
This is the handbook for the beginning year-long training program for Ancient Order of Druids in America. I have read many books on Druidism and CeltiThis is the handbook for the beginning year-long training program for Ancient Order of Druids in America. I have read many books on Druidism and Celtic spirituality, so some of it was familiar but there was also some new things to learn from it.
John Michael Greer is part of Revival Druidry- an older tradition that is based more on philosophy and personal inspiration and less on history as contrasted with later Neo-Pagan Druid traditions. After introducing the Druid movement and its history, Greer explains 3 triads- groups of related concepts. The training consists of the Earth Path- connecting with nature and adopting a more eco-friendly lifestyle; the Sun Path- celebration of the solstices, equinoxes and four Celtic fire festivals, and the Moon Path- meditation.
The ceremonies in the Sun Path were shorter and simpler than I prefer. But I found both the information in the Earth and Moon Path sections to be quite useful. He described forms of meditation I'd not heard of before- like discursive, where you focus on a particular theme and see where that leads your thoughts.
This book would be of interest not only to those following Druidism (and Revival in particular) but any form of nature-based spirituality....more
The Druid Renaissance, retitled Rebirth of Druidry in this new edition is an anthology featuring essays from a variety of types of Druidry: Pagan, ChrThe Druid Renaissance, retitled Rebirth of Druidry in this new edition is an anthology featuring essays from a variety of types of Druidry: Pagan, Christian, revival/philosophical, and neo-shamanic. The history of modern Druidism in both Europe and the U.S. is explained. Though I was familiar with U.S. druidism, and to some degree British, it was very interesting to learn about the emergence of Druid groups in continental Europe (France in particular) Another section was about ceremonies- both for holidays and life passages. I have read extensively on history and customs surrounding the solstices, equinoxes and 4 Celtic fire festivals, but these essays still had new things to teach me. One unique essay compared the 8 holidays with the symbols of the I Ching. Erynn Laurie and Mara Freeman discussed the connection of druid to nature and poetry, and nature imagery in mythology. They argued that druidism can help us overcome our modern alienation from nature. Those were among my favorite essays. Another essay (can't remember author) compares the history of Druidry and Witchcraft. One key point she demonstrates is that while Witches position themselves as being secretive, and alternative or oppositional to the dominant culture, including Christianity, Druids tend to be public and identify more with the establishment. They reconcile more with Christianity, at least in its Celtic-influenced varieties.
Some of the writers espoused beliefs & theories that I don't buy into such as ley lines and the idea that Jesus & Joseph of Arimathea journeyed to Britain. But I enjoy reading about different viewpoints, even those I disagree with.
All in all, Rebirth of Druidry serves as a good survey of different forms and aspects of Druidism, informative and insightful both for the curious seeker/beginner or the experienced Druid/Celtic Pagan. ...more
Wow, this book is really old! Both when it was published (early 1900s) and the particular copy I have. The introduction, history and religion chapters Wow, this book is really old! Both when it was published (early 1900s) and the particular copy I have. The introduction, history and religion chapters are outdated- there is a bit of a Noble Savage framing of the Celts and he takes seriously the fabricated "Barddas" of Iolo Morganwg that was claimed to be ancient Welsh Bardic wisdom. However the re-tellings of the myths seem like they are good. There are even a few myths that I haven't seen before, like the story of Tuan Mac Carell. The edition I have also has nice Art Noveau illustrations. Actually this is the most extensive collection of Celtic myth and legend I have seen in one book- that is the best reason to buy, borrow and read this book....more
After watching and enjoying the Dinotopia miniseries (set in a later time period, by the way) I remembered that I had a Dinotopia book so I picked it After watching and enjoying the Dinotopia miniseries (set in a later time period, by the way) I remembered that I had a Dinotopia book so I picked it up. In this scenario, Sylvia has gone off on a quest and her fiance, Will Denison follows her into the wilds of the Amu River Canyon. The officials of Canyon City refuse to help, but they insist on sending Chaz, a protoceratops to accompany him. After finding Sylvia, she reveals that she is searching for the legendary Hand of Dinotopia, an object said to show a safe sea route away from Dinotopia. (The island's isolation has been previously explained as being surrounded by impassable ocean currents) Though Will is convinced that this may be worth a try, Chaz thinks it's a wild goose chase.
I thought this was a fun and suspenseful adventure. Foster gives very rich descriptions of the natural world and Dinotopian culture(s). Obviously he (and/or James Gurney the creator) did a lot of research on prehistoric plants and animals. Many species of dinosaurs were mentioned that I'd never heard of, so it was neat to learn of them. As for the characters, the most interesting ones were the dinosaurs- Chaz for one had a lot of personality. Sylvia is kind of cool, but Will is a somewhat bland protagonist. Dinotopia is also a little too perfect to be believable, though any Dinotopia fan is already capable of plenty of suspension of disbelief! There are still many natural dangers that the characters face, but no true villain. So if you prefer complex human politics & conflict, this probably won't be your cup of tea.
Note on reading order: I definitely would recommend reading the original Dinotopia book before this one. It is also set after the World Beneath and Dinotopia Lost, while there are slight spoilers for the latter I don't think the order matters as much....more
While race is a frequent topic of discussion and activism among UU's, socio-economic class is all too often ignored. Personally I have encountered claWhile race is a frequent topic of discussion and activism among UU's, socio-economic class is all too often ignored. Personally I have encountered classist attitudes among UU's, so this was of great interest to me. Beginning with Unitarians in Britain, Harris shows that they had more humble origins as skilled workers and small merchants, who rose in status through their own efforts. After coming to America, Unitarians became a more elite group particularly in Boston. Their churches often excluded people of other classes and races. Universalists, while stereotyped as rural and working-class, actually were more economically mixed.
I was shocked by some of what I read in this book, including many Unitarian's advocacy for eugenics. At the time it was seen as progressive! All in all, I believe this is essential reading for anyone interested in Unitarian Universalism, liberal religion or the intersection of religion and class....more
In the year 2075, the moon has been turned into a penal colony, and its inhabitants are exploited to produce resources to import to an overpopulated EIn the year 2075, the moon has been turned into a penal colony, and its inhabitants are exploited to produce resources to import to an overpopulated Earth. Fed up, a group of them decides to organize a revolution, with the help of an intelligent computer, "Mike".
Heinlein explores many interesting ideas, both political, economic and social. I'm having some trouble getting into it, as it's a little dense. I'm going to keep reading though, as I've been told it's one of Heinlein's best works, and among the best of science fiction in general....more
Sacred Cauldron is an excellent primer on Celtic Reconstructionist religion. (Regardless of whether the CR community thinks) Tadhg MacCrossan calls hiSacred Cauldron is an excellent primer on Celtic Reconstructionist religion. (Regardless of whether the CR community thinks) Tadhg MacCrossan calls his tradition "Druidactos" focusing on Gaulish culture. There isn't much information on Gaulish polytheism, however so most of the book is based on Irish and Welsh mythology, history and folklore. I can tell it is very well researched, using many reputable sources I am familiar with such as "Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland & Wales" by the Rees brothers and "Gods of the Celts" by Miranda Green. On the down side- There were some assertions in the "Gods and Their Tales" chapter that I found questionable- so be a little careful with that. I thought his ritual set up (nemeton or grove) was overly complex- I think it is based on Vedic (Indian) ritual. He includes several useful appendices terms for ritual gear and other words in various languages including Proto-Indo-European. In general he is very big on comparing IE mythologies, but I think he tends to emphasize similarities over differences a little too much. We certainly can get many good ideas from other IE (and some non-IE) cultures, but we need to stay true to the Celtic spirit. Overall though, this is a well put together and very useful book for Celtic Pagans. I wish it would go back in print!
Though I have to say the marketing on the back is annoying "Secrets of the Druids Revealed!" That's typical Llewellyn, probably not the author's choice....more
Note: this is the 7th in the Young Wizards series Nita, Kit and Dairine are hoping for a break from the craziness of their lives. Dairine signs up for Note: this is the 7th in the Young Wizards series Nita, Kit and Dairine are hoping for a break from the craziness of their lives. Dairine signs up for a wizardly intergalactic exchange program- Kit & Nita head for the planet Alaalu, while 3 wizards come to stay at with Dairine & her father. But this turns out to not be as much of a vacation as they'd hoped. Nita & Kit relax on the peaceful planet, getting to know the friendly family they stay with. But they slowly begin to realize that this is too good to be true. Meanwhile, Dairine contends with various cultural clashes, including with an arrogant prince. But he may hold the key to saving Earth from disaster...
As usual with the Young Wizards books, this is a fun and fast-paced adventure, amusing as well as thoughtful about philosophy & ethics. I found some of the ideas & technical concepts in it hard to understand, but you don't need to understand all the details to follow and enjoy the story.
One criticism I do have, is that I think it would be more interesting if the wizards had an enemy other than the Lone Power (roughly equivalent to Lucifer/Satan in their universe) S/he suffers from the "Sauron/Voldemort" problem- too abstract & distant to be a really interesting villain. Human-like enemy(ies) would be better, a great antagonist that the reader loves to hate....more
This novel takes place on Anarres, a planet (or moon rather) colonized by anarchist rebels from the neighboring planet of Urras that has become very iThis novel takes place on Anarres, a planet (or moon rather) colonized by anarchist rebels from the neighboring planet of Urras that has become very isolated over the last hundred years or so. As with other Le Guin books I've read, the world-building was very good and vivid, but the plot moved slowly, which for me got boring.
Shevek, the main character is a physicist who struggles against the conformity of Anarresti society and longs for more intellectual freedom. He gets it with a trip to Urras, where is considered an oddity, but finds out that he is a pawn of the state.
Read this if you like novels that do lots of intellectual philosophizing, but if you want a book that has a well-paced plot and developed characters, look elsewhere. So far I have enjoyed her Earthsea novels, however they are a very different flavor. ...more
This is an elaborate political saga, reminds me a bit of A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, only if it were written May SFF book club selection.
This is an elaborate political saga, reminds me a bit of A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, only if it were written by a woman with more finesse. Carey writes evocative descriptions, with rather creative word choices- you might need a dictionary nearby while reading this! Phedre is an indentured servant trained as a courtesan who is sold to a mysterious nobleman named Anafiel Delaunay. He teaches her languages, and to listen and take in details, skills which later will come in handy. After being kidnapped by barbarians, she discovers a plot against the Queen and must find a way to save her country, Terre d'Ange (an alternate Renaissance France)
The funny thing is I didn't find the sex scenes to be that well, sexy. The BDSM that was depicted was a little extreme. However, don't let that dissuade you from reading it, as it's only a fraction of the book. The main problem I did have with it was following the rather labyrinthine plot- there were a lot of characters, motivations and such to keep track of. The best thing to do I found is just to keep reading and you figure it out as you go along. ...more
I didn't finish this- it was somewhat interesting, but because it was so academic it's better for people who are more knowledgeable of Hinduism to reaI didn't finish this- it was somewhat interesting, but because it was so academic it's better for people who are more knowledgeable of Hinduism to read. Since I only know the basics of the religion, I didn't understand a lot of the terminology used. Still, there were some interesting perspectives on feminism and cultural appropriation, and how Indian women view feminism themselves. Not necessarily a bad book, just not very useful to me personally....more
Another dystopian novel too depressing for me to finish!
The scenario is that a Christian version of the Taliban has taken over the United States. OffrAnother dystopian novel too depressing for me to finish!
The scenario is that a Christian version of the Taliban has taken over the United States. Offred leads a dull life as a Handmaid, her purpose being to conceive a child for a military Commander and his wife. I also found the plot moved way too slowly. Don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with books with a political message to them, but not ones that are political at the expense of good writing. Atwood's often considered a good writer though. I guess there's no accounting for taste... ...more
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