50 Books - 2007

[pt_tangles]

I have finished books 3 and 4.  I have just been procrastinatey in posting.  First - Real Witches Garden by Kate West



This one wasn't bad.  It wasn't all that it could have been, but I wasn't expecting a whole lot from it.  It has your basic Neo-Wiccan rituals and spells that can be done outdoors with some ideas for gardening and even some really good ideas for indoor gardens.  The herblore isn't anything spectacular.  A lot of it can be found in any of the Herbal Almanacs or in Cunningham's herb books. 

There were some good ideas for getting kids involved in gardening and teaching them general Neo-Pagan concepts.  Overall, not a terrible book, but not something I would buy again if given the chance.  I really just didn't learn anything new (which I admit isn't exactly fair because I have been studying herblore for a lot of years now). 

I don't know as I would reccomend it for beginners as it is pretty heavy in the author's way of practise and ritual.  I think that something a little less religiously slanted would be better for learning about plants and then you could add in your own religious views on your own.  For magical herbal information, Cunningham's Encyclopedia was far more extensive (she even reccomends it in the appendices).

Basically, if are working from a generic Neo-Wiccan practise and you have no idea about plants or gardens, then this book might be good for you.  I like the anecdotes, but I get those from Llewellyn's Herbal Almanac too.

Second - Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett



What can I say?  This was a fabulous book!  I loved it.  The writing is brilliant and I want to have Terry Pratchett over to my house for drinks!  LOL  Even the 'About the Author' was funny.  Buy this book.  Buy it for your friends.  You won't be sorry.

--Phae

Comments

[brock-tn.livejournal.com]

For somebody who has repeatedly said he is in no way a pagan of any stripe, Terry Pratchett knows at least as much about the essence of witchcraft as many people writing for Llewellyn, and more than some.

Do you see why I say I want to be Esme Weatherwax when I grow up?

Terry's been doing a series of Discworld books for the juvenile market about a young witch: the first two are The Wee Free Men, and A Hat Full of Sky. The third book is also out, but I misremember the name right now. Great stuff.

[pt_tangles]

I wanna be Esme Weatherwax when I grow up too. LOL I am on the hunt for 'Witches Abroad' and 'Equal Rights', I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for the younger ones too.

I have another to read that I picked up from our library's booksale. Small Gods. It is apparently about the beginnings of Om.

--Phae

Re: All Hail Terry!

[pt_tangles]

LOL - I have got Small Gods to read next. His books are just so much fun :)

--Phae