Category: book review

My review of Inspiring Creativity Through Magick

Writing and magic seem to go hand in hand. When I started my witchcraft practice, I was shocked by how many witches were also writers.

Well, not just writers. Singers, painters, dancers, actors. Witches seem drawn to art.

That makes sense to me. Writing has always seemed to me a tangible form of magic. To be able to experience other worlds while lying on your couch. To be distracted in stressful times and invited to another place or time. To hear the thoughts and musings of people long dead, but still here in ink and paper. To write something, and have it read by people all over the world.

That’s magic.

Many books have been written about writing from a magic perspective. I’ve read a few. But, I’ve never really talked about them here. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because the witch part of my life still feels like something very private. I’m slowly getting over that. I even posted a whole Modern Witch review series on Haunted MTL. So I think it’s time to introduce you to my favorite writing books for witches. Because if there’s one thing that’s universal, it’s that we all want to be better artists.

Today, we’re talking about Inspiring Creativity Through Magick, by Astrea Taylor.

Published in 2023, Inspiring Creativity Through Magick is a firsthand guide to creating a fulfilling ritual around your art. It walks the reader through each step of the creation process, from inspiration to the final product. And it is delightful.

The book starts with a conversation about creative spirits. Muses, and the like. This was great fun, and I actually learned about spirits I hadn’t heard of before.

The thing I appreciated most about this part was the discussion of the unnamed creative spirits that many artists say they’ve come in contact with. Taylor even mentions Stephen King talking about his muse in one of my favorite writing books of all time, On Writing. There he talks about his muse being a short man with a cigar that might show up and start working his magic if King puts the work in and all the conditions are right.

Taylor also talks about Big Magic, another book I’ve talked about here. This book also talks about feeling as though the artist is a partner in the act of creation. We are all capable of tapping into the creative flow of the universe and inviting spirits that want to help us bring our creations to life.

And we know this is true. Every artist has those moments when it doesn’t even feel like we’re on the same plane of existence anymore. When the words are coming or the paint is flying with no effort. When all the pieces fall together, or that subplot now makes sense and is exactly what the main story needed, or the character says just the right (or wrong) thing at just the perfect time. When you write a poem that just smacks you between the eyes because it’s so true, and you hadn’t even thought of those words before they were in front of you on the page, somehow coming out of your own hand.

Clearly, this was my favorite part of the book.

We then delve into the step-by-step process of creating a finished art piece. Not the technical details, of course. This book is for all artists, after all, and that would be a bit much. Instead, it explores the basic stages of creation. The inspiration phase. The first pass phase where we create our rough drafts and start telling ourselves our stories. The edits, and revisions. And of course, the eventual release of the work out into the world.

This is wonderful for many reasons. First, sometimes it’s hard to feel the creative magic in the later phases. Writing a rough draft is all creation. Making something from nothing. There are no rules, we’re just throwing words on the page and seeing what sticks. But editing? Revising? Grammar checking? That’s not creative.

It very much is. Honestly, I find that I’m far more creative in the second and third passes of my stories. It doesn’t feel as immense anymore. I have a better idea of what I’m trying to say, and how I utterly failed to say it the first time. So I can fix this bit here, and rewrite that part there. I know what doesn’t work, and now I can figure out what does work. And this is a process that is clearly explained in a far better way than I ever could in this book.

It’s also wonderful to have this breakdown of steps, especially as a beginner. Looking at a finished project, it’s impossible to see all the work that went into it. And if you’re starting at the other end, looking at a blank page, the thought of turning that blank page into a whole book is incredibly overwhelming.

Breaking this process down, step by step, is more manageable. And it’s something I still do. Today, I’m not writing a book. I’m just writing this scene or this chapter. I don’t need to worry about the edits or the rewrites. Or even the next chapter. All I need to worry about is writing this page right now.

One thing I will say is that Inspiring Creativity Through Magick does feel like a beginner book. If you’ve been creating art for a long time, it might feel redundant. I already knew the steps of creating, I didn’t need them drawn out for me. So there might be parts that a more experienced artist finds a bit boring.

Overall, though, this was a really useful book. I think every artist can take something useful and uplifting away from this book. Whether you’re a witch or not, it’s well worth a read.

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My top ten favorite books of 2024

The year is nearly over. And while the events of 2024 might have sucked (it sucked so hard) I read some great books. Like, some really great books.

So let’s focus today on the good books and not on the horrible life and world events.

Here are the top ten best books I’ve read this year. It was a tough decision. I was shocked that Rift didn’t make it, even though I loved that book. But here’s what made the cut.

Also, if the book in question is a horror book, assume that I reviewed it on Haunted MTL. Just in case you want a more in-depth perspective on one title.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

I can’t believe a King book made the list at the bottom! Don’t worry, he’s coming out with a new Holly book next year, and I’m sure that one will make it higher.

I did a whole review of this one on Haunted MTL. But the short version is this.

You Like It Darker had stories for long-time King fans, like a follow-up to Cujo. But it also had some fantastic stories that any new reader will love. My favorite of the bunch is Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream.

A Well Trained Wife by Tia Levings

This is not an easy read. But it was so impactful. Here’s a link to my full review. But if you’re struggling with an abusive religion or an abusive marriage, this is the book to remind you that you are not alone.

Hekate by Courtney Weber

If you’re interested in witchcraft, or if you’re already practicing and want to deepen your understanding of the goddess of Witchcraft, this is a must-read.

Bad dreams in the night by Adam Ellis

If you’re not already following Adam Ellis on Instagram, do it. These stories were eerie, clever, and fun to read.

Hide comic by Kiersten White

This was a year of comic books for me, starting with Bone and ending here.

Last year I read Hide and loved it. When I found out there was a comic version, it seemed like a great read. And, it was. Whether you’ve read Hide the novel or not, you should check this graphic novel out.

Two sides to every murder by Danielle Valentine

If you’re a big slasher or true crime fan, like you know I am, this is a book for you. It had all the quaint and gorey charm of a good horror movie, with a modern feel.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

I read this book in January, and I haven’t shut up about it since. It’s a fantastic little ghost story with a love story built in. And, of course, a witch priest. Love it.

Three simple lines by Natalie Goldberg

I thought this would be a book about writing haiku, and in a way it was. But it was also about traveling to an unknown country and experiencing everything that had to offer. And, it turns out I needed to read that. Some of you might know I had to take a trip by myself out of my hometown alone for the first time in 16 years. But I had courage. Because if Natalie could go to Japan alone, I could go to another city alone.

So thank you, as always, Natalie.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

This book was brilliant. It was so well thought out. The writing was so clever. It was so meta. The punchline was completely unexpected. I loved every second of it.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

The fact that Mister Magic made number one on my list should not surprise anyone. This book wrecked me. I mean it led me down such a journey, I can’t begin to tell you.

If you are suffering from religious trauma, read this book. If you just want a beautiful, dark horror story, read this book. If you’re breathing, read this book.

Well, that is it for my top ten list and it for the year. But don’t worry, I’ll be back next Friday to start another year of reading, writing and struggling against the forces of evil.

See you then.

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Woven is now available in its entirety on Amazon! Click the image below to check it out.

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My 2024/2025 Winter reading list

It’s cold outside, I don’t want to go anywhere, and there’s nothing I want to do more right now than read. This mood isn’t likely to change through most of Winter.

Which, when you think about it, is what Winter is for.

So, here’s what I plan to read during the winter of 2024, 2025. If you’ve read my planned reading lists before, you might notice this list is shorter. I have more information to come regarding this. You might also see some repeats from my last list. This is because Maggie Smith died and I had to read all of the Harry Potter books again. These things happen.

As always, this is a reading list that encompasses my many hats. I’m a writer, a witch, a horror critic, and sometimes I like to read something for fun. Hopefully, you’ll discover something here that you didn’t know about or had forgotten. If you plan to read any of these, or if you have already, let me know in the comments.

Appalachian Folklore Unveiled by Darkness Prevails

I’m all about folklore and legends. And, of course, I live in Northern Appalachia. So this book looks right up my alley.

Also, I discovered this book exists because it was featured on my local library’s website. Get involved with your local library, my friends. The benefits are endless.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

I recently discovered a treasure trove (like, four) of Natalie Goldberg books I’ve never read. And through a series of events, most of which sucked, I’ve only read one of them so far. But this one is about her struggles with writer’s block during Covid lockdowns. I can’t imagine Natalie Goldberg having writer’s block, so this one is near the top of my list.

The Morrigan by Courtney Weber

I’ve already read a book by this author about Hekate. It was fantastic, faith-affirming, and packed with information I did not have.

I’ve been fascinated by The Morrigan since reading Mists of Avalon as a child. I know, that’s pretty basic but there it is. So I can’t wait to learn more about Her.

Long Quiet Highway by Natalie Goldberg

This was originally published in 1993, and it’s about Goldberg’s journey as a student of Zen Buddism. It also feels like it’s going to be about America. I’ll let you know after I read it.

Poetry as spell casting byTamiko Beyer, Destiny Hemphill, Lisbeth White

Honestly, the title says it all. Art is witchcraft and vice versa for me. So using poetry as spell casting is right up my witchy little ally.

This book is also about bringing about good changes in the world. Which I think we could use right now.

An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft by Moss Matthey

Any of my very Christian readers might worry about this one. But it’s about a topic that I need some help with, healing religious wounds and trauma. Because Jesus loves me, but the church of my childhood did not. Or, at least it wasn’t a healthy love.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

I actually don’t know a lot about this book except that it’s a dark, cold wintery haunted house story. And it must be damn well popular because I have been on the waiting list at my library for it forever. Watch Haunted MTL, I’ll be reviewing it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Who holds the devil by Michael Dittman

I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at a local author’s event. He seems like a dear. And when he talked about this book, I had just one question for him. Is the witch the good guy? When he said yes, I had to read it.

Also, it’s about a tree that was holding back an ancient evil in my hometown. I also wrote about trees holding back an ancient evil. Obviously, I had to read it. Again, watch Haunted MTL for the review.

Fairy Heards and Mythscapes by Kerry E.B. Black

I also met Kerry at the same author’s event, and we swapped books. I always love someone else who understands that fairy’s are dangerous and should be treated with respect and caution. Can’t wait to crack into this one.

Witchcraft for wayward girls by Grady Hendrix

Two of my favorite writers are putting out books this year about witchcraft. I know it isn’t just for me, but I like to think it’s a little bit for me.

This is a story about a pregnant teenager sent to a school for girls in that situation, who learns witchcraft as a way to take back control of her life. Relatable.

We’ll prescribe you a cat by Syou Ishida and Madison Shimoda

This one is way different than anything else on this list, as it is not horror and still fiction. Essentially it’s a story about lonely people who are, for many reasons, given a cat. I have two, and a dog, and I can tell you they’ve saved me during some dark times.

Never underestimate the power of pets.

This one’s probably going to make me ugly cry on public transportation.

Don’t let the forest in by C.G. Drews

Finally, I put this book on my to-read list because Bookstagram will not shut up about it. Then, of course, there’s the cover.

This seems to be a story about a writer and artist who accidentally birth monsters. Which, you know, sounds like catnip to me.

And, again, have you seen the cover?

So that’s the plan. I hope to get through all of these books and find that they lived up to the hype.

Now it’s your turn. What are you reading this winter? Let us know in the comments.

You can find all of these books, and follow along with everything I’m reading on Goodreads.

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The best horror books I’ve read in 2024

The time has come for ghosts and monsters. Eerie sounds and terrifying frights!

I’ve been celebrating Halloween since September 29th. But it’s less than a week away now, so I’m getting excited. Of course, my favorite form of horror is, has always been, and always will be, the horror novel. From reading Goosebumps as a child to devouring Stephen King as an adult, there is just nothing better to me than a good scary story. So, here are the top nine best horror novels I’ve read so far this year.

I won’t go into a lot of detail about these books, because I’ve reviewed many of them either here or on Haunted MTL. And of course, we’ll see some repeats here from my top ten best books of 2024 so far post back in June.

Coal Region HooDoo by Maxim W. Furek

This was a delightful historical read about some local ghost, alien and Big Foot sightings right in Western PA. You don’t have to be from this region to enjoy the stories, though.

Hearts of Darkness by Jana Monroe

This is the memoir of FBI agent Jana Monroe, who among other things coached Jody Foster when she was getting ready to play Clarice in Silence of The Lambs. It’s a fascinating look at the agency from a unique point of view.

Ghost Hunters by Ed and Lorraine Warren

Are the first three books on this list nonfiction? You bet they are because truth is always scarier.

Ghost Hunters is one of many books by the amazing Ed and Lorraine Warren about their battles against demons and vengeful ghosts. And even though I found out they wouldn’t have approved of me (being a practicing witch and all) I still really loved this book.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

This was the latest short story collection by King, and it was great fun. There wasn’t a story in here I didn’t enjoy. But my favorite was a follow-up to the infamous Cujo.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

I have gushed about this book twice already. And I’ll probably keep doing it. A lonely hacienda in the middle of Mexico. A witch priest. A brutal murder. What more could you possibly want in a book?

Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine

If you love slasher films, especially camp slashers, you’re going to love this one. And, of course, there’s a killer twist.

Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis

Adam Ellis writes some messed up stories. They’re only surpassed by the cute/creepy cartoons he creates to go along with them. My only complaint about this book was that it took me less than an hour to read.

Horror movie by Paul Tremblay

This one stuck with me! Horror Movie is a wildly smart book that absolutely got me. It sucks you in and is wickedly genre savvy. It’s about the horror film industry and all the dark seedy corners it contains. But it’s also about how we, as fans, react to horror. And how we, as artists, can get a little too caught up in it.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

Finally, I cannot stop talking about this book. It’s amazing, it messed with me, and I am still not over it.

This book is about a group of people who used to be in a kid’s show. But more than that, it’s about being trapped in a community that tends to wrap itself around your neck and strangle you with banality. And by this, I do mean the LDS church.

So that’s it. Now I want to hear from you. What are the best horror books you’ve read so far this year? Let us know in the comments.

And if you want to follow along with what I’m reading, you can do so on Goodreads.

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You can pre-order Missing Stitches now on Amazon.

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My 2024 Fall reading list

Fall will be with us officially on Sunday. Banned Books Week also starts on Sunday. So it seems like a good time to sit down with a scented candle, a good cup of something warm and write out a reading list for the Fall season.

While I am unsure if any of these books are on the official banned book list, I feel comfortable saying they would almost all be banned in Florida schools. So we’re rolling with that.

This list is not full of new books, but all but one are new to me. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction. All have caught my eye. Rather than suggesting that you read every book on this list, I’d like to invite you to make your own Fall reading list. And please, as always, share it with us in the comments.

Happy Fall reading.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

This one’s been on my list for a while. When I found it at random on the library shelf, I took that as a sign to grab it. It’s the story of a boy and his dog discovering a magical and dark world in their shed. There’s nothing to dislike there.

Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

I read this every Halloween. It’s a fantastic blend of poetic writing and history. If you haven’t read it, consider this your sign to read it this year. And if you have littles, read it aloud to them. It’s a magical time.

William by Mason Coile

This is a new novel about an AI smart house that, as always, turns evil. I love stories like this. And it is an example of an old story told in a new way. At l—at, I think it’ll be a great example. I haven’t read it yet.

We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

I should say I plan to read this if I can get my hands on it. I’m currently fifteenth in line for this book at my local library. It’s been all over Instagram, and people are not shutting up about it. And as it is a haunted house story, I had to read it.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

I’m still playing catch-up with Goldberg’s work. I forget sometimes that people continue to live and do things when I’m not looking at them. But Writing on Empty should be fascinating, as it’s one of my favorite writers struggling with something I don’t believe in, writer’s block. Let’s see if she changes my mind on this. If anyone can, she can.

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

I think this is about a rock star who sold her soul for musical talent. I know it’s by Grady Hendrix and I’ve yet to find a book of his that I didn’t simply devour. He’s become an instant buy (or borrow) author for me.

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

This is the story of Lucy, one of Dracula’s first victims. And if it’s anything like the other works by White, I cannot wait to start reading it.

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Feminism has never been as intersectional as we’d like it to be. Part of fixing that is educating myself. I’m also fascinated by women who do daring things. So this one should be a great read.

Sisters in Hate by Darby Seyward

It’s not just men who hold up these damaging alt-right beliefs that are so damaging to our country and communities. I want to hear the stories of the women who align themselves with these horrific ideologies. Maybe if I can hear their stories, I can understand how to help them write better ones.

We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida and translated by E. Madison Shimoda

I am entranced by the premise of this story. People in emotional and physical need are given cats. These cats proceed to change their lives.

I’m writing this post with the cat who has brought so much brightness into my life on my lap right now. I plan to read this one with her stationed squarely on my stomach.

The Hygge Witch Handbook by Courtney Hope

Oh, you didn’t think I was going to get through this whole list without adding one witchcraft book, did you?

Hearth witchcraft is not exactly the core of my practice, but it’s a big part of it. And I’ve been practicing hygge for years. The concept of slowing down, savoring life and embracing little joys is essential for living joyfully in a world full of darkness. I am very excited to learn about incorporating hygge into my witchy homemaking practices.

Will I get to all of these books? I dearly hope so. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to check in with me.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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The best books I’ve read in 2024 (so far)

June is nearly done, and we’re heading into the second half of 2024. Somehow I’m not as excited about the latter months as I normally am. It’s almost like something is lurking in November that’s going to suck a whole lot of emotional energy out of my life and cause a bunch of stress.

Strange.

But we don’t have to talk about that today. Today, I want to shine a spotlight on the best books I’ve read this year so far. Sadly, I haven’t read as much as I would have liked. But what I’ve lacked in quantity I have made up for in quality. I have read some very, very good books so far in 2024.

As always, this list is set up from number ten to number one. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction. All were well worth a read.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

You know this is going to be a good list when the last one, the one that barely got in, is the Stephen King book.

I did a whole review of this book on Haunted MTL so I won’t rehash that here. Suffice it to say, this short collection was great. My favorite story was Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. It was fantastic.

Ghost Hunters by Ed and Lorraine Warren

This was a fascinating read. The Warrens discuss some of their best-known cases clinically and insightfully. I learned a lot.

The Mighty Goddess by Sally Pomme Clayton and Sophie Herxheimer

This book told some fantastic stories about goddesses. Some I’d heard of before. Some I am very familiar with. Some I’d never heard of before. If mythology and deities are a passion for you, this book is a must-read.

Undoctored by Adam Kay

This is a follow-up to a book we’ll be talking about later in this post. If you haven’t heard of him, and you haven’t read my Christmas Books That Aren’t Romance series, Adam Kay was a doctor in the UK. Now he writes about why he is no longer a doctor in the UK, among other things. This book is a collection of stories about his life as a doctor, and his life after leaving. It is funny, but it’s also incredibly dark. Be warned.

Art Magick by Molly Roberts

This isn’t the sort of book you read cover to cover. It’s a collection of art spells, most of which I’ve completed.

If you are a witch, or just artsy, get this book. The crafts are accessible and fun. The art in the book is so colorful and fantastic. I love everything about this book.

Rift by Cait West

Escaping from a high-demand religion is something I understand. But I had it easy. Cait had it far worse. Her father was a pastor, and she was forced into a special form of purgatory known as being a stay-at-home daughter. Everything in Cait’s life was controlled by her father. This book was harrowing, but it was also inspiring. It seems to say that you can get out. You can live how you want to live. I loved that.

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay

See, I told you we’d get there. This is Going to Hurt is the first book by Adam Kay. It’s a sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dark, always funny look at being a doctor in the UK. I learned some things I didn’t want to know. I heard some stories that stuck with me. I also heard some stories of things being stuck in the human body that should never have been there.

Bone by Jeff Smith

I’ve read Bone before, but it’s been a while. If it’s been a while for you, please go and read it today. It’s a good thing to read in the summer.

Bone, if you haven’t read it, is a wonderful story of an unlikely hero, a hidden princess and dragons. It’s everything you want in a good story. The artwork is funny to look at, and beautiful at the same time.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

This book was sold as a cross between Rebecca and Mexican Gothic. This was catnip to me. Realizing one of the main characters was a Catholic priest and a witch was just homemade buttercream icing on the cake.

I did a whole post about why this book works, so I won’t take a lot of time here. But it was a fantastic book that blended a great haunted house story with a sweepingly beautiful picture of Mexico. If you haven’t read it, go read it.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

This is, by far, the best book I read this year. And it kind of wrecked me for like a month after I read it.

I reviewed this book on Haunted MTL, so again I don’t want to rehash that here. But the clear analogy, like smack you in the face clear, to the religion I was raised in, was almost too much. I bawled while reading this book. If you are healing from the LDS church specifically, but any high control group in general, this book might help you heal. Or it might point out how much healing you have left to do. For me, it did both.

But it’s also a fantastic story. The tale of a group of child stars coming back together for a reunion and recovering not just their scars but also their deep and pure friendships is touching and terrifying. Overall, this is the kind of book I want to be writing. It was perfect.

So that’s it for today. These are the books I have enjoyed the most this year. Will any of them be on my end-of-the-year roundup? Only time will tell.

What is your favorite book that you’ve read this year? Let us know in the comments.

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Man in The Woods is now available for preorder on Smashwords!

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Trans speculative fiction writers to follow

It’s Pride Month! At least I think it still is. I was once again sick during Nebula Con. Don’t know what deity I pissed off that this happened two years in a row but I’m sorry already! As if that wasn’t bad enough, I was also sick on my birthday. So for the first nine days of Pride, Nebula Con, and my 38th birthday I was sleeping or suffering.

But I survived! I’m here now, full of new story ideas and bisexual pride. So let’s get the rainbow rolling!

I am blessed in my life to know many LGBTQ+ people. And I’m always overjoyed to talk about the writers I’ve loved who happen to be gay. But I realized recently that I don’t know of a lot of work written by trans writers. Which is strange, because I know two trans authors. One has been a friend for years, and the other is a mutual in SFWA that I am in constant awe of.

So, why am I not reading more speculative fiction written by trans writers? Possibly because I’ve been reading the same four authors almost exclusively for a few years now. This is an issue and I need to work on it. To help, I’ve found five trans authors who are writing great work. Some are novelists. Some are critics. Some I know personally and some I just wish I did. All of them are great writers out there living their true lives.

Foz Meadows

Meadows is the author of The Accident of Stars and A Tyranny of Queens. A glance through their website confirms that they have wonderful taste in webcomics. They’ve been published everywhere I want to be published. I cannot wait to dig into their work, because it looks fantastic.

J.M Brannyk

Brannyk is an opinion writer, artist, and critic. Their work can be found on HauntedMTL, Gayley Dreadful, and many other places. They’re also a fantastic voice actor, playing Rose in my sci-fi horror podcast, AA.

Brannyk is funny, insightful, and eloquent. While they don’t write speculative fiction, their grasp of the form is clear in their critical reviews. And I’ve never read anything by them that wasn’t funny as hell.

Jordy Rosenberg

Jordy Rosenberg wrote Confessions of The Fox, a book I cannot wait to get my hands on. He’s also an associate professor and is often published in places like The New York Times and The Boston Review. Overall, he is a way more professional writer than me and I am intimidated.

Jordan Kurella

Author of the novella I Never Liked You Anyway, Jordan Kurella is an amazing speculative fiction writer. His short work is found in Apex and Lightspeed. He was a panelist at Nebula Con this year. I’ve never read one of Jordan’s stories that wasn’t funny and fantastic. Ten out of ten, every time.

Kit Mayquist

Kit Mayquist is the author of Tripping Arcadia. And anything that’s described as a gothic novel is going to be right up my alley. It’s also been compared favorably to Mexican Gothic, which you know is one of my favorite modern horror novels.

Kit has also been published in Writers Digest, which has been a dream of mine since I was thirteen years old. I also get some witchy vibes from his Instagram photos. So clearly, I want to be his best friend.

My TBR list is getting bigger, better, and more diverse, and I cannot be happier about that. But of course, these were only five trans writers. I know this is a world of fiction that I am just starting to explore. So please let me know in the comments some trans writers you love.

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The best books I’ve read in 2023 so far

July is halfway gone, which means several things. It means back-to-school sales are starting, my local convenience store put out its first bag of candy corn, and I should have had this post out two weeks ago.

But, that just means I’ve had a chance to read a few more books that have made it on my list of the top ten best books I’ve read so far this year. And I’ve read some pretty awesome books so far. 

As always, these are listed from ten to one. 

(You can always follow along with what I’m reading on Goodreads.)

 Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

If you’ve never read anything by Pratchett, I don’t know how to describe this book to you. 

This is the story of a little girl who’s given the magic of a wizard. The trouble is that girls aren’t wizards in her world. So after the local witch does her best to teach the girl, she instead has to get her to the School of Unseen Arts. Of course, hilarity ensues. 

Light Magic for Dark Times by Lisa Marie Basile

Easily, this is my favorite witchcraft book. It dives deep into the hard topics. With spells for self-care, emotional healing, and facing our darkest and lightest selves, this book really has helped me through some hard times. 

Shut up and write the book by Jenna Moreci

I got an arc of this book and did a whole review right here. So I’m not going to go into too much detail. Suffice to say, it’s a great book for anyone who needs help navigating the writing and publishing world. In other words, all writers. 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

This is not the first time I’ve read this book. And I’ll be the first to admit that it’s all sorts of problematic. But it’s also an absolutely gorgeous look at a part of the world I will likely never see. It’s just dripping with gorgeous details of kimono, architecture, art, culture and interpersonal relationships. It is, in short, just a gorgeous read.

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

I’m just including the whole series here because you have to read them all if you’re going to read any of them. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The End.

This series is fun, dark, twisted and surprisingly educational. 

How To Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine

I did a whole review on this book, including a long-winded explanation of why I read it in the first place, on Haunted MTL. So I would definitely suggest reading that if you’re a fan of American Horror Story. 

Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

This is the sequel to a book coming up later in this list. But I wanted to include it because it honestly felt so different from the first one. This is a gunslinger Western but with zombies.

Again, I did a full review of this book on Haunted MTL.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

This is the book I was talking about a moment ago. And it was entrancing. If Deathless Divide is a Western with zombies, Dread Nation is a post-civil war period piece with zombies. And it was fantastic. Once again, see Haunted MTL for a full review. 

How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

This book has been all over Bookstagram, and for good reason. I read this book in one day. It was, in short, fantastic.

Unfortunately, I am planning to do a review on Haunted MTL, so I’m not able to say much. Look for that review next week. But until then, go read this book. 

Squid Row by Bridgett Spicer

Finally, we end not on a book, but on a comic book. Because I need comics in my life, and this is a good one. 

This is the content I turn to when I’m feeling creatively depleted. It’s a comic about an artist named Randi living in California. She’s broke, working retail and trying to make a name for herself as an artist. Her best friend Ryan is a writer, working as a waiter, trying to do the same. 

Together they drink coffee, make art and try to pay all their bills. All the while being menaced by a big orange cat named Twinkie. I freaking love this series. It reminds me that what I’m doing now, working a full-time job and trying to make it in the writing world, is the same thing countless others are doing. And even though the strip is over, you can still read the archives here. 

So that’s it. Of course, I always want to hear from you. What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year? Let us know in the comments below. 

(Oh, and stop by tomorrow, because I’m going to be making a huge announcement. See you then.)

Paper Beats World is a labor of love. If you love what we do here, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. 

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Man in The Woods launches today

Hey everyone! I just wanted to pop in during a very busy week and let you know that my lovely dark short story, Man in The Woods, is available now on Amazon. If you’re in the mood for a story about an old man trying to protect his granddaughter from a horrific entity that haunts the woods behind their home, then it’s your lucky day.

Click here to get it right now on Amazon!

Don’t ignore people who have lived in a land for generations when they tell you something is wrong. They know the land, and they know the dangers that live there. They know where the poison ivy grows and can’t be cut back fast enough. They know where the old wells are. The ones with the rotting covers. And they know about the dark, creeping things that share the land with them.

I hope that you love Man in The Woods. And if you do, leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookstagram, really anywhere. You have no idea how much that helps. And thank you all, so much, for all of your support.

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My favorite books of 2022

We find ourselves now at the end of 2022. It’s time to reflect on the year we’ve just survived. To celebrate the wins, to mourn the losses. And, of course, to consider the best of the year. 

Today I’m sharing my top ten favorite books of 2022. These are books that I read for the first time in 2022. I didn’t restrict any genres, this is just purely the ones I enjoyed the most. You’ll find fiction, nonfiction, and speculative fiction. What you won’t find, in my opinion, is a boring book.

10. Savage Bounty by Matt Wallace

The follow-up to Savage Legion, this book was a worthy part two. Normally the second book in a trilogy is kind of meh. Needed for the series as a whole, but rather boring. Not so with this. (Part three is coming out in June, by the way.)

9. Manson by Jeff Gunn

This book was an absolute unit. It was also the most in-depth and detailed depiction of Manson’s life that I have ever read. Not what I’d call comforting reading, but incredibly educational. 

8. How to be a Christian Witch by Valerie Love

Most of you know that I’ve been a practicing witch for several years now. This book was a beautiful explanation of living one’s life as a witch who believes in God and Jesus. And Reverend Love is an incredible person.

7. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

This book wasn’t very much like the iconic movie of the same name. But it was still an amazing book about sisterhood and motherhood. It’s about how we as women share our lives.

6. City Magick by Christopher Penczak

Being a city lover who is also a witch is hard. Most of the witchcraft books and media are centered around the woods and nature and having a garden bigger than your house. It’s nice to have books like this that teach magic designed for the city.

5. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Yes, I know it’s a children’s book. No, I don’t care. The story of Nobody was delightful, whimsical, and dark. If you haven’t read it, you absolutely should no matter how old you are.

4. City Witchery by Lisa Marie Basile

This is a more modern witchcraft book that is designed for the city witch. It also happens to be by a witchcraft author that has written some amazing books in the past. 

3. A Song Flung Up To Heaven by Maya Angelou

All of Maya Angelou’s work is just amazing. This book was about first the death of Dr. King, and then the death of Malcome X. And it was, without a doubt, powerful. 

2. This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This book was on my list for so long, and I finished it in a day. If you haven’t read it yet, make the time to read it now. It was superb. 

1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Finally, we have easily the best book I read in 2022. The Haunting of Hill House was creepy and touching. I am so thankful that I was able to experience it. 

That is it for my list this year. I can’t wait to get started on a stack of books for 2023. Are there any I should add to my TBR pile? Let me know in the comments. 

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