I received the Second Edition of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
I first considered starting this review with the words "I'm not sure if I'm in the target audience for this book as I'm a White person living in a predominantly White country and predominantly White social circles" but then I realized: that is exactly why I should be reading this book. My social circles in real life might be 100 % White, but online, things are different. And I have some learning to do! I might have battled and fought and partially won learnt racism a decade ago, but as long as I say "partially", there's still learning to do. And another thing — this book isn't solely about race and racism. It's more about the intersection of multiple non-default bodies. I might exist in a fat body, but there's still …
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Olen 31-vuotias lukija ja kirjoittaja Kainuusta.
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Naava reviewed The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
"Humans are a varied and divergent bunch with all manner of beliefs, morals, and bodies. …
Review of 'The Body Is Not an Apology' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I received the Second Edition of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
I first considered starting this review with the words "I'm not sure if I'm in the target audience for this book as I'm a White person living in a predominantly White country and predominantly White social circles" but then I realized: that is exactly why I should be reading this book. My social circles in real life might be 100 % White, but online, things are different. And I have some learning to do! I might have battled and fought and partially won learnt racism a decade ago, but as long as I say "partially", there's still learning to do. And another thing — this book isn't solely about race and racism. It's more about the intersection of multiple non-default bodies. I might exist in a fat body, but there's still learnig to do. I might exist as a nonbinary person in a body that others are keen on gendering, and oh boy there is still learning to do.
The book should have more solid scientific information about how exactly body hatred impacts our lives and well-being. I don't know if there are studies about that, though. Thorough long-term studies. I want them.
The book goes through how to start dismantling your learnt hatred of certain kinds of bodies (fat, trans, Black, etc, or any combination of identities/bodies). I found them to be rather useful, but a part of me wanted to read about people who'd fought (and won or were in the middle of fighting) learnt hatred and prejudices. Now, that might be out of the scope of this book, but seriously. It would give so much hope for the future if there was a book that had interviews of people who used to be -phobic but have embarked on the journey of battling that learnt phobia or hatred or prejudices. I know we're out there, and I know some of us aren't afraid of sharing our stories.
All in all, I found the book... well, a part of me wants to say "enjoyable", but facing your shadows and dissociating while reading isn't enjoyable. But sometimes it's necessary. I have therapy coming in three days, I know I'll have something to discuss...
I wanted more, though. More something. I don't know...
Naava rated Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: 3 stars
Naava rated Tarot Shadow Work: 3 stars
Naava reviewed The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot by Skye Alexander
Review of 'The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
So very cishetnormative, so very binaristic (is that a word? it is now). We're not all binary cishets.
Some card meanings introduced made my eyebrows shoot high up on my (admittedly high) forehead, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We all interpret things differently. Some meanings shed light to cards that I had had difficulties with.
Naava reviewed Pagan Portals - Hekate by Vivienne Moss
Review of 'Pagan Portals - Hekate' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Well. It was a devotional book. But I didn't expect it to be so... lackluster. Without a point, rambling in purple prose.
Naava reviewed Hellenismos by Tony Mierzwicki
Review of 'Hellenismos' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Good in some aspects, like the very thorough calendar with instructions as to how to construct your own Hellenismos practice in the 21st century.
Included some not-so-good things. "In these modern-day politically correct times, some people seem to be less resilient to verbal abuse"? Pardon? How is it a bad thing that people don't tolerate abuse? Whaaat... Also, the not-so-scientific criticism of GMOs... uh oh.
Naava reviewed Sigil Witchery by Laura Tempest Zakroff
Review of 'Sigil Witchery' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Very enjoyable, very well written. But I found myself needing a bit more. Not a very long book, could have had a chapter (or two or three) about actually using sigils.
Naava reviewed Paganism for Beginners by Althaea Sebastiani
Review of 'Paganism for Beginners' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A great overview, a primer for all those unfamiliar to Paganism.
I've dabbled since I was eleven and been serious since I was twenty-five, I'm now almost thirty, so I'm not unfamiliar. But I did learn some things. The kid in me wanted more pictures, though... of the symbols especially. I had to stop and Google some unfamiliar ones.
Naava reviewed Honoring Your Ancestors by Mallorie Vaudoise
Review of 'Honoring Your Ancestors' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
(Received from NetGalley & the publisher for review... ages ago...)
Quite an enjoyable read, if that can be said about a book that's about dead people.
I was touched by many things in here, and I made a few notes, felt many of my ancestors in my bones in a way I have so far felt only some of them. However, in entirety, the book felt quite distant. As if I was reading an operating manual of ancestors, if that makes sense.
Naava reviewed Kivitasku by Anni Kytömäki
Review of 'Kivitasku' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Ei niin huikaisevan huumaava kuin Kultarinta, mutta hurmaava kuitenkin.
Rakastan Kytömäen tapaa punoa yhteen mennyttä ja nykyisyyttä, tarinoita ja toisia tarinoita. Lopulta kaikki loksahtaa paikoilleen.
Naava rated Narrative Design for Indies: 3 stars
Naava reviewed Slay the Dragon by Robert Denton Bryant
Review of 'Slay the Dragon' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Quite alright, but kind of meh. I don't know. I was expecting more. More of... something.