Weekly Question
|
The Rules
| Note: The opinions posted on the Pagan Perspective pages are those of individuals and are not neccessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc. |
For Further
Discussion
Visit The
WitchVox List
of 242
Communication
'Net Sites:
Chat Boards
Email Lists
IRC Channels
| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,121,579 |
Question of the Week: 64 - 10/29/2001 What Are YOUR book/video/dvd Recommendations? What books do you like? Which ones do you read over and over again? What ones do you recommend for those 'taking a mental break' moments or for holiday gift giving? Do you have some suggestions for videos/dvds that deserve a viewing? Your suggestions need not be Pagan specific. In fact, we encourage you here to offer tips on good selections that may be found in the often-overlooked area of mythology, history, humor, sociology, sci-fi or art sections of the bookstores or video sections. |
| Reponses: There are 119 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| I Could Easily Go On For Pages About This, So I Am... | Oct 25th. at 12:45:07 pm EDT |
| Christina (Elgin, South Carolina US) | Age: 28 - Email |
|
I could easily go on for pages about this, so I am going to restrict myself to food related suggestions: Chocolat -- What happens when an unconventional woman sets up chocolate store in the middle of a conservative French village during Lent...? Read or watch and find out! The book and movie are very different, but both VERY worthwhile. Johnny Depp fans get ready to salivate! Babette's Feast -- This is an older foreign film in Danish with English subtitles -- most video stores have it. Reminds us of the magical qualities of a delicious meal... Like Water For Chocolate -- Another film about magical cooking, with quite a lot of passion to boot... I understand there is also a cookbook out with passion-stirring recipes... My Dinner With Andre -- If you are patient with it, you will find this to be a great film. The character Andre talks about his life, including time spent at Findhorn. It might be tough to find, but it is well worth the search. The Milagro Beanfield War -- This is a super flick about a man who unwittingly stirs things up in his little town of Milagro, New Mexico by defying water regulations and stifling development of a resort that would wipe out his town. Bon Appetit! |
| I Believe If Your Are Looking For A Real Good Book And... | Oct 25th. at 1:51:08 pm EDT |
| Arcana Darkmoon (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania US) | Age: 18 - Email |
|
I believe if your are looking for a real good book and your a teen, try The Circle of Three by Isobel Bird. Its about three girls who are interested in wicca but are still teens at heart. They have the normal things girls like to do but the only thing that is different is their belifs. I mean I think its a good book for all types of ages. Because it reminds us that magick is everywhere but everyday we all face problems. Just because we study witchcraft doesn't mean we don't have any problems like everyone else. But if that isn't your choice hey there's a whole differnt book interest that is waiting in the stars! |
| One Of My Favorite Somewhat Non-pagan Books Is "ahab's Wife". I Forget... | Oct 25th. at 2:04:27 pm EDT |
| DragonStorm (Lakeland, Florida US) | Age: 26 |
|
One of my favorite somewhat non-Pagan books is "Ahab's Wife". I forget who it's by since I loaned it to my boyfriend. Una sees the divine in everything, from the sea to the lighthouse. It's an incredible book! My latest favorite reference book is "The Master Book of Herbalism" by Paul Beyerl (ISBN: 0-919345-53-0). It has great info on remedial and magickal aspects of many herbs, and includes guidelines for dosages. It's written so anyone can understand. The information is wonderful. Oh, and one other thing not actually on the list. The best store for Pagan things that doesn't advertise as such is Jo-Ann Fabrics. My boyfriend and I go there a lot to get fabrics (some of the best celestial prints are in the calico section), sealed jars for storing herbs, glass dishes and paints to make altar ware, brooms and dried flowers, candlemaking supplies, soap making supplies, etc. I always go there first to get supplies that I need. It's one of the best Pagan friendly stores around. Granted, where I live I don't think they're aware that's what I'm shopping for! :) |
| Some Of My Faveorite Books Are By James Patterson...especially His Alex... | Oct 25th. at 2:39:40 pm EDT |
| Buttercup (Phoenix, Arizona US) | Age: 25 |
|
Some of my faveorite books are by James Patterson...especially his Alex Cross books, like Kiss the Girls, and the newest paperback Roses are Red. Also Dean Koontz, is an excellent author for horror novels. A couple quick, a nd easy reads are The Tao of Pooh, and the Te of Piglet. Toaism with a twist. Hope you enjoy. Blessed Be. |
| I Enjoy Reading Dark Fiction Instead Of "normal" Stuff. Here Is A... | Oct 25th. at 3:03:59 pm EDT |
| JourneyWalker (Covington, Kentucky US) | Age: 17 |
|
I enjoy reading dark fiction instead of "normal" stuff. Here is a great list so far: 1.) Anne Rice "The Vampire Chroncles" I am a die hard fan, and she inspires me to write. 2.) Clive Barker "Books of blood" A book on demons and fallen angels who live in a underground city known as Cabal 3.) Janet Finch "White Oleander" A poetic book on how a girl comes to her personal strength. 4.) Anything by Francesca Lia Block. She is the most Pagan writer who isn't pagan. 5.) For a Wiccan Book try Ann Moura's Green Witchcraft II 6.) Romeo & Juliet nuff said (p.s I don't do Marion Zimmer Bradley or J.K. Rowlings) Movies:(I know most of you have seen these) Interview with a Vampire The Crow Practical Magick Forrest Gump Rocky Horror Picture Show Matrix The Fanatasia movies and that's it |
| Wow, One Of My Favorite Subjects. I'm Away From Home Right Now... | Oct 25th. at 4:13:52 pm EDT |
| Moria V. (Burlington, Vermont US) | Age: 32 - Email |
|
Wow, one of my favorite subjects. I'm away from home right now, so I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot. Nevertheless, my list is huge, even though I'm leaving out things that others have already mentioned. Starting with books, my favorite author is Morgan Llywelyn. I consider her a modern day bard. She's so talented at telling an exciting, well crafted, well researched story with so much plausibility it's like she was there. She writes historical novels, mostly dealing with ancient or Celtic history, but there are many exceptions. My favorite is The Horse Goddess. Like many of her stories, this book uses the theory that many myths and legends are based on actual events or people and here is a possible story for the myth of Epona. I also loved Red Branch, again a "what if" type retelling of the legend of Cuchulain. This is one of the only books that actually can make me cry, which says a lot for Llywelyn's talent. A couple of recent discoveries I'm excited about: Joseph Citro, who writes both true and fictional accounts of the supernatural in Vermont...Sarah Dreher, who writes new age/Wiccan mysteries. I just read Shaman's Moon and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Unlike some writing this type of fiction she actually writes well and with some wisdom, instead of seeming to be cashing in on a trend. Her matter-of-fact descriptions of rituals and astral journeys reminded me vaguely of Lynn Andrews, another all time favorite - although her most recent books don't seem to be as insightful or authentic, I still read her over and over. Let's see I constantly refer to Louise Hay's book on affirmations, You Can Heal Your Life...Year of Moons, Seasons of Trees by Pattalee Glass-Koentop gets me in the mood for sabbats and esbats...Mary K. Greer's Tarot For Your Self takes you beyond Tarot 101...Marian Green's A Witch Alone keeps me on the right path...I refer to Nancy B. Watson's Practical Solitary Magic over and over, following all directions and reading suggestions, it's been invaluable for taking my practice to a new level. I constantly seek out all retelling of fairy tales, Angela Carter is the best for this...I started reading Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea books as a kid and the first book especially had a major part in forming my beliefs on how magic works...Mario Puzo's The Godfather has much more depth than the movie and speaks like a modern Machiavelli on how to deal with people...I'm addicted to everything by Laurell K. Hamilton, she's not the greatest writer but the world she creates, the characters, and the action are great escapes from reality...John Updike's The Witches of Eastwick makes amazing use of language and is more realistically witchy than the movie...Dave Barry and Bill Bryson are great for laughs...and Scott Adams' books are incredibly intelligent and insightfull, while cracking me up. There are tons of movies that I'll watch every time they're on tv...Legend with Tom Cruise was just on last week and is visually gorgeous...most anything by Mel Brooks and Tim Burton (but not Edward Scissorhands, sorry)...Better Off Dead with John Cusack always makes me feel good, especially after a break up...I have a thing for all summer camp movies, of which Meatballs is king...I can't get enough of anything Addams Family - original comic, both tv shows, movies (except the one with Daryl Hannah, feh)...and of course, the original Star Wars trilogy. I have to recommend one of my favorite tv shows, even though it's not the topic. I watch episodes of Big Wolf On Campus, on FoxFamily, over and over 'til they're memorized. It's one of those shows that are seemingly for kids but you probably need to be an adult to fully appreciate it. It's incredibly funny and smart, better than Buffy these days. I can't wait for the new season to begin. Every should check it out. |
| My Favourite Movie (despite The Blatant Goofs) Is Practical Magic. One Of... | Oct 25th. at 4:51:30 pm EDT |
| Mike (Oxford, Kansas US) | Age: 43 - Email |
|
My favourite movie (despite the blatant goofs) is Practical Magic. One of my favorite books is "To Ride a Silver Broomstick". |
| I Have Read And Re-read Many Times The Dragon Riders Of Pern... | Oct 25th. at 5:41:44 pm EDT |
| Tammy Lind (Lavina, Montana US) | Age: 44 - Email |
|
I have read and re-read many times the Dragon Riders of Pern books by Anne McCathry, and would recommend them to anyone interested in either sci-fi or fantasy. The Dragonlance Chronicals by Weis & Hickman are also very good books to "get lost in". they are well written and will give you a nice break from the reality of every day living. I have also read the Harry Potter books and found them quite enjoyable even though they are supposed to be children's books. |
| For Excellent, And Very Escapist Fiction (good Story Telling) With Magical/occult... | Oct 25th. at 8:36:52 pm EDT |
| dances with Shadows (Tucson, Arizona US) | Age: 48 - Email |
|
For excellent, and very escapist fiction (good story telling) with magical/occult themes look for anything by Tim Powers. My favorite is "Last Call". It is so well written that I have to remind myself that it's magic is fictional. "On Stranger Tides" is amazing too. Lately I have discovered Neil Gaiman"s work. I find his stuff great too. |
| The Magic Circle By Katherine Neville Is The Most Incredible Book I've... | Oct 25th. at 8:44:33 pm EDT |
| Abby (Dexter, Maine US) | Age: 15 |
|
The Magic Circle by Katherine Neville is the most incredible book I've ever read. It is a maze through history to tie mysterious manuscripts together and to find the real truth. There are a lot of parts that take place just after Jesus's time, but much of it is controversial, with lots of Pagan undertones and references. Every time I read it I find a new parallel. It's an amazing read and you won't be able to put it down! |
| Loving This Question! I've Recently Re-read Terry Prachett's "feet Of Clay" (and... | Oct 25th. at 9:39:36 pm EDT |
| Hawthorn Fox (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia CA) | Age: 33 - Email |
|
Loving this question! I've recently re-read Terry Prachett's "Feet of Clay" (and haven't stopped chuckling about it.)I'd also recommend a fine series by Patricia Wrightson "The Ice is Coming", "The Dark, Bright Water", and "Journey Behind the Wind." These are the only works of fiction I've seen that explores Australian culture and the Dreamtime. Still on folklore, Dr. Helen Crieghton's "Bluenose Ghosts", is the defintive spooky story book dealing with my corner of the world. She researched in Nova Scotia right up until her passing. The autobiography of Fleetwood Mac's founder Mick Fleetwood, entitled simply "Fleetwood" is one of the best pieces of non-fiction that I've read for a long time.(I know, that surprised me, too :)) If you're a fan of the band, you'll enjoy it that much more. For movies to watch while the brain is on standby, I'd point out "The Usual Suspects", "The Thomas Crown Affair", "What Dreams May Come", "The African Queen" (the B/W version if you can), and if you need to laugh and think at the same time, "The Gods Must be Crazy" (This one was required viewing for a Social Anthropology class way back when. I never enjoyed academia more...) If you're needing a VERY big jolt of suspense rent "Ghost Story". I believe it came out around 1980 and is based on the Peter Straub book of the same name. No gore, no blood, but it will give you a good scare. Best of the Season to my Sisters and Brothers |
| For A Good Campy Horror Movie Check Out "pumpkinhead", And Be Sure... | Oct 25th. at 10:35:53 pm EDT |
| Hunter (Toronto, Ontario CA) | Age: 39 |
|
For a good campy horror movie check out "Pumpkinhead", and be sure not to miss the old Appalachian Witch! If you're interested in the classical Greek world I highly recommend 2 books by Steven Pressfield: "Gates of Fire" - about the Spartans at Thermopylae, and "Tides of War" - about the Peloponesian War. Pressfield's writing will transport you through time. He also wrote "The Legend of Bagger Vance", which was a mediocre film but an interesting book. Blessed Be everybody & have a great Samhain. BOO! |
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.