The book Sleep & Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells compiles many of the stories already beloved by hundreds of thousands of listeners, alongside exercises to connect with intuition, spirit, and the unconscious. Told in second-person, the stories welcome readers into magical and mythic worlds.
Sleep Magic Made Easy
Step across the threshold into a world of myth and magic, where you can safely drift off into a deep and comfortable sleep. Founded in 2022 by Laurel Hostak-Jones, Sleep & Sorcery began as a successful podcast and YouTube channel featuring original sleep stories inspired by folklore and fantasy. Told in second-person, the stories welcome readers into magical and mythic worlds. A Green Witch communes with spirit in their moon garden. An ordinary child is initiated into the mysteries of the goddess Cerridwen. A sleeper meets the weaver of all dreams. A weary knight ponders a strange encounter with the mysterious Green Knight. Deepen your practice by engaging with the story's theme in a unique ritual. Be as intentional about your sleep as you are about your waking experiences. Create dreamy ritual soaks. Practice automatic writing with the subconscious as your partner. Work with mythological themes in the Wheel of the Year. Exercises are accessible to witches, pagans, and muggles alike, all intended to enrich your rest.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was so excited to receive this one. I’m a big fan of the Sleep & Sorcery podcast and enjoyed reading text version. I love the additional tips for sleep, activities and spells. I can’t wait to purchase my own copy to keep at my bedside :)
*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.
lf the essence of a warm cup of tea, in front of a cozy fire, while it's snowing outside could be bottled up into a reading session, I'd say the stories contained within this book would represent it. Or maybe just a really nice dream (which is the whole point really).
Hostak-Jones fills this book with several short stories that give you an idea of pleasant dreams you could have. Richly descriptive and imaginative, they are largely based in fantasy, with all the normal characters (dragons, heirs to the throne, fairies, and more!). With each story, a ritual or spell to help with nighttime relaxation is covered as well (although I admittedly didn't do more than skim through those).
I'd like to say I could tell you in great detail about these stories, but the fact of the matter is, I only remember them vaguely. Which again, is exactly the point as they are supposed to lull you to sleep and get you relaxed. I read one to two each night before bed and was very happy each time.
“Sleep & Sorcery” by Laurel Hostak-Jones is a fantastic blend of bedtime stories, rituals, and spells that will take your sleep experience to a new realm.
The book invites you into magical and mythic worlds through beautifully crafted stories inspired by folklore and fantasy.
Each tale makes you feel like an active participant in these enchanting narratives. With the focused exercises, you can heighten your intuition and subconscious connections.
Overall, it's a delightful and imaginative read that offers more than just a good night’s sleep. It's a magical mystery journey into a world of dreams and unlimited possibilities.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Author Laurel Hostak-Jones, and Publisher Crossed Crow Books for this advanced reader's copy for review.
"Sleep & Sorcery: Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells," by Laurel Hostak-Jones is an ingenious, innovative tool for sleep. I loved the concept of the book. Reading this was like reading a meditation. It is a form of self-guided meditation that I could utilize.
I wasn't sure what to expect when my petition to read the book on NetGalley was accepted. I saw the cover and thought it looked and sounded quite interesting. What I found was a gem. I am grateful that I was chosen to read this book and give an honest review of it.
There are stories that you can read through, which serve as a self-guided meditation. You have exercises you can do afterward or even things you can set up beforehand to help you during the sleep process. I understand this started with a podcast that I had never heard of. After reading the book, I will be searching for the podcast. Hearing these stories from someone else will be even better than reading them myself. This book works better as an audiobook, at least for the stories.
Hostak-Jones weaves magical stories. First, you're building altars, and next, you're brewing potions. What could be more magical than that?! I recommend this book for people who love meditation, sleep aids, magic, and bringing a lot of it into their lives, or even for people who love a bit of lucid dreaming.
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. The cover photo is what intrigued me into reading it and I am glad that I did.
The book uses the second-person point of view, which the description had warned me about, but I still struggled to adapt to the unusual narration. The author intended to create a meditative mood, but I found it difficult to connect with the scenes. However, once I overcame this barrier, I enjoyed the stories' magical appeal.
The writing skills of the author are flawless and I was engaged throughout the book except for a few places where I was trying to understand. I think the captivating writing style is what made me fall in love with this book little by little. I will highly recommend this book. Grab your copy today.
Laurel is an amazing story creator and I love listening to her stories on insight timer. She is also on YouTube but I listen to her as I go to sleep hence sticking to the ap. Her stories cover so many different types of cultures, I always find them calming and reassuring. I jumped at this book when I saw it. I’ve read each story in sections and found them very relaxing. Some I’d already listened to others were new to me, some of my favourites included Cauldron of Cerridwen and Magic in the moon garden. The one story Tales by the tavern is one of my favourites when I’ve listened to it. The book is created with the wheel of the year in mind and although I didn’t follow that I might next year, the book is definitely one that I will read again. The only sadness I have is it’s not a hard back book because I’d love it as a read keepsake book. There are drawings on some pages which are a nice addition, they are not flashy which is handy when you want to stay calm at night. I guess you could read the book during the day but I think it fits just before bed so well I’ve stuck to that. Each story is so well constructed, considered and written in a way that it’s soothing and calming. One of the reasons I bought it is that after each story there are exercises you can use to help you journal, rituals and even practical items you can create. I would say reading the stories is not as relaxing as having Laurel reading it to me. Im thinking if my son was still young it would be a fabulous book to read to him. The book came into its own when my partner was snoring loudly and I couldn’t hear even the start of a recorded version. Absolutely recommend this book for any one, it would make a lovely gift. If you struggle to sleep. If you are interested in folklore, fantasy, mythology, Witchcraft and Druidic stories with additional exercises and practices then this is such an amazing book. I hope she publishes another book because I’d love to collect these stories.
Laurel Hostak Jones is a dreamweaver. In a bewitching collection of stories, ritual exercises, healing recipes, and journal prompts, Jones offers guidance for peaceful sleep and lucid dreaming. The idea for “Sleep and Sorcery” is sourced from Jones’ successful podcast called “The Midnight Myth,” where she remixed tales intended to induce sleep. The author’s theater background is evident in each story's conversational and lyrical feel, which draws upon Western literature, mythology, and folklore. Self-guided exercises follow each story to enhance one’s practices of intentionality and contemplation, anchored in connection to nature. I enjoyed learning about creating a fairy garden, planning a dream altar, and homebrewing an herbal tincture. Jones harbors an inner fantasy writer, as she invites us to dream worlds inhabited by Atlanteans, unicorns, talking frogs, and half-elves. She has a wondrous ability to paint a scene and establish the aesthetics of a place. Jones is an excellent guide for making sense of symbolism and archetypes of dreams, unlocking creativity, and inducing relaxing sleep.
The cover of this book immediately caught my attention with its enchanting and witchy vibes. However, while the stories within didn't quite align with my personal taste, I still found some value in the activities and meditations that followed each story.
The stories themselves didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped. They didn't capture my interest or evoke the emotions I typically seek in a book. However, I understand that personal preferences vary, and others may find them more appealing. On a positive note, the activities and meditations provided at the end of each story were decent.
In conclusion, while the stories in this book weren't to my liking, I appreciated the effort put into including activities and meditations that added an interactive element to the reading experience. The cover's witchy aesthetic initially drew me in, but unfortunately, the content didn't fully meet my expectations. However, I acknowledge that others may have different tastes and might find more enjoyment in these stories than I did.
Thank you NetGalley and Crossed Crow Books for allowing me to read this book before publication.
Sleep and Sorcery originates from the author's podcast of the same name. I had not listened to the podcast before I read the book but I am curious about it now and plan to check it out. I think an audio format may work better for these stories.
The book is written in second-person, which I was prepared for based on the description, but it still took me a bit to adjust to the perspective. It is supposed to feel like a guided meditation but I had a hard time immersing myself into the settings. Once I was fully engaged, the stories did have a whimsical charm.
I enjoyed the rituals and spells that accompanied each story. I think I will get the most use and enjoyment out of them. They are simple, impactful ways of adding intention and magic into everyday life. I will definitely be revisiting the ones that spoke to me most.
"Sleep & Sorcery: Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells" by Laurel Hostak-Jones is a delightful and enchanting journey into the realm of bedtime rituals and magic. Through a collection of captivating stories, soothing rituals, and gentle spells, Hostak-Jones invites readers to embrace the mystical power of sleep. Each story is beautifully crafted, weaving together elements of fantasy and folklore to create a sense of wonder and enchantment. Alongside these tales, the author shares practical rituals and spells designed to enhance the quality of sleep and promote relaxation and well-being. Whether you're seeking to unwind after a long day or simply looking to add a touch of magic to your bedtime routine, "Sleep & Sorcery" is a charming and whimsical guide that will transport you to a world of dreams and imagination.
My thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. I had high hopes for this book. And perhaps those hopes were a bit too high, so what I ended up with was not what I expected. The stories felt flat to me and overly childish. Some felt like a chore to get through. And I don't know if it was merely a coincidence, but for me, the nights I read this just before sleeping, I had strange and disturbing dreams. As such, I ended up reading it during the day. The activities and meditations at the end of each story were more promising. And I will be enacting them as the year turns. So, while the stories fell quite flat for me, the meditations and rituals were very nice.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is an interesting book, but it wasn't for me.
I liked the concept of bedtime stories and rituals and the book has some interesting suggestions. The book highlights what is recommended for each season which is nice. Each chapter has a bedtime story but to me it read like something for children, not necessarily a story for adults. The chapter also has a ritual or spell and instructions on how to do it. It's a bit confusing if you're not familiar with some of these ideas because it doesn't seem to be organized by season. I was hoping for something that had more information on regular routines or ways to sleep well and this is much more of a focus on sorcery.
I found this a wonderful collections of magical fables for anyone looking for stories that are filled with magical beings and wonder. It has rituals and spells at the end of the stories that are suppose to help with sleep, but I just found stories that were thought provoking and colorful. The stories included in the book, is a Dream makers, Unicorns, King Arthur, and a Fairy World just to name a few and they were wonderful place to journey to . The book is really engaging to read and I tried not to rush through the book since there aren't many stories, but it was hard since the stories are so good and I wanted to know what was coming next.
I want to thank Crossed Crow Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book of Fabled stories.
oh my god! This was GORGEOUSLY Written! I was totally not expecting to get pulled into the imagery - but i deep. sleep i did not when reading this, sorcery this book definitely is!
this is the kind of book where i read a chapter and just savoured it for a day or two... the imagery stays in my mind. I had absolutely lovely sleep after reading a chapter or more of this book at night.
There is a story, and then sleep rituals and spells - all that sets you up to go to sleep smiling and wishing you were living in such lands too :)
I'd read this book again! Thank you to Netgalley (THIS is the kind of book which makes me glad I am on netgalley!!!) and Crossed Crow Books (You publish some very interesting books!)
I have been listening to the Sleep & Sorcery for months and it has been a huge help in getting me to be able to fall asleep faster. I was so excited to hear that there was a book coming out! This finally gave me a chance to read the endings to the stories since I fall asleep before finishing the story. I love all things magical and fey so I really enjoyed these stories. My favorite one was Fairies of the Forest Floor because I would love to get the chance to meet a fairy. The only part of this that was a miss for me were the exercises at the end of each chapter. Some of them didn't connect with me and while others did, I just don't see myself ever actually doing them.
My only problem with this book is not actually a problem unless you're trying to read more than a chapter at a time: it was so wonderfully relaxing I couldn't read it without getting sleepy, which brought on more than one unintentional nap over lunchtime. Oops. Sleep & Sorcery is a lovely mix of myth, short story, guided meditation, and ritual that consistently succeeds in bringing the reader to another headspace where imagination runs rampant. I consistently had vivid dreams after reading this book at bedtime.
A solid 4 stars for originality. But the use of 2nd person took a bit for my brain to wrap around and that distracted quite a bit.
Based on the hit podcast from the author, Sleep & Sorcery features folklore and fantasy stories that help drift you off to sleep. Filled with fun advice and unique takes on “how to help you go to sleep,” I often found myself disappearing into the stories. The guided activities were also fun and engaging!
I’ve never listened to the podcast but after reading this one, I may just have to dive into it because the concept behind it all is so fascinating!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for my arc!
For fans of Sleep and Sorcery Youtube, this book is exactly what you are looking for! This book is made up of a variety of meditation stories, along with accompanying rituals and activities that follow the Wheel of the Year. the stories are all told from the reader's point of view, placing you firmly in the story, with titles such as The Dream Weaver's Palace and The Dragon Rider. This is a delightful book to keep by your bedside that you can return to again and again. Thank you #NetGalley and Crossed Crow Books for providing me with a copy for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. The title and cover drew me in right away and I was excited to read it. Although I had some trouble with getting into some of the stories, felt like I should be reading them to a child at bedtime, But I do think hearing this book in audio format would make the stories more enjoyable. That being said I enjoyed the exercises and recipe's that the book contained. I also enjoyed the fact that they are somewhat centered around the Wheel of the Year. Overall wasn't a bad read and I will be implementing a few of the exercises in my daily practice.
A magical read on the importance of rest in a world where we see being busy as equating to success. The author tells stories and gives rituals that work with the wheel of the year. Each is magical, mythical and calming. It feels as though the sparks of sorcery fly from the page. I would recommend to those who want self help in the areas of sleep, rest and meditation. As well as those who have an interest in magic and craft . Review on my book blog to come and the link will be added. Thank you netgalley for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What an enchanting book. It's just magic. I definitely need to get a hard copy of this to put next to my bed. The stories are whimsical, cosy and comforting, and the rituals, recipes and exercises to go along with them really spoke to the inner child. I'm looking forward to putting them into practice in relation to the Wheel of the year as laid out in the book. I would recommend this book to any witchy, magical people who need a bit of grounding and relaxation in their lives.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the free book in exchange for a review!
As most of you who follow my reviews know I am just getting into witchcraft and magick. Sleep and Sorcery was an amazing book for lovers of witchcraft! In this book there are stories intertwined with sleep rituals and magick spells - I loved how the author did this because it made this book so unique to the reader!
Oh this was just beautiful, a lovely book to purchase when it's released! I can't wait. It will sit in view for everyone as it was so nice to read and do the little things at the end of each chapter. I was swept away to magickal places! Absolutely lovely.
Thank you to the author, publishers and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
While I chose to read this book merely from our perspective of being interested in the title, I found myself far more interested in the topic itself as the book went on.
I love that this book is written for anyone, pagan or not. But I do love that bedtime, rituals and stories, and this really resonated with me.
This book was made for someone like me with a wide imagination. The great descriptions that were detailed for the stories, I was able to see everything in my mind. I really did enjoy the exercises at the end of the stories.
This is a beautifully-illustrated book of highly-detailed, descriptive, and poetic imagery stories. Since it is a book based on the podcast of the same name, I used a few episodes like a readalong. There are changes to minor details and wording but still the same story. While I'm not a practitioner of witchcraft or ritual, the exercises at the end of each story are easily done by the general reader. If you've never heard of the podcast and aren't familiar with the mythology stories these are based on, it could be read as a compilation of very enjoyable themed short stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to the eARC!
A good book to have if you are interested in witchcraft. It leans a bit too much on the new age-y stuff for Me, but a lot of witchcraft books do, so that’s no surprise. All in all it has some good info, and thins to try out.
A beautiful cover for an enchanting book, mystical and magical with fairies. All small stories helping you towards a good night's sleep. Thank you to Cross Crowed Books and Netgalley for an ARC.
What a magnificent experience for me to have read this well-written, couldn’t put it down book. From beginning to end I was enthralled. I highly recommend it and more from this author.