The Gods We Can Touch

by Aurora Aksnes

The Gods We Can Touch is a highly intimate book, taking readers on a journey to the very heart of Aurora’s world, through her creative process, and her inspiration as she wrote her acclaimed third studio album of the same name.

This full-colour reproduction of Aurora’s personal notebook also features all song lyrics from the album, as a beautifully presented cloth hardback with gold foiling. With original album artwork and stunning photography too, this book is a unique and immersive treasure trove for fans.

‘This is a little book I wrote, trying to figure out the soul of my album.’ - Aurora Aksnes

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Music, Memoir, Art, Biography

168 pages, Hardcover

Published November 16, 2023

Reviews

[aga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a gorgeous book. I was sceptical when ordering it, but I have absolutely no regrets.
I loved to read the thoughts and see all the mistakes and ideas that didn't work - after all, we're all just simple human beings. Nothing can be perfect.
There is this one saying in this book that I'd like to quote. I found it so beautiful, it will stay with me forever:
"There is an old Japanese saying: faces we were born with in our current life.. is the very face of the person we loved in our previous life. Don't you dare ever even think you are not beautiful. You were once your biggest love. The very definition of beauty".
This book reminded me of a great friend I have. We might've parted ways, but every each one of Aurora's songs reminds me of her. I think it is so silly, cause I don't know where that connection came from. But hey, if you're that certain friend and are reading this, and I know you are, I truly hope everything is going well for you. ;)

[Pinecone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight to the workings and imagination of the singer and songwriter Aurora Aksnes. To rate it as a novel or biography would be impossible because of the fact it is diary entries with inserted reflections and comments regarding the creating process of the songs themselves and how they came to be. However the content in itself is well organized and in chronological order. I would have liked if the scanned text was also put into type text as a block of pages after the picture versions to fill out the book a bit more and make it more rounded. The content itself and knowing Aurora as the author is very nice, well balanced and takes a very neutral and passive stance with the sensitive topics involved with the themes for the album creation. What was the most interesting and useful was seeing how the songs come together and the dates at which they each are worked on and how they inspire further development for past or pending tracks. The material and sources used for inspiration for the themes and notions of the songs topics and lyrics having large inspiration from Greek mythology and practical realism.

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so inspiring.

[roxi reads ִ ࣪ ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ✩

‘I don’t really know, but it sure does fascinate me. Why did we put gods in the sky? Why are they so out of reach?’

Dit boek beschrijft de gedachtegang van artiest Aurora, tijdens het maken van het album ‘The Gods We Can Touch.’ Ik vond het ontzettend leuk om op deze manier in het hoofd te kruipen van mijn favo artiest & rolmodel <3

Ook wil ik nog even verkondigen dat dit boek qua illustraties en cover wel echt de mooiste uit mijn collectie is! Ik heb een exemplaar met een handtekening, wat het boek natuurlijk extra fraai maakt :)

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need every single artist ever to make a book like this. This is beautiful

[ViCATaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant describe how happy this book makes me

[Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book about the creation of 'The Gods We Can Touch'. It's filled with Aurora's drawings and stunning pictures. Aurora has such a beautiful way with words.

[nads ₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

bought myself a physical copy as a birthday gift from me to me, because what better present than the gift of a peek inside Aurora’s brilliant mind?

absolutely could NOT put the book (or diary?) down – each page was filled with genuine, raw emotions that brought me into Aurora’s world and i loved every second of it. now my head, too, seems to be in the clouds, and i cant leave!!! healed the 15 years old version of me from all those years ago, who loved (loves) Aurora so dearly ☁️☁️☁️

[Agarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Objetivamente sigo apretando el puño de rabia porque el 90% del libro está enfocado a las lyrics sin más, habría sido increíble poder ver más detrás de esas elecciones e ideas antes de llegar a las obras finales. Pero quitando este detalle (y que a veces hay que leer dos veces porque algunas palabras a mano no se entienden a la primera lol) me ha encantado poder ver un poquito más de ella y de cómo crea y organiza su cabecita. La edición es preciosa, los colores, las fotos, y los acabados del libro ?? Las cubiertas enteladas nunca pasarán de moda, son muy gustosas, y el papel es buenísimo, es muy liso al tacto pero mantiene muchísima textura, que queda preciosa con el arte TAN bonito de este álbum. Por eso y porque soy una creatura muy emocional y me apasiona su arte, no puedo no darle 5 estrellas. Ojalá en un futuro poder crear y compartir proyectos tan bonitos, delicados y con sentimientos tan puros como esta reina 🛐🛐🛐 Ahora a sentirme vacía once again OTL

[Mars Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw that AURORA was coming out with this book, I immediately pre-ordered it. I came with high expectation and this book not only met those expectations but took them a step further. The Gods We Can Touch was an intimate and personal look on AURORA’s thoughts on making the album, it was filled to the brim with artistic creativity and even some of her personal drawings. If you’re a fan of AURORA i would definitely recommend reading this book

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why do we always put shame within the natural ways of man? While making the pleasure in hell so tempting... We're are destined to fail this impossible task of resisting all these things that make us HUMAN"

While reading this book and listening to the album I could feel part of Aurora's soul attached to them.
I feel like we are really similar in a way, but I still have so much hate in me that one day I hope I will let go of...

There were many things that I relate to but also many inspiring words that deeply touched my soul.

[Pastelsparkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book. I enjoyed this so much. I loved learning about the little projects that Aurora went on to craft each song and how many iterations of each song there were. The stages when each song became finished. It was such a journey.

This album is very special to me and to have been able to read more and understand more about these songs has been invaluable to me.

[Cit Lennox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful look into the unique, brilliant mind of one of my favorite musical artists and humans. Potentially deepened my parasocial relationship with Aurora even further, you can decide whether that is healthy or not

[Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique book.

Reading it is creatively stimulating and gives insight into the album creation process of one of the most prolific contemporary international musicians.

Although AURORA is a solo project she has many songs, where the instrumental parts were co-produced, which is quiet common. Many instrumentals were made with Magnus Skylstad, who also helped in the creation of "Runaway", which is one of her most well known works.

What is interesting to note: there are many songs of her, which she made at some point and never released yet they are uploaded on youtube with many of them being like hidden gems and very poetic.
Her attitude is that of a true original as in the notebook is mentioned that she did not care that much about winning a grammy for making vocals in the Disney film featured "Into the unknown".

It is good that musicians of her calibre find a wider audience.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. This is lyrics, the journey of the album, thoughts, art…and it’s all amazing. Seeing AURORA in concert was my favourite thing and I’m looking forward to her next album so she can tour again.

[Emily ☕ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say, I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THIS BOOK COMES OUT! Immediate buy, the front cover looks beautiful 🩷

[Alex the Slow Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful, to witness a part of the creative process of what is one of the best albums in the history of music (I dare you to change my mind about that).

I feel even more connected to Aurora's art, how her ideas resonate with mine, how I see my own values reflected in her thoughts. How I feel heard and seen, acknowledged by her words. She proves that mythology, for being so old, can be truly refreshing and freeing.

I encourage everyone who loves this album, and its creator, to dive into Aurora's soul while creating it with this book ♥️

[Zosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am in love with this woman.

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love crawling inside artist's brains :)

[lo &#x1fab2; · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow
i want to hug this book forever

[Jennifer Baars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and original way to have a look in Aurora her head while she is making an album.

[Rydia Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 Stars, 2 starts at best

I spent 5 minutes on some random aethist, agnostic, and/or feminist forums on any SNS and found deeper thoughts.

A commercial book made to sell to her fans and her fans only. I really don't buy the "notebook while figuring out my album's soul" excuse. This is just merch. No more, no less.

The quality of the writing is tumblr-edge, written by an angsty 13-year-old trying to fit in every checkbox imaginable. Repeating things that have been repeated over and over ad nauseam.

Music might be (one of) the language(s) of the soul, since it doesn't speak to the mind before it speaks directly to the soul, as Aurora states. Sadly. This book isn't music. It's the contradicting thoughts of a girl trying to hard to be quirky and unique that she ends up being, yet another factory-made "systematically anti-system" being.

The writing is just attention-seeking, self-contradicting, convoluted, repetitive mess, and it shows because halfway through, the "thoughts" just ended, and it was just a few tidbits here and there with lyrics and admittedly very pleasantly aesthetic journaling.

Literary value is nil; even if this is just her thoughts, there's a reason why they need to be organized, but I guess that subtracts from her "OMG, so quier-kaey" value because if you take away that and post it over your angsty tween cousin's Instagram who doesn't like going to church because they were forced to go twice and their aunt told them they had to, most of the readers who enjoyed it would cringe. (Those who say they wouldn't, you'd probably see them post it themselves and still know its cringe.)

Artistically, it is quite pretty, I must admit.

It is clearly made for fans and nobody else, but that doesn't make it a quality product; it just shows precisely what she thinks of her target demographic.

Got into the top 5 worst books I've read this year. 5th place.

[Brenna TeKippe · Rating 5 out of 5]

GORGEOUS
Came here from WHTTH and I love TGWCT so much. I’m just so captivated by Aurora and her way with words. Seeing her live last November was life changing, so of course I had to read both her books next. Anyway, I think this album/book can best be summed up by:

“Everything that makes this world a beautiful place to exist in, already exists within us.”

There were entire pages of this book that I just took pictures of because I can’t quote the whole page! Aurora means so much to me, and having this makes even more meaningful connections to the songs I listen to daily.
For example, I didn’t know A Temporary High (from how I interpreted it) was supposed to be someone from 100 years ago trying to live in today’s world. But it makes sense, and it makes it more interesting for me.

Similar situation with the album title. Call me stupid but I never understood exactly what it meant until reading the first bit of this book. It’s supposed to bring awareness to giving the love to
“Everything.
Right here.
The gods we can touch.”

Like always, I feel like being a better person after this book. And listening to the whole album at least 3 times while reading it. (Of course)

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5.0!

Pretty quick read. It’s a copy of AURORA’s own journal, that she kept while brainstorming her album, ‘The Gods We Can Touch’. Though I’m sure there’s more struggle than is shown here, it’s fascinating seeing the thought processes an artist goes through and the mistakes they made along the way in their song crafting. Loved seeing “THIS DOESN’T WORK” crossed through a particular couple of pages!

The book essentially consists of photocopied pages, mistakes and all, some beautiful photographs as well, the lyrics of each song, and some cool scrapbooking she has in her journal entries as well.

On to the book and AURORA’s album. The songs are particularly inspired by the Greek gods and she does explain a bit how each song is tied to a particular one, and why the theme in general is more relatable.

I would overall recommend if you like AURORA, and also if you like this album. Reading her thoughts is quite fun, and enlightening to see her own outlook on life and her role in music.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a precious book by AURORA!!! 😍 Her songs are lyrical genius so it’s so fun to deep dive into mind and read all about her thoughts during her songwriting process. I think that there are only a few artists who are able to share this kind of intimate details to their fans. AURORA has always viewed her fans as her Warriors and Weirdos and friends so she isn’t afraid to open up like this.

I cannot wait for the day when she publishes a fiction novel because I’m sure that it is smashing. Thank you AURORA for trusting us with your mind and heart and for creating music that we deserve. You truly are God’s gift here on earth.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo he leído escuchando a la vez las canciones que hacen la experiencia mucho más guay ¿se considera medio audiolibro?
Me ha gustado mucho poder ver el proceso de creación y composición de Aurora, ver qué pensamientos le llevaban a escribir algo, las anotaciones sobre cómo quería que sonaran o fuese el videoclip. Igual que ver sus reflexiones sobre la humanidad y el estado del mundo y coincidir con ella.
No es ni una novela ni una biografía, es solo el cuaderno de composición de Aurora para este disco y me ha hecho ver las canciones desde otra perspectiva tan bonita que no puedo parar de escucharlas.

[Flox · Rating 4 out of 5]

La tesitura radica ahora en la imposibilidad de colocar esta biblia en una zona concreta de la estantería. ¿Lo coloco en la sección de diarios? ¿Tiene sentido que se quede guardada cuando es un manuscrito que debería de revisarse cada semana?¿Lo relego a la caótica vuelta de los libros a medio leer en mi habitación?¿De qué manera absorbo este manual de amabilidad y lo integro en mi ser?¿Se estropeará si duermo abrazada a él? ¿Sabrá Ella todo lo que significa para mi, o es solo una diosa más que creemos poder tocar?

[Faye Tipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora is honestly just my favourite artist out there. Not just because of the music but because of what music means to her and because she cares about her music, she cares what it would mean to people and she cares that people listen to what is being said. After reading this book I feel like every song on the Gods We Can Touch album has completely embedded into my soul. I love how much she loves being a woman and honestly she has made me feel so in touch with being a woman and how it really is just fantastic. Absolutely phenomenal work

[Julia Ward-Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel that most people who would read this book are those who listen to Aurora’s music. This was a book created mainly for her fans. But I do think that any open-minded reader would gain something from the book’s reflection as well, which touches on deeper topics related to meaning, faith, humanity, and the world. One might even decide to explore her music after reading. I hold the themes of this book dear to my heart—even though I just finished reading it and am still learning of Aurora’s music, it moved me so deeply.

[Daniele Bassanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un oggetto libro curatissimo e di pregevole qualità, di materiali e di stampa. Un piccolo viaggio tra gli appunti e le note di Aurora nel suo diario durante la stesura e progettazione di The Gods We Can Touch. Nulla di nuovo, ne di rilevante o sconvolgente, ma piacevole, che scalda il cuore come tutto ciò che ruota attorno ad Aurora. Come avere una copia del suo diario personale. Dolce e intenso.