Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

So, we have our first two books for " Book of the Month ", but what next?

Well, I'd like to hear suggestions, and I will create a poll at the end of each month to vote on the book to follow two months' hence, so in May, we will vote for July's book, in June, we will vote on the book for August ... and so on.

Do have a look at the group's " To read " bookshelf to see if anything catches your eye, and also the other shelves and if you don't see your book listed, please feel free to add it to the shelves. You never know, someone else might nominate your book.
Be warned: if you are one of those who suggested a book that becomes our book of the month, you may end up as discussion leader. I will put the names of all those who nominated the book into a hat and discussion leader's name will be drawn and posted with the announcement of the book of the month. I really hope that makes sense.

So, please use this thread to nominate books to discuss in July: fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter, but do remember there is already a Pagan Fiction group here at Goodreads.

So get nominating folks. What would you like to discuss at Book of the Month ?

I think no one is going to do the book of the month. There should be a theme each month where people can contribute from whatever book they like.

Ya I wouldn't.

I am fine with whatever goes on ultimately.

Christy may be correct. I had thought of something along similar lines to her suggestion.

But, if the monthly book choices are recent enough that people might be able to find them through the library (or to buy) rather easy, I think that can work great, too. Since this is what you are starting out with, I would say stick with it for a few months at least to give people a chance to recognize that there is now a monthly read.

I'm up for giving this a try. The only difficulty I see is finding books that appeal to a broad enough part of the constituency here. I'm an eclectic with a strong interest in ancient Egypt and Shamanism. I'm always open to reading about other traditions, though I wouldn't want to see us keep focused on just one or two. I did check out the "to read" bookshelf and there are a few there that I'd be interested in; "Shamanism: Siberian Spirituality and Western Imagination," "A History of Pagan Europe," and "Pagan Theology: Paganism as World Religion" to identify a few.

Sara,

Please do add any books you'd like to read to the group bookshelves and I hope everyone else will, too. I would like to see a very broad range of books from across the traditions discussed here, if at all possible, but it will require everyone adding to the shelf and suggestions.

I'm hoping everyone will add books to the currently reading part of the bookhself, too.

I am also hoping books of related interests, such as herbalism, occult, history, folklore, divination, etc.

It's an excellent suggestion to add some of the books that I'm interested in reading. I do have wide-ranging interests, and am very interested in a number of the topics you mention. Herbalism, divination, and working with crystals are some of current "hot topics."

I think you're doing a great job in energizing this group. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

At the end of the day it's a thread. If people want to use it they can use it - if not, they won't and I'm sure Ancestral will take it down. Christy's idea could run alongside couldn't it?

I agree with Sara. Motivating any group, and especially one as diverse as a pagan group takes a great deal of effort.

Christy wrote: "I think no one is going to do the book of the month. There should be a theme each month where people can contribute from whatever book they like."

Is there are reason why no member has started a themed thread under the "Book of the Month" section? It is possible to run both suggestions concurrently.

Because the theme should be set by a staff member?

Says who?

Me?

As the only staff member here, I would prefer members to participate and, even, take the lead. It's your suggestion, Christy, if you want it to work, then you'll need to take the lead.

It was my suggestion but I never said I wanted it to work.

Christy wrote: "It was my suggestion but I never said I wanted it to work."

Haha! Such a troublesome young woman (big smile)!

How about something fun like "mists of Avalon"

Sure. We can do pagan fiction, too. I will put it up to vote for the book after this (the poll is already under way).

Suggestions for other books?

Would love to hear suggestions for pagan parents who want their children to learn more about their path. Am thinking we might run two books a month: one for adults; and one for the young.

The current list of upcoming reads is open to modification if we have enough people wanting to read the same book.

My own son is almost 20 now, but I would be very interested to see what pagan-friendly children's books would be selected. Great idea, Ancestral!

I added a book to the list that I am currently reading and think is just wonderful: "Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology" by David Abram. I think it would be a very interesting book for pagans of all persuasions to read.

Since Graham Harvey's last book did not generate much interest, what are the members thoughts on swapping it out for a book on shamanism, a topic on which we have a lot of books on our shelves

Or, perhaps something else? Something practical?

If it's a go, which book should the group read?

I already have the upcoming choice for June/July:Paganism Today: Wiccans, Druids, the Goddess and Ancient Earth Traditions for the Twenty-First Century - it's a collection of essays for which Graham Harvey is co-editor rather than author, although I believe he has contributed one essay. It's an easy and varied read, but I'm happy with something on shamanism too.

Jaq, we were posting at the same time. Re. books on magick, I think they'd probably only appeal to people who already include it in their practice, but I could easily be wrong :)

As a shamanic practitioner, I am always interested in reading material on this topic. Unfortunately, I finished the Hutton book after the time frame, and so missed whatever discussion occurred.

Actually, I pick and choose whether to read the book selected--not everything interests me. I have an eclectic practice, and I'd have to see what sort of book on magic is being proposed before I know if I'd be interested.

I recognize that the reading selections are designed to appeal to the diversity of the membership of this group, and I think that's appropriate. Left to my own devices, it would be shamanism, ancient Egyptian material and one or two other possiblities all the time. I like that we mix it up with both fiction and non-fiction.

Thanks Nell: That's good to know. Perhaps we should stick with it? I've been looking at the bookshelf, as people have been adding to it and attempting to find common interests (shaman/shamanism seems to appeal).

Jaq: I was thinking of including one of your own books. As Nell and Sara stated, I've been attempting to pick books that would appeal to as wide a range of the membership as possible.

That said, there is nothing to stop us having two books for the group read, one general, and one specific when it comes to non-fiction (magic, shamanism, specific traditions). Perhaps that should be an option? The only issue being finding volunteers to lead the discussion on the more specific choice.

Sara: The thread remains in place in the Group Read forum, long afer the book has been moved, so members can continue to discuss/talk about it. Just because we've finsihed reading a book doesn't mean it doesn't stop us thinking about it. At least, that's how it works for me.

I'm open to suggestions and if anyone has ideas, questions, whatever, for the group, plese start a thread (somewhere) and we'll let the membership decide. For the moment, I choose the books, but that is because, in the past, when I tried to install a democractic process the response was low. In recent times, we've had some more interest in the group, and, to that end, for those that are participating, I should like the group to continue to engage with members, without anyone feeling left out or ignored.

I've had a request from one of our members to make Wings , Spells , and Illusions by Aprilynne Pike one of our group reads. Thoughts?

I read some of the reviews here, and people seem to either love or hate these books. I gather these were written in the young adult genre?

As I don't read much in young adult fiction or fantasy, these are nothing I'd ever read, however that shouldn't stop you from choosing them.

Ditto Sara's post.

? Very 70's but the later parts of the book are quite beautiful. Just thought I'd throw it into the mix.

:) Georgina.

I'd love to too. It looks like it's still thriving. :)

I suggest The Wood Wife if we want some fiction.
For non-fiction, well it is summer and my fave thing to do is to enjoy my garden so perhaps something herbal like Susun Weeds book Healing Wise

Susun Weed is wonderful, and Healing Wise a very special way to become friends with just seven wild plants as allies for health and nutrition.

I think the group books have already been selected well in advance (find upcoming reads halfway down the home page), but we could start a thread for Healing Wise if you like.

I'm late in collecting nettles this year - too much rain - and they're beginning to flower already, but there'll be a second crop later on. The dandelions are still lush though.

Or, we could have a poll whereby we ask members if they want two books of the month: one fiction, one non-fiction and members choose which to read, or choose both. The Book of the Month lasts two months, so it could be done.

Yes/No?

I like that idea. It would give a choice and flexibility if the one book offered isn't of interest.

Good idea!

I am adding a few books to the bookshelf we have here in the group and will create a poll to pick the next group read by the end of this month. Would be really great with some more suggestions on more fiction books.

Two that I have on my mind are
An Ogham Wood
and
Little, Big

But more suggestions would be great!

Great idea, Jeanette :)

At the moment it looks as though there are two non-fiction books as the choice for December/January, but as soon as a replacement is decided for Wings (the old fiction choice) and the correct dates added, things should sort themselves out (I think).

If you're looking for fiction, here are my suggestions:

The Quickening;
The Shining Isle: An Urban Fantasy;
Whittlewood;
Shadowmagic;
Garden Spells;
The Gnome and Mrs. Meyers; and
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

to name a few I've enjoyed. :D

Libby Purves interviewed Simon Gough on Midweek last night. He's a grand-nephew of Robert Graves and was speaking about his book, The White Goddess: An Encounter. He said the book is autobiographical and has taken him years and years to write (28 I think, but don't quote me on that...). It sounded good - would love an excuse to read it.

Hey wait - do I need an excuse?!

Yep - much work to catch up on...

Just heard about this book and could be an interest, if light read: Diary of a Witchcraft Shop by Trevor Jones.