Robert Alvarez > Recent Status Updates

"Dinner at the Night Library," by Hika Harada (translated by Philip Gabriel) and "Spirited Away," by Lena Gregory I began reading on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

"54 Devils: The Art and Folklore of Fortune-Telling with Playing Cards," by Cory Thomas Hutcheson I began reading on Friday, December 12, 2025.

A little more than halfway through Chapter 19, "Health and Prosperous Thinking."

I truly believe this shall be the 20th or 21st time I have read this book, and it always fascinates me how every time I read it, I read something I never noticed before, as well as learn or relearn something that helps me very much.

"Alien Quest," by Mark Zubro (#1 in the "Alien Danger" Series). I began reading this book yesterday, Monday, November 24, 2025. I have owned this book, as well as the other two in the series, for a few years, but now was the time to begin reading it. Looking forward to this experience, as I do not read as much Sci-Fi as I once did.

I have made a lot of progress in reading the fairy tales that correspond to the cards of this Tarot Deck. I especially enjoyed reading the fairy tale about Vasilisa the Beautiful--a Russian fairy tale--which corresponds to the Nine of Wands.

I think at this point I have to roughly forty or so Tarot Cards left to go.

A few pages into Chapter 18, "What About Indebtedness?"

"Gods of the Runes: The Divine Shapers of Fate," by Frank Joseph: I do not know how long I have owned this softcover edition of this book, nor do I recall when or where I purchased it, but I began reading it for the first time last Friday, October 31, 2025.

"Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness," edited by dave ring. At the present time, I am on page 267, at the beginning of "The End of the Line," by Grace P. Fong, which is a short story in comic strip form.

"A Practical Guide to the Runes: Their Uses in Divination and Magick," by Lisa Peschel. At the present time, I AM at page 87, at the beginning of "Lagaz," which is often translated as "Flow."

At the beginning of Chapter 18, "Am I a Romantic?"

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this series of memoirs. They are fun, exciting, spicy, loving, heart-felt and insightful.

At the beginning of "The Grand Tableau in Action."

I really love how Mr. Musruck explains everything in simple language, especially as I previously, could not "get out of my head" about the differences between conducting a Reading with Lenormand, and a Reading with Kipper. In spite of the number of similarities between these two Card Reading Systems, they have distinct differences.

At the beginning of Chapter VII, "Preparing to Tell the Story."

I do not know why I thought this was going to be an "easy" read, but it is very involved. Then again, the author is teaching how to pair Tarot and Lenormand, and in a way that is designed for the beginning to both Card Reading Systems,

At the beginning of Chapter 4, "The Minority Millionaire, Ishmael."

I love being a Happily-Recovered-Catholic, as well as someone who can be open to the biblical wisdom, via a Catherine Ponder book.

At the beginning of Chapter 9: "Season of Spice and Hearth: Dying."

I find it fascinating that, without intending to do so, I time reading the chapters to the Witch's Wheel of the Year.

At the beginning of Chapter Five, "Spirituality: Divine Love."

In the short time I have been reading this book, I have become a forever fan of the late and great bell hooks.

At the beginning of Chapter 18, "What About Indebtedness?"

As I often say, my life is always better when I read (or reread) a Catherine Ponder book, as well as a Cozy Mystery.

"Unfettered Hexes: queer tales of insatiable darkness," edited by dave ring: at this time, on page 81, at the beginning of "Blood for Blood," written by Chelsea Obodoechina.

"Clairvoyant and Present Danger," by Lena Gregory (Bay Island Psychic Mysteries #3): at this time, on page 127, at the beginning of Chapter 12. Won't be long now before I finish this book and begin reading the fourth book in this Cozy Mystery Series.

"A Practical Guide to the Runes," by the late Lisa Peschel: At the present time, on page 66. A short book, and yet I AM learning so much about the Runes, as well as Rune combinations in a Runecasting.

"Clairvoyant and Present Danger," by Lena Gregory (Bay Island Psychic Mysteries #3): I began rereading this book on Monday, October 13, 2025. Since it had been years since I had read the first three books in this Cozy Mystery Series, and now learning that a 7th and 8th shall be published, I definitely felt it was time for a reread. It feels like reconnecting with old friends.

"Occult and Battery," by Lena Gregory (Bay Island Psychic Mysteries #2): At the present time, on page 250, at the beginning of Chapter 19. This, then two more chapters, and then I AM done!!

"Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness," edited by dave ring, Part II: On Friday, October 3, 2025, during the Moon Serpent and Bone 7th Annual Samhain Night Market, I used the "Unfettered Hexes Oracle Deck;" art by Matthew Spencer, designed by dave ring. It was quite easy to connect with it, and was a pleasure to use, and it resonated with the client rather smoothly. I shall use it again soon.

"Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness," edited by dave ring, Part I: Presently on page 69 of this book. Although I AM still in double digits, my two favorite pieces are: "The Passing of Sinclair Manor, or The House o0f Magical Negroes," written by Danny Lore. My other favorite is "Love and Light," by H. A. Clarke. More in Part II...

"Unfettered Hexes: queer tales of insatiable darkness," edited by dave ring. I began reading this anthology, and I already love it so much. A few pages into "The Passing of Sinclair Manor, Or, the House of Magical Negroes," by Danny Lore, and Mr. Lore already has a new fan in me. Tonight, I use the "Unfettered Hexes Oracle Deck" professionally, for the first time, too.

"Unfettered Hexes: queer tales of insatiable darkness," edited by dave ring. Although I do not prioritize books based on seasons, for the most part, I definitely wanted to begin reading this book while offering professional Readings with the "Unfettered Hexes Oracle Deck." I met dave ring and a few other Neon Hemlock authors during FlameCon 2025, and look forward to this anthology.

"The Ghost and the Femme Fatale," by Cleo Coyle, writing as Alice Kimberly: On page 205, at the beginning of Chapter 19, "Bombshell."

"Murder Most Frothy," by Cleo Coyle: On page 187, at the beginning of Chapter Eighteen.

"Forgotten Sisters," by Cynthia Pelayo. At this time, on page 136, at the beginning of Chapter 14.

"Forgotten Sisters," by Cynthia Pelayo. At this time, on page 136, at the beginning of Chapter 14.

"The Ghost and the Femme Fatale," by Cleo Coyle, writing as Alice Kimberly: At the present time, on page 160, at the beginning of Chapter 15, "Trapdoor Trap."

"Murder Most Frothy," by Cleo Coyle: At the present time, on page 193 at the beginning of Chapter Fourteen.

At the last chapter, "The Song of Triumph."

Reading this book has been quite the journey.

"Forgotten Sisters," by Cynthia Pelayo: At this time, on page 104, a few pages into Chapter 10.