Tuesday, December 17, 2013

5 Non-Fic Books Read in 2013


5 Books I Read in 2013: I read more non-fiction this year than is my norm to edumakate myself on certain topics of which I knew the gist but am sadly lacking in details. Also? WiP research.

  1. Edgar Cayce The Modern Prophet: Mary Ellen Carter -- While I'd known of Cayce for years, I'd never read any of his work or understood how he attracted so many followers. This particular book combines four of Cayce's fundamental works about the universal consciousness and the individual's ability to tap into a wealth of knowledge beyond one's current experiences. It's a great book to understand his root philosophy without being beaten about the head by the fanatics.
  2. The Norse Myths: Kevin Krossley-Holland -- If your 13th century Icelandic isn't up to par with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, this translation and interpretation of the many  Norse Myths is a great go-to for sorting your Aesir from your Vanir and your Loki from your Utgard-Loki. 
  3. Witch Crafting: Phyllis Curott --  Not going to open a demon portal with this take on foundations on wicca, but Curott does like to riff on quantum mechanics and its relationship to certain practices.  This book involves homework.
  4. Power & Principle of the the Runes: Freya Aswynn -- One of the few books about Runes and their meanings that doesn't shout All readings are dire! Despair ye who dares to cast! While I found her interpretations very interesting, her personal vignettes revealed a little too much about the author and her satisfaction in certain malevolent actions.
  5. The History of  Russia 1721 - 1917: ? -- Sorry, I don't have the author's name at hand. It's one of the few textbooks I kept from the days of yore, and one I re-read when I need the details of how a mighty empire fell. If you write anything about fantasy kingdoms and you want grandeur and intrigue that isn't the more common history of England/Western Europe, look to the Russian Empire. Yes, yes, the Austro-Hungarian and Prussian empires were all up in everyone's family tree, but still...Russian History FTW.

So, there you go, dear readers, a non-fic list among the great recommendations of fiction from the other Word Whores. Did you read any non-fic this year that you'd recommend? If so, what?

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