#my reading

[kay-claire]

Here's my book list of every book I've read with a trans or nonbinary main character, which I update every Trans Awareness Week in November and Trans Week of Visibility in March. I added over 40 new books to this list since my last update in March! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

[leehallfae]

“i caught her on reruns—nichelle nichols / from the original star trek series. she was / black like me. dark as me. cosmic in her / mini dress, black boots and hoop earrings. / not a maid, and not julia—diahann carroll / was too much like my mother, grounded / by pain. i wanted to be astonishing as a / cosmos, not ordinary matter. that dark / energy i longed for but could not name. / […] i loved her, / loved her intergalacticness, her all-hands- / on-deckness facing the final frontier— / beyond death—voluminous and unknown.”

— january gill o’neil, “i was lt. uhura”

[seacret-tarot]

☁️🌑 What are you not seeing clearly right now? What needs your attention? 🔮🔍

Pick a Pile - Tarot and Oracle Reading

1 2

3 4

Hello everyone~

Hope you got through the Eclipse(s) alright; I know I felt them 🙈 Today I got a timeless PAC for you about what you might not be seeing clearly or what could need more of your attention. I'll be using the Nameless One Tarot, the Oracle of Oddities and the Wild Unknown Archetypes Oracle. I'll also roll some dice for lucky or significant numbers/signs/houses/planets that can be taken as confirmation if you want (though they are not necessarily included in the interpretation of the reading). Please choose whatever picture you feel most drawn to.

Hope you enjoy your reading and thanks for stopping by!

[Disclaimer: Please use your own judgement when making any decisions based on a tarot reading. Magick and readings are meant to supplement, not replace professional advice. Since this is a general reading, only take what resonates with you – and at the end of the day, we all have free will and the power to shape our lives.]

Pile 1

cards: anxiety; the box (44); the jester of cups; 5 of cups; 9 of pentacles dice: number 8; 7th house/pisces/mercury

It looks like you might be ignoring - or downplaying - anxieties about the structures/constraints you find yourself in. We have a literal box here, with its borders multiplying and closing in on themselves more and more until there is almost no more room to move. But in the center something is still glowing, like a mini sun. What is it your keeping in? What is trying to shine but not being given enough room?

The number 44 - or 4 in itself - is also speaking of stability and rules and therefore alluding to the authority of the Emperor in Tarot, a figure that in a negative position can feel oppressing and overwhelming. You might feel like you can't live out your emotions in the way you want. Whether imposed on you by circumstances and upbringing (which it looks more like to me, with the bats attacking the flowers from outside in the anxiety card), or perpetuated by yourself now, any worries or negatively perceived emotions you might have are being shut down. Alternatively, if you're already aware of those limits, you might feel anxiety about how to deal with them, or how to deal with a balance between that restriction and what could be sensed as a threatening outpouring of emotion.

The Jester of Cups represents the water element and all water signs, and as a person stands for someone who is emotionally open, sensitive and playful. Perhaps there is a disappointment - or a sort of apathy, if you look at the cat's demeanor in the 5 of Cups - that you are quite literally looking away from, that you're maybe not allowing yourself to fully process. Some kind of hurt or loss could also contribute to the shutting off of emotions, if it feels like you could protect yourself through that. I think, though, that if you acknowledge your more emotional side in a healthy way again (or learn do that) and manage to nurture it and give it space - with the water and earth energies present here - you'll see that it will only lead to making your life richer in all regards.

Pile 2

cards: joy; the ring (57); ace of wands; 8 of cups; 9 of swords dice: number: 15; 8th house/capricorn/saturn

It might be time soon to wake up from your slumber and light a little fire in your life - joy is just around the corner! My personal association with the Ring card is the reminder that you have support from a friendly soul - whether in the material world or from somewhere else (or both!), depending on what you believe in. In the guidebook the ring speaks about interconnectedness and eternity, but also repetition. With the ring being so intertwined in itself and in connection with the Joy card, I think you're getting a notice here that positivity and a love for life will keep coming back to you again and again. You know the belief about how the love you pour out in the world will always come back to you (even multiplied)? That's what it's reminding me of.

Unfortunately that reminder might be very needed - you could recently have had a hard time dealing with fears and worries (9 of Swords), that left you feeling immobilized and isolated from that very world, and now you could be trying to find your way back in. If you're not out of your nightmare phase yet, there could also be a warning here to not keep falling into the same destructive cycles over again.

It's a hopeful sign to me, though, that the cat in the 8 of Cups card is sleeping so restfully, in comparison to the 9 of Swords. The traditional "walking away from disappointment" meaning of the 8 of Cups in Tarot is somewhat subvered here; whatever has happened throughout the cat's day, she's leaving it behind with a sound and guiltfree mind, resting as she deserves. So, it's time to walk away from what doesn't serve you and to find your peace - in order for you to gather the energy to kindle the flames of what you want to bring light to the world with, and find your spark of joy again.

Pile 3

cards: voice; the mother (1); 7 of wands; king of wands (aries); ace of pentacles dice: number: 5; 6th house/sagittarius/pluto

Whatever it is you're trying to do (whatever it is you're burning for even), there's a strong message here to keep going for it. The repeating 1s - in the Mother card, the Aries mention as the first sign in the Zodiac, the Ace of Pentacles - and fire - the 7 and the King of Wands - can often speak about manifesting energy or bringing something completely new into the world out of nothing. So, the reminder here might be to not fall into the temptation of putting your goals and passions on the backburner.

The Mother card represents the theme of manifestation quite literally - but I think she also warns to not get too cozy in her nest and rather become the manifestor yourself. The King of Wands is also a great representative of this kind of thinking and acting, as he's a master of transforming sparks of inspiration and ideas into tangible results and creations, of building something out of it. As a represent of Aries (the first sign, but also the first house) he is also all about action and being guided by your truest self. Getting into his mindset as well as embodying the 7 of Wands - protecting your creations - as a visualized goal should help a lot.

There is also quite literally visible growth; as you speak, as you find your authentic, genuine voice and live your truth from the heart, you will make something grow and speak it into the real world. Simultaneously, you are encouraged to plant the first seeds in the tangible matters of earthly successes to get the ball rolling.

Pile 4

cards: imagination; the mentor (6); 3 of cups; 8 of pentacles; 4 of wands dice: number: 9: 11th house/pisces/mercury

The cards here are actually making me wonder if you're a student or have been thinking of getting back into studying something. There's definitely a more youthful energy in this pile with the childlike skull in the Imagination card and a Mentor figure mentioned. The party themes of the 3 of Cups and the 4 of Wands, which speak about getting together with others and celebrating something, also remind me of initiation/graduation or college parties - friendships (3) are being built or strengthened, whereas the stability (4) of an endeavor is honored, maybe even ceremoniously.

On the other hand there's the stack of books in the 8 of Pentacles. It looks like it belongs to someone who's studying hard and probably will be returning soon to continue doing so. I do think there might be something you're currently dedicating a lot of time on in order to be able to perfect it eventually.

Whether you are formally in education or feverishly working on something else, I feel like the reminder in this pile is to let loose a bit, to let that childlike wonder and imagination meander in a more playful manner (note the heart at the center of the child's daydreams) and to seize opportunities for celebration or give them more space in your life or even create them yourself and nourish your friendships and family relations. Whenever you go back to your desk and roam through your books, you will likely still have support from a Mentor figure (material or not) watching over you and helping you accomplish your goals.

[farm-paws]

Another thing from Terrier Centric Dog Training I loved was Antoniak-Mitchell’s ‘Oh @%*#!!’ protocol. Essentially; conditioning your dog to know that good things come when they hear your angry/freaked out tone/words

It’s such a nice thing to put in a training book imo because yes of course we all want to be as nice as possible to our dogs and ideally we would love to have the world set up where we never have to yell or get scared/angry/stressed about something they’re doing. But of course it’s not an ideal world and we’re all just human. It was so nice to see that acknowledged in a solution oriented way, instead of just assuming that it will never happen or that you will somehow change your whole demeanour to accommodate for a dog

[booksandchainmail]

Booksandchainmail's 2025 Booklist

All 203 books I read completely in 2025. A big reading year once again, and once again I am adding books manually.

How many have you read?

0-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-80

81-110

111-140

141-170

171-200

200+

see results

Voting ended onJan 8

[betterbewitching]

Book Bingo 2025 is complete! @batmanisagatewaydrug, I'm looking forward to starting next year's challenge!

Full titles and authors under the cut.

Beloved, Toni Morrison (Literary Fiction) The story structure of this book is immaculate and must be studied. 10/10, no notes.

Blood Child, Octavia Butler (Short Story Collection) Octavia Butler did not write a lot of short fiction, but the stuff she did write sticks with you. The title story in particular is fucked up in the most fascinating way.

The Dragon Republic, RF Kuang (Sequel) This series really does not pull its punches. You want to read about a main character who is forced to choose between a series of bad choices? A character who does some really fucked up stuff? I genuinely cannot imagine how Rin could end up happy at the end of this trilogy.

Swallows & Amazons, Arthur Ransome (Childhood Favorite) Some parts of this book didn't age spectacularly, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll have to see if I can finally finish the rest of the series as an adult.

Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany (20th Century Speculative Fiction) Easily one of my favorite books of the year. It’s a challenge, certainly - I saw someone describe it as a mobius strip, twisting around and going in circles. But that happens to be the kind of experimental science fiction I enjoy.

Ship of Magic, Robin Hobb (Fantasy) I devoured this book while stuck at home with Covid at the beginning of the year. Can’t wait to get my hands on the next one in the series.

Sparkling Cyanide, Agatha Christie (Published Before 1950) This is my favorite Agatha Christie I've read so far from the stack my grandmother sent me from her collection.

Arresting Dress, Clare Sears (Indie Publisher) A study on how gender and identity are constructed by legal frameworks in the form of anti-cross-dressing laws. I was researching the LGBTQ history of my local area for work at the time, and this was such a valuable read for that purpose, but I'd also recommend it to anyone interested in queer/transgender history!

Uzumaki, Junji Ito (Graphic Novel) I can't look at spirals now without thinking of this book. Amazing body horror, we are chilled and vaguely disgusted to see it.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson (Animal on the Cover) Your honor, Merricat Blackwood did nothing wrong.

In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez (Set in a Country You’ve Never Visited) Set in the Dominican Republic, this is a fictionalized account of the lives of the Mirabal sisters, who resisted (and died at the hands of) the Trujillo regime of the 1900s. Julia Alvarez is certainly a skilled writer, but I think I would have preferred a nonfiction account of their lives.

Fire on the Mountain, Terry Bisson (Science Fiction) This book explores a past in which John Brown’s attack on Harper’s Ferry was successful and a future in which the state of Virginia becomes the free, Black utopia of Nova Africa as a result. It’s a short, beautifully structured book. It could count as historical fiction as well as scifi.

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, Colwill Brown (2025 Debut Author) This book was wonderful and gut-wrenching, often at the same time. Its three main characters felt so real, their emotions so understandable, their lives so plausible, that it's hard to watch them fuck up and get fucked over and fail to communicate with one another. Maybe one of my favorites for this year, though, all said.

My Body is Distant, Paige Maylott (Memoir) Memoirs can be hit-or-miss for me. Two things I liked about this one: Maylott’s description of engaging with online communities feels far more authentic than other books that try to achieve a similar effect (looking at you, Ready Player One…). I also enjoyed that the chapter titles were all songs, creating a playlist to go with the book.

Transmasc DIY HRT (Zine) This square gave me an incentive to finish the zine I've been working on for years about being an aquarium volunteer, and I also read this guide to DIY HRT, which I'm hoping I can put to practical use.

Thunder, Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe (Essay Collection) One of my fave PNW writers! Hard to look at many aspects of Washington State in the same way - the Skagit Valley and the local tulip festival in particular.

Some Desperate Glory, Emily Tesh (2024 Award Winner) This book is still re-writing my brain chemistry. I think I might have to re-read it pretty soon in order to fully appreciate it. Highly recommend for any science fiction fans.

How to Talk to a Science Denier, Lee McIntyre (Nonfiction) This was published right at the beginning of 2020 and I wonder if McIntyre’s views have changed at all. For instance, he lists anti-vaxx as the closest thing he knows to a “liberal” conspiracy theory, citing RFK as an example. I would personally say that this is no longer the case…

Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook, Mark Bray (Social Justice/Activism) I thought this was going to include more practical advice for organizing/engaging in antifascist action, but it still provides a pretty valuable history of the movement. Since I read this book, Mark Bray has been forced to flee the country, which is a good indicator of where we're headed, I think.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon, Kimberly Lemming (Romance Novel) Recommended by a friend, but not my cup of tea!

American Cake, Anne Byrne (Read & Make a Recipe) I love food history! I took a bunch of notes on how American baking has changed over the centuries, and then I made cupcakes from the pink champagne cake recipe from the 1950s/60s!

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Stephen Graham Jones (Horror) This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it does not disappoint. There are some truly horrific (complimentary) scenes in this book, it's delicious.

Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow (Published in the Aughts) Yes, I read the Hamilton biography. It's been on my shelf for years and I decided it was a good time to tackle it since I had just moved to New York. Most of the interest I took in it is in how the musical deviates from and dovetails with Chernow's narrative to build its own.

The Reformatory, Tananarive Due (Historical Fiction) Set in 1950, this book explores the real-life horror of reform schools for Black boys in the US south, with an element of supernatural hauntings laid over the top. This was the first book I've read by Tananarive Due, and it certainly won't be my last.

Native Nations: A Millennium in North America, Kathleen DuVal (Bookseller or Librarian Rec) My public library has been killing it with the lists of recommendations on their website. Native Nations reframes a lot of Native North American history; to give one example, DuVal emphasizes that for centuries after colonizers arrived on the continent, Indigenous people continued to control the vast majority of the land and resources, and agreements they made with Europeans often served their own political and economic interests (sometimes to Europe’s detriment).

[mmw8054]

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”

— Henry David Thoreau, Walden (1854)