Again, this is another prompt I took noytes in the notebook then forgot to come back and post it here on the blog. So here we go, via That Artsy Reader Girl, my top new-to-me authors I read in 2025. Book links go to my reviews on this blog:
Charlie Claire Burgess, Radical Tarot.
William J. Barber, II, White Poverty.
Cory Doctorow, The Internet Con.
Garry J. Shaw, Cryptic.
Chuck Collins, Burned by Billionaires.
Courtney Weber, Hekate: Goddess of Witches.
Movies
and films (links to themoviedb.org or Wikipedia for basic information unless noted
otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online
source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise).
In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film
is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the
WorldCat record if available).
Television and other series (basic
show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of
these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube,
which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in
it, often full episodes:
Charles Soule, et.al., Star Wars. Darth Vader, dark lord of the Sith, Volume 2: Legacy's End. New York: Marvel, 2018. ISBN: 9781302907457.
The main story is Vader's hunt for Jocasta Nu. Jocasta was the Jedi librarian, and while she is barely a fighter, her knowledge of the Jedi and their library makes her valuable and a threat to the Empire. She strives to stay ahead as she works urgently to preserve what she can of Jedi knowledge.
The second story has a couple of mercenaries who have a contract to kill Vader. Who would dare we might ask? When Vader discovers the contract may have come from Coruscant, the imperial capital, things may get complicated.
I liked the stories, but there was a moment or two I honestly questioned a character or two. At one point, Jocasta has to break into the Jedi temple for some information. She is doing well, about to get away with it, when she notices one of Vader's inquisitors reading some books. Instead of just ignoring it and moving on, she decides to be upset and confront the guy pawing her books. Lady, you had one job to do. They guy was totally unaware of your presence, and instead you decide to play pissy librarian. Needless to say the story goes downhill for her from there. It's not often I get annoyed at characters doing stupid shit, but this was some really stupid shit.
The second story was good enough, with just enough action and intrigue to keep you reading.
Overall, I liked the volume. It was a nice and light read, and I read it pretty fast. Would've liked to see more of the librarian, but that did not last. We get a couple of stories that keep the series going, but nothing terribly memorable. This is one to read and move on.
3 out of 5 stars.
Qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge:
I saw this prompt over at Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub, and I wrote notes for it in my notebook. I then, as life often happens, forgot to post it on the blog here. I recently was looking through my writing notebook and found it, so I decided to go ahead and post it now. I suppose late is better than never. Prompts are as provided; the books are ones I read last year. Links go to my reviews of the books.
If you did this tag and posted it, feel free to share a link with me, and I will go over and check it out. I am always curious what other people are reading out there. Or if you got any comments, feel free to write them down below.
Leah Middleton, Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers. Newburyport, MA: Weiser Books, 2025. 9781578638802.
The book is arranged as follows:
This may be one of the nicest books I've read this year. It is accessible and easy to read. It often feels like you are sitting in a rocking chair on a porch listening to an elder share their experiences, their magic, and the knowledge they wish to pass on. The author starts with a regional overview of the people and land. By now I've read a few books about Appalachia, and the regional overview for outsiders is pretty much a requirement. The author manages to make it an interesting read. After that she delves into various folk and magical topics.
This is a book that draws you in, and you just keep on reading. You can tell the author has a passion, a devotion, and respect for the region, the land, its people, and the practices.
I'd say if you need an entry point into the region's folk witchery and magic, this book can provide a start. If you are just curious about the topic, want to read some stories, and learn more, this may be for you as well. If you are like and wish to learn more as a transplant, this book can be for you.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially if you have local interest. I do recommend it for public and academic libraries. My library ordered it, mainly for the regional interest. For me, it was worth reading to learn about some traditions in a land I call home now.
5 out of 5 stars.
Additional reading notes:
The author tells us this is not an academic book. Rather it is. . .
"This is more of a love letter to the mountain magic that survives here and an exploration of how it came to be, and how it can be applied today in a modern folk practice. Understanding the people's history is essential to understanding the foundations of any folk magical practice" (10).
From her tone and how she writes you can just feel that love. And I've heard that elsewhere and learned it, how in order to understand a people's magic and/or understanding a people in general you need to study and understand their history. I suppose that is one thing I am doing in reading books like this: seeking to understand the people and their history.
In mountain traditions, Christianity, in any number of forms, is not far behind, a lesson I've learned by now. The author now adds, or rather reminds us of animistic beliefs that weren't really left behind when Christianity came in, beliefs that the land is a living and breathing spirit. Practitioners, many of them, adapted accordingly:
"The spiritual connection between the practitioner, the land, and their Lord established a dual religion-- a belief I like to refer to as mountain faith, where Christianity and animism meet" (67).
Purpose of the book:
"The purpose of this book was not only to continue the conversation of these healing traditions, folkways, and magic, but also to provide a glimpse into Southern Appalachia's history by exploring the context of the ever-growing diverse culture. To dig into the depths of why and how" (213).
Some books from the references list I would like to read, for the TBR list:
This book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge:
