Book Review: Queer Communion

Davis Shoulders, ed., Queer Communion: religion in Appalachia. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781985902961. 

Genre: memoir, Christianity, Appalachia

Subgenre: religion, regional interest

Format: trade paperback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College  

 

This book is a collection of 12 poems, essays, and stories by and about LGBTQ+ folks and their experiences with religion in Appalachia. Religion in this context is Christianity, and in Appalachia this mostly means very conservative, right wing Christianity. In other words, the kind of Christianity that, to put it charitably, is not very welcoming to queers and other LGBTQ+ folks. 

I found the book to be very moving. Personally it challenged me as I struggled a bit to understand why some choose to stay despite awful treatment. The answer to that can be complicated for the writers. For good or ill, their Christianity may be tied to racism and outright bigotry, but it is also tied to some good close family experiences, friendships, and/or positive spiritual moments. It may be hard to leave the religion of your kin, bigoted as they may be, when your granny happens to also be the one who helped raise you or just plain loved you despite the fact she may hate queers otherwise. I can see where the writers experience some tough choices and struggles with their consciences all while trying, often, to accept their queerness and decide whether to come out or not, to leave or stay home, so on. At times you feel the tension as you read the book. 

This is the kind of book I say more people should read, but sadly they won't. It is also a book that clings to some hope. 

I recommend the book for all libraries, especially libraries in the Appalachian region. Academic libraries need to have this, especially for academic programs in religion, women and gender studies, LGBTQ+ studies, and social justice. It may be an academic press book, but its accessibility makes it a good selection for public libraries too. 

I am glad I read it even if there are parts I disagree on or struggled with them, mainly about those who may remain to stay inside a religious tradition that hates them. Then again, I am a heathen, and it is their choice to make. 

Overall I'd consider this an essential book. Definitely a good one to include in various LGBTQ+ library displays. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

 

Additional reading notes: 

On loving people who hate them: 

"It occurred to me, gay Appalachian man that I am, that effectively all queer Appalachians and Southerners have loved people who hated them-- or at least parts of them, parts that can't be divided out. If we hadn't loved people who hated parts of us-- perhaps even most-- of us would never have learned to feel love at all" (x). 

 

On queerness as spiritual: 

"In a world of fascist ideologies, I have learned that queerness is spiritual in its own right. That simply coming into being and surviving in this world is an act of spiritually defiant, radical soul resilience" (21). 

 

On some Christians: 

"There are people who want to run us off the road, burn us, shoot us. There are others who don't want to hurt us but wish they could close their eyes and in a flash we'd cease to exist. Some of those people call themselves Christians" (86).

So very often it goes between Christians willing to get their hands dirty to hurt queers and those unwilling to act on their bigotry, unwilling to get their hands dirty, but very willing to support policies and provide silent tacit support to the active bigots.   

 

This book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

Book Review: Witch Studies Reader

Soma Chaudhuri and Elizabeth Jane Ward, eds., The witch studies reader. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781478031352.

Genre: Witchcraft, witches

Subgenre: Women and Gender Studies, postcolonial studies

Format: Hardcover

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College  

 

This is a collection of scholarly essays looking at witches and witchcraft as an academic field of study. The book's authors feature scholars, practitioners, and scholar-practitioners "who examine witchcraft from a critical decolonial feminist perspective that decenters Europe and departs from exoticizing and pathologizing writing on witchcraft in the Global South" (from back cover).

The book is divided in six parts with 32 chapters. Topics include: 

• History.
• Debate of open versus closed practices.
• Appalachian folk magic.
• Tarot.
• Feminist theory.
• Witch hunts.
• Pop culture.
• Academia and the craft. 

This is a book by academics for academics. It is also for practitioners who are also academics or have a strong academic interest connected to their craft. This book may be a bit "too scholarly" for most practitioners. Some essays are more accessible than others, so I'd suggest to most folks to the essays they find of interest. 

I'd recommend this book for academic programs in feminist studies, pop culture, religion, peace and social justice, and gender studies. Most public libraries may want to skip this as it is not really a book for lay readers. 

I liked it. Some essays were better and more interesting than others. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

Additional reading notes: 

On witch stories: 

"Stories about witches, found in nearly every corner of the world, are by their nature stories about the most basic and profound of human experiences-- healing, sex, violence, tragedies, aging, death, and encountering the mystery and magic of the unknown" (1). 

 

A spell for accessing knowledge: 

"May we shed our attachments to disciplined ways of knowing and listen with humility" (14). 

 

Elements of Appalachian folk magic: 

". . .lacking a formal system, making do with items at hand, believing in astrological influences, and engaging aspects of Christianity" (90). 

 

Books mentioned in the "Resurrecting Granny" essay that I have read. Links go to my reviews: 

• Ballard, Roots, Branches, and Spirits.
• Richards, Backwoods Witchcraft. 

 

 

 

This book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

  

Book Review: Libraries of the Mind

William Marx, Libraries of the Mind. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2025. ISBN: 9780691267425.  

 Genre: libraries, philosophy

Subgenre: reading, books, criticism

Format: small hardback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College

 

In this book, the author explores and expands the idea of the invisible library, a library we all have in our minds whether we are aware of it or not. The author discusses how we build such libraries and how we can and should keep expanding them. 

The book really made me think about how I read. I often make connections between books or texts I am currently reading and books or texts I have read before. Reading this book helped validate that process for me. But there is more as the author also asks us to consider and add to our mental libraries works that may be lost, in fragments, or even not written yet. This sounds to me a bit like Borges's ideas on books, reading, and libraries, and at some point I will be rereading Borges.

The book is an interesting read, especially if you enjoy books about reading and how it works. It can be a bit slow and some of the text can be dense, but it is worth reading through it. This book can help you rethink how and why you read. It may also encourage you to expand your reading horizon. 

Overall, I really liked the book. It gave me much to consider. Strongly recommend it for academic libraries with strong literature and critical theory programs. It may be optional for public libraries. 

4 out of 5 stars.

 

Additional reading notes: 

On why books get lost: 

"Either because of disinterest or because one book says better, more succinctly, or more memorably what a previous one had developed with painstaking detail. Over time, everything ends up in compendiums and textbooks" (3).

I've had that moment at times when I've read a book on a topic, come across another on the same topic. Unless the other book draws me in somehow, I feel that the book I read previously likely is enough.

 

Defining invisible libraries: 

"Symmetrically, invisible libraries are collections of works in the minds of individuals or groups, who are aware of these works. Such awareness need not be very precise; even a vague knowledge of a work is enough to include it in an invisible library. While visible libraries are composed of books and texts, invisible libraries consist of works" (19). 

 

Books and catalogs: 

"In the world of books, if you are not listed, then you simply do not exist. Material existence holds little weight compared to being included in a catalog. A book forgotten by catalogs is like a pearl lost in the ocean, with little chance of ever being found. Dramatic acts such as book burnings are counterproductive because of their spectacle, whereas discreetly removing an entry from a catalog can have a similar effect with much less visibility. The master of catalogs, therefore, wields significant power over the entire library" (46-47). 

In modern terms, consider all those authors wanted to be listed and reviewed in Amazon. For good or mostly ill, Amazon is a master of catalogs with the power of a behemoth. Here, we can also consider the debates some librarians have about collection development, what books to include or not in their collections, whether they censor or not if they decide to exclude something, etc. In libraries, the cataloger along with the collection developer does have a lot of power.  

 

A key question:  

"Should we cease reading the authors of the past because of their views? On the contrary, these texts hold valuable lessons. They serve at least as vital records of where we have come from, helping us to understand historical contexts and avoid repeating past mistakes" (140). 

Some folks should consider that question and Marx's answer when they advocate to stop reading a certain book or author for whatever reason or cause may be bothering them at the time.  

 

Book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

Media Notes: Roundup for February 2026

 

  

 

Welcome to my somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during February 2026.

Movies and films (links to IMDB.com 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).

• Destruction Force (1977. Crime. Police Procedural. Italian film, also known as La banda del Trucido). Plot description: "A shoot out after a robbery ends with the death of the Chief of Police. Police detective Ghini goes in search of a suspect, Lanza, to avenge the death of his boss." The action pretty much starts right away with a hostage situation the cops need to defuse. The movie has a decent pace and action, but the plot is a bit all over. One moment the crooks are planning a heist, the next another crook takes a cop's girl hostage to ambush him, but he manages to overcome the situation, and then on to something else. Entertaining as it can be in moments, the plot goes from one moment to another with little apparent connection. Main case is some jewel thieves and the fallout of their robbery. "Trashy," the restaurant owner who is sort of a middle man for criminals and leads a group of thieves, also has a child and at times has to baby sit. A couple of moments with him and the baby can be amusing. Trashy, as much as possible, avoids violence and teaches his thieves to work without violence. However, his clients who get a driver from him do not hesitate to be violent in their crimes. Note also that, at least on this edition, some parts of the Italian dialogue did not get dubbed, mostly some domestic scenes such as Trashy with his wife. By the way, movie does have a somewhat catchy soundtrack. Note the revenge plot is not as the movie's description states: Trashy is the one who goes to seek vengeance when the driver he provided gets killed. By the way, the English movie title does nothing for the movie. As typical in these films, there is plenty of action, violence, and shooting. The ending is, well, a bit on the light side after all that went before, but it works. Overall, the film does keep your attention as we want to see how it all comes down. I liked the movie, though I wish the dub was complete. Willing to give it 3 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/7. 
• Film also listed in Grindhouse Cinema Database.
• Mortal Game (2024. Horror. Made for television film). Plot description: "A group of hunters travel to a mysterious island to track down a legendary forest creature. They soon realize their guide has set them up as bait, forcing them to confront a highly intelligent predator that terrorizes them one by one." This is pretty clearly a knock off of other films featuring some kind of specially skilled group of warriors (soldiers, commandos, hunters, etc.) taking on some monster in the middle of nowhere. We get three hunters, and one photographer, which I am curious why he is there as he does not seem as well trained nor skilled as others, plus the guide. Turns out the photographer has a show, one of those influencers on social media, so yes, fairly useless and a bit cowardly to boot. While the character development is not great, we eventually get hints why they are all there. One for a last thrill, another for the reward money, and another because it is a hunt. The monster effects are not that good, basic furry monster kind of thing. Once they figure out their situation, it becomes a matter of surviving long enough to get off the island, killing the monster if they can. The movie is pretty much by the numbers. Terror is not that much to be honest, little gore. Not that much suspense either, just a matter of seeing the final girl survive. Hey, it is a horror movie, and it keeps that trope of the last girl. In the end it was OK, not bad, so 2 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/7. 
• Weapons of Death (1977. Action. Crime. Drama. Italian movie aka Napoli Spara!). Plot description: "A police commissioner tries to bring a gangster to justice as the kingpin's out-of-control crimes set even his own underworld allies against him." The movie starts at a fast pace, and it keeps a steady pace of action throughout as the detective has to deal with various crimes. He knows who the gangster is, but as often the case knowing and proving it are different things. The gangster is quite resourceful to stay ahead of the law. The movie does keep your attention from beginning to end, and it adds some light humor here or there thanks to a street urchin the detective deals with now and then. Overall a good drama with plenty of action, a bit gritty, and intense at the end. I will note there is at least one pretty disturbing prison yard scene. I'd say 4 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/13.
• Film is also listed in the Grindhouse Cinema Database.  

 

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:

• Hell's Kitchen (2005-). Description: "Twelve aspiring restaurateurs compete before chef Gordon Ramsay." I commented on this show last in May 2024 for season 21. This month I am watching season 22. Theme for this season is "The American Dream" and has 16 episodes. Contestants are either immigrants or may be from outside the U.S. Via TubiTv, which is running a bit behind, but for me, I watch it when I get to it 
• Prize is to become head chef to Hell's Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas and a $250,000. 
• On this season, they start the drama early on. By second episode they're already at each other's heads, and the one asshole (there is always one) pretty much comes in right at the start of the show.  
• Among the celebrity guests in the dinners are Paula Abdul and Dolph Lundgren.
• The formula for the most part remains the same. This season they added some challenges to reinforce the American Dream theme, but otherwise pretty much the same in terms of format.  
• Kojak (1973-1978. Action. Crime. Drama).  The classic police drama procedural with Telly Savalas in the title role as Lieutenant Detective Theophilus "Theo" Kojak. I continued with Season 2 starting with episode 9 and made it to Season 2 episode 19. 
• In actors you've seen elsewhere. In Season 2, Episode 9, Abe Vigoda makes an appearance as a jailed mobster.
• Daniel J. Travanti appears in Season 2, Episode 10 as a rival detective.   
• In season 2, episode 11, an interesting detail. The wife of a private eye reads horoscopes for clients. She gets their charts from a friend who uses a computer to enter the data like birthday, so on to get the astrological chart of a person, which she then would interpret for clients. This was before now where you can get your own birth chard online in various places, some even free. Also, this was early days of computers, so they are not universally everywhere yet.  
• Leslie Nielsen makes an appearance in season 2, episode 15. He is one half of an illicit love affair trying to do a diamond heist, and he is pretty ruthless. On what may be an interesting detail, to some, the female partner is a Black woman.  
• In season 2, episode 16, we get a young Erik Estrada, initially a suspect of an arson but soon the cops realize it was not him. 

 

 

 

Deck Review: Sci Fi Tarot

Todd Alcott, Sci-Fi Tarot. Brooklyn, NY: The Unemployed Philosophers Guild, 2022. (link to publisher).  

 

Genre: Tarot decks

Subgenre: horror, pulp

Format: kit with little white book and deck

Source: I own this one. 

 

The Lovers-VI 

Todd Alcott strikes gold again with his pulp style look at science fiction. If you like sci-fi, you'll probably enjoy this one. If you already have his previous two decks, the Pulp Tarot (link to my review) and the Horror Tarot (link to my review). you'll want this one for your collection as well. 

In the style of previous decks, the deck box is in the shape of a book, so it looks nice on the shelf. You open the box, and it shows the image of a library card inside a pocket.  Inside the box you get a 51-page booklet and the 78-card deck. 

The booklet includes: 

• Introduction by AncHistBot H-280/z. Alcott's concept this time is an AI program bot describing a preserved Tarot deck from a bygone human civilization. By the way, in his author's note, Alcott states that while he made the text sound like AI, "no AI was used in either the creation of these images or the writing of this booklet" (50). In the introduction, the AI bot describes what led to the Galactic Hivemind, and along the way describes what humanity was. We also get an overview of what Tarot was and how it was used. In reading this, it is an interesting way to see how humans connect to Tarot. 
• Major Arcana. Entries feature about a paragraph per card. Text maintains the "AI bot" voice in the insightful interpretations. Text is easy to read and accessible. It blends serious advice with a bit of cheeky humor. 
• Minor Arcana. Entries are arranged by suits: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. Text here is as for the Major Arcana. 
• A note from the author. This is where the author explains the deck's concept a bit. He explains suits are arranged by colors: wands are spring green; cups are summer yellow; swords are autumnal red, and pentacles a wintry blue. Note these key colors are somehow integrated into the cards' art.

 

Can you use the deck without the book? Yes, probably. The cards are very well illustrated and feature some helpful text. However, you would miss some of the charm from the deck's concept as well as some of the card insights if you skip the book. So I strongly recommend you read the book to get the full experience. I can read the cards well enough, and I still found the book's interpretations interesting, useful, and with a bit of good humor. Don't be fooled though; this deck can deliver deep and serious readings too.  

The card art expresses that pulp fiction sci-fi style and feel very well.  We get a broad variety of genres like movie posters, comics, book covers, so on. If you grew up reading old pulp science fiction or watching it, you'll likely love this deck. The art is very colorful, bright, and expressive. Some cards have a bit of text, and other less so depending on the art style. The images are easy to read, so they can work for intuitive readers. Card art has Rider Waite Smith (RWS), but this is not an RWS clone. Still RWS readers should be able to work with deck just fine. It works well for me. I found it to be a clear, responsive, and reliable reader I can use for myself, and I think it can work well for others. 

Though I would not recommend it for beginners, it can work well for a beginner given its full illustrations and the text. It can be a good option for intermediate and advanced card readers. Also a good choice for pop culture collectors. 

Overall, I love this deck. It is one I would recommend to almost anyone, especially science fiction fans. I have a couple of space themed oracle decks, and I may try pairing them with this deck. This is one I would buy a back up copy, and I am glad to own it. 

5 out of 5 stars.   

 

Note: Photos are mine from my copy of the deck.