Book Review: Cigars: a Biography

Aaron Sigmond, Cigars: a Biography. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781510784697

Genre: art and photography

Subgenre: history, popular culture

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley 

This is a beautiful and ambitious coffee table book that looks at the culture and history of cigars in the world. The publisher describes it as "more than just a reference book-- it's a travelogue, an anthology, a photographic monograph, and a historical narrative rolled into one." That is a pretty accurate statement as the book strives to be comprehensive. It covers a lot of ground. From history to the agriculture to the luxury culture of cigars, the book presents a lot of material. 

The book is pretty well written. For me, the best parts are the stories about the entrepreneurs, rogues, and workers who took tobacco and turned it into the luxury item enjoyed by celebrities and common folk alike. Some of the more technical information in the book can be a little dense. Overall, this is a book to read a bit at a time, take your time with it much like you would with a cigar. 

The photography throughout the book is gorgeous and very evocative. The photographer has a good eye, and the photos just take you to the locations. They also do a good job humanizing the people, especially the workers. 

So who is this book for? First, this is a book for cigar aficionados and connoisseurs. This will be a great addition to their shelves and/or coffee tables. Second, for readers who enjoy coffee table books with excellent photography. Let's be honest: any readers pick up a coffee table book for the photos, and the photos in this book are very good. Third, libraries. I would recommend the book for libraries with strong art and photography collections. It may also be of interest for collections in history, business, and pop culture. Larger academic and public libraries may find it of interest too. 

Overall, I really liked it, but it can be a bit dense at times. Beautiful photos make it a pleasure to view it. This is a book to get in print. An e-reader may not do it justice. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

 

Additional reading notes: 

On cigar mysticism. I felt the following line was a little pretentious, good as it is. Then again, cigars are often a pretentious hobby: 

"The umami mysticism of the world's best cigars stems from the fact that they come from what are, to most of the world, tropical far-off lands. Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras: These nations loom larger in the imagination than even France, Italy, or Scotland do." 

 

Another nice line from the book:  

"Life, they say, is a journey. A cigar-- a good hand-rolled, carefully blended, preferably aged cigar, itself an enduring symbol of an antiquarian craft-- is a journey as well. A cigar, if you allow it, will tell you a story." 

The book also includes a good bibliography. A few titles from that list I may want to read down the road: 

• Baldrich, Juan Jose, Smoker Beyond the Sea: the Story of Puerto Rican Tobacco. (2022). 
• Garcia-Goyco, Osvaldo, Mayan and Aztec Influences on the Tainos of the Greater Antilles (1984). I actually have this book. My parents got it for me back around the time it came out; as a young boy I had an interest in history and culture, and something like Maya influences was right up my alley. I still have the book; I may need to revisit it. Note book lacks a WorldCat record. 
• Sigmond Aaron and Kolakowski, Nick, Playboy: the Book of Cigars (2010).

 

 

 

This book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

 

Book Review: Harley's Little Black Book

ISBN: 9781401273606.

Genre: comics

Subgenre: superheroes

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley  

I've enjoyed other volumes in the Conner and Palmiotti run on Harley Quinn, and this one was fun as well. 

This volume basically is an anthology of stories where Harley meets various characters from the DC universe such as Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Lobo, and others. Being Harley Quinn, we get all sorts of hijinks and mayhem, yet her heart is in the right place. 

For me, these comics are always good fun. This collection reminds me that comics can be fun and entertaining. If you want to get away from the dark and gloom of many comics today, this is a good option. The art is very good. This volume features a variety of artists, so you get a nice sampling of styles. Stories are fun and amusing, can be heartwarming here or there, and silly too. Overall, a nice selection and fun reading. 

4 out of 5 stars.   

Qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Tarot Magic

Fortuna Noir, Tarot Magic: a Handbook of Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells. New York: Wellfleet Press, 2024.  ISBN: 978157153948.

This is a guide to learn Tarot and then use it in your magical practice. The book is part of Wellfleet Press's Mystical Handbook series. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• Prologue. This is a nice poem and blessing. It is a nice way to open the book, and it sets a gentle tone. 
• Introduction. This provides an overview of what the book covers, a basic description of Tarot, and how it can be used in magic. The introduction tells you what the book will do. 
• Major Arcana.
• Minor Arcana. 
• Traditional Magical Elements. This chapter goes over magical tools, what they are, and how they are used. The material is basic, but it is good for beginners. 
• Meditations, spells, and rituals. You get a variety of spells and rituals on topics such as love, fortune, and the Sabbats. 
• Epilogue.
• Resources and references. 
• Index.

 

 Once you read past the Introduction, you start with the Major Arcana. The entries here go over card meanings, symbols, and how to use the cards. The entry information is basic and gets to the point. You get a character description, upright and reversed interpretations. The meanings are well within Rider Waite Smith (RWS) traditions. This is good material for beginners, but it can also be good reference for card readers overall. The Minor Arcana entries are about the same in terms of content and quality. You don't feel like they skimp on the Minor Arcana as other books might do. 

The Meditations, spells, and rituals chapter offers a good variety on common topics. You may need some materials to do some of the spells and rituals. Overall the materials don't seem complicated, and many are things you can acquire. Naturally, you can substitute materials as needed. Not all activities require physical materials. Instructions are easy and simple. 

The resources list features 20 sources. There are a few books, but it is heavily reliant on popular websites, especially blogs. Nothing wrong with blogs-- heck I have been a blogger for years, and you are reading this on a blog-- but it means you need to more carefully evaluate what you may find online. Actually, there is only one book on the sources list I have not read: The Book of Spells by Jamie Della (link to Worldcat record).  

Overall, this is a pretty good book. It is a very easy read. It may be mostly for beginners, but some of us at the mid level/intermediate level can find a new idea or two to try out. Libraries, especially public libraries that collect pagan and esoteric materials may want to add it to the collections. In the end, I really liked it. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: The Lost Art of Reading

David Ulin, The Lost Art of Reading: books and resistance in a troubled time. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781632171948.

Genre: books, literacy

Subgenre: essay, memoir

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

According to the book's description, this book asks questions about why literature is important and what it may offer today in a time when it is so easy to disengage from the act of reading. If only the author had delivered on that premise. I can't tell how lost the art of reading is from this book, but the author certainly lost me as a reader as he just meandered, babbled, and kept dropping famous author names while telling us of his school days in some fancy prep school. The writer just wrote and droned on and on, and if you ask me what was the point I still have no idea after reading this. 

There are plenty of other books about books and reading from those describing the joys and wonders of reading to jeremiads lamenting and warning about people reading less. They are all better than this book. Seek those out instead. This book was a disappointment to be honest, and I do not recommend this book. 

Libraries can pretty much skip this title. Libraries probably have better books on reading and literacy they can offer their patrons. 

1 out of 5 stars. 

Qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: 78 Acts of Liberation

Lane Smith, 78 Acts of Liberation: Tarot to Transform Our World. Boulder, CO: Sounds True, 2024. ISBN: 9781649632203.

Genre: Tarot

Subgenre: activism, politics

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

 

This book is a guide for Tarot reading. It moves away from the common individual focus and on to using Tarot as a tool of personal reflection and inner work. This book advocates using Tarot as an external tool, more for community engagement, social change, and activism. That concept may be appealing to Tarot readers, especially if they themselves are already activists and seeking ways to further bring their cartomancy into their activism. 

Before I go further, let me get this out of the way. This is a heavily political book, and the author lays out their left politics clear and thick. If that is not your jam, this may or not be the book for you. For me, reading this broke with my personal moratorium on reading any material on politics, social issues, and activism. By the time I finished reading the book I felt it was worth it as I did find some useful elements to explore more. Still, I felt a need to advise readers, including librarians doing collection development. 

The book is arranged into two major parts. 

Part One is Foundations. This provides a critical study of Tarot history looking at topics such as privilege, capitalism, discrimination, and appropriation. For me, this was like going back to my graduate work in critical theory including feminist and postcolonial studies. I do not mean that in a good way. This is a big segment in the book, and it is some seriously heavy reading at times. For readers aligned with the author, this may be a bit of preaching to the choir. Like other historians, the author does pick and choose parts of history to discuss and interpret, including speculation to fill a historical gap here or there. As we read along, we get a look at history, with a detour or two, to ask "what if?" Readers can decide how viable or not some answers may be. The questions are often compelling. We are looking at Tarot here beyond the usual narratives and texts most everyone knows. . .or think they know. Speaking of the usual narratives, the author does refer to various classics including authors such as Rachel Pollack and Mary K. Greer. Author does strive to cover the bases as they strike out to new ground. 

The rest of Part One looks at Tarot structure and card reading as the author lays them out. While the author does acknowledge traditional ways of reading, they are presenting their own structure to view Tarot. Their vision of Tarot as a sphere is intriguing, and I know I will need to reread that part to improve my understanding. Still, considering the Tarot sphere vision is a good reason to pick up the book. Finally, the first part also has a somewhat lengthy section of the author presenting their credentials and bona fides. They clearly wanted to hammer the point of how much an experienced activist who has done a lot. It could've been condensed or left for the "about the author" part. 

Part Two: The Cards. This is where the real strength of the book lies. Here we find the card interpretations and meanings, often connected to important social and historical events. For example, The Chariot-10, grouped in the ones (1+0=1) is about organizations and joining them. It uses the Asian American political alliance as a way to illustrate the lessons of The Wheel. So in addition to learning the basics of a card, you get some history and social lessons to help expand your vision of the cards. As the author points out, their choices are examples. Over time, as you do your own cartomancy and activist work, you may come to associate other events and circumstances for a specific card, and that is part of the growth and learning process. 

In the book, cards are grouped numerically. Each card entry includes card name and number, an action, and astrological association. We then get an overview of the card meaning and how it has been shaped an interpretation over time. Next we get the specific event or action the author uses to illustrate the card and it basic principles. To wrap up the entry you get a few reflection questions for each card. I found those questions very useful; you can use them for reflection, journal prompts, and as part of your card reading. 

The author then offers a succinct summary of what they presented in the conclusion. We do get a pretty broad bibliography that is definitely worth a look for further reading. I'll be picking out some titles from the bibliography to read down the road. 

Overall I liked the book, but I did not really like it. The strength really lies in the second part after they present their Tarot structure in Part One then get to the card entries. I found the practical elements more useful. For the whole book there are some parts that I liked more than others, but this is still a useful resource overall. 

Having said that, I can see how this book may be useful and appeal to some of our activist students here who may also read Tarot and do cartomancy. This is a book that I would order for our library, especially if a patron requests it. This book can also be good for those who do the work who also want to expand their vision for Tarot. 

I suggest  you read this book a bit at a time. Do the questions and gradually work your way through the book. This is not really a book to read straight through, unless you are reviewing it as as I am now. I will at some point go back, read a bit at a time, and work through it at a slower and more thoughtful pace. 

I do recommend it for public and academic libraries that collect pagan and esoterica materials. Also recommended for libraries that collect social justice materials, which we do here by the way. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Additional reading notes: 

In terms of appeal factors, the book Tarot for the Hard Work may be similar. I personally liked Tarot for the Hard Work better.  

Author's key question for Tarot: 

". . .what would happen if we asked the Tarot about practical actions we can take in response in response to larger social concerns?" (1).

How author uses the word "politics": 

"When I use the word politics, what I mean is simply  one's understanding of how power operates in society, and how one believes that power should be used. This is something we all know intimately through our lived experience" (4). 

Author's intention for the book: 

"I intend for this book to be a guide to reading the Tarot politically, with an eye toward justice and liberation, to complement Pollack's guide to reading the Tarot spiritually and psychologically, with an eye toward self-awareness" (8). 

That reminds me I need to read Pollack's book sooner rather than later. 

What the author asks of the reader: 

"With this book, I am asking you to look at the structure, history, and components of Tarot through the lens of power, and translate social meanings into social actions. Behind every story about Tarot-- and about the world-- are power relationships which are often invisible. My goal is to help you to better read the power dynamics that are at play in Tarot, and then in turn to use Tarot to help you read the power dynamics that are at play in the world" (18). 

The book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

 

Book Review: Tarot in Love

Elliot Adam, Tarot in Love: Consulting the Cards in Matters of the Heart. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2023.

Genre: Tarot

Subgenre: love, relationships

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

 

Love and relationship questions are often very popular in Tarot, cartomancy, and other forms of divination. Whether you are a beginner starting out or an experienced Tarot veteran, this book can help you refine your skills when it comes to love and relationship readings. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• Foreword.
• Introduction. This includes advice on how to use the book and avoiding pitfalls in relationship readings. 
• Part 1: The Major Arcana in Love.
• Part 2: The Minor Arcana in Love. This is arranged by suits, and the suits include the court cards. 
• Part 3: Spreads for Relationship Readings. This includes 7 spreads. 
• Conclusion. 
• Appendix: "How Does This Person Feel?" Quick Guide. A bit of a quick reference sheet. 

This is the best book if you want to learn about and relationship readings in Tarot. It is not just about intimate love. The book teaches about other forms of relationships. Many of the lessons about love relationships are applicable in settings such as family and business. You can get a lot of insight on relationships in general if you read this book. The book is easy to read, and the material is accessible. Jargon is kept to a minimum. 

Each card entry covers the following categories: 

• New relationship.
• Long-term partnership.
• Intimacy.
• Seeking romance.
• Desires.
   

Each entry also includes reversed card interpretations. The entries are well written and get to the point. They are informative and provide options for interpretation. Much of the content is applicable to other situations besides love readings. This is a good feature for learners as well as advanced readers seeking to learn more or expand their knowledge base. By the way, I also appreciate authors that do not skimp on the Minor Arcana. Speaking of the Minor Arcana, the book includes some notes on getting multiples in reading, example if you get two aces. This is a question I often find interesting, and I appreciate this author addressing it in the book. 

Overall, this is an excellent book that I strongly recommend. It belongs on your book shelf. I would buy one a personal copy. I am glad I read this one. I really liked it. A great Tarot resource to keep handy. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

By the way, if you liked this book,  you should consider also reading his previous book, Fearless Tarot (link to my review).

 

Additional reading notes: 

On Tarot as language of symbols: 

"Tarot is a language of symbols that speaks directly to the heart. It can be very useful to discover the vibration around a person or situation, highlighting patterns in human behavior and giving you a general idea about what direction events are likely to progress in. However, tarot can be tricky when interpreting hints about the future if your emotions, fears, and expectations are fixed on a desired person. Tarot readings are link mirrors. They reflect what you carry in your heart at the time of the reading. The future is always in motion" (2, emphasis in original). 

Where Tarot is effective: 

"Tarot is most effective when it is highlighting warning signs, patterns, or issues that need to be resolved within yourself before proceeding with others. When predicting the future with tarot, you must understand that  you are seeing a potential future, based on the information you carry with you now" (2, emphasis in original).  

The author strives to be inclusive: 

"This book is not restricted to only interpreting heterosexual partnerships and interactions. It can be applied to any relationship or any gender identity" (3). 

As for pronouns, he uses "he" and "she," but you can substitute pronouns as needed. 

On that puzzling card: 

"Sometimes you might encounter a particular card over and over in your readings that doesn't seem to describe the person or situation you are asking about. Instead, the card may be trying to get you to understand a particular lesson you yourself are struggling to move beyond" (5). 

When Tarot works best: 

"Tarot works best when you are accountable. It can also help you find what needs to be replenished in your own heart before you place expectations on others to fill it for you" (8). 

Tarot is contextual: 

"However, tarot is contextual. The meanings of the cards change depending on what you are asking about, your current state of mind, or what position of the spread a card appears in. That is why no one tarot book can give you fixed definitions that apply to every concern. Tarot is a nuanced tool. It can go far deeper than simple yes or not answers to your questions, but you must have the courage to see what is truly there" (101). 

What the Minor Arcana reveal: 

"The Minor Arcana will reveal passing situations or events that can be enjoyed, worked through, or learned from" (101). 

What Tarot spreads can do: 

"Tarot spreads help you systematically organize the intuitive information you receive in a reading. They supply structures, sequence, and, most importantly, context for card interpretation" (341, emphasis in original).

 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

 

 

Book Review: Card of the Day Tarot

Kerry Louise Ward, Card of the day Tarot: quick and easy one-card Tarot readings for love, work, and everyday life. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2024.  ISBN: 9780760385647.

Genre: Tarot and cartomancy

Subgenre: guides

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

This book takes a closer look at single card readings. The author argues that sometimes multiple card spreads can get too complicated or frustrating for some folks. Nothing wrong with a spread, but sometimes one card can do the job, and this book can show you how. In addition, as the author writes in her dedication, this book can help you put some of your dusty neglected decks to use. That is some added value. 

The book is arranged into two major parts: 

• 12 card-of-the-day Tarot rituals. Here you find a variety of readings and rituals to try out with your cards. 
• Card interpretations for one-card-draws. Here are entries with interpretations for each card. 

The rituals can vary in complexity. Some may ask you to include additional materials, such as crystals. The rituals may also include activities such as meditations. Some rituals may include lists of questions you could ask the cards; I found that to be a useful feature. The card interpretation entries offer meanings based on categories such as affirmation, life lesson, do this, and yes or no. The idea is you can do one of the rituals, and a ritual may suggest you use one category or another. Naturally, you can use the meanings on their own, perhaps as another tool to help you learn and study Tarot further. 

The card entries for the Major and Minor Arcana are the same in terms of content; I appreciate the author did not skimp on the Minor Arcana. The overall structure between rituals and meanings is simple, and it works. How much or how little you do of the rituals is up to you. Feel free to make adjustments as needed for your practice. 

One feature I wished the book developed a bit more is how to ask and craft questions for reading the cards. This would be in addition to the lists of questions already provided in rituals. That aside, this is a very good book overall. I like the idea of using single cards to make learning and working with Tarot a bit easier. I can see myself getting some good from the book. 

I would recommend the book for beginners. I'd also recommend it for some intermediate folks seeking some new card reading ideas, or as the author suggests, to bring back out some deck you may not have used in a while. 

I recommend it for libraries that collect Tarot and other esoteric materials. 

On a final note, the art featured in the book is very nice and evocative. If the artist made a full Tarot deck with that art I would consider buying that deck. 

4 out of 5 stars.

 

Additional reading notes: 

Spreads as a reason some folks may not persevere in Tarot and/or cartomancy according to the author: 

"It's creating spreads-- using multiple questions and cards in one reading. Spreads get complicated, confusing, and challenging. You are trying to find a thread, a consistent theme, a singular answer, but with all these random cards with different suits, numbers, people and messages in the mix, it can be incredibly messy and frustrating. Not to mention time-consuming!" (7). 

I can see for some folks starting out one look at a Celtic Cross Spread, which is featured in every other Tarot book, and they may get a bit overwhelmed initially. However, I think with a little effort and perseverance anyone can learn to read as well as create their own spreads. On a disclosure note, I have not created a spread of my own so far, though I have an idea or two for possible creations. In my case though I am comfortable using spreads others have created and shared for use. While I like starting out and working with single cards, I say there is no need to abandon spreads. If anything, just work your way up as part of your learning journey. 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

 

Book Review: LEWSER!

G.B. Trudeau, LEWSER! More Doonesbury in the Time of Trump. Kansas City, MO: Andrew McMeel, 2020. ISBN: 9781524859503.

Genre: comics and graphic novels, humor

Subgenre: politics and current events

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library. I did get an e-galley via Netgalley I was unable to access, so was not able to read it at that time. 

This is a collection of Doonesbury comics during the time of Trump.; many of the strips feature Trump as the protagonist. The volume then also looks at the regular Doonesbury characters living their lives and trying to cope and live in these Hard Times. 

This book is part of a Doonesbury Trump trilogy. I read the first volume, Yuge! (link to my review). The second volume is #Sad, and this book is the third volume.

On the one hand, there are some amusing moments in this volume. When the humor works, it works well. On the other hand, it can be painful to go read about the Trump administration. Those times may seem like a dark joke at times, but by now this book is a painful reminder of what was (and what could be again if Americans don't get their act together). To be honest, the best parts are the strips with the regular characters. A strength of the book is that it really captures the essence and mood of the time. 

Overall I liked this one. It is an easy read, relatively quick getting through it. I do always like the art in this series, especially when the author turns objects into people like the cigarette and now the Juul vape stick. Doonesbury does have a way to keep up with the times, but it does not always age well though.

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: United States of Murder Inc.

Brian Michael Bendis (author) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist), The United States of Murder Inc. Burbank, CA: DC Comics/Jinxworld, 2018. ISBN: 9781401287467.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: Mafia, crime, noir, alternate history

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley  

In an alternate United States, the Cosa Nostra never fell. In fact, it fully controls parts of the East Coast, Chicago, and Las Vegas. When our story begins, Valentine Gallo just becomes a made man. He is sent to deliver a package to a U.S. Senator, which seems to be a somewhat routine task. However, shortly after he does the delivery, a bomb goes off and kills the senator. Was there a bomb in the package? Was the bomb part of some other plot? Now Valentine and his reluctant companion Jagger Rose, a hitwoman, are on the run from the Mafia and the Feds, and they need to clear their names and find out what really happened.  

The premise of the comic overall is interesting. This is a near future where the Mafia became stronger, and by now it's a fact of life. The story is fast paced once the events are in motion. The plot for the most part draws you in. However, there are one or two plot points that even for a fictional setting are a bit of a stretch, and they can detract from the overall story. 

In addition, the art is good but at times it is a little too dark. This is a noir comic, but when some panels are so dark and/or vague that you can't make out some of the details that can be an issue. 

Overall, I liked it, but I felt it could've been better. The art certainly needed more clarity. Still, it is an interesting action story in an alternate history setting. For libraries, I would say this is an optional selection. I would order it for our library if a patron requested it. It does end in a cliffhanger, so I may or not seek out the next volume. 

3 out of 5 stars.

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination

Richard Webster, Llewellyn's Complete Book of Divination. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2017.

Genre: Reference, divination

Subgenre: esoterica 

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

 

The word "complete" may be a little ambitious, but this book does cover a good amount of divination practices. If you are curious, odds are you will find a divination practice of interest in the book and get some good information about it. The author has written extensively on various divination and psychic practices, so he is a good guide for this journey. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction.
• Chapter One: What is Divination? Terms are defined in this chapter. 
• Chapter Two: The History of Divination. You get a brief history plus short biographical sketches of famous divination practitioners. 
• Chapter Three: The Main Systems of Divination. This is the core of the book. It features entries for 31 systems, some more popular than others. 
• Chapter Four: Unusual Methods of Divination. This is a list of additional methods with a brief description. 
• Chapter 5: How to Choose the Right Oracle for You. 
• Chapter : Preparing for Divination.
• Conclusion.
• Appendix: Different Types of Divination. This is an additional list. 
• Bibliography.

  

This book can be useful for casual readers as well as folks interested in taking up a divination practice. The author takes us from basic definitions to the history to a look at the major practices. 

Chapter Three is the core. It covers 31 systems that the author felt should be presented. The entries overall are informative and define the practice. The author often tells of his personal experience with a divination practice and/or experiences of other people he has encountered in his work. He then provides basic steps on how to do the practice or at least try it out. At the end of each entry, the author provides a small list of suggested readings if you wish to learn more. Additionally, the book features some illustrations for various practices. Type and quality of illustrations can vary. For the Tarot entry, for example, they used illustrations from the Llewellyn Classic Tarot deck (you can find my review of that deck here).  

The unusual methods chapter includes some of the less common practices that the author considered still interesting enough to include in the book such as banana reading, which is worth reading. 

In addition, the author provides some advice to help readers choose a practice if so moved and how to prepare for doing divination. 

This is an interesting book. It is informative, and it provides enough detail on the 31 main practices for folks who may want to try a practice. Keep in mind one or two practices may be closed or restricted such as Ifa, which is done by babalawos. I read the book cover to cover for this review, but for most readers this is a book for browsing. Read the introductory chapters, then pick a topic of interest in Chapter Three. I also liked the advice for choosing the right divination tool for you. I am a cartomancer that reads Tarot and oracle cards. I am thinking of expanding the repertoire, so a book like this is helpful to get the basics on other practices and help me decide if I want to go further or not. 

For me, this may be a book to borrow. I do, however, strongly recommend it for libraries, especially libraries that already collect pagan and other esoteric materials. For libraries just starting to collect esoterica, pagan topics, and related themes, this would be a good addition. In the end, I really liked it and am glad to have read it. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: The Mandalorian: The Manga, Volume 1 (Star Wars)

Yusuke Osawa, et.al., Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Manga, Volume 1. San Francisco, CA: VIZ Media, 2023. ISBN: 9781974740963. 

Genre: Star Wars

Subgenre: science fiction, space opera

Format: Manga, e-book galley

Source: Netgalley

As I recall, The Mandalorian has been a popular series on streamer Disney Plus; there is even a movie in development at this time. Now we have a manga adaptation. Before I go on I will note that I have not seen the streaming series, so I come to this book as a reader. 

This book presents the initial part of the Mandalorian's story, a mysterious and laconic bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe. The story takes us up to the point where he meets The Child (Grogu). 

The volume starts with four pages in full color illustration. The rest of the volume is then in basic black and white. It is a pity the full story is not in color. Despite that, the art overall is good. The story is fast paced as the Mandalorian moves from one mission to the next. Being that he does not speak much, there is not a lot of dialogue, so the story moves along. Much of the story moves visually, and the visual elements are good. The book is a quick and easy read. This is the first volume of the series, so I hope the story shows some depth as it develops further. So far the story is fairly light. 

Fans of the series may consider reading this. It may work too for fans of newer Star Wars works. For libraries, if they have manga collections, and especially other Star Wars adaptations, they may want to acquire this. For my library, I would consider it an optional purchase. As a reader, this was nice, a bit of fun, but not terribly memorable. I did like it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat

Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, et.al., Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2017. ISBN: 9781401273699.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: DC Comics, antiheroes

Format: e-galley

Source: NetGalley

 

This volume is part of the DC Rebirth series. It is the third volume in the Conner and Palmiotti run of Harley Quinn comics. In this volume, Harley Quinn may think all she has to worry about is her parents visiting. Oh, but there is more. She has to deal with New York City's corrupt mayor and his plan to deal with the homeless population, then Harley Sinns returns, and there is still more. 

The volume features various plots going on, and initially we may not be sure how they connect or not. Some plot elements work better than others. The future Gotham plot line does not work as well, and we probably could have done without it. The rest of the stories would have been fine. For this part of the run, the writers may have tried to pack too much in. This part of the run does end in a cliffhanger, so we'll need to read the next volume to see how things turn out. 

Overall, the comic as a whole remains pretty good. I appreciate Harley Quinn's moments of empathy here. The humor throughout remains good and a good reason to read the series. The art is also very good. In comics, for me this is a favorite rendition of Harley Quinn. 

This volume collects stories from Harley Quinn, issues 14-21, and it includes a section of extras and cover gallery. I recommend it for libraries with graphic novel collections, especially if they already collect this series and/or other Batman comics. I liked it, but it felt a bit crowded in terms of material at times. Still I am willing to read the next one. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

This title qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Easy Tarot Combinations

Josephine Ellershaw, Easy Tarot Combinations: How to Connect the Cards for Insightful Readings. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2023.  ISBN: 9780738772714.

Genre: Tarot

Subgenre: reference, learning guides, cartomancy, divination

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

If you read Tarot cards, and you want to improve your ability to read card combinations, this book can be helpful. Ellershaw is also the author of the Easy Tarot Handbook (link to my review). If you read the previous one, you will probably like this one too.  The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction.
• Chapter One: Overview. This includes defining Tarot combinations, advice on how to read them, and how to use the book. 
• Chapter Two: The Minor Arcana: Applied Meanings and Combinations. Covers all four suits including the court cards. 
• Chapter Three; The Major Arcana: Applied Meanings and Combinations. 
• Chapter Four: Final Notes, including a reading checklist summary.
• Endnote, author's closing statement. 
• Bibliography. Lists some works for further reading. Most books on the list are older classical texts. There are 11 books listed. From the list I've read Easy Tarot. 

 

As the author writes, the book is based on card meanings and how they relate. The book is meant to be a guide "to assist you as you work through your readings, so you can refer to it or dip in and out as needed" (12). In essence, this is a Tarot reference book to use as needed. The author strives to include as much information as possible in each card entry. Do note that she presents common combinations based on her experience. 

Each card entry includes: suit element, flow, polarity, multiple numbers, keywords and phrases, applied meaning, reversed or badly aspected, associations, similar and supporting cards, opposing and contradictory cards, and featured combinations. These terms are fully explained in Chapter One. All card entries feature the content plus a Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot illustration in black and white. The card entries do provide a good amount of useful information. You get some good value here for a Tarot reference book. 

You can use this book as a beginner to learn about the cards in general since the author does include the basics for each card. The core of the book is in each card's featured combinations, which provide jumping points to help us expand our reading abilities. If you need a bit of help with a card combination, this is a good book to have on hand. Naturally, it might not cover every single combination possible, but it does provide a good amount. You can also do cross referencing between card entries. 

This is an easy book to read. It's accessible with a practical focus. Esoteric elements are kept to a minimum. Meanings and interpretations focus more on practical and common life matters. As a reference book, it works well. As a basic learning guide, this book can be a good supplement to other basic learning books. For those of us at the intermediate level, this can be a good option for the personal reference shelf. The book can provide additional ideas and suggestions when dealing with card combinations. The books feels a bit like a chart or handbook where you can just look up what you need and move on. It is not a deep book, but it is a solid basic reference book. 

Advanced readers likely know much of this already, so I'd suggest the book for beginners and intermediate users. If you have her previous books,  you may consider adding this one to your collection. I'd also recommend it for libraries that collect Tarot and esoterica books. I really liked this one overall. 

4 out of 5 stars.  

Additional reading notes: 

Tarot combinations defined: 

"In simple terms, tarot combinations are created once we have more than one card in a spread; the way they merge and blend together as we read from one to the next produces a combined meaning. In addition to the story the cards weave together when side by side, they can also add depth and a further dimension to your reading through their relationship or reinforcement of one another, and there are certain cards that, when appearing either as a sequence or collectively, provide some notable and special connections. Tarot reading is made up of a series of layers and connecting patterns, and card combinations fall within that framework" (5). 

 

On the combinations presented: 

"It can be tempting to provide some rather creative combinations, but I wanted to show a true reflection of the kind of situations that mainly turn up in real situations. I can only speak from personal experience, but I've found that regardless of country, culture, background, or financial status, the concerns most people wish to know about and address are remarkably similar, namely: buying or selling property, improvement of finances or related hiccups, starting a business or launch, starting or leaving a job, workplace issues, all manner of legal situations, and every shade of relationship matters for love, family or interpersonal. For this reason, these are the main areas you will find within the combinations" (16).

 

As you can see, the author keeps it real in the combinations presented. We also see people's queries are fairly universal. I'd add health queries to the commonly asked questions. While I am here I will note I avoid health questions in my readings (I am not your doctor), and as much as possible I also avoid legal and financial (I am not a lawyer nor a financial advisor). Naturally, this can vary for other cartomancers. 

The beauty of Tarot: 

"The beauty of tarot is that is not only shows what may be coming down the track but also a client's mental or emotional side; the influence of their hopes, fears, and attitude within a given situation; and where they have the power to create a shift" (283). 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book Review: The Big Book of Tarot Meanings

Sam Magdaleno, The Big Book of Tarot Meanings: the Beginner's Guide to Reading the Cards. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780760373057.

Genre: Tarot

Subgenre: reference

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

This is a beginner's reference book for those interested in learning Tarot. The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction.
• Tarot basics.
• How to use this book.
• Part 1: The Major Arcana.
• Part 2: The Minor Arcana. The suits here run 1-10 and include the court cards.
• Chapter 1: The Suit of Cups.
• Chapter 2: The Suit of Wands.
• Chapter 3: The Suit of Swords.
• Chapter 4: The Suit of Pentacles. 
•  Resources. It seems the book will include a list of resources. However, the list was not included in the galley, so at this time I cannot comment on sources and references the author may have used. 

The strength of the book is in its presentation of meanings. For beginners, and I will add for some of us at an intermediate level, drawing a card that may not appear to match a question can be a challenge. Say you are asking a love question, and you get cards from the suit of pentacles. The book seeks to provide more than a single one size fits all meaning for the cards. Instead, it provides a set of meanings for each card in eight categories. The categories are: beginnings, career, money, love, friends and family, health, higher guidance, and outcome. 

Each card entry includes a card illustration from the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck, a card description, and meanings for each of the eight categories upright and reversed. In addition, the category meanings also offers some small action item for readers to consider and/or implement. Each card entry is about 2 1/2 pages long. All card entries have the same structure and substance. In other words, unlike other Tarot reference books, you don't get less when it comes to the Minor Arcana. 

This is a very good Tarot reference book to keep handy. It is easy to use and easy to read. Doing a love reading, and you are puzzled by cards that may represent finances? This book can help with that. For beginners this can be a very good resource for learning. For those of us at an intermediate level, it may help us expand our knowledge of the cards; it can also help for those moments you get a blank and need a little help. For the high level advanced reader, this book may be too basic. It works well for the rest of us. 

The card illustrations are in full color. The book pages are printed in alternating light colors: pink, blue, and purple. It looks nice. 

Overall, this is a good book for beginners and intermediate Tarot learners. It is more a reference book rather than a learning guide. It is keyed to RWS, but the meanings can be applicable to most decks with an RWS base. I would recommend it for libraries that collect Tarot and esoterica books. This may also be a good book for young adult Tarot readers. It is a simple and practical book anyone can use. I'd buy it for my personal shelf.  

5 out of 5 stars.

Additional reading notes: 

Why the author wrote the book: 

"I wrote this book because I believe so strongly in tarot that I want to make it accessible and approachable for everyone, particularly for those with an interest in tarot who may feel overwhelmed by it. We're all busy witches, and don't have the time to be memorizing every single meaning for every single card. I get it! So, I put it all together for you here in a single guide to assist you in informed and accurate readings" (6). 

I'd say the author succeeds in writing and presenting a very accessible, plainly written, and easy to read book. The author also keeps the deep esoteric to a minimum. And no, you do not have to be a witch to read the book. As the author writes, this book is for everyone.  

On reading Tarot and this book: 

"Contrary to popular belief, tarot is much more than fortune-telling and you do not need any special powers to read tarot cards. Anyone can read tarot! The most important tool you need when reading tarot is your intuition. This book provides you with quick hits of information for each tarot card according to the subject of your reading, but use your intuition when interpreting your cards. Remember, the tarot is a tool to connect to the inner knowing that's already inside you. Think of tarot cards as little winks from the Universe to help you connect to your innate power and wisdom" (8). 

Book Review: Hotel Scarface

Roben Farzad, Hotel Scarface: Where Cocaine Cowboys Partied and Plotted to Control Miami. New York: New American Library, 2017. ISBN: 9781592409280.

Genre: true crime

Subgenre: history, mobsters, drug lords, city history

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

I thought I had written this review already, but it turns out I did not so I am posting it now. 

The book takes us back to the end of the 1970s and into the 1980s in Miami, Florida. The book looks at The Mutiny at Sailboat Bay, a club and hotel where the cocaine cowboys of the time gathered, conducted business, and partied in the most decadent ways possible. Anyone who was anyone sooner or later came to The Mutiny. It was not only criminals but also cops-- both good cops trying to catch the criminals and bad cops doing business with the criminals--, Cuban exiles, Colombians, politicians, and various celebrities. The club helped inspire pop culture like the film Scarface with Al Pacino and the hit television show Miami Vice. The author draws on interviews, documents, and research to bring this era of Miami excess to life. Fans of true crime books will likely enjoy this one. 

After the preface, the book has 55 chapters. This may sound like a lot, but the chapters are short. This makes for easy reading. Each chapter tells a small part of the story, often looking at a specific person's point of view. All the chapters then present the full story. The book also includes a cast of characters so readers can keep track of the players. In addition, there is a section of photos. In this note, the author discusses how he did his research; for a librarian like me that part was interesting too. The notes provide citations of the many sources used including primary and secondary sources. 

As a kid of the 80s, I admit this book appealed to my nostalgia. Miami Vice back then was a cool show, but I knew little of the cocaine boom and the drug runners that inspired it. For me, the book expanded the view of that era, and I learned more of that history. It also reminded me of events I did know about but had not thought about for a while. 

The book is a pretty good read. It's interesting, and short chapters make for a faster pace. The narrative keeps our attention in part because we get one outrageous story after another. At times we wonder if something can get more outrageous, and it often does. Also, we get accounts of law enforcement and government corruption at various levels, corruption that enabled the drug trade. As the author argues, the cocaine cowboys did build up Miami at the time, and often officials welcomed the money. 

The book presents quite the tale, a tale of excess, of fortunes made and lost, of crimes and justice. Fans of true crime books and fans of books on topics like mobsters and drug lords will likely enjoy it. I liked it; it does bring a decadent part of the 80s to life. I enjoyed reading it for its good pace, stories, and let's be honest, some of the outrageous moments. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Note: This book is published by an imprint of Penguin Random House, one of the four publishers suing Internet Archive that I am actively boycotting. However, I read this and wrote the review prior to March 27, 2023 when I started the boycott. I will not, however, share the review on social media.

Book Review: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II

James Tynion IV, et.al., Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2018. ISBN: 9781401280314.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: superheroes

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley 

 

Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come together once more. When Donatello, the smart one, feels he is not as strong a fighter as his brothers, he tries to contact Batman, who he sees as a smart guy who can also fight. Donatello is looking for advice. However, the portal travel accidentally brings Bane into the turtles' New York City. Now Batman and Robin have to team up with the Turtles to stop Bane, and Donatello learns a valuable lesson in the end. 

The premise here was a bit silly, but if you don't think about it too  much the comics work overall. The story is entertaining and fast paced. It just keeps you reading. The story blends action with a bit of humor. The comics are in full color with a bit of a gritty style. I really liked it as it drew me in and had good elements from both Batman and TMNT comics. 

If you are a fan of either franchise, you'll likely enjoy this. If you read the previous volume (link to my review), you should pick this up as well. The volume can stand on its own. I do recommend this one. A good selection for libraries, especially if you already have Batman and/or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titles. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenges: 

Book Review: Your Tarot Toolkit

Ru-Lee Story, Your Tarot Toolkit: Simple Activities for your Daily Practice.  Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2023. ISBN: 9780738774114.

Genre: Tarot, cartomancy, divination

Subgenre: workbooks, reference, handbooks

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

This book looks at a Tarot deck as a tool, so it aims to provide a kit of activities, affirmations, and other tools to make the most of working with any Tarot deck. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction.
• The Major Arcana.
• Suit of Wands.
• Suit of Cups.
• Suit of Swords.
• Suit of Pentacles.
• Conclusion.
• Works Cited.
• Further reading.

 

The main focus of the book is on the individual cards. The book does not offer spreads or any other additional material that may not focus directly on the cards. As the author suggests, you could read the book cover to cover, but it may work better as a reference book you can consult as needed. I wold say if you go through it card by card with your Tarot journal you may gain additional insights and learning from the cards and the activities offered. The book is designed to give "practical applications of each card, how to incorporate its message into the nitty gritty of each day" (2). You could treat the book as a sort of devotional where you work on a card a day (or whatever frequency works for you). 

The Major Arcana entries include an introductory paragraph or two, short affirmations, reflections (which you could use for journaling), and at least two actions (things to do) with difficulty ranging from low to high. This also applies to the Minor Arcana cards. A small difference is the additions of pop culture character references in the court cards. The author hopes this detail "will help you connect the dots between the general descriptions of a court card and the fleshed-out illustrations of a known character" (7). Readers may or not agree with the author's character choices, but they can always add their own character choices in their reflections as they work through the book.

The book offers no frills. As I said, there are no spreads nor other extras. Card entries are not illustrated. The focus is on the text and how readers engage with the text. Journaling is strongly encouraged, but if drawing or other creative form works for you better then do that. The author's lessons do offer a degree of flexibility. The actions can vary from the low to high effort, but for the most part they are things most folks can realistically do. Readers are welcome to puck and choose how much or little to do from the actions. 

I can see this being a very good book for beginners. It is easy to read, and it encourages writing and reflection. Beginners can get some very good journaling here. Outcomes can vary for mid to advanced readers as it may feel a bit too simple or too basic for advanced readers. I fall in the mid-range, and I feel I can get a lot from it if I make the time to work with the book. 

Overall, this is a basic and concise Tarot book to work with the cards individually. I can recommend it mainly for beginners and for mid-range Tarot practitioners. It's easy to read and very accessible. It keeps jargon and esoterica to a minimum, so it's welcoming rather than intimidating. I'd recommend it for libraries that collect pagan and/or esoteric materials, especially if they have patrons interested in Tarot. In the end, I really like this one.

The book includes a further reading list that features a few Tarot books and some miscellaneous self-help books. I've read two of the four Tarot books listed (links go to my reviews of those books): Cynova's Kitchen Table Tarot and the companion book for the Steampunk Tarot (Moore and Fell).  The book also has a list of works cited, many of them are the movies and books that provided the characters for the court cards. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

* * * * * 

Additional reading notes: 

Where the power of using Tarot lies according to the author: 

"Whether or not you believe that there's an element of divine intervention at work in which cards you pull, the power is in the interpretation, the intersection between your mind and heart and the story in the card" (2). 

 

For journaling folks: 

"If you are a journaling type, take a few minutes to write any thoughts that occur to you. Were there moments in your day that felt particularly suited to the card you drew? How could you have implemented more (or less) of your card's message today? Is there anyone you interacted with who seemed to carry a great deal of your card's energy or who could have used more of it?" (6)

 

Author's belief on Tarot's potential: 

"But I do believe that tarot has the potential to bring anyone into a closer relationship with themself. It turns self-reflection into a practice of storytelling and interpretation, and that's a language that I find missing in a great deal of current mindfulness/meditation literature. I would love to see tarot more wholeheartedly embraced in mainstream culture the way that mindfulness has been embraced. I hope that beyond the affirmations, reflection questions, and activities I suggested, you're able to develop your own relationship with the characters and themes in your deck" (319).

* * * * *

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: