Welcome to the Books and Books Alone Issue!
Well, the year has come to a close and those of us who did NaNoWriMo are slowly fading back into real life. It’s a great time for self-care, so last month, I took it a little easy and put together a list of some of my favorite books of the year.

Have you read these books? Had a different opinion or want to share your favorite books of the year? I love any and all feedback so feel free to reply to this email or contact me at my preferred internet lurking places down at the bottom. If you know about some resources I’ve missed, please feel free to send your suggestions along. 

The End Of Year Round-Up

Or

A Few Of My Favorite Things (of 2018)

Occult

Practical Sigil Magic by Frater U∴D∴– This is a straight up good reference book for all things sigils.

Sigil Witchery by Laura Tempest Zarkoff– Zarkoff’s art combined with her down to earth explanations of the pictorial method of sigil making makes this a great reference book.

Book of Ordinary Oracles by Lon Milo Duquette– Duquette’s funny, quirky style works really well with the topic. This is one of the most fun divination books I’ve come across.

Jambalaya by Luisah Teish– Part memoir, part spell book, Teish creates an eminently readable and relatable text about African diaspora magic.

Fiction

Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas– Take a great female Sherlock retelling and add mysteries that twist and turn like a rollercoaster and sprinkle in perspectives often not seen in historical fiction and you have this series.

Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan– Historical romance without the alphahole heroes and with storytelling that steps outside of the normal debutant and duke paradigm. Also really great banter.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang– A fake relationship romance involving a male escort and an autistic woman trying to learn how to enjoy sex. There’s a reason this book is super popular.

Chemistry by Weike Wang– I don’t usually read lit fic these days but this beautiful, introspective novel grabbed me and refused to let go until I finished it.

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon– Sharecropping in space, gender fluid characters, and amazing writing. Heavy and full of trigger warnings but somehow not crushing.

Non-Fiction

Gross Anatomy by Mara Altman– Everything you wanted to know about the body and were afraid to ask, but explored in funny essays.

When They Call You A Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele – Visceral and moving, this is a memoir that puts a mirror up to race relations of our time.

Oh Joy Sex Toy! By Ericka Moen– This series of comics is a profusion of sex positivity, education, fun, and reviews. What’s not to like?

One Day We’ll All Be Dead And None Of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul– Sharp and hilarious, this book made me laugh out loud, something I very rarely do while reading.

Born Both by Hida Viloria– Trigger warnings galore, but if you want to know about what it’s like to be an intersex person, I can’t recommend this enough.