Only a few years after Jack the Ripper terrorized London, another murderer roamed the streets, leaving poisoned victims in his wake, as he already had across North America.
If you've ever wondered how polyamorous people are able to have multiple healthy relationships when having even one healthy relationship is hard, Jessica Fern has some great ideas. Fern gives grounded, real world suggestions by breathing fresh life into attachment research with roots in the 60s and 70s. Polysecure brings a contemporary perspective to the ideas Dossie Eaton & Janet Hardy's laid out in the1997 classic, The Ethical Slut.
Entire coral reefs made with crochet! I almost didn't believe it at first. I really love that the book dives into the geometry and natural science behind the 3-D crochet designs. And of course there are even pictures of the real creatures that inspired the whole thing. This is a great book to stow away, waiting for the perfect time to surprise the yarn artist in your life.
No special equipment? No rock salt? no pre-chilling? Yes, it IS just that simple!
John
Horowitz takes a series of walks around her neighborhood accompanied by various experts: bug knowers, typeface designers, rockhounds; connoisseurs of sounds, spines, couches, crowds. How much can you learn about the world around you just by learning how to notice things?
Piera
If you want one witchy book for your shelf, pick this one. If you have a shelf of witchy books, then this is the perfect addition. Unlike other magical reference books, Damien & Lorri stay grounded, and a big section of this book is dedicated breathing and grounding exercises! Great for newbies, experts, and curious kids alike.
Murphy
When you're almost 6 1/2 feet tall, you find out that 32x36 pants aren't exacly growing on trees. Anything you can learn to make them last longer is well worth the effort.
John
An especially fascinating and thorough story of the reflections of societal beliefs in the mental health field over the years. From the horrific eugenics movement to our current world, Mind Fixers is a great read for anyone even moderately interested in the often chilling and intersectional history of how psychology/psychiatry came to be what they are, and how that morbid history still informs us today, despite all the progress made.
Seamus
For devotees of Machado's In the Dream House and Nelson's The Argonauts, Febos's coming-of-age memoir is also an interpolation of myth, psychoanalysis, and other women's stories. Focusing on the aggressions (against herself and others) that all too often lead to internalized patriarchal values, shame, and learned passivity, she also tells a story of empowerment as she finds herself as a queer woman, dominatrix, and fierce defender of her own sense of agency.
Rachael
I read this in its original iteration, Clan Apis, in probably 2006 when I was 10 and Very Scared Of Bees. I am not exaggerating when I say it changed my relationship to bees entirely - I went from fear and mistrust to awe, appreciation, and curiosity. Jay Hosler's approach to what is essentially an explanation of What Bees Are is funny, interesting, and moving, and his artwork is top-tier.
Piera
