Telling Tales | “The Bookstores Are Open!” Haul

So, today is the day that the bookstores open up again, and found it to be the perfect excuse to purchase a few more for my collection. It has been far too long since I last entered a bookstore and needless to say, I was a little excited. Here’s what I grabbed for myself.

White Sage Tarot (in a tin) | Theresa Hutch

Published: 2018, by U.S. Games.
Pages: 64 (+78 Cards)
Inspired by ancient healing traditions this charming tarot deck features endearing animals in the Court Cards, chakra colours in the Minors, and natural elements throughout.  The 78 cards balance masculine and feminine energy with modern minimalist art rendered in a soft pastel palette. White Sage Tarot helps people find clarity and flow along the journey of life. Includes 78 pocket-sized cards in a tin, 64-page booklet and chakra chart.

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Hideous Beauty | William Hussey

Goodreads Rating: 4.25
Genre: LGBT, Romance, Young Adult, Queer, Mystery, Thriller
Summary: When Dylan and Ellis’s secret relationship is exposed on social media, Dylan is forced to come out. To Dylan’s surprise they are met with support and congratulations, and an amazing reception at their high school dance. Perhaps people aren’t as narrow-minded as he thought?
But Dylan’s happiness is short-lived. Ellis suddenly becomes angry, withdrawn, and as they drive home from the dance, he loses control of the car, sending it plunging into Hunter’s Lake. Barely conscious, Dylan is pulled free of the wreck, while Ellis is left to drown.
Grief-stricken, Dylan vows to discover what happened to Ellis that night and piece together the last months of his boyfriend’s life – and realises just how little he knew about the boy he loved.

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Lore | Alexandra Bracken

Goodreads Rating: 3.94
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult, Fiction, Retellings
Summary: Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away any thought of revenge against the man–now a god–responsible for their deaths.
Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.
The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore’s decision to bind her fate to Athena’s and re-join the hunt will come at a deadly cost–and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees. 

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The Girls I’ve Been | Tess Sharpe

Goodreads Rating: 4.22
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, LGBT, Mystery
Summary: Nora O’Malley is a lot of things. A sister. An ex. A secret girlfriend. Kind of crooked, but reformed… somewhat.
Nora O’Malley’s been a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con-artist who targets criminal men, she grew up her mother’s protégé. But when mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape.
For five years she’s been playing at normal. But she needs to dust off the skills she ditched because she has three problems:
#1: her ex walked in on her with her girlfriend. Even though they’ve all been inseparable for months, Wes didn’t know about her and Iris.
#2: The morning after, they all have to meet to deposit the fundraiser money they raised together. It’s a nightmare that goes from awkward to deadly.
Because #3: right after they get in the bank, two guys start robbing it.
But they have no idea who they’re really holding hostage.

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Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot | Rachel Pollack

Goodreads Rating: 4.28
Genre: Occult, Tarot, Spirituality, Nonfiction
Summary: The two volumes of ‘Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom’ have inspired a whole generation of students of the Tarot. Described by many as ‘the Bible of Tarot readers’, the books brought awareness of myth and modern psychology to the Tarot’s ancient esoteric symbolism. Now, for the first time, the texts for ‘The Major Arcana’ and ‘The Minor Arcana’ appear in one volume. To mark this special occasion, Rachel Pollack has revised and updated the book in the light of her thirty years’ teaching, reading, and writing about Tarot cards. She has also written a new preface describing her own journey through the Tarot’s world of symbols.
The Tarot is an eternally fascinating set of strange and beautiful pictures. But beyond this lies a world of potent symbols granting access to a path of self knowledge, personal growth and freedom. These symbols connect us to the great stories of world mythology and the eternal truths of the soul. ‘Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom’ shows you how to use Tarot as an effective and accessible means of self-enlightenment. The book includes a complete section on how to give Tarot readings, as well as an analysis of the origins, meaning and psychological aspects of Tarot divination.

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The Tarot: Reconnect With You | Sarah Bartlett

Published: 2021, by Pyramid.
Pages: 128 (+78 Cards)
Discover the ancient power of the Tarot with this beautifully illustrated modern deck. Featuring a comprehensive introductory handbook and full 78-card Tarot deck, this is the essential companion for those wanting to embark on their spiritual awakening.
Use The Tarot to take you on a journey of self-discovery, and to determine your own path whilst navigating life’s twists and turns. With informed and easy-to-follow explanations throughout, a guide to the meanings and reversed meanings of every card in the Minor and Major Arcana, and some example spreads to get you started, this set is a complete and indispensable guide to the remarkable wisdom of the Tarot in one stunning package.

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