maribou | Secret Goth Madonna

Goth, edited by Lauren M. E. Goodlad and Michael Bibby
A mix of some very personal and more very academic/dry/specific essays about aspects of Goth culture. The topics (and occasional photographs) were very interesting even when the writing left me cold. And *some* of the writing was exceptionally good.
(206/275)

Bright Dark Madonna, by Elizabeth Cunningham
I love this series. It's a goofy premise - Mary Magdalen was actually a divinely-gifted priestess of Isis who originally came from Celtic Britain and was named Maeve - but the story as a whole (starting with Maeve's childhood in the first volume, and continuing through to her post-child-bearing years with this 3rd one) is so well told, so funny and strong and self-aware and elegantly articulate, that I can't help but be completely won over from one brilliant moment to the next. And the characters are totally endearing, which never hurts.
(207/275)

The Secret Mitzvah of Lucio Burke, by Stephen F. Hayward
Historical fiction set in Toronto, in the 30s. So witty and wry and charming and full of believable people in implausible but powerful situations that it almost made me like Toronto. Considering my longstanding irrational grudge against the place, that's particularly impressive.
(208/275)