Ok so I have to admit that I HATE "The God of Small Things" sooooo much.

Also, hey auxocrome! You might be my literary soul sister... or mister? Probably sister. I like your Frida pic.

So I like to read non-fiction and I like metaphysical, occult books as well. Here's a slightly-off-the-beaten-path list of books:

For Frida Kahlo Fans:

Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera - This book is the first in-depth look at Frida's life and art. Every other Frida Kahlo book references this one.

The Dairy of Frida Kahlo - The diary she kept in the last 10 years of her life. The first half is the reproduction of all the pages with her drawings and handwriting in Spanish. The second half is the translation in English.

Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress: The Fashion of Frida Kahlo - All about her clothing and personal items. Beautiful pictures and stories about uncovering items when they were finally allowed to open up certain rooms of the Blue House, where Frida lived and now the Frida Kahlo Museum.

New Age Stuff:

Energy Essentials for Witches and Spell Casters by Maya Om - Even if you're not Pagan, this book has great exercises for discovering your personal energy and focusing your thoughts and intentions. After all, witches knew about "The Secret" waaaay before all that Law of Attraction stuff hit Oprah. "The Secret" is to Witchcraft what reality tv is to the arts.

Any book by Scott Cunningham - If you've ever considered learning about Pagan spirituality read his books. They are clearly worded and easy to understand. Plus, Cunningham has a very kind, paternal voice that I really like.

Other books of interest:

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer about Christopher McCandless' travels and adventures before his untimely death in Alaska.

On Writing by Stephen King - it's a great read for any writer and one of the better writing manuals.

Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story by Chuck Klosterman - it's like the American version of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity

Tattoo Machine by Jeff Johnson - it's a tattoo memoir but REAL tattooing not the super-tame TLC version, but the actual profession. Sorry, not judging, lots of people like those shows....

The Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen - a collection of his lyrics and poetry with his drawings mixed in

Classics:
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
A Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Other:
Eat, Pray, Love - of course!

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