My Spring Reading List
I have been reading some interesting things as of late! Check them out in this article.
I have been on a research BINGE this spring. I have LOVED reading informational books and articles.
Books:
“After Jesus Before Christianity” By Erin Vearncombe, Bernard Brandon Scott, Hal Taussig
This book is an absolute GOLDMINE of JUICY, HONEY DRIPPING, DELICOUS, information about the early Jesus Movements in the first two centuries BCE. It’s a wonderful book. So Informative. So interesting! It makes me a little sad every time I pick it up though because it shows what Christianity could have been. It is written pretty academically thought so it can be slow to get through.
“Ensouling the effigy” by Matthew Venus
I am only part way thought this book but it sure makes you THINK. It is a very valuable resource with some very profound philosophy attached to it. I can’t wait to read more. This book made me buy a notebook to take notes in because I don’t want to forget a thing. I am pulling important and meaningful quotes out left and right. A dear friend gave it to me just at the right time in my practice.
“The Girl Who Baptized Herself” By Meggan Watterson
I really liked this book. It was very informative about the Acts of Paul and Thecla (a gnostic gospel highlighting the transformation and actions of a girl named Thecla) I thought the reflection, interpretation, and philosophy in this books was intensely valuable but I found it a bit repetitive at times. Still worth the read though.
Articles:
“A Catholic case against lawns” (US Catholic)
Catholics have a stance against lawns? A bit of a surprise! What does a religion have to do with lawns? Everything. Catholics have a very Catholic opinion about every subject under the sun.
Link to Article: “A Catholic case against lawns”
As a Certified Lawn Hater, I loved this article.
“How Queer and Trans Artists Reshape Divinity in Their Own Image” (Hyperallergic)
When I saw this title for the article I was like “Yoooo that’s me!”. I am a queer artist who paints and writes about divine figures (mainly Mary but I will be moving on to saints… eventually…) as supportive of our community or fully queer themselves. There is a lot of queerness in early Jesus movements from the first few centuries after Jesus’ death. (Learn more about that in “After Jesus Before Christianity” mentioned above). This article highlights several queer artists that are VERY worth checking out and lots of queer artworks.
Link to Article: “How Queer and Trans Artists Reshape Divinity in Their Own Image”
My TBR for summer:
“Keeping her keys” by Cyndi Brannen
This is a year long structured course so I won’t be finishing it this summer, but I will be making some good progress
“The New New Testament” by Hal Taussig
recognize this name? (After Jesus Before Christianity) Hal Taussig is my IDOL right now
This book is a New Testament for modern times including some gnostic gospels left out of the og New Testament
“The life of Mary as seen by Mystics” Compiled by Raphael Brown
Mary is my favorite person and academic subject EVER. I can’t wait!!!
“The way of the Rose” By Clark Strand, Perdita Finn
I have tried to read this a few times. There are some things about this book that have me giving it a side eye, but I think it has very valuable information and philosophy. I am going to try and finish it. Maybe audio book will be a better format
“Mary Magdalene Revealed” By Meggan Watterson
I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this book. I am beyond excited by get my hands on it after the 20 WEEK hold at my library (very popular)
Thank you for reading my article about what I am reading! Readingception! If you would consider sharing or subscribing that would be very swag of you.
Want to find me other places?
If you’d like to see my art (very influenced by my witchcraft) you can see that here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phthalo.blue.enthusiast/
If you’d like your Instagram feed to be filled with more witchy focused content, I have a witchy Instagram too: https://www.instagram.com/phthalo.blue.witchcraft/
Hell, I even have a tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phthalo.blue.witch
If you have any questions, concerns, or article suggestions, you can DM me on Instagram or email me: theo.alt.arts@gmail.com
Here is my website if you would like to check that out. It’s pretty cool, but I guess I am biased because I made it: https://www.theoaltmaier.com/
If you’d like to throw a couple dollars my way for the work I do my venmo is theo-alt
I love this reading list! I started working with Meggan Watterson's The Mary Magdalene Oracle deck in the past few months and it's been a lovely way, low key way for me to learn about Magdalene's gospel without over intellectualizing.