The Primordial Code by Brian Costello
“Spiritual evolution meets political revolution in this gripping tale of two everyday Americans who suddenly find themselves holding a key that could transform modern civilization.”
This book takes place in 2025, and I read it this past November. Couldn’t put it down. This is a book that not only captivates the reader in an engaging story, but it also affects one’s life in a positive way when not reading – both in the micro and macro. It brought fresh intention to everyday moments the days I was reading. And, it offers a way forward—during this time when visionary imagination is so needed.
It was like the Earth-based society in Starhawk’s The Fifth Sacred Thing, without all the violence, and with the journey from one paradigm to another.
Synchronistically, I got to attend a 4-person book club chat with the author a week after I finished. He’s intentionally meeting with readers, so the vision shared in this first book (of what will become a series) can become an actual movement in our physical reality.
You can listen to the first two chapters free here, or buy the book here.
Our book club (and ensuing group chat) led me to read some more books in this genre-ish, which I’ll list below, rather than waiting a year to recommend:
- The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives by Dan Millman
- Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan
- Anastasia (The Ringing Cedars of Russia #1) by Vladimir Megre
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
“The Bear and the Nightingale is a magical debut novel from a gifted and gorgeous voice. It spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent.”
I went into this book not knowing a thing about the plot, and oh my goodness what a gift to read this for the first time. I don’t know if I would have picked it up had I read the blurb—that’s the strange thing about fiction. A plot teaser doesn’t tell me writing style and textures, lenses and values. The book is a historical fiction, and I was definitely transported to another time, another place. Incredibly, there are two more by this author—a trilogy—and each was a delicious read last winter. (As the series name suggests, winter is indeed a great season during which to read this trilogy.)
- The Winternight Trilogy #2: The Girl in the Tower
- The Winternight Trilogy #3: The Winter of the Witch
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
“An intoxicating fusion of fantasy and historical fiction. . . . Wecker’s storytelling skills dazzle.”
Like the Winternight Trilogy, I went into this book blind, on a recommendation. I was transported to another place, another time — and what I found and saw in the layers reflected back to me was meaningful.
The way the author tells this story has me in awe at human artistry. I don’t know how she does it, and, it’s incredibly delicious to drink up. There is a second in the series (thank you Helene!) and I’m currently halfway in, savoring it:
Non-Fiction
And in no particular order, here were some non-fiction reads that left a mark on my year:
Electric Body, Electric Health by Eileen Day McKusick
Invasive Plant Medicine by Timothy Lee Scott
The Body Is a Doorway by Sophie Strand
We Will Be Jaguars by Nemonte Nenquimo
Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance by Laura Delano
The Master Key: Qigong Secrets for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom by Robert Peng
