Category: Research Books

I can’t help myself…

On By Kim KnoxIn Research Books, Writing

research books

This is how it starts…

I have an idea–a little rabid bunny that won’t leave me alone–and so I need to research it. Because more ideas flow as I dive into wiki pages, and people’s blogs and then, then, it’s not enough. I need a book. One that’s specific to my research…

I have a plan for two fantasy romance novels involving astrology and prophecy. (It’s still brewing, by the way…) And I stumbled across this brilliant book. Yes, it’s an academic text, but it teaches you how to cast a horoscope via ancient methods…and the society, the structure these astrologuers lived in… Bliss!

Ancient Astrology - Tamsyn Barton

Ah, but then…

I see that this book is a part of a series, Sciences of Antiquity.

You can guess where this went, can’t you…?

It went here:

 

And writing this post…I found one in the series I’d missed. Ancient Meteorology. How? How did I miss this??

So, it’s now on my wish-list. No, I really, truly can’t help myself… 😉

Just to add, if you want to follow me down this path, some of these titles are OP and I got them second hand.

Kim Knox – Romance with a brew of sex, magic darkness and technology…

 

Let’s Do Lunch!

On By Kim KnoxIn Books, Research Books, Writing1 Comment

research books

I will preface this post by admitting that I cannot cook. Not even a little bit…but sometimes, well, my characters have to eat, and prepare food and my lack of any clue gets in the way.

So, as you can probably guess, I dig into books.

And I absolutely love historical cookbooks.

I’ve hunted out the ones I have–I think. There could be more lurking on my shelves that I’ve completely forgotten about <–this happens a lot more often that I would like, but is a nice surprise when an ‘I had no idea I bought this!‘ book is found.

The following books all have recipes, as well as what could constitute a typical meal and often the mechanics of cooking and the technology used. For giving a setting the right feel, especially for fantasy–through taste and texture and especially scent–I’ve found books such as these invaluable.

They also give a remember that food is seasonal–a fact I often forget even with something as simple as milk.

 

Kim Knox – Romance with a brew of sex, magic darkness and technology…

 

Stones, stones…and oh look, more stones

On By Kim KnoxIn Research Books, Writing

research books
I thought I’d start to share snippets about my research books…because there are quite a lot of them and they are just…<–there.

The Book of Stones
This book, I love. It weighs as much as you think a book about stones would weigh as there are about 550 rock-filled pages.

For a writer of fantasy or paranormal magical stories it’s crammed with useful information. Every one of the roughly 500 minerals listed has an image and its keywords, elements, chakras, a break down of its composition and the opinions of the two authors on its particular qualities.

Knowing this sparks little moments of inspiration, of defining a character, of sharing something that can add extra meaning to a scene. It does for me.

Also, I’ve learnt that people work the green volcanic glass –Gaia stones– from the reheated ash of Mount St Helens. Yes, I’m a complete magpie for stuff like this!

Kim Knox – Romance with a brew of sex, magic darkness and technology…