I don't mean to steal and reverse the concept put forth by lostinspace6, but, well... I'm going to do it anyway. ;-)
Lostinspace6 asked for people to give their opinions on authors to generally avoid in regards to Occult/Magic/Supernatural/Religious books and literature. I'm going to put a 180 degree turn on the question, and ask what authors you'd suggest people *do* try to pursue and read some of their works.
Doesn't just have to be in regards to Pagan or Wicca as well of course, although I'll presuppose that a fairly good amount of posts will be on those subjects; just saying, it can be on any subject you really like. So, let's share some love!
Re: Authors To Seek By: ConjureLady_ / Knowledgeable
Post # 5 Sep 21, 2013
This list is going to include physical books, webpages and blog sites.
Hoodoo/Conjure/Rootwork
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by catherine Yronwode
Hoodoo In Theory and Practice by catherine Yronwode
( currently only available on the internet at http://www.luckymojo.com/hoodoo.html )
The Master Book of Candle Burning by Henri Gamache
The 6th and 7th Books of Moses
The 8th, 9th and 10 Books of Moses
Hoodoo, Conjuration, Magic and Rootwork (5 volumes) by Henry Hyatt
(don't expect to find or be able to afford if you can find. Each book goes for anywhere from $1000 to $3000 or higher. And there's 5 books >.> )
Of Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston
Tell My Horse by Zora Neale Hurston
Black and White Magic, att. Marie Laveau, authored by N.D.P. Bivens
(Please note, the above two are good for Hoodoo and Vodou. However if you cannot tell the difference between the two, it is suggested that you make yourself familiar so you are not confused)
www.cunningconjure.ning.com
If anyone would like the recommended reading list for the groups I belong to, please let me know. They cover everything from Chaos to Trad Witchcraft to Kemetics. The groups I belong to are of people who are well respected in their paths, Priests, Priestess's, authors and practitioners with typically no less than 15 years under their belt.
I trust the list, but have not personally read each book.
I've got Way of the Wyrd and Elves, Wights and Trolls, but for the life of me, I can never find any of Edred Thorsson's books that are actually affordable.
May as well boost one of the books I'm reading just now;
"The Queen's Conjuror" by Benjamin Woollet. One of the most detailed and complete (and well sourced) biographies of John Dee. Not just his Enochian Tables and his work in regard to Enochian work, but also his interests in Astrology, his history with Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, his involvements in trips across the Atlantic to the "North-West Passage", his imprisonment, his family, his travels through Europe, etc. Very, very good and captivating book.
If your looking for work that deals directly with evocation and forbidden practices I would suggest reading the work of EA Koetting and S. Connelly. Also if your into the Luciferian concept of things Michael Ford does put out a lot of reliable material on the subject but he really needs an editor for his work because there is a ton of typos!! If your looking out for rare and decent advanced books on magick check out http://www.nephilimpress.com/
I always purchase their new books and I've never been disappointed. Some of the books they put out on their site are really advanced and if not I usually wait until the book sells out and resell it on ebay for triple the amount I paid for it. It's win, win in my opinion.
I second the suggestion for E. A. Koetting and Michael W. Ford, and I certainly second the suggestion that Ford get an editor or proof reader, because the books of his I have are generally chock full of errors in typography; not that it necessarily takes away from the content, it's just a tad annoying.
Sadly have never been able to afford any of Connolly's books, which deal largerly with Daemonolatry. Now also incredibly jealous of some of the books lost has that, with almost certainty, I won't.