As this winter solstice approaches, soon I will announce my pick for the BAB '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year' (along with second and third places). I may also retroactively award a 2010 pick, as this blog did not exist a year ago. It was quite a year for talismanic texts and should be acknowledged. Winners will be announced sometime in the next few weeks.
Books will be judged by the following criteria: binding, materials, design, talismanic intent & method of consecration (if applicable), layout, and editorial rigor. Eligible books must have a 2011 copyright date. I will not judge books by their content, as it is unfair and pointless to compare different magical paths or traditions (like comparing apples to oranges). While I do my best, I am not qualified to judge and assess every single magical system the world has to offer; I very much doubt such a person exists. Therefore, books will be judged by their craft, creativity, and beauty only.
I am still waiting for a few possible last-minute contenders for 2011, such as Scarlet Imprint's Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Rainha da Figueira do Inferno edition), The Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn's Golden Dawn Rituals and Commentaries by Pat Zalewski (Deluxe Leather edition), and Three Hands Press' The Children of Cain by Michael Howard (Special full black goatskin edition).
Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog and for all the positive messages I have received.
Sincerely,
B. Balkan
