Hi Sweet Friends,
The first leaves of fall are starting to pop up at my farmette and the slight chill in the air has me reaching for my cozy sweaters. I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts to cool down, I start thinking about my grade school days. And even though it’s been a decade or two-ish (ahem) since I started my mornings in homeroom, I’m still perpetually in school (and I still buy new notebooks).
Life itself has grown into one big ole workshop fueled by inspiring books and I don’t even want to skip class these days!
If you’re familiar with my journey, you know that I became a full-time health sleuth after my diagnosis. Books were my teachers, the Internet was my classroom and blood tests were my grades. Over the years, reading has become as much a part of my health practice as meditating (my nightstand is actually hazardous). I dog-ear pages. I highlight. I re-read and then read again. I scribble in the margins. I have a personal relationship with my books.
Nowadays, what really gets my gray matter fired up is reading about mental, spiritual and emotional health.
After years of crunching numbers to figure out all my necessary nutrients and becoming snuggly familiar with anatomy (and my excrements!), I can’t wait to sit down with books that ignite my creative lighter fluid. Whether it’s about writing well, staying sane or exploring why our magnificent brains work in certain ways, I’m immersed in the wellness of the mind.
So, I curated some of my favorite tiles, covering my go-to resources, most loved page-turners, plus a few super-exciting titles that will be hitting the shelves this fall. Sharpen your pencils, friends. Class is in session!
My top 10 must-read inspiring books list
Broken Open, Elizabeth Lesser
Life gets messy. That’s always gonna be true. But it’s what we do in those messy times—and, particularly, what we get out of them—that make them worthwhile and interesting. Elizabeth uses her own deeply personal and gloriously raw experiences to guide readers through being open in the hard times. She’s one of my favorite writers and this book in particular contains countless soul aha’s. It’s sorta like my spiritual woobie.
How to Meditate, by Pema Chodron
Straightforward and kind. Those are two amazing qualities in any person, but they’re especially important in a meditation maestro. Yes, there are many books that tell you why you should meditate, but Pema makes it available to even the most fidgety of folks.
The Law of Divine Compensation, by Marianne Williamson
Putting your principles into action is what this book is all about. Marianne, as many of you probably already know, is one of the country’s best-loved spirituality writers. In this book, she makes the ideas laid out in A Course in Miracles accessible, and applies them to our financial well-being.
Mom & Me & Mom, by Maya Angelou
My mom gave me this book so we could connect further expand our relationship—and we did just that. This book is a spiritual memoir page turner! And the roller coaster ride these two women went on is cinema-worthy—as is the profound love, respect and forgiveness that shaped their relationship. There’s no one quite like Maya to explore what it means to be a daughter, then her own woman, and then discover a relationship with her mother again. Oh, and there is definitely no one like Maya Angelou’s mother! As my own grandma would say “She’s a pistol packing mama”—literally!
Money: A Love Story, by Kate Northrup
What I love about this book is Kate’s approach. Sure, there are a zillion books out there that teach you how to set up savings accounts. But Kate nails the root of our money insecurities. She knows that when we truly value ourselves, we can heal our relationship with money, and then spend in a way that lines up with who we are at our core. Kate recently visited the farmette and I just loved chatting with her in this quick video! Check it out.
Red Hot & Holy, by Sera Beak
Do you have a unique relationship with the Divine (that’s big D, not divine as in chocolate)? My sweet friend Sera does, but it took her years of trial, tribulation and a few ooh la la saucy encounters to settle down. This woman is wild and free and on fire. Red Hot & Holy (another spiritual page turner) will take your on a ride! It’s sexual, ripped open, devout and filled with the sort of realness that very few authors dare to reveal. I. Was. Blown. Away.
The Tapping Solution, by Nick Ortner
Tapping (aka Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT) has been one of the most valuable practices that I’ve embraced in my daily life. It helps me work through mental and physical challenges with relative ease and it’s literally at my fingertips at any moment. I adore this book, and as many of you know, I also adore Nick Ortner. Though he’s my brother from another mother, I’m not playing favorite when I say that this book will change your life. If you’ve ever wondered how tapping really works, Nick backs up the “how” here with the “why,” including the science behind tapping. For a quick introduction, step into my kitchen. In this video, Nick and I lead you through the basic EFT practice—it’ll take five minutes to learn!
True Refuge, by Tara Brach
I’m in deep awe of Tara Brach and I need more of her in my life! This book is a way home—home to yourself. Tara breaks down the illusions and, as she calls them, “false refuges” that can distract us when we’re seeking ourselves. She reminds readers that the true refuge is accepting the present, and all that it brings. Like so many Buddhist teachings, this sounds a lot more simple than it actually is! But Tara really makes it doable with her teachings in this priceless book.
Why I Wake Early, by Mary Oliver
Oh, poetry. Just writing the word makes me feel more interesting. Ha! But in all seriousness, there’s something subtle and grounding about the way that Mary uses her short, neat words. This book in particular celebrates all the many wonderful parts of nature. I often read poetry before I start writing. It gets the muse juices flowing. And since I love spirit and nature so much, Mary is a go-to source. Once again, my mom turned me on to her work (sheesh, that woman has good taste!).
Your turn: What book has inspired you lately?
Peace & page turners,
This is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!
Love this list Kris!
There are so many books that describe these spiritual things, but you mentioned the best ones. ‘m excited to read all of them. Thanks for sharing this amazing list with us.
‘m excited to read all of them. Thanks for sharing this amazing list with us.
Transformational Architecture: Reshaping Our Lives as Narrative by Ron Martoia
Daily Love: Growing into Grace by Mastin Kipp
Immortal Diamond: Richard Rohr
Thanks for this list! I now have two of the books in my order queue.
Thanks for this list! I now have two of the books in my order queue.
Thank you…my journey begins!
Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life
Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Inspiration
Osho’s fear
Some great recommendations here thank you. Great to see a Marianne Williamson book – I loved the Law of Divine Compensation and Marianne’s online seminar (The Law of Divine Compensation). I read A Return of Love by Marianne Williamson over 20 years; it became my bible, and led me on to be a student of A Course in Miracles. Also Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, poetry including Rumi and Gibran.
E Squared by Pam Grout. Love it!
Well, your reading preferences are certainly a little different than mine. To each their own, I guess. I have a stronger preference for non-fiction that’s more academic than you, I think. I’ve heard good things about the book by Maya Angelous, so perhaps I’ll give that a shot?
Add More ~Ing To Your Life…still my favourite Gabrielle Bernstein book, and “The Pleasure Zone” by Stella Resnick are the two books I turn to when I feel like I need some healing. I also love the Red Book by Sera Beak, haven’t read her latest book yet. Anything written by Rumi. And probably my ultimate favourite read, the Prophet by Khalil Gibran. I’m a big reader!
Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan – Schreiber.
Raw Juices Can Save Your Life by Dr Sandra Cabot and any of her books very informative and easy to read.
Thanks Kindly
Do You QuantumThink
Hi Kris,
Thanks so much for the list…although if I add any more titles to my to-read shelf I think it will collapse under the weight. *smiles*
Right now I’m making my way through The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and I’m tearing through it because every page is so true and enlightening I can’t wait to see what’s on the next one.
I highly recommend it for everyone, especially those of us who are aching to be creative, but just can’t seem to get going.
Great recommendations!! I am reading The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and it is a life-changing read! It is simple and profound and is changing my relationship with my thoughts, emotions and surrounding world. xx
Thank you all for the great recommendations!!! I’ve been having anxiety due to several factors, realizing how I was taught to worry and be so hard on myself has hurt me and brought me to where I am now. The good news is I am more aware of this then I have ever been and working with myself and a great therapist to break the old habits. My biggest challenge is being in the moment. Any recommendations on great books on mindfulness, awareness, being kinder to yourself? Thank you!!! 🙂
Hi Shearin,
I haven’t read it yet, but it sounds like Gabrielle Bernstein’s May Cause Miracles might be exactly what you’re looking for. Gabby is a beautiful soul and she wrote this book to help people find their way out of fear and into love. She’s also big into meditation & affirmations, and I hear this book is chalk full of ways to build/enhance your mindfulness practice.
Here’s a link to the introduction, so you can get a taste:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/108759546/May-Cause-Miracles-by-Gabrielle-Bernstein-Excerpt#.Uh–TzYceQA
Take care,
Tanya
A lot of us can relate! Sometimes we need to be reminded about the simplicity of life when everything feels overwhelming. I’m not talking about generic cliché stuff, but simplicity. I think Robert Holden has a gift for poignantly simplifying and his little book Shift Happens, in my view, covered what ten bestsellers said in their thousands of pages. Also, Michael Neill’s new Inside-Out Revolution is another read-in-a-day-book that takes some common ideas/research and presents it in a really fresh new way – simple. I’m an avid reader of this genre of books, and Neill’s is the book that really provoked me above others in it’s new albeit subtle shift in perspective.
Trust… tell the little voices you hear them – and now beat it… and believe: as you know better you do better – we all have to do that no matter our journey.
Thanks for this super juicy list Kris!!! I’ve read most of them and totally feel the same. Going to check out the 2 that were new to me. Yay! Some of my all time inspirational favs & must-reads (over and over) are:
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Deep Play by Diane Ackerman
True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
Art Objects: Essays on Ecstasy & Effrontery by Jeanette Winterson
Writing Down to the Bones by Nathalie Goldberg
The Alchemist (or anything) by Paulo Coelho
Living on Your Own Terms (or anything) by Osho
The War of Art by Steve Pressfield
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
Succulent Wild Women by SARK
sending some BIG love your way!
Lainie
I agree on Outrageous Openness….Tosha Silver rocks it and her facebook posts are spot on with what I’m needing to hear.
I absolutely LOVED Catherynne Valente’s series “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making” and “The Girl who fell beneath Fairyland and led the revels there”. The next one “The Girl who soared over Fairyland and cut the moon in two” comes out October 1 and I can hardly wait. They are pure fun and fantasy and so very yummy.
Hi Kris, I too recently compiled a list of my favourite books which have inspired me and influenced me in some way. Some of my favourites include Eckart Tolles – New Earth, You are Here – Thich Nhat Hanh, Feel the Fear & Do it Anyway – Susan Jeffers, and The Secret Language of Your Body – Inna Segal.
Hi Kris, a great list. Thanks for posting. Some of my absolute favorite books of all time are Great Expectations and The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, Mother by Maxim Gorky and The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.
So many of your favorite books are some of my favorites, too. I wanted to share that Tara Brach, author of “True Refuge” and “Radical Acceptance” also has many inspiring talks at her IMCW meditation center. Here is the link for one of her powerful talks about facing fear and transforming it:
http://imcw.org/Talks/TalkDetail/TalkID/567.aspx
Great suggestions! I need these from time to time and I guess I need to get a hold of your book after reading one of the comments saying that it’s a mean – in an inspirational kind of way – read.
Thanks so much for the list.. I’ll definitely bookmark this page to come back to later.. I’m a bookwork myself..
Follow my blog on the Simplicity of Style for the Home and Fashion.. Thanks again..
My favourite book at present is the new edition of Ian Gawler’s ‘You can conquer cancer’. Based on Ian’s recovery from a supposedly terminal bone sarcoma in the 1970s it looks at the mind, body and dietary steps you can take to live better with or overcome cancers. Dietary advice is very much on CSK principles – style is very down to earth as Ian is Australian (and still very much alive)
Interesting to see that only a few people mentioned the Bible which is THE BOOK for me.I once read somewhere that the initials could stand for “Book of Instructions Before Leaving Earth” I get the feeling that you, Kris and the majority of the others who commented have never tried reading it. Have you not ever thought of giving it a go???
It’s that attitude that keeps me away.
Kris, the book I’m reading now on my vacation is Paris is called “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. A Toltec Wisdom Book. It states this on the cover. It goes into detail on each of the four agreements; Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, & Always Do Your Best. It makes so much sense, especially after an exceptional bottle of Bordeaux! (p.s. I’m Dr. Sue who used to blog with you and a handful of others, Debbie, Callie, Dee, back in 2008 – still love the message!!!)
I am traveling in Italy and Austria and the one book I am clutching to my heart everywhere I go is “the untethered soul” by Michael Singer. Wow! Is helping me…. not to worry, be committed to unconditional happiness, and not being pissed off at God.
I really love Broken Open, great book. Thanks for the list Kris!!!
Kris,
You are beautiful and such an inspiration. thank you so much for your website and your words of encouragement and all the great recipes. God Bless you
Linda
The Bible inspires me every day. His word is timeless.
My latest favorite is The Dalai Lama’s Cat. It’s just plain charming (and it’s a nice spiritual uplift too).
Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I could not put this book down! Should be required reading for all humanity.
Thank you Chris, you are awesome beautiful and inspiring. I am a Christian and God is the center of my world, with the bible my guide. Sometimes it is confusing for me when spiritual health is discussed. I am totally synced with the physical health aspect but not the spiritual part, it is foreign to me. I wish that some views that are aligned with biblical beliefs could be shared.
God bless you in all you do and keep you as beautiful as ever.
Crazy, Sexy Diet was the book that really turned the tides for me. After that, I read everything I could get my hands on (and still do!). The China Study, Whole, Keep It Simple Keep It Whole, Anticancer, and a whole slew of cookbooks! I have purchased many copies of Crazy, Sexy Diet to give away to friends so they can start their transformations also! Thank you!
love the list.
currently reading ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brene Brown.
HIGHLY recommend it. 🙂
I meant Path with. Heart by J Kornfield, so im looking for something less dry in other buddhist books.
I om a romantic..
rry, i
I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion
by Dawna Markova
I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible;
to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom, goes on as fruit.
Dear Kris,
Love both of your books.
A question – is true refuge by tara brach as good as her radical acceptance.
I was recommended by a friend to get radical acceptance, but unsure.
One of my fav is by Jack Kornfield, path to enlightenment.
Thank you!
Tha
Thanks for the great recommendations Kris! I think you would really love ‘Three Things You Need To Know About Rockets’ by Jessica Fox. It is a true love story with a very healthy dose of self discovery. Perfect for chilly evenings and a cup of tea…
I’m LOVING Red Hot and Holy, Its also great to help me get the balls to write so openly which is doing awesome for my blog.
I’m also loving Rushing Womens Syndrome, Mind over Medicine and Get Rich Lucky Bitch
Hi Kris and All!
Your weekly email and blog is as always inspiring, uplifting and REAL! I almost always find myself checking into something ‘new to me’ you’ve recommended or accessing information you’ve shared your experience with. I hope you know how very practical and accessible the information you provide is to all of us and what a great service to others you perform by sharing! Your wellness journey has been a huge inspiration to others and has led to so much useful and viable information as to how to help ourselves with health issues. I love your Chat & Chews, your cookbook and this weeks reading list, I’m doing like everyone else, ordering books!!! And loved all the wonderful recommendations by others, thank you everyone! I love the book written by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D called the ‘The Coconut Oil Miracle’. It’s quite revelatory as to how easily, we the public, can be misinformed for greed and profit, we owe it to ourselves and others to seek out information for ourselves and rely on our own research and results as well as those whose opinions we hold in high esteem, such as Kris!
Many thanks and Happy Monday to all,
Cindy
This is great Kris! Thanks for opening it up – its great to have all these recommendations. If I had to choose only one book, the one that has had the biggest impact on me is Practising The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle.
A few days ago I finished reading ‘Heart and the Fist’ by Eric Greitens. Its a book about his discover of what humanitarianism means. I absolutely loved it. It took me but a few days to read it. The book follows his account on being a young man inspired by superhereos to defend and protect the poor and weak. He did several trips overseas to work with organizations. After getting his masters at Oxford, he joined the military and became a navy seal. The book is just… so… good.
Awesome, “great feeling” writing Kris. I get very nostalgic during this time too, and there’s truly no feeling on the planet quite like the cool Autumn air, and the warm feelings that surround you…makes you feel like a kid again. Ahhhh… This time of year is simply amazing! Much love!
Eckhart Tolle’s books were gamechangers for me. And Carolyn Myss – Sacred Contracts.
And thank you so much Kris for introducing us to Tara Brach. I’ve been obsessed since your email and she is exactly the teacher i was seeking.
xo
Thanks for this great list! I will add several of those titles to my list, which is never-ending. There just isn’t enough time!
Right now I am reading The Horse Boy by Rupert _____. Can’t remember his last name but the book is an amazing tale about a father who is searching for help for his autistic boy. Horses have been an amazing force in my life so it really resonates with me. Pretty cool stuff.
Also, Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek. Recommended to me by many. Worth a read.
Thanks!
Karen
Your book is really inspiring! I am still telling friends to read it. I hope they gonna translate it into german as well, so it would be more easy to read for some people, who are really interested! Greetings from Berlin!
I had no idea just how rich and amazing this reader driven book list would get. I think I’ve already ordered like 10 books! Thanks everyone. I should do another post with YOUR reading list. x
The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan ~ a really beautiful & intriguing story!
Olá, to adorando todas suas dicas, meu filho de 2 anos tem câncer, mais eu sou do Brasil, nem todas as coisas eu consigo traduzir… Gostaria de pedir como eu começo? Seus livros foram traduzidos para o português?
Obrigada pela atenção, beijo
Hello,’m loving all your tips, my 2 year old son has cancer, but I’m from Brazil, not all things I can translate … I would ask how do I start? His books have been translated into Portuguese?
Thank you for your attention, kiss
The Bible – always. 🙂 For anyone who hasn’t fallen in love with it yet but is curious I recommend “The Message” version – a wonderful contemporary translation. 🙂
1. Mark Epstein’s new book The Trauma of Everyday Life – it is a MUST read!
He sheds light on a lived experience that every living human being experiences, trauma. So often we think about trauma with a big “T” but really, life is trauma with a small “t.” What causes so much of our day-to-day suffering is 1) the lack of recognition and consciousness about our everyday traumas 2) and the absences of knowing how to work through it (not around it).
Of course, it is beautifully written. Epstein poignantly intertwines the fundamental Buddhist teachings with historical and contemporary psychology. A must read for everyone!
2. In a similar vein (on the nature of everyday losses, trauma and growth) I highly recommend:
Necessary Losses: The Loves, Illusions, Dependencies, and Impossible Expectations that all of Us Have to Give Up in order to Grow by Judith Viorst.
Thank you, Kris!
Carly
Kris, I love your list and will be adding to my book stack from your suggestions and those who have shared some great picks. The Tapping Solution has been so helpful in handling my panic and anxiety. Awesome book. Some other books I return to over and over include:
Waking the Tiger (healing trauma) by Peter A Levine
Old Friend From Far Away (memoir writing) by Natalie Goldberg
Teach Us To Sit Still by Tim Parks
The Slippery Year by Melanie Gideon
True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
Lost and Found by Geneen Roth
The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte
Thanks Kris! I love to see what everyone is reading! Peace always, Debbie
Dying To Be Me, by Anita Moorjani
This book is life altering.
Of course, Crazy Sexy Diet is on my MUST READ LIST and stays near my heart always.
Dying to be Me, by Anita Moorjani. After being diagnosed with cancer for the 2nd time in 3 years, now with 2 types of cancer, I had a dream, a dream that was very similar to her near death experience [NDE]. My outcome was the same as hers, I was told it wasn’t my time. Since then, I’ve worked very hard in finding the knowledge and information to cure this bull called cancer. Even going through my 2nd rodeo of chemical feedings [chemo] and waking, finding my hair scattered on my pillow, I plow through to find what will keep my body from being an attractive playground to cancer. Kris, you have been an integral part of that journey. I thank you for sharing your life, story, and journey. Maybe one day, I too can share my story and the success of living to a ripe old age, cancer free.
When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
My Personal Best by John Wooden
Hi Kris!
Thank you for all of the fabulous recommendations! Of course your book is currently on the top of my list but a few others that I hold with high regard:
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan (this one is fiction but such a fantastic story of a woman’s journey to get back in touch with what really matters in like)
Right now I am re-reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz such a great book!
Happy reading;)
Ashley Bowes
Women, Food, and God by Geneen Roth…rocked me at my core and helped me heal my detrimental relationship with food.
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay, phd. For every wondering twenty-something soul who needs a loving sign from the universe that they are not alone and how to turn your life into something you can be proud of.
Thank you for your great list, Kris!
Wandering*
Adore Geneen. That other books sounds amazing too!
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach.
So much wisdom and Realness in this book.
Choose yourself by James Altucher
Mind over Medicine by Lissa Rankin
E~Squared by Pam Grout
Hi Kris!
we are from Jerusalem, Israel, and we want to thank you for your wonderful life-changing inspiering information you sare so generously! I am just ordering your book “crazy sexy diet” book – translated to Hebrew….I am sending you many blessings from the holliest place on planet earth! If you ever plan to come to Jerusalem our family would love to host you and your family in our home and take you around – we are vegeterian moving in the direction towards raw food – we love our fresh green smoothies in the morning and we would love to sare them with you! praying for your health and long beautiful life, with a warm hug and lots of love
Nurit (my name in Hebrew is “a little fire” or “a beautiful flower”
Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a beautiful book about woman’s relationships to her busy world. A great book to give as a gift.
Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer, a book of encouragement, also great to give as a gift. Also any of her other books about finding out who you are by the personality you were born with. I discovered these books when I was 40 and they greatly impacted my life.
CandyB
Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
LOVE
My mom gave me that one too!
E- squared by Pam Grout – Game changer!
Living Big- Pam Grout
Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown – releasing some shame over here! 🙂
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
Wishes Fulfilled by Wayne Dyer
Your Wide Awakening: A Guide to Anorexia Recovery – by ME!
Gotta get on Kate Northrup and Danielle LaPorte’s books. And True Refuge sounds right up my alley!
Thank you for all you do. Your journey is soooo inspiring, Kris. I am in awe of you. Can’t wait to hear you speak in DC at the I can Do it Conference.
An oldie and definitely goodie for me is Illusions: The adventures of a reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach. Have given away many copies of this book. I often appreciate the “blue feathers” that I can recognize because of this powerful book. In fact just as you point out Kris this is the time to cozy down with a good read. Time to buy a new copy. Sure I have given away the last one I had. Thanks for jogging my memory on such a helpful work. Peace and love.
Kris,
It still amazes me how in sync we seem to be. Your update is always so relevant. I just wrote an article this week for momeo magazine with my top 10 books. Thx for this list will add to my book order.
Love this list! I already have a few of them (one will be on pre-order soon). I can’t wait to add the rest to my wishlist
Hi Kris – thanks for sharing this insightful list I am still on summer break until October so looking forward to reading some of these real soon 🙂
My recents are E2 by Pam Grout – Simple Scientific experiments to literally prove to yourself that the Universe is a loving intention which you can tap into at any time 🙂 WOW
Also Infinite Abundance by my Tai Chi master and life mentor, Jason Chan – A.M.A.Z.I.N.G !!!
Thanks again
Love
Loving Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starting Sessions – the Desire Map is on my list too 🙂 thanks for more ideas Kris!
Great list, Kris. Thanks for sharing. Life doesn’t feel complete without a few books on my nightstand.
Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver keeps me coming back to trusting and letting go. Hands of Light by Barbara Brennan completely changed my life and my vocation. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is quite the page turner!
Happy Reading, Everyone!!
I adore Broken Open, as well as The Seeker’s Guide, also by Lesser. But, recently I’ve listened to Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver and that is really changing my spiritual life in big ways! Thanks for posting this, Kris! I am headed to the library now! 😉
Wow, I don’t know that book/audio. Clearly I need to! Tx
I am in the middle of Daring Greatly right now. It is ripping me wide open. I have had a couple major realizations about my past and my current actions because of this book. I recommend it to EVERYONE. Once I’m finished I’m going to dive into your list.
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. A life changer 🙂
YES!
Yes yes Yes!
Hello Kris,
Thanks for sharing, I am a book lover and I tend always to read what makes me undertand and know more about me. I am a lifestyle practician and I am reading “The power of Habit” of Charles DUHIGG. Simply amazing.
It explains how our brains develop habits, and how we can improve change our life by changing very small habits.
This is it 😀 keep sharing and giving, you’re a thrill.
Love from Lisbon.
Mery.
YES! Love
I LOVED this book 😉
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Heavy on the science but a fascinating read on why we need more vulnerability in our scarcity culture.
Hi there,
I am enjoying Pam Grout’s “E2”. Everything we desire is right at our finger tips.
Thank you for your lovely must read list! You mentioned that you read about learning to write well, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Something around the psychology of writing, or copywriting. I want to dig deeper into how to touch my readers at their deepest emotional level and how to inspire them to take action. Any suggestions? Love your work Kris!
What a great list ! I’m excited to read all if them! Thanks for sharing!
My go to is the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is so simple yet so powerful!
Xo
Great Recommends from Kris. I would add I would add Daring Greatly by Brené Brown and There Is No App for Happiness by Max Strom.
daring greatly for SURE
Rob Breszny’s Pronoia is one of my go-to books. The poetry of Pablo Neruda – I tried to relearn Spanish by reading it in the original and then went to Mexico and realized I could talk about feathers and ladders and rocks and passion but couldn’t order food in a restaurant. Which turned out to be perfect. Everything Michael Pollan writes. Any book about unusual art – current fave is Natural Fashion – Tribal Decoration from Africa (check it out – gorgeous!).
Oh, and how could I have left out Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s wonderful book?
I have Pronoia. Its amazing!
Cheri Huber’s books – but specifically Making a Change for Good and There is Nothing Wrong with You. These are life transforming books that literally hands-on taught me how to direct the attention to what I want in my life via awareness practice. The first book I mentioned even includes a 30-day retreat at the end. Mucho cool!
Ooooh. I like these…. Off to order.
Don’t forget to support your local book store 🙂
Discover the power of meridian tapping by Patrica Carrington
Woman Code by Alisa Vitti
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud
Lucky by Alice Sebold
Radical Woomanhood by Carolyn McCully
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
The Help by Katheryn Stockett
I am currently reading one of the most inspiring books I have ever read – which should be familiar – Crazy Sexy Diet. Kris, a friend recommended your book and as soon as I picked it up, I couldn’t stop reading it. I love how informative, sassy, and fun it is to read. Thank you for sharing your journey and wisdom!
Thanks Casey! 😉 xox
Thank you so much for this list, Kris- some of them I’ve heard of, but I’m so excited to try the ones that I haven’t (I’m such a bookworm!) Love that you included a bit of poetry too!
The last phenomenal book that I read was ‘Wild’, by Cheryl Strayed, which completely took my breath away and made me want to grab my rucksack and go trekking in the wilderness as soon as I’d finished it! Have been looking for new suggestions for a while and these are just perfect.
Thank you!
Katie x
Love these recommendations! We always recommend books in our horoscopes (including yours, lovely Kris), so we compiled a whole Amazon spiritual and self-growth library for seekers. So many great ones on love, money, reincarnation, family healing, spiritual growth, psychology, etc.!
I had the pleasure of attending Tara Brach’s workshop at Omega this summer and it was truly life changing.
I LOOOOOOOVED and would recommend Michael Neill’s Inside Out Revolution.
I also have on my desk Daring Greatly (Brene Brown) , The Big Leap (Gay Hendricks) and Untethered Soul (Michael Singer)
I think The Big Leap is a great one to add to this list. As well, anything by poet David Whyte, including: The Three Marriages, Crossing the Unknown Sea and his poetry collections, especially Riverflow and Pilgrim. Simply beautiful and inspiring!
Thanks for your inspiration, always, Kris!
Libby