I’ve picked out a few of the books that have really inspired me over the past year. Some are old favorites and some new. All in all, I highly recommend all of these books for everyone who wants to live a simply gorgeous life.
What are you reading? We’d love to hear about your favorites too.
INSPIRATIONAL |
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The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven PressfieldThis book has a very special place in my heart because it’s helped me to break through so many creative blocks and to write all of my books. He is a brilliant writer, who shoots from the hip in a firm, yet encouraging voice.If you are trying to get any creative endeavor off the ground – this is the book for you! |
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Handbook for the Soul edited by Richard Carlson and Benjamin ShieldWith a foreword by Marianne Williamson, this is a wonderful collection of essays, which I keep on my nightstand. I dip in and pick an essay from any one of a multitude of spiritual giants – from Jack Canfield to Thomas Moore, this set of beautiful writings will help you drift off to peaceful, soulful place. |
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Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy by Sarah Ban BreathnachI love Sarah’s books. Simple Abundance is a staple that every woman needs on her nightstand or in her bathroom! It teaches you the importance of simple gratitude. |
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Peace and Plenty: Finding Your Path to Financial Serenity by Sarah Ban BreathnachThis is a great read. It follows Sarah’s road to financial ruin after becoming a millionaire from her hugely successful books. It’s a cautionary tale, where she’s both brutally honest and deeply inspirational. There are many great practical tools for those who are struggling financially. |
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Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here by Bruce. H. Lipton, PHDWorld renowned Bruce Lipton is an expert in the emerging science of epigenetics. He reveals how our changing understanding of biology will help us navigate this turbulent period in our planet’s history, and how each of us can participate in this global shift. If you are into quantum physics and thinking outside of the box in terms of your health and how it relates to the planet, you’ll probably like this as much as I did. |
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Add More Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness by Gabrielle BernsteinThis enchanting book invites you to move out of your comfort zone and to attempt to take actions that will completely raise your energy and mood. Gabrielle is a lovely writer with a fresh and vibrant voice. An easy read for anyone whose life feels stale. |
GREEN |
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The Weather Makers by Tim FlanneryThis is the best ever book on global warming that I’ve read. It’s a fascinating, if not exciting read, which gives such a beautifully broad picture of what has been happening for millions of years, and what is likely to happen in the future. It’s a sobering and brilliantly written book, which puts everything into perspective. |
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Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World by Paul HawkenPaul Hawken is a leading environmentalist, who has spent over a decade researching eco-organizations that are really making a difference. He brilliantly describes humanity’s collective genius and unstoppable force in making a difference. With all the doom and gloom abounding, this is a really inspirational and hopeful read. |
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Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World by HRH The Prince Of WalesMy mother gave me this book for Christmas and I really loved it. It charts the history of our civilization in terms of relating to our environment. Ultimately Prince Charles believes that there is a natural harmony in nature and that because we are so disconnected from this in virtually every area of our modern existence, we are unwittingly causing the mess we are now facing. He offers realistic and optimistic solutions for the future, and yet opens our minds to the enormity of the problem we now face. |
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Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things by Bruce Smith and Robert LourieThis is an excellent book, which describes in great detail how we are affected by the toxins in everyday products. The authors do extensive testing on themselves before and after exposing themselves to chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, bisphenol A etc. A truly fascinating and eye-opening read. |
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The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food by Ben HewittThis is very inspiring and insightful and left me knowing that I should never, ever take food for granted! |
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Silent Spring by Rachel CarsonIf you haven’t already read this classic from one of the first most prominent female environmentalists, I highly recommend that you do. |
HEALTH |
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The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’BrienThis is a mother’s shocking investigation into the danger’s of America’s Food Supply and what every family can do to protect itself.Robyn O’Brien is a Texan who gave no thought to “healthy” food until she had a horrible scare with one of her young children. This set her on the path to take on the food system and research what the heck is wrong with it. Any of your who suffer from allergies or have kids who get frequently sick, will want to grab a copy of Robyn’s well-written first person account of what’s it’s like to navigate one’s way through the US food system, when we’re up against Big Food and Big Money! |
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Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (Revised Edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing by Dr. Christine NorthrupThe revised edition of this seminal must-have book, by Dr.Christiane Northrup is a staple for every woman’s household. Dr. Northrup blends her medical expertise with a holistic and more integrated approach. She covers every woman’s issue from pregnancy to menopause, giving tips, tools and dietary guidelines. |
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Healthy Beauty: Your Guide to Ingredients to Avoid and Products You Can Trust by Samuel S. Epstein, MDThis is an excellent reference book, which sets out in a little more detail the chemicals that you need to avoid in all your personal care products. It’s a well researched book, which offers tons of quite surprising safe alternatives. |
DIET& FOOD |
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Vegan Family Meals by Ann GentryI love Ann Gentry and her first book, Real Food Daily, based on recipes from her fabulous restaurants in Los Angeles, is ridiculously well-thumbed and rarely out of my kitchen. I love that this new book focuses on family meals and I’ve tried many out on my husband and daughter. Some of their favorites include Hemp-crusted tofu wrap with grilled vegetables and walnut-basil pest mayo, and the wonderful black bean veggie burgers. It’s also a beautifully presented book, which gorgeous photos. An absolute must for the vegan/veggie family. |
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Black Bird Bakery Gluten Free by Karen MorganOh thank you Karen for creating such a stunning book. This is one that you’ll want to leaf through in bed while sipping on a cup of herbal tea. The photos are so inviting and make you want to whip your apron on right away. I’ve tried a couple of her recipes and really loved them – so I’m assuming that if all the others turn out as well, we’re in luck. We have a lot of gluten-intolerant friends, so I’m happy to be able to throw together some serious desserts and goodies. You’ll have to go to a good health store to find the necessary ingredients, but once stocked up, you’ll be good to go. |
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The End of Food by Paul RobertsFor anyone interested in the future of food, this is a compelling read. Paul Roberts managed to analyze acres of data and to distil it down into clear, understandable text. He also presents a vision of how we might get ourselves out of the mess we are now in. |
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Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety by Marion Nestle“Food safety is political.” So claims the title of the introduction to Marion Nestle’s book Safe Food, and this assertion is solidly confirmed in the pages that follow. Nestle exposes the political workings of the system that supposedly guarantees the safety of our food. The operation of this system is unfamiliar to many, but Nestle’s well-researched and carefully documented arguments convince me that the topic should be of concern to anyone who eats. |
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Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina PlanckWith all the crazy diet notions and fads we have to contend with, this is a really refreshing read. Full of humor and great intelligence, Nina is like a really down-to-earth, self-deprecating Alice Waters. She goes into great detail about dairy, meat and every other food group we supposed to be avoiding. An eye-opening read. |
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Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future by David WolfeI love superfoods, so this was a book that I reached for as soon as I saw it and it didn’t disappoint. If you are interested in learning more about super foods and what they can do for you, I highly recommend David Wolfe – a forerunner in this space. |
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Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It! by Kris CarrI love everything about Kris Carr. She is a gorgeous cancer survivor who has written a couple of books about surviving cancer. This is her much-awaited diet, which really shows you how to cleanse, detox, “re-boot” and alkalize your body. Her writing is fun, accessible, and really practical. Her diet includes spiritual affirmations and all kinds of other very useful tips. |
Thank you so much for posting these!! =) What great information. Couple of my fav’s (outside of Gorgeously Green) is Sinus Survival, by Dr. Rob Ivke and Change your brain, change your life, by Daniel G. Amen M.D.
Buddha mom…LOVE
What about Dr. John Douillard’s book? Have you read it yet? Since you refer to him often was curious if you have read it.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is simply one of the best books I have ever read. It made me realize that life is what you make of it.