Suggested Summer Reading

Published on July 3, 2008

With tomorrow being Independence Day here in the beautiful USA, possibly many of you will be camping, picnicking, or just hanging out relaxing…if you are wondering what book you should bring with you on your outing…I thought I’d give you a few of my favorites that I’ve read….
__________

THE POWER OF NOW by Eckhart Tolle changed my life. Period. End of conversation. I started to see myself different, my partner different, and all the people I come in contact with in a whole new light because of this book. I have actually read this book twice, and hoping to read it once more before summer is over this year. I highly recommend this book, if you are ready for a great change in your life.

__________

Ahhhh…I adore TALES OF A FEMALE NOMAD by Rita Golden Gelman. This is a beautiful memoir/travelogue written by a woman who in becoming an empty nester/divorcee decides to leave her comfortable, affluent life and travel the world. No beach resorts or poshy neighborhoods for this woman…noway!… she finds herself in the middle of indigenous communities, living and learning from cultures so ancient and foreign to her Hollywood lifestyle. Awesome book! Filled with empowering stories of courage and living ones truth.

_________

Who hasn’t read EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert—right? If you are one of the few that haven’t what are you waiting for? This book is funny, endearing, and one that should touch you deeply. The author writes about her travels to the three I’s: Italy, India, and Indonesia…in each exciting, new country she is searching for a bit of herself she feels she has lost. You will have trouble putting this book down!

__________

AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN by Lama Surya Das is a wonderful book for anyone with even a tiny interest in Buddhism. The author, who grew up Jewish, privileged, and living in New York, went on a journey as a young man to find out the answers to his burning questions about life and the soul. He later became a Lama and currently lives in the USA sharing and teaching Buddhism. This book is so easy to read and hilarious! Lama Surya Das shares great stories from his life and others he has met, and gives you an outline to live by that will help you end suffering in your own existence.

__________

I think every human being should own a copy of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book TRUE LOVE: A PRACTICE FOR AWAKENING THE HEART. It is small, short, and simple to read. This book has helped me love stronger in all of my relationships. Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Zen monk, offers beautiful ways to communicate and work out differences through the four key Buddhist aspects of love: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and freedom. A book, I promise, you will come to over and over again. I keep mine permanently on my nightstand.

__________

LIVING YOGA: CREATING A LIFE PRACTICE by the former supermodel Christy Turlington is a fabulous introduction for anyone curious about Yoga. I was a little skeptical at first about this book, but found it to be incredibly personable to read and full of easy to understand facts about Yoga. Plus, there are tons of pretty photographs!!! I always suggest this book to those that want to begin their understanding of Yoga both the physical and philosophical.

___________

I HEARD GOD LAUGHING: POEMS OF HOPE AND JOY is a wonderful collection of poems by the Sufi poet Hafiz. Every single poem in this book is a treasure. A whimsical, sometimes hilarious, but always so sacred, treasure. If you love poetry, especially Sufi poetry such as Rumi, you will adore this collection.

Peace & Love.