The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life

by Mark Nepo

Nepo, a cancer survivor, offers insights on the art of being alive and having an authentic experience of life.  Slow down and live your life rather than just manage it.

Goddesses in Older Women: Archetypes in Women over Fifty

by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.

Need we say more?

Finding What You Didn't Lose: Expressing Your Truth and Creativity Through Poem-Making

by John Fox

Art-making as a healing activity.  This workbook will help you master some of the formal elements of poetry-writing so that you can set your creativity free.

The Fourfold Path to Healing: Working with the Laws of Nutrition, Therapeutics, Movement and Meditation in the Art of Medicine

by Thomas S. Cowan, MD

This book, written by a western MD, advocates an approach to health that focuses on traditional foods, non-toxic therapies, movement to heal and strengthen the emotions, and meditation to increase objectivity.  An easy entry into the world of holistic medicine.

The Ten Commitments - Translating Good Intentions into Great Choices

by David Simon

David Simon, M.D. and cohort of Deepak Chopra wrote this clever and useful little book. Basically it takes the Ten Commandments and "translates" them into modern, livable standards to live by. Example: the first Commandment says: "I am the Lord thy God, who brought you out of the house of Slavery." So Simon's first Commitment is: "I commit to freedom." Check out the other nine!

Screaming To Be Heard: Hormone Connections Women Suspect…and Doctors Still Ignore,

by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. (M. Evans and Company, Inc., NY)

The most comprehensive and coherent book I’ve yet seen on the subject, this is a fat book full of info, yet still missing some. Nonetheless, it should be on every female patient’s shelf. Not to mention read by every doctor who ever treats a woman.

Stop Screaming At the Microwave ,

by Mary LoVerde; Paperback

A fun self help book

PRONOIA is the Antidote for Paranoia (How the Whole World is Conspiring to Shower you With Blessings),

by Rob Brezsny

Fun and brilliant!  This is the guy who does the quirky “Free Will Astrology” feature found in many newspapers.  He has started what he calls the “Truth and Beauty Laboratory” to foster and encourage us all to become “Masters of Rowdy Bliss!”  Truly an antidote, just what the doctored ordered in the “happy news” department.  Makes you smile.  Makes you think.  A big paperback in workbook style.

Living Wabi Sabi, The True Beauty of Your Life,

by Taro Gold

A small book introducing the Japanese concept of “wabi sabi”, the beauty of imperfection and impermanence and the ability to perceive and appreciate such.

The Bodacious Book of Succulence: Daring to Live Your Succulent Wild Life!,

by Sark

For all those who never learned how to type (er, keyboard), this is a colorful, inspiring, fun way to get your mojo (whatever it happens to be) going. This is just one of many great Sark books.

Work of Her Own: A Woman’s Guide to Success off the Career Track,

by Susan Wittig Albert, Ph.D.

For those transitioning out of the “usual” work force, or thinking about it. “Transforming your work, transforming yourself.”

The Art of Time,

by Jean-Louis Serevan-Schreiber (Addison-Weslely Publishing Co., Inc)

I’m sure there are newer, more modern books about time management. But this is a gem. Written almost 20 years ago, this little book isn’t just about time efficiency but about the art and nature of time as well. “To choose the simplest definition of time, couldn’t we say that it is what measures a transformation?”

The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life,

by Thomas Moore (New York, HarperPerennial)

Insightful, inspiring…dare we say enchanting? Not a light book, it nonetheless can be a constant companion and guide.

The Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,

by Julia Cameron (NY, G.P. Putnam’s Sons)

Not just for "artists," but anyone interested in living a life more prone to the creative. Great as a straight read or as a self-course for creative jump-starting. Or most likely, both at different times. Also full of great quotes.

Vein of Gold, A Journey to Your Creative Heart,

by Julia Cameron (NY, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam)

More of the above; went deeper in some ways. Definitely a commitment, but a lovely one.

Some People Say That…God is No Laughing Matter,

by Julia Cameron (NY, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam)

One artist’s examination of her relationship with her faith as it relates to her work, health, and life. Like all her books, written with insouciant wit and sharp insight. Cameron’s take on disappointment: “Tragedy we can deal with. We weather the staggering blow. Our friends rally. We drop to our knees. We weep. We survive. What we cannot deal with, not well, is the steady drip, drip, drip of disappointment. With any luck, tragedy makes us strong and compassionate. Unless we are vigilant, disappointment makes us bitter.”

A Feminist Position On Mental Health,

by Mary Ballou, PhD. and Nancy W. Gabalac, M.Ed. (Illinois, Charles C. Thomas)

Though dry, and geared towards mental health professionals, this is a fascinating look at how our culture defines “mental health” (a male model) and what might be done about it. Expensive, and may not still be in print. But if this is an area of interest for you, this is a great find.

The Seat of the Soul,

by Gary Zukav (Simon & Schuster)

Interested in a well-written treatise on the emerging evolution of the human soul? The nature of power, intention, free will? As the book’s blurb explains, “Using his scientist’s eye and philosopher’s heart, Zukav shows how infusing the activities of life with reverence, compassion, and trust makes them come alive with meaning and purpose.”

The Universe in a Nutshell,

by Stephen Hawking (Bantam Books)

For those interested in the big picture here is Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, among other things, finally made comprehensible. Readable and well illustrated (very helpful to those of us who are visually oriented). Some of the chapter headings include: “The Shape of Time”, “Protecting the Past – Is Time Travel Possible?”, and “Our Future? Star Trek or Not?”. This reads like a sci-fi writers technical guidebook and it’s seriously interesting science.

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory,

by Brian Greene (Vintage Books, NY)

More for the wannabe quantum physicist in all of us, this is the best explanation I’ve come across of how science is proving we really are all one. Mostly understandable to the lay person (if read in small bits). Also has good graphs and illustrations of the theories under discussion.

Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel,

by Candace B. Pert, Ph.D., with foreword by Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Pert addresses the science behind mind-body medicine, exploring how the mind, spirit and emotions are unified with the physical body in one “intelligent system.”  Interesting reading that bucks many of western medicine’s cherished assumptions.

How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People, Their Secrets, Their Stories,

by Rick Foster & Greg Hicks (A Perigree Book, Div. of Penguin, NY)

The authors have turned ten years of research into an easy, intriguing read. Though I sometimes found myself skimming over the case histories (the “Their Stories” part) the overall content and direction of the book were worth the time.  Sometimes it’s good to be reminded about that half full/half empty glass!

Let’s Get Well,

by Adelle Davis

An oldie, but a goldie; and still relevant reading, to our minds.  “Adelle Davis created what is now known as the New Age health movement.”  Go here to read one of the first voices of sanity (and a “whistle-blower of sorts) in modern health and nutrition.

Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit,

by Adelle Davis

See above.  “We are indebted to [Adelle Davis] for many of the state-of-the-art “givens” of today’s nutritional thinking.”

Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About,

by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance Publishing Group, IL)

Construed as controversial by some, this intriguing book purports to “blow the lid off a nest of deception and double-standards concerning general and individual health [products].”  Very, very interesting reading.  I recommend for anyone who wants to feel informed about all health-related choices.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements,

by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC (Avery, Penguin/Putnam Group, NY)

Every household should have this reference book on their shelf.  Highly informational; it’s the go-to tome!

The Doctor’s Book of Food Remedies,

by Selene Yeager and the editors of Prevention Health Books (Rodale, through St. Martin’s Press)

A neat book, organized by food (Artichoke, Beets) and disease or disorder (Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  A casual glance at the Table of Contents reveals the listing order: “`Hemorrhoids, Herbs, Herpes, Honey….”  Also chock full of recipes for meals to help whatever ails you.  One user said, “We found this to be helpful during our year-long wrestle with [my husband’s] illness. Paired with Balch’s reference book [Nutritional Healing] it helped us feel more causative in his healing process.”

Clear Body, Clear Mind,

by L. Ron Hubbard

A why-to and how-to book for detoxifying the body, an especially important action following intense or lengthy illness. Clearly written. Many have done the program outlined here with outstanding results.  Once the body is clear, the mind and spirit are sparklier, too! Feels good!

You Can Heal Your Life,

by Louise Hay.

Louise Hay's world-famous You Can Heal Your Life details Hay's own experience with cancer and alternative healing. Through the use of affirmations, visualization, nutritional cleansing and psychotherapy, Hay was able to heal her cancer within six months without surgery or drugs. Hay believes that her methods are equally applicable to other forms of disease. Our ideas about ourselves often cause our emotional and physical problems, she claims, and if we change our thinking, we can change our lives and health for the better.

Louise Hay's theories on health and healing have found a strong popular resonance and she is one of the world's leading motivational speakers and writers. When AIDS was recognized as a serious problem in the mid-1980s, Louise Hay began to apply her theories to ?gThe Hayride?h, a hugely popular and successful support group for AIDS patients. Today, Hay House and the Louise Hay Foundation continue Hay's work.

Louise Hay lives in San Diego, California.

Click here to read an excerpt from You Can Heal Your Life.

To find out more about Louise Hay and Hay House, visit www.louisehay.com and www.hayhouse.com.

Reconstructing Aphrodite

Photographs by Terry Lorant
Introduction and Essays by Dr. Loren Eskenazi
Foreword by Dr. Susan Love

Each woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer is faced with her worst fears. Often, her anguish comes from a belief that she will no longer be attractive, or look or feel normal again. This book offers an answer to the confusion and fear that arises from this diagnosis. Reconstructing Aphrodite is a unique combination of photographic and surgical artistry, and the courageous stories of women whose lives have been transformed. The book also contains detailed information about breast reconstruction, and resources to guide you, your mother, sister, wife or friend through the maze of medical decisions that must be made if one's life has been touched by breast cancer.

The Goddess Within: A Guide to the Eternal Myths That Shape Women Lives,

by Jennifer Barker Woolger and Roger J. Woolger. Columbine: 1989.

The authors, both Jungian psychologists, argue that goddess archetypes of ancient mythology represent certain feminine qualities that still strongly influence the psyches of modern women. By looking at the ways in which these archetypes are reflected in literature, film, and clinical practice, the authors show women how to avoid the negative influences of these archetypes while harnessing their positive energies to gain strength and insight.