Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
I tend to choose, be given or receive recommendations for books that carry messages that find me exactly when I need them. they appear in my life almost like a Soul Teacher, helping expand my worldview or putting words to feelings I didn't know how to express. Siddhartha is no exception to this. I picked it off my shelf as a last minute addition to my summer travels. not only did it help me connect some dots in a timely manner, but prompted conversation with strangers in various countries around Europe. people who had previously read the book and been impacted by its message would engage me around it. it will find you when you're ready, and when it does, enjoy!
Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person by Alain de Botton
I once heard this was the most-read article of 2016 in the NYTimes. it found me a few years later, and when it did I understood it's popularity. beyond the enticing title, it's a fascinating take on love relationships - how they've evolved over time and why they can bring up so much challenge. we humans are complex creatures! it poses some interesting perspectives to consider.
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
another book that found me when I needed it. I was going through a period of transition and uncertainty when I was lent a used copy of this. interestingly, a previous owner (not the person who lent it to me) had underlined the book in a manner that highlighted ALL of the messages that I needed to make sense of my life at that moment in time. one of those occurrences that's hard to make sense of, and yet it made complete sense! a fictional story that was ahead of it's time on making reference to very current realities. a creative way to weave life lessons into an adventure tale. it's a light, quick read with a lot of depth if you're open to it's insights.
Liberated Love by Kylie McBeath and Mark Groves
I've always been interested in relational/relationship dynamics, and have read many books on the subject. Liberated Love stands out for me as one of the most holistic and approachable in the category. I've also long been fascinated by the inquiry into the possibility of liberation within a committed monogamous partnership. they talk a lot about this and make a great case for the ways and reasons it is fully possible. the book is a mix of personal story (how they parted ways and then found their way back to one another) along with education and plenty of opportunities for reflection, self-inquiry and growth. when it was first published, I was lucky enough to be a part of a small book club/cohort, where we read the book and then talk about each chapter alongside Kylie and Mark. they're good souls who have a lot of wisdom. regardless of partnered or single, a book worth reading with insights for all!
