My Recommended Reading List includes books and authors I found particularly helpful in my fifties and sixties. The middle years are uniquely fertile ground for internal change and an expanded view of self. Some call this “becoming conscious” ~ an awareness of why we do what we do; bringing the forces that motivate our actions and choices into our conscious awareness.
Over the years, books have been instrumental in expanding my awareness and understanding of many things. I therefore offer these picks here with the hope that they will do the same for you.
A WORD ABOUT TRANSFORMATION
Most of us face a period of upheaval in our lives somewhere around the start of menopause. For some, it is a particularly fierce period of change, and one that will invite you to wrestle with your beliefs and choices. We are coping with aging and dying parents, and sometimes spouses, children are fleeing the nest, careers are peaking — or not — and our bodies are going through an enormous change.
We are catapulted into a period of chaos, and there is no better place for change and transformation to take place. If you are in this place, I encourage you to grab hold, hang on and dive deep. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, it is challenging. But, I promise, you will not regret it. You are learning to listen to your inner voice and will discover, if nothing else, a better life.
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
This is a list of my favorite teachers and guides. Come back now and again as I will keep adding to the list.
AUTHORS
A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN
- SARAH BAN BREATHNACH — Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy
- MARTHA BECK — (**) Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live; (*) Steering By Starlight: Find Your Right Life No Matter What; The Four Day Win: End Your Diet War and Achieve Thinner Peace; The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life
SELF-AWARENESS
- BRENÉ BROWN — (*)The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are; (**)Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead; Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead.
- BYRON KATIE — Loving What Is: Four Questions that Can Change Your Life. Visit Byron Katie’s website for free worksheets and videos on The Work.
EXPANDED AWARENESS
- DR. CLASRISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS — Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype; Only on Audio: (**) Joyous Body: Myths and Stories of the Wise Woman Archetype; (*) Mother Night: Myths, Stories and Teachings for Learning to See in the Dark; (*) The Dangerous Old Woman: Myths and Stories of the Wise Woman Archetype; (**) Theater of the Imagination
- TARA BRACH — Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of A Buddha
- CAROLINE MYSS — She’s a prolific writer and teacher, but not everyone likes her. That being said, I’ve read everything she’s written and taken several courses with her. I’m a huge fan. To dip your toe in the water, I would suggest reading either The Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing, and/or Defying Gravity: Healing Beyond the Bounds of Reason.
- ABRAHAM-HICKS – The Law of Attraction – If you are a fan of Wayne Dyer and/or Louise Hay, you will find this series illuminating.
TRAUMA, PTSD, DEPRESSION, HEALING
TRANSFORMING TRAUMA: Uncovering the Spiritual Dimension of Healing by Caroline Myss and James Finley, Ph.D. If you are interested in understanding trauma and acquiring tools to manage it, this book is indispensable. James Finley is a powerful teacher, offering listeners a lifetime of experience, education, deep reflection and passes on many of the spiritual teachings of his mentor Thomas Merton.
WARMING THE STONE CHILD: Myths and Stories about Abandonment and the Unmothered Child
INSPIRATION
DISCOVER YOUR SOUL SIGNATURE: A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion and Joy by Penache Desai – I stumbled across this book somewhere and was so glad I did! I worked my way through it several times and found it to be a wonderful way to drift off to sleep with good vibes floating wafting in the air.
GETTING A HANDLE ON ABUSE
Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft – In this groundbreaking bestseller, Lundy Bancroft—a counselor who specializes in working with abusive men—uses his knowledge about how abusers think to help women recognize when they are being controlled or devalued, and to find ways to get free of an abusive relationship.
