I’m excited – this is the first of a monthly book list I’m going to share on the Blog, because there are just so many wonderful books out there!
As you know I’m a big advocate for holidays and embracing down-time – and there’s no better way to enjoy that than getting lost in a good book.
Taking the time out to read is so delicious, but knowing which book to pick up can be tricky. No stress here though 🙂 – I’ve put together a short list of my highly recommended holiday favourites that I know you’ll love as much as I do. These are perfect reads if you are looking for a fresh perspective or craving some new life insights.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a delightful, inspirational read following the journey of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago. Santiago, believing a recurring dream to be prophetic, decides to travel to a Romani in a nearby town to discover its meaning. The gypsy tells him that there is a treasure in the Pyramids in Egypt.
Early into his journey, he meets an old king, Melchizedek, who tells him to sell his sheep to travel to Egypt and introduces the idea of a Personal Legend. Your Personal Legend “is what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.” And don’t we go off into the wide world and forget that? He adds “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. The Alchemist is a warming and uplifting read that stays with you long after you’ve read it.
Choosing Me Before We by Christina Arylo
Are you looking for love, healing from love lost, or want to freshen up the love you have? This book might be a goody for you these holidays. I’ve just gifted it to a dear friend of mine and after a quick glance she is already excited to read it. Choosing ME Before WE invites you on a wee adventure that starts to reframe A LOT of stuff. Christina Arylo tells you to stop: Stop settling, stop chasing fairy tales and start loving the most important person in our life – your Self! And honestly, this is the biggie. We all talk about how you need to love yourself if you’re ever going to love anyone else, BUT most of us don’t know how to do it!
In Choosing ME Before WE, you are led on a journey to discover the possibilities, tools and realities needed to create the life and partnership you really want. Christina shares her own story very generously, as well as stories of other women. It’s practical, insightful and straight up. Just the way we like it.
Choosing ME Before WE: Every Woman’s Guide to Life and Love on Amazon
A New Earth By Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle has written several books and perhaps the most readable is A New Earth; Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. It is a book to pick up when you feel moved to do so, and will give you much to think about. To me this book points to many of the understandings that are fundamental to a wise, peaceful and empowered life; and that can certainly lead to finding more ease in your everyday life.
In first chapter, Eckhart Tolle talks about the purpose of the book stating that it can be either totally useful or meaningless for those whom to read it. “It will be useful if at the end, you are peaceful.” That gives you a sense of the tone. He mentions, “The ideas and concepts presented here may be important. But, they are secondary. They are no more than signposts pointing toward awakening. As you read, a shift takes place within you. The book’s main purpose is not to add new information or beliefs in your mind or try to convince you of anything, but to bring about a shift in your consciousness.”
I’ve worked with numerous clients this year facing challenging situations, and I know from my own experience that it can be so tempting to shy away from dealing with it, or wishing it would just go away. It can seem impossible to accept what life is presenting us with. It is, however, the only way. “Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening … If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in” – Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose on Amazon
The Five Love Languages By Gary Chapman
If you haven’t already come across Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages, check it out. This is a great book if you wish to deepen your understanding of how you and your loved ones feel loved and cherished. It applies to couples, as well as children, parents and siblings.
Let’s face it, while love is a many splendid thing, it is sometimes a very confusing thing, too. And as people come in all varieties, shapes, and sizes, so do their choices of personal expressions of love. But more often than not, the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can mean that while we might be offering our love and affection, it may not be being received the way we think it is – a little like saying ‘I love you’ in Spanish, when your partner only speaks English and assumes you’re just asking them to take out the trash again (well, maybe not that bad!). But a lot can get lost in translation – sometimes leading to misunderstanding, quarrels, and even divorce.
Quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch are the five basic love languages. Dr Gary Chapman identifies these and guides couples towards a better understanding of their unique languages of love. It’s about understanding ourselves, our loved ones, and becoming even better communicators. Take a read and nourish your relationships today.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts on Amazon
So there you have it; four books that will open up your mind and get you thinking.
Do you have a highly recommended book you want to share? I would love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below or head over to the “start with you” Facebook page.
Karen x
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