Self Help Books, Cook Books, Wellness Books . . .

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

What are you currently reading (it can be a great web site or blog that is helpful too ) that is helping you personally to lead a more centred and fulfilled life?

Intellectually stimulating, work and /or business oriented, educational, wellness centred, health related, food orientated, religious or faith or philosophically orientated, psychologically oriented, - please share with us what you are reading, what you have read and would recommend - and most importantly - why !?!

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

I'll start off if I may with three that I've got on the go.
"A Whole New Mind" (Moving From the Information Age to the Conceptual Age) by Daniel H. Pink (who has a killer web site I might add) was published in '05 - and was a gift to me from a beloved GF that year. I skimmed it - but did not have the time to concentrate - my father was dying. Now - I have it to hand again and I'm slowing reading it, with note pad to hand. It's a "groundbreaking guide to surviving, thriving, and finding meaning in a world rocked by the outsourcing of jobs and the computerization of our lives". The era of "left - brain" dominance is ostensibly on the wain, and the time for "right-brain" individuals of a more artistic and holistic bent has come. It's a riveting, encouraging and educational read,

I've always been a fan of Dr. Andrew Weil, and I am reading "Eating Well for Optimum Health" and "Natural Heath, Natural Medicine (A Comprehensive Manuel for Wellness & Self-Care). The former was published in 2000, and the latter in 1990 - yet as combined reading - almost everything discussed appears fresh and current - and of course, for reference purposes and updates, he too has an excellent web site.

[Suuse]

I don't suppose a book on available light photography is going to be of much interest. Which certainly rules out the book on darkroom techniques. (Yes, I still shoot film and print my own photos now and again.) Then there are books on intellectual property law and HTML. I could use a good read. Anyone???

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Yes. Anyone? Is no one reading? Is it all summer bodice ripping stuff? Okay ....... any stimulating life enhancing bodice ripping muscles rippling fodder we absolutely MUST read? After all, guilty pleasure is good for us too, and I heard on NPR radio that this years romantic fiction convention was a roaring success, and that bodice rippers were selling better than ever!

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Suuse. "Intellectual property law and HTML" . Hummm. That's got to be the riveting nighttime reading for the gal who is apart from her beloved husband eh? Oh my.

[Suuse]

I'm a big fan of "Diet For A Poisoned Planet" by David Steinman. The title pretty much says it all.

http://www.amazon.com/Diet-Poisoned-Planet-David-Steinman/dp/034537...

[Chez moi]

Interesting... I still live by my ooooold and treasured copy of 'Diet for a Small Planet', which of course addresses more the philosophy of food choices than the practicalities. Since I buy few prepared foods, and try to buy the 'cleanest' produce, fish and meats possible, I don't think I'll invest, but for a busy city dweller it sounds a good investment.

Other than that I'm not big on self-help books.

Just finished 'The Shipping News' and am looking forward to dipping into Amy Tan's memoir, 'The Opposite of Fate' and Barbara Kingsolver's collection of essays, 'Small Wonders'. Two writers I love, provided by my dear sister who loves to haunt the used bookstores and surprise me.

[Suuse]

Ok...not exactly a "summer read", but "The World And Other Places" by Jeanette Winterson. The "why" is easy: she's a marvelous writer and the stories just fly by. And, being short stories, it's a pick-up/put-down book that means I can get some work done! ;)