Aug 26, 2022·edited Aug 26, 2022Liked by Wendi Gordon
In the past I loved Anne Lamott and Henry Nouwen too - but I haven't interacted with their work in many years! I am currently reading Clair Heartsong's book "Voice of the Magdalanes"
Thanks for commenting. I'd love to know more about why you stopped reading Lamott and Nouwen, as well as what you think of the book you're currently reading.
I love love loved Anne's autobiographical works. I wasn't so much into her fiction. I was okay but didn't resonate as much. Also her last work before I moved on was a little cynical. It sounds like she's written some newer things that might be worth a read! I just haven't felt led to read Nouwen, but oddly he has been on my mind this week and then I read your post! I love the Magdalene books! Channeled wisdom about Yeshua's family!
Thanks for sharing more info! I've never read any of Anne Lamott's fiction, just her autobiographical books. I'll have to check out the Magdalene books.
I read all Anne Lamott's books--quite a twist on the usual brand of Christianity, notwithstanding which I cannot stomach worshipping God in any permutation--otherwise, I find her work relatable and her writing uniquely powerful. As to my favorite writers--I rarely read fiction--I'm interested in neuroscience and social psychology--Oliver Sacks, Daniel Kahneman, Dan Ariely, David Eagleman, and Malcolm Gladwell are a few of many who come to mind.
Yes, I find Lamott's books in which she shares her personal experiences very relatable and powerful. Thanks for sharing your nonfiction favorites; Gladwell is the only one I've read.
My favorite authors (in alphabetical order) are Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, James Baldwin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Fannie Flagg, Anne Lamott, Rosamund Pilcher, J.K. Rowling, Sidney Sheldon, John Steinbeck, Amy Tan, Mark Twain, and Alice Walker.
I guess in my case my current "favourites" are books and authors that literally changed my life and allowed to me to begin healing. Many of these are on my recommended reading list which I included here https://garysharpe.substack.com/p/lessons-learned-in-the-crucible-of ... here are a few of the most life changing for me:
The Pocket Guide to Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, by Dr Stephen Porges;
Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship, by Dr Laurence Heller, Dr Aline LaPierre;
The Master & His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, by Dr Iain McGilchrist;
Fascia Decompression: The Missing Link in Self-Care & Unblock Your Body: How Decompressing Your Fascia is the Missing Link in Healing, by Deanna Hansen;
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor;
The Brains Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity, by Dr Norman Doidges;
Limitless: How Your Movements Can Heal Your Brain, by Dr Joaquin Farias;
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, by Dr Gabor Mate;
The Heart of Trauma: Healing the Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships, by Bonnie Badenoch;
Wow, this is an extensive list of books with the power to change lives! Thank you for sharing it, and your link to more. Are there a few that stand out as especially important in your healing journey? Is the list ranked in the order of each book’s importance to you? If not, which ones rank at the top of your list?
Yes, I think it is kind of the rank order. Maybe Healing Developmental Trauma at the top in terms of understanding myself. But the self-care practice which arises from the Fascia Decompression books, called "Block Therapy", https://blocktherapy.com/ has been utterly lifechanging in terms of the physical body and mental health for me, so maybe Deanna's books are nearer the top also.
My favorite authors are often mystery writers and female. I read whatever catches my eye though.
Fiction. Louise Penny, writes freestanding murder mysteries featuring Quebec, Canada and a police inspector, Armand Gamache, in the small village of Three Pines. The storyline is beautifully written and has strong sense of place and well executed plot. If you like her style, you have the privilege of meeting a broad slice of villagers whose personalities and characters are well developed and make me care about them. Contemporary and timeless themes abound and I often puzzle to the last chapter to determine the likeliest suspect. "Still Life" is the first in the series.
Fiction. Derek B. Miller has written several novels two of which feature the same character. The first, "Norwegian by Night" won the CMA Dagger Award and the second, How to Find Your Way in the Dark", gives the back story of the main character of NBN. 1938- current time, these two books take on a dark subject with humor and are searing as prewar life, coming of age, Jewish identity in America and questions which are pertinent today are intertwined. Read both last year and still remember the pleasure in reading them and am inspired by the life story of the main character. I've read two other of this author's books and found them equally excellent.
Fiction. Kate Atkinson, Jacqueline Winspear, Nevada Barr, Laura Hillenbrand, Annie Proulx, Peter Mayle, Ursula Hegi.
Non-Fiction. Nadia Bolz-Webber, Christian pastor and author, has written several books about her unconventional life of faith. God keeps showing up in the least likely people, swearing and tattoos are prominent and struggling with scripture abounds. "Pastrix", "Accidental Saints" and "Shameless: A Sexual Reformation" have rescued my faith with a vision of Jesus' kingdom I can embrace.
Poetry. "Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry" Billy Collins selected and arranged a contemporary collection of poems which are approachable and offer a broad slice of authors and subject matter. If you're like me, the poetry unit of HS English was painful, obscure and, at 16, pointless. I picked this up WANTING to like poetry and had enjoyed BC when he was poet laureate of the USA. I also needed something quick and not too engrossing while I guarded my 3 cats bowls from the bottomless stomach of our overweight and gobbling ginger cat for 30 minutes twice a day. I've found favorite poems which touch deeply and put concise words to complex emotions. I've also found authors I love and have bought their poetry. If you're curious at all, it satisfies deeply and there is a second book with "180 more" poems.
Non fiction. Atul Gawande, Sarah Held Evans, Barbara Brown Taylor, Anne LaMott, Bill Bryson.
Thanks for sharing your favorites, Melissa! I am also a huge fan of Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber and have read all three of her books you mentioned. Did you know she has a Substack newsletter too? I subscribe to it.
I also enjoy murder mysteries, including many by female authors, but haven’t read any by Louise Penny. Perhaps I will, now that you’ve shared how much you enjoy her novels.
The poetry book intrigues me, too. I have found some poems that touch me deeply on other sites, as well as some that make no sense to me and leave me baffled as to why they appeal to some people.
Yes! I do subscribe to Nadia's substack newsletter! Had the pleasure of hearing her speak in-person in my community during the last year as well.
The introduction to the poetry book may help with understanding, as it did to me, what accessible poetry is comparatively. At 63, I have no desire to delve into inaccessible poetry and am delighting in the clarity and imagery of the former.
Hello! I read less contemporary work than maybe I should, but lately I've read all I can get my hands on of George Saunders, and I participate in his Story Club with George Saunders here on substack. Amazing story-telling, scholar, writer, human being.
For fiction, I'm usually in the Faulkner, Garcia-Marquez, Tolstoy, Fitzgerald camp, with a smattering of other writers. I read mostly memoir, as that's what I write as well.
For nonfiction, I'm all over the board but I was a writing teacher and write about writing on Medium, so I read a lot of writing craft books - Zinsser, Lamott, Mary Karr, John McPhee. But a couple of nonfiction writers I like - Richard Selzer - one of the most humane literary doctor-writers that lived, funny, witty, with a look at the bigger picture by drilling down deep into the tissues of the body - Mortal Lessons is the book I remember the most. I also like Ivan Doig - This House of Sky.
Hi Lee, Thanks for mentioning the writers you enjoy. I am definitely intrigued by some of your descriptions of authors whose books I have not read. Like you, I write on Medium (though rarely about writing) and share experiences from my life, so I also enjoy reading memoirs.
Hi Wendi, everyone. I'm drawn to non-fiction, self-help books. I have loved the works of Paulo Coelho, Deepak Chopra, Osho. I feel I'm energetically drawn to books. I reread The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Currently I'm reading Through Time Into Healing by Dr. Brian Weiss. Intriguing!
I'm an author myself. Of course, my book is a self-help book. It's titled WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE.
I've shared the lessons I learned from my favorite authors' books in this story below:
Thanks, Neha. I like Paulo Coelho, too. Also, if you haven’t read Brendan Burchard’s book, “Life’s Golden Ticket,” I highly recommend it. I’m going to read your Medium article now; thanks for linking to it.
In the past I loved Anne Lamott and Henry Nouwen too - but I haven't interacted with their work in many years! I am currently reading Clair Heartsong's book "Voice of the Magdalanes"
Thanks for commenting. I'd love to know more about why you stopped reading Lamott and Nouwen, as well as what you think of the book you're currently reading.
I love love loved Anne's autobiographical works. I wasn't so much into her fiction. I was okay but didn't resonate as much. Also her last work before I moved on was a little cynical. It sounds like she's written some newer things that might be worth a read! I just haven't felt led to read Nouwen, but oddly he has been on my mind this week and then I read your post! I love the Magdalene books! Channeled wisdom about Yeshua's family!
Thanks for sharing more info! I've never read any of Anne Lamott's fiction, just her autobiographical books. I'll have to check out the Magdalene books.
I read all Anne Lamott's books--quite a twist on the usual brand of Christianity, notwithstanding which I cannot stomach worshipping God in any permutation--otherwise, I find her work relatable and her writing uniquely powerful. As to my favorite writers--I rarely read fiction--I'm interested in neuroscience and social psychology--Oliver Sacks, Daniel Kahneman, Dan Ariely, David Eagleman, and Malcolm Gladwell are a few of many who come to mind.
Yes, I find Lamott's books in which she shares her personal experiences very relatable and powerful. Thanks for sharing your nonfiction favorites; Gladwell is the only one I've read.
John Steinbeck East of eden, Cannery row and all the others
Anne Lamot
E Hemingway, everything
Jo morra, Trails plowed under, Ian Tyson likes him too
Thanks for your comment, Carl. I like Steinbeck and Hemingway, too.
My favorite authors (in alphabetical order) are Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, James Baldwin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Fannie Flagg, Anne Lamott, Rosamund Pilcher, J.K. Rowling, Sidney Sheldon, John Steinbeck, Amy Tan, Mark Twain, and Alice Walker.
Great list; thank you for sharing it. I like many of those authors too!
I guess in my case my current "favourites" are books and authors that literally changed my life and allowed to me to begin healing. Many of these are on my recommended reading list which I included here https://garysharpe.substack.com/p/lessons-learned-in-the-crucible-of ... here are a few of the most life changing for me:
The Pocket Guide to Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, by Dr Stephen Porges;
Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship, by Dr Laurence Heller, Dr Aline LaPierre;
The Master & His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, by Dr Iain McGilchrist;
Fascia Decompression: The Missing Link in Self-Care & Unblock Your Body: How Decompressing Your Fascia is the Missing Link in Healing, by Deanna Hansen;
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor;
The Brains Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity, by Dr Norman Doidges;
Limitless: How Your Movements Can Heal Your Brain, by Dr Joaquin Farias;
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, by Dr Gabor Mate;
The Heart of Trauma: Healing the Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships, by Bonnie Badenoch;
Wow, this is an extensive list of books with the power to change lives! Thank you for sharing it, and your link to more. Are there a few that stand out as especially important in your healing journey? Is the list ranked in the order of each book’s importance to you? If not, which ones rank at the top of your list?
Yes, I think it is kind of the rank order. Maybe Healing Developmental Trauma at the top in terms of understanding myself. But the self-care practice which arises from the Fascia Decompression books, called "Block Therapy", https://blocktherapy.com/ has been utterly lifechanging in terms of the physical body and mental health for me, so maybe Deanna's books are nearer the top also.
Thanks for sharing that!
My favorite authors are often mystery writers and female. I read whatever catches my eye though.
Fiction. Louise Penny, writes freestanding murder mysteries featuring Quebec, Canada and a police inspector, Armand Gamache, in the small village of Three Pines. The storyline is beautifully written and has strong sense of place and well executed plot. If you like her style, you have the privilege of meeting a broad slice of villagers whose personalities and characters are well developed and make me care about them. Contemporary and timeless themes abound and I often puzzle to the last chapter to determine the likeliest suspect. "Still Life" is the first in the series.
Fiction. Derek B. Miller has written several novels two of which feature the same character. The first, "Norwegian by Night" won the CMA Dagger Award and the second, How to Find Your Way in the Dark", gives the back story of the main character of NBN. 1938- current time, these two books take on a dark subject with humor and are searing as prewar life, coming of age, Jewish identity in America and questions which are pertinent today are intertwined. Read both last year and still remember the pleasure in reading them and am inspired by the life story of the main character. I've read two other of this author's books and found them equally excellent.
Fiction. Kate Atkinson, Jacqueline Winspear, Nevada Barr, Laura Hillenbrand, Annie Proulx, Peter Mayle, Ursula Hegi.
Non-Fiction. Nadia Bolz-Webber, Christian pastor and author, has written several books about her unconventional life of faith. God keeps showing up in the least likely people, swearing and tattoos are prominent and struggling with scripture abounds. "Pastrix", "Accidental Saints" and "Shameless: A Sexual Reformation" have rescued my faith with a vision of Jesus' kingdom I can embrace.
Poetry. "Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry" Billy Collins selected and arranged a contemporary collection of poems which are approachable and offer a broad slice of authors and subject matter. If you're like me, the poetry unit of HS English was painful, obscure and, at 16, pointless. I picked this up WANTING to like poetry and had enjoyed BC when he was poet laureate of the USA. I also needed something quick and not too engrossing while I guarded my 3 cats bowls from the bottomless stomach of our overweight and gobbling ginger cat for 30 minutes twice a day. I've found favorite poems which touch deeply and put concise words to complex emotions. I've also found authors I love and have bought their poetry. If you're curious at all, it satisfies deeply and there is a second book with "180 more" poems.
Non fiction. Atul Gawande, Sarah Held Evans, Barbara Brown Taylor, Anne LaMott, Bill Bryson.
Thanks for sharing your favorites, Melissa! I am also a huge fan of Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber and have read all three of her books you mentioned. Did you know she has a Substack newsletter too? I subscribe to it.
I also enjoy murder mysteries, including many by female authors, but haven’t read any by Louise Penny. Perhaps I will, now that you’ve shared how much you enjoy her novels.
The poetry book intrigues me, too. I have found some poems that touch me deeply on other sites, as well as some that make no sense to me and leave me baffled as to why they appeal to some people.
Yes! I do subscribe to Nadia's substack newsletter! Had the pleasure of hearing her speak in-person in my community during the last year as well.
The introduction to the poetry book may help with understanding, as it did to me, what accessible poetry is comparatively. At 63, I have no desire to delve into inaccessible poetry and am delighting in the clarity and imagery of the former.
Hello! I read less contemporary work than maybe I should, but lately I've read all I can get my hands on of George Saunders, and I participate in his Story Club with George Saunders here on substack. Amazing story-telling, scholar, writer, human being.
For fiction, I'm usually in the Faulkner, Garcia-Marquez, Tolstoy, Fitzgerald camp, with a smattering of other writers. I read mostly memoir, as that's what I write as well.
For nonfiction, I'm all over the board but I was a writing teacher and write about writing on Medium, so I read a lot of writing craft books - Zinsser, Lamott, Mary Karr, John McPhee. But a couple of nonfiction writers I like - Richard Selzer - one of the most humane literary doctor-writers that lived, funny, witty, with a look at the bigger picture by drilling down deep into the tissues of the body - Mortal Lessons is the book I remember the most. I also like Ivan Doig - This House of Sky.
Hi Lee, Thanks for mentioning the writers you enjoy. I am definitely intrigued by some of your descriptions of authors whose books I have not read. Like you, I write on Medium (though rarely about writing) and share experiences from my life, so I also enjoy reading memoirs.
Hi Wendi, everyone. I'm drawn to non-fiction, self-help books. I have loved the works of Paulo Coelho, Deepak Chopra, Osho. I feel I'm energetically drawn to books. I reread The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Currently I'm reading Through Time Into Healing by Dr. Brian Weiss. Intriguing!
I'm an author myself. Of course, my book is a self-help book. It's titled WIRED FOR SELF-LOVE.
I've shared the lessons I learned from my favorite authors' books in this story below:
https://medium.com/illumination/5-highly-spiritual-authors-books-that-give-your-life-a-new-meaning-44d13f83aa62
Thanks, Neha. I like Paulo Coelho, too. Also, if you haven’t read Brendan Burchard’s book, “Life’s Golden Ticket,” I highly recommend it. I’m going to read your Medium article now; thanks for linking to it.
Thanks for the book recommendation Wendi, I'll look out for it.