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B.A. Lampman's avatar

I'm sure there are plenty, but the only book that's coming to mind at the moment is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Ostensibly about writing, but really about so much more.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Such a good one!

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Yvonne's avatar

Caroline, thank you so much for sharing. One of my favorite books is When Things Fall Apart and also The Places That Scare You from the same author. I have to say that I love all of Pema Chodron's books and I also love books from Thich Nhat Hanh. Women Who run With Wolves is also one of my favorites and The Luminous Self. I am looking forward to reading the other books you recommended. Lately, I found a book on grieving that I would recommend : It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Levine.

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James Bailey's avatar

Caroline, I loved seeing Pema at the top of your list.

Her advice to “stop hurting ourselves” and to “befriend uncertainty with kindness and curiosity” changed the direction of my life.

My addition is Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment, and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words - by David Whyte. (Especially the chapters on Forgiveness and Friendship).

Like Pema, his perspectives are life-giving.

🙏🙏

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, James! I haven’t yet read Consolations. (I just looked it up and the reviews are glowing!) Excited to have this to look forward to.

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James Bailey's avatar

He just came out with a second volume Consolations II. It’s a deep read and I haven’t finished, but the first Consolations, I’ve gone back to hundreds of times. It’s a treasure.

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Ami's avatar

Not sure if the books will soothe the nervous system as much as teach about the power of the mind/body connection and coming home to yourself... The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation by Janina Fischer

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Anna Schott's avatar

ordered the weight lifting one!

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Robin J Archer's avatar

Thank you for this wonderful list. I’m currently rereading When Things Fall Apart so I will be making my way through the rest of your list as I’m definitely in a “wintering” phase over here. Speaking of, I recommend Wintering by Katherine May. And of course every poem by Mary Oliver, but I’ve also found her essays to be especially poignant, particularly Upstream, which I return to often. Also everything by Rebecca Solnit, but particularly The Faraway Nearby (time for a reread of that one) and A Field Guide to Getting Lost.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Wonderful suggestions! Thank you so much, Robin.

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Sally Jupe's avatar

Thanks Caroline. Great suggestions. I really need a holiday to a place called BOOK, where I can go to escape 'IT ALL' and just read, read and only read books. I have the Tao Te Ching as The Illustrated Journey version and I dip in some days to be inspired when I'm down, stuck or otherwise, and can simply sit gazing at the delicate artwork. I loved The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. It made me feel grateful for my life.

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Victoria's avatar

Oooh! Thank you for this. Been yearning for reads that soothe the soul. There's a lot of noise outside and these are the times I like to take solace in books. Here are some of my faves:

Being Mortal - Atul Gawande

The Year of Magical Thinking -- Joan Didion

On Writing -- Stephen King

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Heather Pavona's avatar

Love the book recommendations, of course, but THE PUPPET!! Love her and her fancy animal print shirt!!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you!! We’re working on an intro video and she will maybe make an appearance at a live event in the future…

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David Roberts's avatar

I have Margot in my Kindle. You've moved it up for me!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

It’s great! Smart and fun and unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Excited to hear what you think.

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Shinay Tredeau's avatar

Thanks for these. Going to pick up a copy of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” I’m sold. I would recommend, “No Bad Parts,” by Richard Swartz; “Small Wonder,” by Barbara Kingsolver; and “The Exploits of the Incomparable Mulla Nasrudin,” by Idries Shah.

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Allison's avatar

Wonderful list! Love Pema’s works and haven’t read that one in ages. I just started Margo’s Got Money Troubles yesterday!!

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Patty Barrett's avatar

My nervous system is perfect, but I guess I'll note some of these for the future!

*hand shakes while sipping a third iced coffee* *searches for first book available on Libby*

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Isabel Peña Alfaro's avatar

Books are currently the thing that is soothing my nervous system like no other. I went to the library and sat around books. That was soothing to a whole nother level!

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Kyra Lise's avatar

Love some self help/awareness recommendations! Thank you !!!

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

This is such a great list - soothed my nervous system to just to scan the list 😆 and I will be adding many to my tbr. Just finished I cheerfully refuse, by Leif enger, and even though it was technically dystopian and there was some mild peril, I loved it so much. The most delightful characters and hope for a better world!

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