The Tao of Love and Sex: The Ancient Chinese Way to Ecstasy
by Jolan Chang
This book was handed to me by an ex-lover who said, “Read this and come back to me in a few months”. After I got over the bruised ego, I found it had changed my (love) life forever. This stuff works! Remember this, “Left right shallow deep”!
Shantaram: A Novel
by Gregory David Roberts
An inspiring, massive, and mostly auto-biographical story of a young Australian man who lands in Bombay with a fake New Zeland passport. This is a thrilling pot-boiler perfect for travelers, adventurers, pleasure seekers, and those afraid of being incarcerated – our main character escapes imprisonment! He is a complicated hero, who knows how to survive outside system, and make a life in a decaying, corrupt society.
The Power of One: A Novel
by Bryce Courtenay
One of the best and most inspiring books I’ve ever read. The story takes place in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s. Peekay, our hero, is an Anglo-African boy, who is sent to boarding school at the age of five. Despite much ridicule and adversity, he grows up on his own, empowering himself and making friends along the way. He discovers he has a passion for boxing, and follows his dreams, overcoming his weaknesses. He is sensitive, yet strong, and learns the “Power of One”. When you’re done with this book, you will be ready for the sequel, “Tandia”!
How To Win Friends and Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
The original book of people-skills, written back in the day – 1937. It was a runaway hit back then, and is still relevant now. People take the Dale Carnegie course to learn how to succeed in sales. More importantly, what he teaches us is how to get along with people and the value of taking a genuine interest in others. This book should be read and re-read, especially by anyone who feels a bit shy in social situations.
Remember, Be Here Now
by Ram Dass
The classic by the legendary guru, ex-hipster, Ram Das, the former Dr. Richard Alpert. Written in 1973, long before Eckhardt Tolle had his epiphany about the “Power of Now”, this is a simple treatise on staying in the moment. Finding peace and spiritual freedom are the treasure one receives when one centers on “now” instead of worrying about the future or the past. Ram Das offers some practical techniques to imbue one’s life with a sense of sacredness and centerdness. I found this book really helpful, and think you should “Read this book now!”
Geek Love: A Novel
by Katherine Dunn
A dark tale about a family of circus freaks, who have been bred purposely to be freakish. Horrific, yet fascinating, it introduces us to the concept that not only is beauty in the eye of the beholder, but it’s all about our perspective. To the circus geeks in this story, people from outside the circus world are the freaks. There’s incest, there’s rape, there’s murder! It’s chilling, yet captivating at the same time. If you’re not immediately repelled, you won’t be able to put this book down.
