From my library to yours,
Whether casual and informal or formal and purposeful, meaningful conversations matter. They connect us to one another, to ourselves and to the mysteries of life, to that which wants to be known and is bigger than any of us alone. Even as we read or discuss what we’re learning from a book or an article, we are engaging in a contemplative act, a thoughtful dialog, at the very least, with ourselves and the authors.
Noticing what’s resonating within us and sharing highlights from these experiences can be a low-cost, moving and simple way to begin and sustain important conversations about topics that matter to you, with people who matter to you. I invite you to let your relationship with these books (and the other resources offered here) point you to your true self, your interior life, inner yearnings and growth edges.
A collection of stories and narratives organized by Dori's
5 Guiding Principles
The books I’ve chosen to list here are among many favorites. Their authors are as committed as I am to encouraging meaningful conversations, healthy relationships, learning and growth. I have organized them into categories that have meaning for me – my five, guiding principles for life. Whether you access what’s here or other resources of your own, keep learning and allow yourself to be expanded, impacted and surprised by what emerges and wants your attention. Paying attention to what moves you is an advanced self-leadership skill.
Put Relationships First – beginning with the one with yourself, the Divine within and around you, and others (aka, The Conversation is the Relationship – Know Thyself)
Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom, by William Glasser, M.D.
Dancing in the Flames: The Dark Goddess in the Transformation of Consciousness, by Marion Woodman and Elinor Dickson
Goddesses In Everywoman: Powerful Archetypes in Women’s Lives, by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story, by Richard Bach
The 7 Best Things (Happy) Couples Do, by John C. Friel, Ph.D. and Linda D. Friel, M.A.
Mating In Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence, by Esther Perel
Hansel & Gretel, by The Brothers Grimm
The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge, by Beatrice Chestnut
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown
Essentialism: The Art of Typing: Powerful Tools for Enneagram Typing, by Ginger Lapid-Bogda
The Emperor’s New Clothes, by Hans Christian Andersen (published in 1837)
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Emily Nagoski PhD & Amelia Nagoski DMA
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams
Y.O.U. & the Ultimate Life Tool: The Knowledge of Y.O.U., by Dr. Zannah Hackett
The Dance of Intimacy: A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships, by Harriet Lerner, Ph.D
Keep the Lines of Communication Open (& Get Good at it) – know and develop a relationship with all of your parts and emotions; develop emotional literacy and bring this to everyone you lead, live with, care about and love (aka, The Process is the Action).
Emotional Intelligence 2.0, by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships, by Marshall B. Rosenberg
The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes Are High, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler
Eleven Minutes: A Novel, by Paulo Coelho
The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You, by Karla McLaren
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, by Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey
3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama, by David Emerald
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, & Emily Gregory
Make Love the Most Important Thing – make love more important than you fears, doubts and concerns; learn how to begin in love and why it matters, personally, professionally, practically and spiritually (aka, Love Your Life, No Matter What Life Brings – A Shift In Perspective Is A Miracle)
Why People Don’t Heal & How They Can, by Caroline Myss, Ph.D.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”, by Marianne Williamson
Intimate Conversations with the Divine: Prayer, Guidance, and Grace By Caroline Myss
Leadership & Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, by The Arbinger Institute
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict, by The Arbinger Institute
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
The Gospel of the Beloved Companion: The Complete Gospel of Mary Magdalene, by Jehanne de Quillan
Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm by Cynthia Bourgeault
The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence By John J. Prendergast Ph.D.
Make Meaning Regularly & Often – through contemplation, reflection and compassionate inquiry, we can experience true intimacy and grow by opening to the mysteries and wisdom within and around us; understanding and clarity emerge from there (aka, Activate Your Inner & Outer Observer – Nurture This Place Within Where Transformation, Empathy & Compassion Are Born).
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell), by Joseph Campbell
The Paperbag Princess, by Robert Munsch
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life, Freedom, and Justice, by Anthony Ray Hinton
Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives Through The Power and Practice of Story, by Christina Baldwin
Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O’Donohues
The Heroine’s Journey: Women’s Quest for Wholeness, by Maureen Murdock
Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche, by Robert A. Johnson
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity By Cynthia Bourgeault
The Power of Myth, with Bill Moyers, by Joseph Campbell
Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes, by Elizabeth Lesser
The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart, by Cynthia Bourgeault
Perseverance, by Margaret J. Wheatley
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity, by Nadine Burke Harris
The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder By Richard Rohr O.F.M
After Jesus Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements, by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott, Hal Taussig, & The Westar Institute
Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women, by Sylvia Brinton Perera
Ego and Archetype (C. G. Jung Foundation Books Series), by Edward F. Edinger
Mary Magdalene Revealed, by Meggan Watterson
Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything, by Viktor E. Frankl
Create A Purposeful Life (Career, Health, Relationships, Spirituality) – make space to know and honor that which wants to live and be expressed through you (aka, Ask, To What is My Life Consecrated? Align & Integrate Awareness).
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, by Eckhart Tolle
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW
Elizabeth I CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built An Empire, by Alan Axelrod, Ph.D.
Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, by John T. Cacioppo
Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home, by Toko-pa Turner Bridges
Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Employees Want, by Beverly Kaye & Julie Winkle Giulioni
Waking Up in Winter: In Search of What Really Matters at Midlife, by Cheryl Richardson
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger, by Rebecca Taister
Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson
Transitions (40th Anniversary Edition): Making Sense of Life’s Changes, by William Bridges
Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times, by Donald T. Phillips
The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended, by Ainslee Macleod
It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business Is Driven By Purpose, by Roy M. Spence, Jr., with Haley Rushing
Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential, by Caroline Myss, Ph.D.
Conscious Business: How To Build Value Through Values, by Fred Kofman
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts., by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW
The Shadow King: The Invisible Force That Holds Women Back, by Sidra Stone
Sound Medicine: How to Use the Ancient Science of Sound to Heal the Body and Mind, Kulreet Chaudhary M.D.
Deep Coaching: Using the Enneagram as a Catalyst for Profound Change By Roxanne Howe-Murphy
Are You My Type, Am I Yours? : Relationships Made Easy Through The Enneagram By Elizabeth Wagele
Now, Discover Your Strengths By Gallup Press
The Four Agreements Toltec Wisdom Collection By Don Miguel Ruiz
The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love, by bell hooks
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, by Parker J. Palmer
Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World, by Margaret J. Wheatley
A Simpler Way, by Margaret J. Wheatley & Myron Kellner-Rogers
Be A Free Range Human: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You Love and Still Pay the Bills, by Marianne Cantwell
Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble, by Stephen Jenkinson
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, by Francis Weller
Who Do We Choose to Be? Second Edition: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity, by Margaret J. Wheatley
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, by Douglas W. Tallamy
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate — Discoveries from a Secret World, by Peter Wohlleben & Mike Grady
The Gene Keys: Embracing Your Higher Purpose, by Richard Rudd
The Definitive Book of Human Design: The Science of Differentiation, by Lynda Bunnell and Ra Uru Hu
A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker J. Palmer
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chödrön
The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future, by Riane Eisler
Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, by Maya Angelou
Breathe, by Becky Hemsley & Siski Kalla
The Creative Act: A Way of Being, by Rick Rubin
Engaging Speakers: Voices of Hope, by Jen Loving, Dori Klass, Laura Bayne, Christine Wade, Mimsy Hebron, Gregory Jerome, Rhetah Kwan, Donna McPherson, Betsy Clark
I’d love to hear about what you’re learning, what’s resonating for you and how it’s changed who you’re being, how you’re relating, what you’re doing and how you’re doing what you’re doing. You can reach me here, or via LinkedIn, at my Whole Person | Whole Power™ Instagram or in my Whole Person | Whole Power™ Facebook group.
Additional Resources
Helpful websites and other recommendations
Public Speaking
Join Toastmasters International and have fun practicing and mastering the art of effective speaking, communication and articulation!
Personal Growth, Professional Development, Spiritual Evolution
Hire a coach, create an accountability partnership and/or join a sacred circle (personal and/or professional) to help you to grow and make the changes you envision for your life, personally and professionally.
Become the Role Model You Always Wanted
Find a mentor and ask to be in this partnership for at least six months or, ideally, one year. Define your shared intentions, how you will both be served by the partnership, and the actions, agreements and accountability processes you intend to follow.
Healing, Recovery, Crisis Management
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline – Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Support Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous – aa.org
If you’ve found other resources that you’d like to share, please do so. I welcome your input too. Enjoy!
