Here are books I've loved-
a short list of treasures.

 

1. Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine

   I once asked a friend who is a master of nutrition to give me a list of all the books I should read in order to get up to date on all he knew about health and wellness. I asked him to tell me everything I needed to read to learn how to glow as much as he did. He handed me a reading list including only one title by Dr. Gabriel Cousens. This is the one.

   I would describe it as indispensable reading.

 

 

2. The Mission of Art

   I was astonished to find that there was a book out there that could so perfectly articulate the necessity of making art. I remember telling my mother one day that if she had any desire to understand me better to my core, she need only to read this book. A must-read. This book by Alex Grey offers brilliant insights, weaving truths from the many perspectives of this time.

 

 

3. The Secret Life of Plants

   By the same author as the above book, Peter Tompkins, this book is equally fascinating. His writings are autobiographical, anecedotal, and illuminating. Most of us are completely unaware of these perspectives. As soon as I finished it, I just wanted to give it to everyone I knew. (Same for the above.)

 

 

4. Awareness

   I realize I am giving these books a lot of praise, one right after the next, which is why this list is challenging to write. But then after all, all these lists compile the treasures I have come by in life.

   This book, which came to me from my father's shelf when I was 19, was responsible for giving me my first crystal clear glimpse at enlightenment. What a relief it was to understand for me. If his message reaches you... if you let it... it may be a lesson that never leaves you. Ten years later, I haven't seen the book since, and I can say it's never left me.

 

 

5. Spiritual Nutrition

   Also by Gabirel Cousens (#1 on this list), this book is a very in-depth, passionate look at all the author's most prized teachings. It would be impossible to read and not come out the other end more highly evolved. It's that kind of book. For the record, if there are people walking the earth at different times throughout history as visionaries, Gabriel is the closest thing I know of for this age. He is one of the wisest prophets of our time. Read it and judge for yourself.

 

 

6. Eating For Beauty

   Introducing a whole new definition of beauty. What it is, and how it can be achieved. Personal beauty is a good indication of inner health, and anyone has varying degrees of it within themselves. Learn to quickly get a grip on your health, extend your lifespan, and achieve your fullest potential for external beauty. Great tools, foods, and techniques have been discovered throughout recent years that have simple, logical, and real effects on your quality of life.

 

 

7. Dragons of Eden

   An account of the evolution of human intelligence. How the left brain dominated the right; how the reptilian brain is grandfather of our own-- and how that effects us socially; how higher evolved parts of our brains put the brakes on the more lowly functions of our animal 'root' brain. Essentially, as we have evolved, we've hooked new parts on to the old ones, upgrading and adding attachments, checks and balances-- not, reinventing from scratch. One can trace it all the way back. Fascinating account and very well done. Interesting, insightful, funny, and it makes perfect sense.

 

 

8. On the Road

   I don't care who you are, or how many times you've read it: On the Road needs to be read again and again by anyone. Jack Kerouac is the truest lunatic poet. He lived out of an untraceable rhythm that all could nod their heads to. He brought fierce lucidity out of his rucksack and laid it down in plain words for us to live again. The music of his being cannot help but be felt and reexperienced by even the most rigid reader.

 

 

9. Life Doesn't Frighten Me At All

   A supergenius work by Maya Angelou and Jean-Michel Basquiat. This is the best present I could think of to get a young child... or even for an old child no matter how old. Gorgeous artwork by Jean-Michel and inspiring poetic messages from Ms. Angelou. In fact, I would recommend this book as a first class gift for anyone.

 

 

10. Basquiat

    A biography by Phoebe Hoban. Through the deep diving account of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, the wild, seductive and rebellious artist of the 80's, we learn of life through the animal-like perfection of his sureness. He lived purely, and in the moment. He wore Armani suits splattered in paint. He dated the inchoate Madonna, snorted kilos of coke, and shot himself with enough herion to subdue a fleet of Clidesdale horses. He was the picture of art celebrity shooting like a rocket into the starry skies for all to see... complete with the perfunctory grand finale explosion. "Heart wrenching"... for a person who doesn't use that phrase.

 

 

11. Lucian Freud

    Someone got me a Lucian Freud book as a birthday gift one year which I have never forgotten. His paintings are rich with texture and light.

 

 

12. Moonage Stardust

    The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust. A must about Bowie.