Inspirational Books

Broken Open - Elizabeth Lesser

In the more than 25 years since she co-founded Omega Institute - now the world's largest center for spiritual retreat and personal growth - Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which people weather change and transition. In a beautifully crafted blend of moving stories, humorous insights, practical guidance, and personal memoir, she offers tools to help us make the choice we all face in times of challenge: Will we be broken down and defeated, or broken open and transformed?

Lesser shares tales of ordinary people who have risen from the ashes of illness, divorce, loss of a job or a loved one - stronger, wiser, and more in touch with their purpose and passion. And she draws on the world's great spiritual and psychological traditions to support us as we too learn to break open and blossom into who we were meant to be.

©2004 Villard; (P)2008 Random House

Rising Strong - Brene Brown

If you're one of the two trillion people who've heard her TED Talk, you already know Brené Brown is worth a listen. This time, she "puts her heart where her mouth is" to honestly help people get through life's inevitable failures and disappointments.

The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall. The author of the #1 New York Times best sellers Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection tells us what it takes to get back up, and how owning our stories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak gives us the power to write a daring new ending. Struggle, Brené Brown writes, can be our greatest call to courage and rising strong our clearest path to deeper meaning, wisdom, and hope.

Always a customer favorite, Brown's latest book will inspire you to join her as she unpacks our culture of—as she puts it—"gold-plating grit"—and get at the real value of failure.

©2015 Brené Brown (P)2015 Random House Audio

The Pilgrimage - Paulo Coelho

The Pilgrimage paved the way to Paulo Coehlo's international bestselling novel The Alchemist. In many ways, these two volumes are companions—to truly comprehend one, you must read the other.

Step inside this captivating account of Paulo Coehlo's pilgrimage along the road to Santiago. This fascinating parable explores the need to find one's own path. In the end, we discover that the extraordinary is always found in the ordinary and simple ways of everyday people. Part adventure story, part guide to self-discovery, this compelling tale delivers the perfect combination of enchantment and insight.

Anticancer - David Servan Schreiber

With more than 1 million copies sold in thirty-five languages in close to fifty countries, Anticancer has been acclaimed around the world. A bestseller in Canada too, Anticancer has now been thoroughly revised to analyze and explain the latest studies and put them into context. This revised edition includes

• more anti-cancer foods: learn why stone fruits (plums, peaches and nectarines) are as rich in anticancer phytonutrients as berries

• groundbreaking examples of food synergy: discover how tomatoes and broccoli fight cancer more effectively when eaten together

• revised guidelines for cell phone use: find out what precautionary measures are advised, based on a new long-term study

• new research on “the anticancer mind”: understand how the mind-body balance can slow cancer growth

Drawing on his own experience as both a doctor and a patient, Dr. Servan-Schreiber does not dismiss conventional medicine; he shows how we can all powerfully strengthen our bodies’ natural defences against cancer.

The Cancer Fighting Kitchen - Rebecca Katz

As a fourth year intern, during my internship on the cancer shift, I came across this gem of a cookbook. All of my patients were encouraged to purchase this book to help nourish their bodies.

There is a great section for teas and soups in addition to really delicious recipes that are easy to make. Despite the title of the book, I have found myself recommending it to not only patients living with cancer but many others. 

There are several recipes that call for maple syrup to sweeten the dish, but remember that sugar is sugar. I usually use half the amount of maple syrup that is called for in the recipes.

Bon Appetit!