Book Reviews

Visions, Trips and Crowded Rooms

Visions, Trips and Crowded Rooms by David Kessler (Hay House, £12.99) [FOUR STARS] David Kessler takes on a subject that is both extraordinary and touching.  This book is about the visions that appear to those who are close to death . These are visions of their already deceased…

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Editor’s recommendation: The O of Home

(O Books, £11.99) [FIVE STARS] What does home mean to you? Jennifer Kavanagh explores the different meanings of home through the experiences of the many varied people she has met, from refugees to travellers. A philosophical work that looks at how our perceptions of home change from person to person, this is a well-written, thoughtful work that inspires deep musing. It is not heavy reading though and even though there are…

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Tony Samara:A Modern Shaman… And Beyond

Tony Samara: A Modern Shaman… And Beyond By Nomi Sharron (Anthony Rowe, £14.99) [FOUR STARS] There is a massive glut of books on shamans and many of them follow the tried-and-tested Castenada approach of left brain student engaging with right brain shaman. It is easy to relate to a student with doubts that get dispelled as the book goes on. As such, I was expecting this to be quite a formulaic book. What a delight then to be drawn more and more in with every page holding a new surprise. The author , a successful actress, is an exceptionally good writer and her subject is not…

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Inspiration Your Ultimate Calling

Inspiration Your Ultimate Calling by Dr Wayne W. Dyer (Hay House, £8.99) [THREE STARS] If you’re hoping that this book will give you the lightning bolt you need, then think again!  You MUST, says seasoned Guru Dr Wayne Dyer be inspiring, or ‘in-spirit’ for the magic to happen.  This is about a conscious, ongoing lifestyle choice of love and forgiveness.  It’s a direction as opposed to a destination.  Dyer’s an prolific author and all-round expert in the field of spiritual self help and I felt that this book was an exercise in…

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The Fifth Agreement: A Toltec Wisdom Book

The Fifth Agreement: A Toltec Wisdom Book By Don Miguel Ruiz & Don Jose Ruiz with Janet Mills (Amber-Allen, £16.99) [FIVE STARS] 'Be impeccable with your word, Don't take anything personally, Don't make assumptions & Always do your best'. To these principles of the bestseller ‘The Four Agreements’, a fifth agreement is added: ‘Be sceptical, but learn to listen’. The fifth agreement uses doubt as a tool to understand how our perception is clouded by our beliefs. It’s about claiming back the power over your own life story and about creating…

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Angels of Divine Light

Angels of Divine Light By Aiden Storey  (Transworld, £7.99) [FOUR STARS]   From the start of this autobiography the reader gets the impression that Aiden Storey has a huge capacity for love and expressing that love, he writes about his adored mother in such a special way as well as his connection to his faith even at such a young age expressed through the various religious holidays and festivals that make up his young years. At the beginning of the book as he writes about his childhood, the structure and language used sometimes comes across as being rather rigid at…

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Tapping for life

Tapping for life by Janet Thompson (Hay House, £12.99) [FOUR STARS] If you are leading and always lead a happy life, unaffected by stress, anxiety or other psychological problems then this book is not for you.  Read no further. If, instead, like most of us, you may benefit from a self-help manual, which clearly and simply explains how to overcome emotional disturbances, then here you may find a solution. Janet Thompson draws from her experience as a practitioner to offer a drug-free form of meridian therapy: Thought Field Therapy (TFT). The self-help nature of this manual and…

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Walking with the Sin Eater; A Celtic Pilgrimage on the Dragon path

Walking with the Sin Eater; A Celtic Pilgrimage on the Dragon path By Ross Heaven (Llewellyn Worldwide, £13.99) [4 stars] Ross Heaven’s book is a self-described ‘semi-fictional work’ which continues his explorations of the Celtic traditions begun in the Sin Eater’s Last Confessions. It begins with a mystery. Upon returning from university to his former spiritual tutor Adam’s…

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Spontaneous Evolution

Spontaneous Evolution by Steve Bhaerman and Bruce Lipton (Hay House, £13.99) [FOUR STARS] A fascinating fusion of science, fresh perspectives and amusing (sometimes startling) insights that  will turn our traditional, basic (school textbook)  learning about how genetics affect our nature on it's head.  This is not a re-hashing of the old 'Nature Vs Nurture' argument but rather discusses how genetic programming affects our nature and more importantly, how it doesn't. It clearly points out that we have a choice rather than accepting our baser instincts of 'Survival of…

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Family Constellations: a practical guide to uncovering the origins of family conflict

Family Constellations: a practical guide to uncovering the origins of family conflict by Joy Manne (North Atlantic, £12.50) [FOUR STARS] Joy Manne presents a compact guide to a therapeutic technique devised by German born Bert Hellinger. Family constellations work on the theory that events in family history such as deaths, betrayals and wars impact on future and current generations.  He believes families can be caught up in the negative energy field derived from our descendants. However, he does state, we are not pre-destined to our ancestors’ fate.  Using the devise…

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The magic of angels

The magic of angels By Adele Nozedar (Metro, £7.99) [FOUR STARS] Okay, full disclosure, I’m mentioned in this book. My name appears a couple of times on the tickertape of names along the bottom of every page in this well-researched, thoughtful book on angels.  But then again so do the names of several other people including ‘you’. The names are of those people who have shown ‘angelic energies’.  If you start to get surprised when reading that roll call, you will understand, by the end of the book, the point the author is trying to make. We are…

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The Hope A Guide to Sacred Activism

The Hope A Guide to Sacred Activism By Andrew Harvey (Hay House £10.99) 4/5  If you, like me, are a bit of a ‘bliss bunny’ who tries to lead a good life and show compassion for Mother Earth and all (well some) of her kids then Andrew Harvey wants your soul! The Hope is not a self-help-by-numbers easy read and I did wonder whether Harvey was trying to covertly…

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Bridge to the Afterlife: A Medium’s Message of Hope & Healing

Bridge to the Afterlife: A Medium’s Message of Hope & Healing By Troy Parkinson (Llewellyn, £15.50) 3/5 Troy Parkinson leads the reader along his own path to spiritual awakening via mediumship. He tells how discovering for himself that death does not exist and our souls live on, had a profound effect on him. He examines the significance of being able to communicate with people after their physical bodies have…

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Secrets of the Light

    READER REVIEWS Secrets of the Light By Dannion Brinkley (Piatkus, £10.99) 4/5 For those who are interested in concepts around life after death, Dannion Brinkley’s book is a fascinating read. Part autobiography…

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The Noetic Universe: The Scientific Evidence for Psychic Phenomena

  The Noetic Universe: The Scientific Evidence for Psychic Phenomena By Dean Radin (Corgi Books, £7.99) 5/5 The timely reissue, albeit British…

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The 8 Secrets of Happiness

The 8 Secrets of Happiness By Paul Griffiths & Martin Robinson (Lion, £7.99) 3/5 It is difficult to criticise such a likeable book, but devotees of popular psychology will have heard most of its well-meaning advice before. The eight ‘secrets’ of the title are not really secrets at all – they run along familiar themes often borrowed from other people’s…

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The New Path: My life with Paramhansa Yogananda

The New Path: My life with Paramhansa Yogananda By Swami Kriyananda (http://www.crystalclarity.com, $14.95)   4/5   One almost feels sorry for author Swami Kriyananda. In the first…

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11:11 The Time Prompt Phenomenon

11:11 The Time Prompt Phenomenon by Marie D Jones & Larry Flaxman (New Page books, £13.99) THREE STARS The background to this book is that nature equals numbers. Marie Jones and Larry Flaxman take you through a selection of topics – 11:11, numerology, sacred geometry, symbols,…

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Angela’s Angels

Angela’s Angels by Angela McGhee (Hay House, £8.99) ** If you go with the blurb on the back of this book, it promises to be a fascinating insight into the life and career of the woman known as the ‘psychic detective’. Unfortunately the book doesn’t quite live up to the expectation. Whilst the early chapters about Angela’s faith and how she came to terms…

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The Crystal Bible: Vol 2

The Crystal Bible: Vol 2 by Judy Hall (Godsfield, £12.99) FOUR STARS   This book covers over 200 new crystals (vol 1 covering more traditional crystals) from my recently purchased Super Seven a “spiritual powerhouse with exceptional clarity” to others such as Mystic Topaz which “enables ‘being’ rather…

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The View: Mind over Matter, Heart over Mind

The View: Mind over Matter, Heart over Mind by various authors (Polair, £11.99) FOUR STARS   The View is a complex, in-depth, informative book. Written to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birth, the book’s theme emerged from the 1919 publication of his book, The Vital…

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One Moment Meditation

One Moment Meditation by Martin Boroson (Winter Road, £22.42) FOUR STARS One Moment Meditation is written as a journey that teaches us how to progress from a one minute meditation and achieve the same peace and relaxation out of a mere moment. Having read several books about meditation, this one outdoes the others by far in its simplicity and results. It is ideal for beginners to meditation and for those, like…

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Sun of gOd

Sun of gOd by Gregory Sams (Weiser, £14.99) FIVE STARS Sun of gOd (notice the capital ‘O’ meaning the One) is a book that fuses philosophy with spirituality – and succeeds. Sams’s belief is that consciousness is the vibrational DNA of the universe, and it’s this concept that runs throughout the book. It’s full…

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ATLANTIS: Lost Kingdom of the Andes by J.M.Allen

ATLANTIS: Lost Kingdom of the Andes by J.M.Allen (Floris Books, £16.99) ***  Atlantis is a magical, mystical lost city populated by higher beings and powered by crystals?  Then this is not the book for you!  For Jim Allen, a nifty bit of mental…

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Hot House Flower ***

  Lila Nova is an advertising executive disillusioned with her glitzy life. A chance meeting with a mysterious plant seller results in an obsession that eventually takes her to Mexico and deep into the shamanic traditions of plants. This is a rip-roaring tale and it is very cinematic (as evidenced by the fact that Julia Roberts has signed up to produce and star in the film of the book). However, the protagonist is a miserable excuse…

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Spent? End Exhaustion & Feel Great Again!

SPENT?  End Exhaustion and Feel Great Again. Frank Lipman with Mollie Doyle (Hay House, £9.99) [Five stars]   In Spent, Dr Lipman identifies the causes that lead to energy depletion such…

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The Keeper

The Keeper Natasha Mostert (Bantam, £6.99) [three stars] …

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Developing Mediumship

  Developing Mediumship Gordon Smith (Hay House Publishing  £12.99) [FIVE STARS] Having done the workshop of the same title with Gordon, I wish I'd read this wonderful book first as…

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Heretic's Guide to Vegan Cookery

  The Heretic’s Guide to Vegan Cookery Andy Murray (The Good Elf Press, £12.99) …

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Luna Moon Hare

Luna Moon Hare: A Magical Journey with the Goddess Wendy Andrew (Painting Dreams, £15) [FIVE STARS]   Upon first glance at the cover, one might assume it's aimed purely at children but this beautifully illustrated journey through…

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Secrets of the Monarch by Allison DuBois

Reader Review: Secrets of the Monarch by Allison DuBois (Pocket Books, £7.99) [five stars] Alison DuBois (the psychic who inspired the hit TV series Medium) relates how our behaviour in life has been impacted by the generations before us and how we will impact the generations to come, even after our own deaths. She isn’t trying to teach us some great new psychic technique. DuBois is a woman who wants to use her skills to help as many people as possible, and this book is part of that. She tells…

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The Animal Healer by Elizabeth Whiter

Reader Review: The Animal Healer by Elizabeth Whiter (Hay House, £12.99) [4 stars] Although not a pet owner myself, I found this an absorbing read. Elizabeth Whiter’s life changed forever when she was told her horse should be put down after a horrific accident. This triggered the self-discovery of her healing abilities. Amazingly, when treating her horse she found him responding by guiding her hands to where he needed them most. Elizabeth developed her new found skills and opened an unusual healing…

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Prayer Energy by Richard Lawrence

Prayer Energy by Richard Lawrence (Cico Books, £12.99) [three stars] Prayer has had a bad rap of late. This may be due to people using the phrase ‘I’ll pray for you’ as a passive aggressive way of disapproving or judging the life choices of others. However, this book is not about that sort of praying. Also you do not have to be religious to enjoy this book as it is less about dogma than it is about what happens when you pray from an attitude of love and openness. You may not agree with everything in the book but…

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Editor's Recommendation

Editor’s Recommendation: Super Consciousness by Colin Wilson (Watkins, £10.99) [five stars] What a delight it is to have an intellectual giant such as Colin Wilson as an advocate for the existence of something beyond the material. Here he gives short shrift to those philosophers who ultimately argue for a depressing view of life. Wilson is an optimist and his sharp brain is put to work explaining why we should all be optimists too. The search for ‘peak experiences’ is one that we should all be on. If…

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Angel Kids, Jacky Newcomb, Hay House £7.99

This latest offering from bestselling author Jacky Newcomb gives us an insight into the phenomenal world of psychic children. Angel Kids reports on the encounters that children have had with their guardian angels and loved ones on the other side. These fascinating stories include visits from deceased grandparents and parents who have come to reassure them. We also learn about the children who remember a life before they were born and the mother who lost a son who was later reborn as her grandson. Newcomb uses her expertise on angels to discuss how and…

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Real People, Real Past Lives, David Wells, Hay House £8.99

This collection of stories written by well-known astrologer David Wells focuses on ordinary people who have undergone past life regression. Many of these accounts are taken from Wells clients; each sharing their individual experiences. We discover what they have learned through regaining these memories, and how the past can affect the future. This book suggests that regression can reveal many things; it can bring guidance and understanding and has also brought people back together. More importantly, it states there are many…

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Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui, Karen Kingston, Piatkus £7.99

Using her extensive experience as a Feng Shui and space clearing consultant, Karen Kingston has put together a newly revised version of Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. This practical book has been updated to offer a step by step guide to removing your clutter, and includes a new chapter on time clutter and the importance of prioritisation.The book begins by identifying what clutter is, and the negative effects it has on us physically, mentally and spiritually. We learn how clutter can affect us without us realising, a trapped energy which can cause…

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Why is the Human on Earth, Mark Ballabon, Eminent Productions Ltd £12.95

A practical guide to help us discover the true meaning of being human, this book presents seven carefully constructed chapters, referred to as contemplations. They each consist of four integrated parts, a picture, a poem, writing and a practical exercise. Illustrating the book in this way, Ballabon achieves a light and gentle balance in allowing the reader to think about why we are living in this world. Why is the Human on Earth suggests we must look at things as though we have never seen them before. We must take each day as a new beginning, where we can…

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The Way, A Celtic Qabalah, by Reverend John, O Books £11.99

It’s a pleasure to welcome to my shelves – and to recommend to yours – this excellent, rigorous, generous book. The Rev John guides us through the ancient ‘diagram of the mind’, with the clear-eyed authority of one who has walked the walk for decades before deciding to do a bit of talking. And it is more than a work of information and explanation. The Qabalah has recently been co-modified and tarnished by celebrity advocacy and media trivialization – so this is also an act of reclamation. …

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Quantum Wellness, Kathy Freston, Ebury Publishing £11.99

This latest offering from best-selling author Kathy Freston has been put together to teach us the principles of ‘Quantum Wellness’. Freston begins by explaining what quantum wellness is, and how it can be achieved through the eight pillars of wellness, such as meditation, fun, eating, exercise, and visualisation. This provides the reader with encouragement and guidance to move forward, as references are made to her own experiences and those of close friends and clients. Freston takes us through the individual steps in order to make changes and to…

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The longest Journey, Sandy Donaghy, Trafford Publshing £12.50

This practical guide is based on the experiences of Sandy Donaghy, a homeless alcoholic who lived on the streets of Plymouth, Devon. Suicidal and lonely, Sandy was at his lowest point when he wandered into a church service. Everything was about to change. Sandy began to learn the secrets to a happy life. The Longest Journey takes us through the ‘nine keys’ which Donaghy describes as transforming his life and making him the successful entrepreneur that he is today. ‘I am now passing on to you a tried and trusted…

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Toby’s Crystal, Janet Morgan, Pen Press Publishers £5.99, As recommended by Patricia A. Luxton

My adopted grandchildren and I have enjoyed sharing a happy time together during the recent school holiday. How? We were reading Toby’s Crystal, a recently published work by Janet Morgan, mainly written for children, but could be very meaningful to adults. Following Toby’s adventures it includes encounters with wizards and crystals as well as inter-planetary communication. Toby’s involvement in these events is crucial not only to his own development…

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How to find God, Amoda Maa Jeevan, As recommended by Mrs Y. Grainge

A real gem, this book reminded me time and again in so many intricate ways to remember who I truly am, from relating to simply being, it doesn’t miss anything out. It's written with such clarity and beauty and the wisdom and insights that pour from each page mean this is a book I will return to time and again. So often in spirituality teachers talk of and guide us in waking up from our stories and so ignore the story, even ignore the body, yet this book not only includes waking up but also on how to love and accept all parts of ourselves exactly as we are now.…

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Using The Ugly Duckling To Find The Missing Link Between Boys and Men • Nick Clements • Sound of the heart £10.00

Using the concept of rites of passage with a new translation of ‘The Ugly Duckling’, Clements shows its relevance to today’s society and specifically the issues of disaffected youth, the breakdown of the family, and, particularly, the isolation and violence of young men. Though the book is primarily speaking to males there is much to learn for all of us. This makes the book uniquely valuable to women and men, particularly those struggling to understand their teenage children. Though this is by no means an…

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Good Vibrations: Psychic Protection, Energy Enhancement & Space Clearing • Judy Hall • Wessex Astrologer Ltd. £15.95

In this wonderful book, Judy Hall draws upon over 30 years of experience as a leading crystal practitioner to share her considerable knowledge on how to protect, cleanse and strengthen your energy field and your environment using crystals and flower essences, and to harness the power of your mind and intention. The advice contained in Good Vibrations is equally useful whether you are a practising MBS practitioner, a therapist, healer or counsellor, or an individual who is on a…

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Courageous Dreaming • Alberto Villoldo, PhD • Hay House £9.99

Skilfully combining science and spirituality, Villoldo presents us with a wonderfully thought-provoking book that teaches us how to rethink and become whole in mind, body, soul & spirit. Influenced by the shamanic path, Villoldo’s conversational style of writing, complete with anecdotes and exercises, makes this work a joy to read and time well invested. The exercises aim to lay neural pathways for us to achieve success in our lives, setting us free from old thought patterns that play out drama in our lives. The book is divided into two halves, the first five…

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The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles, and Belief • Gregg Braden • Hay House £9.99

The concept that there is a web of energy where all things begin and all possibilities exist is skilfully presented in this positively charged classic. Braden goes beyond directing his readers to ‘intend’ a different future, or simply declaring that we are all connected, and instead he explains how and why these statements are true, based on new scientific evidence. There is no prerequisite for the reader to have a degree in physics to understand these complex scientific concepts as the message is simply put. This ‘web’ connects us to everyone and…

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Soul Companions • Karen Sawyer • O Books £14.99

This book brings together a unique collection of conversations with spiritual healers and visionaries over a two-year period. Contributions come from Sandra Ingerman, the Barefoot Doctor – Stephen Russell, Simon Buxton and many more, who share their individual encounters with spirit. These inspirational stories include the origins of their spiritual journeys and the profound influence these have had on their own lives. The strong message throughout the book is that we are all spirit beings; however, Sawyer suggests that ‘working with spirit is…

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