Finances

Rich Dad, Poor Dad : What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor & Middle Class Don't
by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon L. Lechter, Sharon L. Lechter
    I am greatly concerned by the growing gap between the "haves" and "have nots." In the next few years there will be great economic and political upheavals. Many of today's "haves" will join the "have nots." There will also be many more ultra-rich "haves" created. Great new fortunes are being made as we enter an age of unprecendented abundance and prosperity. Today, a great education is more important than ever before. But to continue to advise a child to simply, "Study hard, get good grades, and find a secure job," could be the most dangerous advice a parent could give a child. If a child follows that advice, they will probably wind up working harder, being paid less, paying more than their fair share in taxes, and remain in a high risk position of financial uncertainty. As I said, the rules have changed. This book will teach you the rules of money that the rich play by. They are not the same. May you find some new ideas from reading this book. Ideas by which you can insure greater economic security for you and those you love for generations to come.

Health Concerns

Male Herbal Health Care for Men by James Green
    James Green has created an exhaustive index of herbs in a book I've gone back to hundreds of times. Very readable and down-to-earth, James combines good science with great advice. Includes much information of male-specific maladies (e.g. prostate) and insights into lifestyles that contribute to problems. Many recipies for daily herbal health-maintanance are tried and true. Simply the best and my personal favorite.

Parenting

The Whole Parenting Guide : Strategies, Resources and Inspiring Stories for Holistic Parenting and Family Living by Alan Reder, Phil Catalfo, Stephanie Renfrow Hamilton, Renfrow hamil
    There are many parenting books available, but few approach the subject from a politically and culturally progressive slant. The Whole Parenting Guide presents a cohesive approach to family life and values that encompasses holistic health, interest in personal growth and spirituality, environmentalism, social conscience, appreciation of diversity, and rejection of materialism. Authors Alan Reder (writer for New Age magazine), Phil Catalfo (Raising Spiritual Children in a Material World), and Stephanie Renfrow Hamilton (former editor for Parenting and Essence) cover seven key areas of family life, including nutrition, alternative medicine, creativity, money matters, and community building. They include the practical--nonjudgmental and balanced information on sensitive and highly politically heated issues such as circumcision, vaccinations, and cloth vs. disposable diapers--as well as the philosophic--including keys to raising ethical children. From pregnancy to home schooling to community activism, this comprehensive guide book, complete with detailed sidebars, personal anecdotes from parents, and extensive listings of publications, will be a welcome addition to the progressive parent's library. --Ericka Lutz

Living Life

Learning to Fly : Trapeze--Reflections on Fear, Trust, and the Joy of Letting Go by Sam Keen
    For as far back as he could remember, Sam Keen had dreamed of flying. And so just before his 62nd birthday, Keen enrolled in a trapeze class at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts, thus becoming "the oldest student at the circus." In this richly written memoir, Keen uses the details of trapeze training to frame his spiritual understanding of the world. Not surprisingly, the flight metaphors work--giving room for chapters titled "Leap of Faith," "A Fledgling Among the Eagles," and "On the Wings of Spirit."

Soul of a Citizen : Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time
by Paul Rogat Loeb
These are indeed cynical times. But to hide behind the smugness of cynicism is a kind of self-imposed death sentence, explains writer and social commentator Paul Loeb. In fact, now is the ideal time for gathering all our strengths and wisdom as spiritual beings and applying ourselves to shaping a better world, he claims.
    Are we talking social activism here? Well, yes. But before you cringe from images of shrill, humorless, burned-out activists, keep in mind that Loeb is talking about a new kind of activism--an exciting, spiritual model for creating social change. We don't have to be pious or martyred saints (as he explains throughout one chapter), starving ourselves in the name of a cause or staging protests in freezing rain. We can be "good enough" activists, assuming the task of helping 10 people in need rather than taking on the globe. We can remember the power of storytelling when convincing an audience, rather than angrily spewing scary facts. We can replenish ourselves so that we do not burn out. We can emphasize themes such as community and forgiveness rather than separatism and blame.