100 Books Like Into the Magic Shop

I love this book and reread it often.

Why? Because it reassures me that I’m not alone in searching for greater peace of mind. Jon Kabat-Zinn combines stories from Buddhism and his own practice with humor and words of encouragement to remind me that it is up to me to wake up from the mindless rush of compulsive planning, worry, regret, and resentment that too often cycles through my mind like the voices on a talk radio station.

He also reminds me to be kind to myself, not to fall into shame or self-accusations, because mindfulness is an ongoing practice to become more centered, aware, and balanced.

I smile when I catch myself drifting away from being mindfully present, take a deep breath, and return to the here and now. And this process continues in my formal meditation practice each morning and my ongoing attempts to be more mindfully aware… show more.

This is the book I've re-read the most. It’s also the book I’ve gifted the most. Why? Because amongst the hundreds of personal growth books I’ve read, none laid out for me a clearer path to lasting inner peace and transcendence. 

Singer identifies the central problem of human existence: we don’t feel right on the inside, so we rearrange the outside world to feel better on the inside. That ain’t ever gonna work. Instead, Singer guides us along the path of spiritual growth towards what does work: unclenching our way to true liberation from our own thoughts and blockages.

I try to re-read a chapter of this book daily as a reminder to apply its principles. It has profoundly enriched my life. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

I want to hug this charming, wise lady! 

She went through a hard time by believing she had choices. I admire her for not being defeated. 

Now a celebrated psychologist, trauma specialist, inspirational speaker, and all-around loveably cute grandma, her story was gripping and moving, especially her brave trip to return to the Auschwitz concentration camp, to face the trauma of her time there during World War 2.

I was awestruck and impressed by how she confirmed her choice and life’s mission to be happy and helpful, no matter what. I was inspired, to say the least. It convinced me that if she can do that, I can tackle a few challenges too.

She is my new sweet Nana.

Dr. Chatterjee’s podcast Feel Better, Live More and The Stress Solution gives a fascinating insight into Dr. Chatterjee’s work with patients and how he has been coaching them into better health by reducing their stress levels. As a stress management expert myself, I am a huge advocate of learning techniques to help you reduce stress and, as Dr. Chatterjee says, it only takes a few small lifestyle changes to live a happier life. This book will give you simple steps to take that can really transform how you feel.

I love this book. It's such an incredible story about conquering challenges that appear near-impossible. Diana Nyad was the first person in history to swim 103 miles non-stop from Cuba to Florida which she did successfully on her 5th attempt at 64 years old! What is fascinating is how she managed to separate herself from negative thinking - from doctors and the public, not to mention her own.⁣

It is difficult to find books that have both a solid research background and explain concepts in a manner that is easy to understand. As a Sophrologist, I have a strong interest in scientific studies that measure how meditative practices like mindfulness, sophrology, or transcendental meditation can transform our brain and therefore our consciousness. Dr. Laureys has written a captivating book, sharing his rigorous scientific approach while using an accessible tone throughout on how the brain of meditation masters of our time have transformed their brains. This book makes you want to take up meditation and explore the infinite possibilities of the mind.

I found this book so compelling that I not only read it but found myself putting it into practice right away in my own life and with my patients. Jill Bolte Taylor’s story is quite remarkable in the way she describes witnessing her own massive stroke, its effect on her brain and body, and her eight-year journey of healing herself back to health and wellness.  

What was most fascinating to me was her observation and description of the four quadrants of our brains and how each one has its own personality (the rational, logical self; the reactive, self-protective, emotional self; the playful, free-spirited and present-focused self; and the spiritual, expansive whole self that experiences oneness with all things).

The book has abundant opportunities to experience the workings and "personalities" that reside in your brain and psyche and learn how to help each part work together in harmony to live your… show more.

Deb Dana has an amazing gift of taking polyvagal theory (understanding the role of our autonomic nervous system and its evolution) and making it so understandable, accessible, and essential for our day-to-day lives.

This book truly transformed how I view the world, offering an understanding of how our autonomic nervous system underlies everything we do and feel. What I loved about this book was how hands-on it was. Deb takes you through simple but profound exercises to learn how to create a felt sense of safety in the nervous system and find your way back there when you get out of balance.

This book offers a beautiful path to resilience and well-being. It changed how I go through my life and how I work with my patients.

Kelly McGonigal is nothing short of brilliant in the way that she takes neuroscience, research, and spiritual wisdom traditions and weaves them together into this audiobook/course that is powerfully experiential and hands-on.

She describes and then shows firsthand, through guided practices, how we can cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion and use this to help us change behaviors and habits. Whether one wants to improve their physical health, feel better emotionally, or start or stop a behavior to improve their well-being, this program offers a path forward.

I found the practical, experiential exercises she offers in this book immensely helpful for incorporating what she teaches into my life. This is the hallmark of a great teacher, and Kelly is just that.

I read Shauna Shapiro’s Good Morning, I Love You when I was going through some difficult times, dealing with old abusive family patterns and trying to give myself the love and acceptance I hadn’t received as a child.

Shauna tells how she discovered the approach to mindful kindness and loving self-acceptance when she was also going through difficult times, and her therapist told her to say, “Good morning, Shauna, I love you.”

It took her a while to do this, and it’s taken me a while to follow her example. But her book was like a kind, supportive friend, reminding me that I’m not alone, that I can give myself the loving acceptance that I need and heal my childhood pain, one day, one small act of kindness, at a time.

This book has made a positive difference in my life.