Books like Revelations of Divine Love — picked by fans

Before Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, there was this, which is considerably shorter and more to the point.

Published in 1958, Herrigel’s book was a threshold moment in the westward spread of Eastern ideas. I read it in high school, and what still sticks with me is the kyudo Master’s instruction on how to draw the bowstring: “to let only your two hands do the work, while your arm and shoulder muscles remain relaxed, as though they looked on impassively. Only when you can do this will you have fulfilled one of the conditions that make the drawing and the shooting ‘spiritual’.” 

I love translation. Oftentimes, the style to which I aspire could be called “as translated.”

I especially enjoy translations of sacred texts. The Tao Te Ching stands out in that regard first because it admits in its first line that “the Tao that can be named is not the Tao.” Second, the entire text is so short you can compare translations while standing in the aisle of the bookstore.

I recommend this one because Stephen Mitchell is kind of the Goldilocks of all translators, and because this version is also among the smallest and most portable. I also enjoy that, when I voice-typed this description, the computer translated my pronunciation of the title as “the dowdy chain.”   

This recommendation, I’ll admit, takes as its premise the hope that your partner on this walk might be Eli, the protagonist and narrator of The Beaut’, who—if I know him—probably snuck in his first read of the Huxley some time between the single day that he is remembering and the day he decided to tell us about it.

The question was, was there ever an edition of The Doors of Perception that wasn’t coupled with its customary companion, Heaven and Hell? Turns out there was, making this a mere 38-page volume of charmingly recollected mind expansion, and the next best thing to being there, which you kind of would be on your walk.

This abridged edition of the much longer Gospel is still lengthy for this list, but such a perfect size and shape—a little golden brick, perfect for the lower pocket of a cargo pant, and well worth the weight.

An account of Gupta’s meeting and brief apprenticeship with the last consensus divine incarnation in the Vedantic tradition, the Paramahamasa Sri Ramakrishna (who fell ill and died during its composition), this volume need not be read sequentially.

Every page contains its own lesson, is happy to be opened and closed, or left alone to rub against the side of your left knee. The perfect pebble for your shoe. 

I’m a sucker for a good éclair, and choux pastry is probably one of my favourite things to bake, so this book is a real goldmine!

I love that it breaks down the basic techniques of choux pastry and cream fillings but is also packed with creative recipes, original flavour associations, and gorgeous desserts.

It may not be the best book for beginners, but if you are looking for inspiration, it is an amazing book to browse through!

"Good, simple food is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Cook often." These lines from the introduction of "Tasty" perfectly capture the spirit of this delightfully useful cookbook. Finamore obviously knows his way around the kitchen, and his recipes are both practical and joyful. Clearly written and full of friendly tips and advice, this is a cookbook that more than lives up to its promise of delicious results for everyday meals (from breakfasts to snacks) without taxing the cook. It's also a smart and entertaining read, and just the type of cookbook that will indeed inspire you to cook often.

As a long-time fan of Eugene Peterson, I intentionally sought out his book. I was attracted by the title, the praying imagination. I came hungry to Revelation for more understanding and he masterfully sets the table with a feast of Jesus’ last words each one to be continually savored and enjoyed. It’s as if I am ushered into the heart of Revelation to linger and pray and sing and reflect on the wonder and grace of the crucified and risen Lamb. And among all these riches, I found additional confirmation for my own dramatic interpretation of Revelation! 

In U and I: A True Story, the death of Donald Barthelme inspires Nicholson Baker to write a book about his obsession with John Updike while his muse is still alive. Coining the term “memory criticism,” which he defines as “a form of commentary that relies entirely on what has survived in a reader’s mind from a particular writer over at least ten years of spotty perusal,” Baker embarks upon a wildly entertaining meditation that reveals as much about the writing process as it does about Updike (and Baker) himself.

In this book, Elliot is a boy whose best friend, Colton, was just murdered. Devastated by the discovery of Colton’s body, Elliot is even more concerned to find a note in his locker—from somebody claiming to be Colton’s killer.

This riveting mystery follows Elliot as he desperately finds the clues left by Colton’s alleged killer. But as he does so, he starts to think that maybe he didn’t know his best friend as well as he thought he did. Either way, Elliot is determined to find the truth.

This was one of the last pieces Merton wrote before his life was cut short in 1967 and I believe that he outlined both the problems with education in the modern world as well as a possible solution in an accessible way. I often go back to the first chapter in this work as a foundation for my own understanding of teaching and learning. It is truly inspiring!