Christmas is not only a time of giving but also a time for reflection and study.

The Law of Attraction, Plain and Simple by Sonia Ricotti 

Today, we often see posts on social media about The Law of Attraction, but more than ten years ago, someone actually wrote a book about it. In 2009, Sonia Ricotti introduced to readers the idea that whatever we project into the universe, we attract into our lives. In her book, Ricotti shares stories, tips, and exercises to help call in positive energy instead of negative ones that hinder your dreams. Perhaps the highlight of the book is the eleven steps that govern the Law of Attraction. The steps include deciding what you want, choosing your thoughts and feelings, keeping the goal/dream in mind, and connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Sonis Ricotti’s book is concise and simple, which separates it from other books on similar subjects.

Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian

There are novels that are so riveting that they make us reexamine life and our society. Chris Bohjolian’s 2004 drama Before You Know Kindness is one of those books. It follows the Seton family-all three-generations- who gathered at their country home in New England to celebrate the end of the season. The plan is to spean a whole week together playing tennis, badminton, and golf. However, everything changes when one evening the family a gunshot that would change their lives forever. Before You Know Kindness is about a terrible accident involving a hunting rifle that wound up in the hands of an innocent girl. It is a book that all Americans should because it tackles gun control and animal rights. This beautifully written novel will make us think about our family, safety, and what should be done to make this country genuinely safe.

A Law from Eden: Solving the Mystery of Original Sin by Marilyn Taplin

Marilyn Taplin’s A Law from Eden: Solving the Mystery of Original Sin is quite an interesting read. It tackles the controversy surrounding what we know as original sin. In her book, Taplin explains that the original sin is not actually seeking knowledge or free will. The original sin is actually fornication or unnatural sex within a heterosexual marriage. She then turns to elaborate on how original sin still exists today and that it is present in the LGBTQ communities. Fornication and LGBTQ unnatural sex are similar to murder, and they have contributed greatly to the downfall of modern societies. A Law from Eden by Marilyn Taplin strongly encourages us to reflect on our sins and that of society’s moral decline. It is a remarkable read during this holiday season.

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh

Since its publication, Neale Donald Walsh’s Conversations with God, Book 1: An Uncommon Dialogue, has inspired and changed millions of lives. This 1995 book is just the first of several books featuring Walsh’s dialogue with God. Written in a simple format wherein Neale asks God questions, and then God answers. Neale Donald Walsh presents God with a variety of questions, from a personal ones to life questions. Each Q and A sheds light on many of our own inquiries and confusion. Filled with wisdom, wit, and even humor, Conversations with God is a must-read book for everyone. It is simple, and yet every page is unforgettable and makes you want to embrace life with a more positive disposition. For those who want to reflect on things and life, Conversation with God can be a great company for your self-searching.

The Road Less Traveled by Morgan Scott Peck 2003

Almost 20 years since it was first published, Morgan Scot Peck’s intellectually and spiritually enriching book that has sold over seven million copies in the U.S. and Canada continues to affect and educate readers. The Road Less Traveled guides readers into a journey of examining the nature of loving relationships and the road to serenity and fulfillment. In his masterpiece, Dr. Peck helps us identify the line between dependency from love, how to become a more sensitive parent, and finally, how to achieve self-awareness and acceptance. The Road Less Traveled is a timely read this holiday season. In this time of trials and challenges, a good book that seeks to help us in our spiritual growth and journey towards self-understanding could really be useful.