books | Carr party of five

And by lovers….I mean books, of course. Come on people. Get your heads out of the composting bin.

Ok. I’m gonna get right to it. I love love love books on spiritual guidance/how to be my best self/how to be of greater service to my family and the world. I just do. And I know it’s not for everyone, which is great news actually, because then I’d have nothing to share with people. I’d be all ohmygosh I have to tell you about this super cool thing Dr. Wayne Dyer said about when you change your thoughts….and then they’d be like…yep Lis. Read that. I already KNOW how to change my thoughts so that I can change what I see in the world. NEXT.

But alternately, I do love talking about books with people who enjoy these kinds of books. Because then I might hear of one that makes me jet off to good ole’ Amazon quicker than a woman ordering the latest handbag that Jen Hatmaker herself wore during her amazing trip to all the amazing places in the world. I may or may not have raced there only to find that they are all sold out. Thanks for nothing Jen. OH fine. I still love you, because I did get in on your plug about the beachwaver. You were right. I’m in so much love with it that the waver and I should get a room.

Jen writes one of my favorite books, called For the Love. If you know her, like I pretend know her, she is just real and the also the salt of the earth. Salt isn’t fancy, it’s just the flavor that you take for granted will always be there. That is Jen, strong, steadfast, and such a role model for me. AND is also literally SALTY sometimes. Which is just perfect. PSSSTTTTT. I’m slipping her book in, and yet not counting it as one of my five. Like how I did that? teehee!!!

Alrighty. Let’s get this going, shall we? I’ve got lots of things to LINK to, because I know you are going to be wanting to go to Amazon and get all these books. Do a little finger warm up, because you are gonna be doin’ some clickin’. And nobody wants you to pull a finger. Unless it’s your Uncle Fred, who never gets tired of that joke.

Excuse me, your life is waiting, by Lynn Grabhorn. This is the first book I read that woke me up to my power to vibrate faster in order to pull in higher frequencies. Ok. Don’t glaze over here, now. Lynn is hilarious in this book and speaks very plainly with tons of stories. She just went on a mission to make her life better, discovered the work of Abraham (several angels who channel their message through Esther Hicks), and actually set out experimentally to find out what happens when you take steps to change your own vibration. Lynn has passed into the Heaven realm now, but I’m so glad she fulfilled her purpose on earth-to write a book that completely changes people’s lives. It did mine. Yep, it’s that huge. (teehee!! I did it AGAIN!! I snuck another book in!! See how I did that?)
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, by Joseph Murphy. Published in 1963, folks. And it’s a heavy hitter. My oldest friend (we attended each other’s one year-old birthday parties-old) gifted me this book, and I go through periods in my life when it doesn’t leave my side. It’s full of affirmations, stories, bible verses (that Dr. Murphy broke down to better understand the meaning) and so much more. For example, he once worked with a doctor who said, “Everything in my life is topsy-turvy. I’ve lost health, wealth, and friends. Everything I touch turns out wrong.” Joseph talked with him, and inspired him to write this affirmation, which he lovingly repeated every day: Infinite intelligence leads and guides me in all my ways. Perfect health is mine, and the Law of Harmony operates in my mind and body. Beauty, love, peace, and abundance are mine. The principles of right action and divine order govern my entire life. I know my major premise is based on the eternal truths of life, and I know, feel, and believe that my subconscious mind [God] responds according to the nature of my conscious mind’s thinking. And of course, he got better. This book is chock full of amazing stories and inspiration, and I’m always blown away that it was written 20 years before I was even born! Ok fine. Eight.
I Need Your Love, Is That True? How to Stop Seeking Love, Approval, and Appreciation and Start Finding Them Instead, by my beloved Byron Katie. (Just call her Katie-she’s casual like that). One day, I got really brave, and read this book all the way to the end. The first time I tried, I got super nervous, because Katie was saying all sorts of crazy things like, It’s not your job to like me, that’s my job. And I was like, seriously lady? Really? Because I genuinely love shoving that burden off on my husband and family. But the thing is, she had a point, and I started to look at all the relationships in my life very differently. What if I actually started to take responsibility for my own happiness? What a concept! And then, she had this handy worksheet called : Ask the Four Questions. It was life changing, and every now and then, I need to pull one of these bad boys out in order to ….well……in fancy terms—just get over myself already. I really can’t even begin to recommend this book enough, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Katie may call you sweetheart, but she doesn’t pull any punches.
Carry on Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy Beautiful Life by my friend and mentor Glennon Doyle. Every now and again, I get really stuck in my writing, and so I shoot G a little tweet or message, and even though she is crazy busy and famous, she always has words of wisdom for me, and as long as I live, I will never stop singing her praises. She is the realest deal there is, my little reader. She takes the brokenness of her life, and lays it out there for all to see. We watch her descent…but then we see her rise, and it’s something of beauty. And it’s all there-so that you can use Glennon’s journey, to help you on yours. The thing G does, is takes that invisible line there is in the world that divides-marks some people as out, and other as IN– goes and grabs everyone’s hands, and DECLARES that everyone BELONGS, and pulls them into the circle. (Her newest book, Love Warrior made Miss Oprah Winfrey herself take notice and say, “Girl! you are my new best friend! move over Gayle!” (~~well maybe not that last part.~~ (teeheheee!!! I did it again! I am the trickiest blogger EVER)
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said? I think Liz would say to me, “just tell em what it meant to YOU, honey” And so I will tell you that this book taught me what it looks like to completely surrender–to let go of a plan, or the way you think life should be. To be brave, and try things, and that nothing, and I mean nothing, is more vital to living your best creative life, than taking time to develop a spiritual practice. I am taken aback when I read this book, at the way Liz just went beyond fear, and created such BIG MAGIC in her life. (high five me, here, ok? I’ve just now successfully snuck in yet another book without it counting. Oh the cleverness of me!)

And so. There it is, my darlings. I must tell you how very painful this was for me, to only pick FIVE. ~~Technically 10.~~ How do I leave out The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith, or You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life: Simple 4-Minute Meditations for Inspiration, Transformation, and True Bliss , or What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything , or, oh man. I need to stop. I could really just go on and on. But let’s end on my trickiness, shall we? (13 books in the top five list!! that has to be a record! I really am a very naughty girl)

I’m feeling slightly embarrassed to post today’s give. Because I think most people will say..really? that’s it? And for most , what I did today would register a .2 on the Richter scale of disbursing grace. So, I need to plead with you to indulge me a bit.

I love books. Always have. One of my earliest memories is of my Mom reading to me from a worn out, well-loved copy of Tom Sawyer. My favorite part, that I had the most affection for.. ( maybe because my Mom was a master of voices and expression)….went like this:

“I can lick you!”

“I’d like to see you try it.”

“Well, I can do it.”

“No you can’t, either.”

“Yes I can.”

“No you can’t.”

“I can.”

“You can’t.”

“Can!”

“Can’t!”

An uncomfortable pause. Then Tom said:

“What’s your name?”

“‘Tisn’t any of your business, maybe.”

“Well I ‘low I’ll MAKE it my business.”

“Well why don’t you?”

“If you say much, I will.”

“Much — much — MUCH. There now.”

And every night, no matter where we were in the book, I would beg her to go back to the first chapter, to recite that very section. I was probably about 4, but the hook had been set. I had fallen in love with stories, and the way I could go wherever the author led me, just by stepping fully into the words, and letting them take me.

So. You gettin me? Books are my friends. And I just lent out one of my newest ones today. I have no idea whether I will ever see it again. I had some internal drama before giving it…It’s no big deal. If they don’t return it, you could always buy another one!!!…countered with: ya…but I’ve made notes in the margins!!! (imagine that last sentence in an annoying nerdy, whiny voice).

I won’t be winning any awards for bequeathing this book to another fellow book lover. However, by the time I actually gave it, I really did release it, and realize it’s just a thing. It’s not like giving away a kitty to someone who you know isn’t exactly the most vigilant caretaker, and getting the news said cat got it’s tail shut in the car door. I promised I wouldn’t go there. So. Today’s giving is done early, and it feels awesome! Are you looking for a good book? I’m your Huckleberry:)