Inspiration Books

I bought this as a retirement gift for my mother-in-law. Much bigger book than I thought - it will take a lifetime to fill out, but it is a wonderful gift to leave for generations to come.

A great book. Thorough prompts for any writer or non-writer. A jumping off point to something truly wonderful or a stand-alone journal for keepsakes. Loved the book. Gave it to my mother on my wedding day. Thank You!

I bought this book years ago for my parents. My Mom is now 90 and in a dementia home, but my Dad is 88 and still going strong. He finally got time to start on the book. He took out all the pages, and 3 ring-punched them so he could put each page in his typewriter to respond to the questions and then I added old photos from his Dad's scrapbook and also ones from their old photo albums. Some of the questions are repetitious and those pages, we did not use. When he only had a short answer to type, I attached a photo that went with the answer. It's taken us months to complete but he loved working on it and everyone wants a copy. At the end, I added our own section where everyone in the family submitted their own question to him and included a photo of themselves for their personalized page in the book. I highly recommend getting all parents to make such a wonderful keepsake!

We gave this to my mother in law as a gift. It is a beautiful book, and seems to have an extensive amount of ideas to help prompt her in telling her story.

My siblings and I bought this book for our mother who just turned 65 and is home alone often. She needs nothing material and so it is very hard to buy gifts for her.

Because she is on her own, she enjoys quiet and sedentary activities such as reading, puzzles,etc. We thought this would be a good gift to keep her mentally alert and engaged in something meaningful. She has expressed delight in the book. We just now have to see her start to fill it out! The book contains so many different topic areas that we feel she will be kept busy if nothing else.

I read this book from cover to cover and had so many highlighted parts with sticky tabs everywhere. I really enjoyed Michael's easy-to-understand concepts about discovering and fulfilling my soul's purpose. I also randomly pick a page every morning to read to start my day on a good note. In addition to Michael's wonderful teachings, you also get lots of exercises to develop your spiritual growth.

This is a beautiful, deep, insightful book that anyone on a spiritual path should read. Michael Tamura has got it going on! I highly recommend it! Very powerful.

For those on a spiritual path, the information contained in this book is truly, truly invaluable; like nothing you've ever read before...guaranteed! Michael lovingly and compassionately explains how you can uncover your true purpose and "Building the Temple of the Soul". Each sentence tells an informative, descriptive story whereby tools are offered and can be practiced in everyday life!

The information contained in this book is truly a gift and a plethora of information that cannot be read just once. Each sentence bursts with profound new insights and is healing to the soul.

"Your purpose-plant is growing into a strong, well-rooted tree. A magical transformation is taking place in which nature turns a still-green sapling into a mature majestic tree. In the beginning of your incarnation, nature (God through your parents) provided you with a new body. Now, fulfilling your purpose means transmuting that mortal body of karma into an immortal body of wisdom".

This is just one paragraph offered out of 254 astonishing, life changing pages!

This is a book filled with some of the most highly evolved spiritual information and guidance I've ever found. I HIGHLY recommend it.

This book is like watching a movie that has you so engrossed you don't want it to end. If that sounds cliché, you won't think so after you've had it in your itchy palms, awake late at night, not able to move you're so in awe of what you are reading.

For what it's worth, James Van Praagh had a private session with the author years ago and was genuinely in awe. James wrote the forward for "You are the Answer". In it he talks about how this book reminded him of his own `inkling of purpose'.

This delicately touches what this book is about. The idea is that in quieting our minds with the help of meditative exercises we can create the space for our spiritual seeds to grow into our true divine selves. We pick up charges from many sources: acquaintances, family, thoughts, and perceptions. Because we are energy ourselves we become sponges for all of this making it impossible to decipher what is truly ours and what is .. everything else. From "Validating Spirit", "Resistance to Willingness", "Growing Neutrality", and into "Choosing Truth at Every Crossroads" you'll find chapters that are full of wisdom and intense teachings that allow you to find your voice and accept yourself with compassionate honesty so that you can begin to understand your purpose here in this lifetime.

Michael Tamura's words are revolutionarily loving and add up to some of the FULLEST sentences you've ever read - you cannot read this book once. In fact, the amount of time you go back to reread a paragraph or sentence will amount to your reading this book a dozen times hoping that the words would come alive and put their healing hands upon you. And that's before you read it all over again because you miss it so much.

I recommend this book to all of the people who ever wanted to feel the lightness of divinity in their everyday life. To remind themselves of love so eternal and so huge and so familiar that being without it is what's missing. This book was like going to the doctor for me. The Soul Doctor.

This is a good basic guide to writing a mystery from inspiration to book signings. The instructional side of things is enlivened by showing a mystery novel in the making--"Murder in Montana"--which puts an interesting spin on the process. Frey has a nice, easy style and uses humor to good effect. For the student/writer of mystery fiction, I would also recommend How to Write a Mystery by Larry Beinhart.

James N. Frey's follow up to the award winning HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL. It has the same humorous style that is long on sound character development and the interaction of all characters within the novel. He challenges you not to write an ordinary story that will make it to a publisher, but to pen a "Damn good, mystery." This is so important today as mysteries become harder to sell to an agent or to attract a publisher.
That is the line in the trade, but reading the top ten NYT yesterday I did notice that seven were mysteries/thrillers from the big names.
It's all here from plot to character to climax to closure. A good title to use as a start if you are unfamiliar with the style.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelUnder the Liberty OakGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old MexicoNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

As a self-confessed collector of books on writing, I found this one of the best of a very few such books that I have found merit the title of "most helpful and clear" how-to volumes. Frey is blunt, sometimes funny, always informative, and, for anyone thinking of writing just about any kind of novel, his book is a must. His writer's voice feels as if he is sitting across the table from you at your favorite coffee shop, telling you all his secrets. It's a great read. Even if you don't intend to write a mystery, per se, you will learn valuable lessons about the process of engaging, and sustaining, your reader's interest from cover to cover by following Frey's advice. On the whole, I found this even more helpful than his "How to Write a Damned Good Novel." If you know someone who is writing a novel, or trying to, this would be a good gift book for him or her to add to a writer's library. His How-To books are terrific, in my not so humble opinion!How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling

It's too bad Frey wastes all of his bluster and energy on this stuff instead of writing real books.

For any avid mystery reader and frustrated mystery writer like me, this book is a treat. It analyzes the structure and content of mysteries in an entertaining and informative manner. The author teaches writing courses and knows how to explain his ideas clearly and simply. It is easy to imagine him performing in front of his students, mixing humor with sound advice. The only doubt I have in recommending this book is that after reading it, a mystery reader will always be aware of how the author of the mystery uses the formulas detailed in the book and this might prove distracting. Kind of like finding out how a magic trick is accomplished, thus losing the magic and being left with only the trick. Certainly for an aspiring mystery writer the book is perfect.

Easy and light to read, yet gems of wisdom are in each and every page, it's a joy to read.

Excellent self help book, that really expresses the desires of a mother. Wanting to show her daughters the basics and express the joys of the world. A must have for any mothers or father

I picked up this book because of the title. I have daughters. There are 'things' I want them to know. Upon reading the Foreword, I grew a little nervous. The tone seemed rather patronizing, and I felt like I was about to get a lesson in what a rotten mother I am. The author writes: "No mother can have a relationship with her children without some heartaches and significant differences of opinion. With my own daughters I embrace our differences as well as the things we share in common." Well, yes, that WOULD be the ideal.

What follows beyond the Forword, where the author more or less introduces her qualifications for writing a book filed with advice, is just that. Lots of useful advice for getting through life. The conversational and rational writing style immediately allowed me to GET OVER MYSELF, and just enjoy the various topics. I found it hard to disagree with anything she wrote. Everything is based on the author's experience, and much of it is universal. The suggestions, "It's Easier to Get into Things Than It Is to Get Out of Them," or "In Really Tough Times, Regularly Take Time Off," for example, are pearls of wisdom for mothers to not only pass onto their daughters, but also to remind themselves of every now and again.

This is a well written collection, with a mature and rational sensitivity. It's an excellent gift book--for our daughters, and our friends who have daughters, and, of course, for mothers too. I recommend it.

"When you've made your point, sit down," reads the last entry. So, I will.

From the author of "A Line Between Friends," McKenna Publishing Group.

EXCELLENT ITEM!!

I really liked this book. It made me open up my eyes to things that I really need to concentrate on in my life.It made me realize what was important and how the littlest things can make you happy. I would recommend this book to anyone. I am recommending it to all of my sorority sisters, and they have also enjoyed the wisdom of this book.

I have quite a few books on evocation most make no sencse at all ironicall between this and someone else Ceremonial Magic & The Power of Evocation by Joseph C. Lisiewski, between the two books using such books as 5th and 6th books of mosus,lemegeton,greater keys. are more possible the only reason its not a full 5 stars is some vagueness in some parts.

The visualization tec is great to reach others levels of visuals, the sigils are great and easie to apply(ps use sculpy for temporary sigils since paper is to haphazard to keep around they come in a variety of colors and the spirits seem to like them, one wouldn't quit looking at it(water spirit's easily distracted)

I didnt think dijin was as elderly as konstantinos comented him to be maybe 40 ish at best.
i suggest someone get these two books since trust me doing one half cocked sucks the reprocusions can be drastic at best.
So beginners and veterens alike should at least keep it in their library.

Don't waste your time or money, people. This book is pure drivel. There is not one original concept set forth here. Everything contained within it can be found in dozens of other, much better written books.

The whole design and layout reminds me of Halloween-edition candy; same contents and ingredients of all the other candies, but with eye-pleasing, spooky packaging. That's all this is; re-printed and widely available information, with a "gothic" spin on its presentation.

Not only are there countless pages of prepatory exercises (which you can find on almost any occult-oriented website), the work itself is constipated with tired, self conscious post-Catholic dogmas. There are constant pleas to the reader that "magick" is not "evil", etc., etc.,. This tone is very condescending, annoying, and even sickening. A good three fourths of this book is absolute filler. One can't shake the fact that this book was made for pure profit. I'd be willing to bet that most of the crap printed here can be found in entirety in Konstantinos' other silly books.

Avoid. If a copy of this book does somehow fall into your hands, flip through it, take notes on how NOT to write an "occult text", burn it, then defecate on it.

This one ain't bad.... it jumps on the exercises needed for summoning spirits (including the greater banishing rituals and the middle pillar ritual). The rituals and exercises are pretty easy to follow, and thats always good. I gave it 4 stars because the majority of the book was ripped from the golden dawn style of practice.... I've read all of this before. I like it for it's organization and simplicity. There's little talking and alot more action. I'd recommend this for those of us who already have a somewhat good amount of information, because this book has little.

This book is great for those who want a little more detail in their workings of the Craft. It gives step by step instruction and more detailed explanations for the why as well well as the what. Enjoyable and informative.

I have had this book in my occult library for a number of years,
and I have to admit two things. When the weather is cold, wet and
spooky outside, this is one of the books I seem to be always
reaching for. Ok that doesn't sound that magickal,but,in actuality, mood is a critical element of real magick. Secondly,
there are a number of interesting sigils in this book, and I once
conjured the king Bael using this book,in a very interesting conjuration to visible form, so the sigils work pretty good. I also like the illustrations, back again to that "old black magick" feeling, I suppose.

I love Calvin and Hobbes. Period. The philosophy, the juvenile humor, the deep quiet truths, seeing the world through the eyes of a 6 year old. Any Calvin and Hobbes book gets 5 stars from me.

This book, just like all the other Calvin & Hobbes books, was an enjoyment to read. I recommend it to all ages of readers.

Calvin is the hero of all children with wildly vivid imaginations. He has great fun with his stuffed tiger Hobbes, going on numerous great adventures, including an attempted trip to the Yukon. Calvin is fairly typical in the sense that such children tend to drive their parents and teachers crazy, yet when they learn to temper and channel their imagination, they often end up doing spectacularly creative things as adults.
Since I was one of those imaginative children who spent all of my time either reading or playing pretend scenarios in the kitchen, I can certainly relate to this inventive misfit. He is hilarious.

First, and foremost, it must be known: All Calvin and Hobbes are great. Yukon Ho!, however, is one that tends to rise above the rest. It's true this is one of the earlier books and includes the 9 verse tune The Yukon Song and has all the great cartoons, but why it seems to be more popular, I cannot say. All I know and can guarantee is that it's funny and is everything Calvin and Hobbes. From the beginning of the book where Calvin is convinced that he and Hobbes have traveled into the future (nope not with a cardboard box) it is too easy to appreaciate Calvin's motives. He's not after the secrets of genetic cloning or the what politician is waging wars with other countries. He's looking forward to floating cities and telling people in the present what he saw. And this is the real beauty of Calvin and Hobbes shows through. It's the quest of a six-year-old to have a good time with a furry friend. Rarely in a comic strip has such devotion and integrity of a kid been so accurately portrayed.

You'll chuckle at Calvin's dad 's explanation of the workings of a carburetor and the hilarious camping trip to a desolate rock that Calvin's entire family embarks on. Rosalyn appears again, and yes, again terrorizes Calvin. Calvin digs up dirt on his dad,which compromises his father's high-ranking position of dad. Calvin tries and fails to be the next Houdini and Susie and Calvin are assigned an a project together. All the way to the new and improved transmogrifier, it's pure magic, purely Calvin and Hobbes.

You can always rely on Calvin and Hobbes to deliver the funnies. And if you're a keen reader, Calvin's unique (if rather skewed) perception of the world with keep the kid inside you alive (I don't mean this literally but as a metaphor). Unless you've been horribley deprived you'll pretty much all remember the magic of a snow storm or a sunset while sitting under a tree or an adventure in the woods or playing Monopoly with a tiger.

The title refers to a series of strips in which Calvin and Hobbes plan to escape the Yukon to be free of the repressions of family rules. Needless to say, their journey is cut short when Hobbes eats the only two sandwiches Calvin bothered to pack.

Any Calvin and Hobbes fan will already own this. Everyone else must buy!

A friend of my recommended this book as she knew what a fan of the The Secret I am. The Law of Attraction in Action did a fantastic job of reminding me that while I can ask, believe and receive I will need to take "inspired action" along the way. In addition, the book has helped me to start several new practices that I'm already feeling the results from. A very good read for anyone who believes in the Law of Attraction!!

In her book "The Law of Attraction in Action" Deanna offers a humerus and accessible approach to helping people transform their dreams into a reality. By weaving in aspects of positive psychology (Martin Seligman's work), mind/body medicine (Jon Kabat-Zinn), and areas of neuroscience (Richard Davidson) she grounds the Law of Attraction in multiple areas of scientific research. This approach goes far in setting the tone for the second part of the book where she gives specific advice and exercises for effectively incorporating the Law of Attraction into your life. Thank you Deanna for this fun and insightful read.

I'm maybe a third of the way through the book and I just had to write a review: this book is absolutely amazing! It had me in tears by the second chapter. It is unbelievable just how wonderfully intricate we are and I commend Ms. Rose for outlining this and gently guiding the reader to shed the negativity and create his/her own dream life.

The key is, it's all WITHIN us and within OUR OWN POWER to make these fundamental changes for the better, which will indubitably improve and enlighten our lives.

Thanks for writing such a meaningful, wonderful book! I will purchase a few more copies for my friends.

I purchased this book because a phrase was mentioned in my daily meditation. I was so moved to further my inquizative, hungry mind & soul. I was very excited to receive the book and begin it imediately, as i did. I was not dissapointed as it kept me at my edge. I wanted to read more as i digested all the wonderful, hearty visions and fueling words and messages. This book lead me to my next and then to another and i realized i was on a journey of no return. Thank you both the author for providing me with the resources to feel whole and motivated and complete. :) Penny

Make no mistake about it, Know Yourself is one of the best I've ever read because it covers it all. Each stage of life, what's been missing inside ourselves, how to regain what we feel we've somehow lost inside, and the chapter on abuse is right on target. That would only apply if you've been abused and the nagging effects of it can make you feel that you're not worth much at all until you discover you are.

One of my favorite passages comes from page 46 during the written exercise part of the book. It says in quotes:
"The choice of what to put on your list is all yours. No one on this earth can create your life. No one other than you knows exactly what you love, what brings you joy, and what fills your entire being with passion. What you are about to write is the real you that lays beneath should's, societal expectations, cultural attitudes, and what you have been taught that opposes what you feel is true for you. Now, it's writing time to bring the real you to up to the surface on the following pages."

Know Yourself taught me how to turn my attitude about myself around. It did its job and then some. It has been a gift to me that I'm sharing with friends.

In "Know Yourself" Barbara Rose did an outstanding job of bringing insight where I previously had confusion or uncertainty. There is a chapter covering abuse that helped me un-do more hurt from the past than I thought it would, and for that I am grateful.

I wanted to quote directly from the book from page 98 because I feel this can help anyone, which is the purpose of this great book.

"Letting Go of Criticism
Another part of cherishing others is to, with loving compassion, let go of any criticisms made of you; blame the criticisms on illusions the people had at the time; for had they had healthy and pure minds, they would not have taken anything out on you. Instead of blaming them, cherish them for being your teachers--and for teaching you how to feel self-value despite anything they may have said or done.

Do not ever take to heart hurtful comments others make. Do not make them a part of your being. Know yourself and you will know truth.

Know who you are. What you believe in. What feels right and true for you.
If you dream of changing your career because of the passion you feel for a new field, enjoy the process; never let anyone stop you with their illusions of so-called failure or impossibilities.
Nothing is impossible.

I learned this saying: "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right!"

If your heart is pulling you in a certain direction, then this is a part of your truth, and you must honor it.

This is where a solid sense of self comes from. It comes from knowing your truth. You can be sixty-five years old and decide you want to go back to school to become a doctor because you have always really wanted to help people. Go back to school!

Don't ever let chronological age hold you back. Many people, both men and women, have uplifted countless lives and have achieved their greatest self-actualization later in life.

Wisdom is the hallmark of a life lived from the heart, without judgment, and with compassion for all others.

No matter what it is you want to do, do it because it is a true expression of who you are. The joy you will experience by honoring what your heart and soul came into this life for will far outweigh the pain and disappointment you will feel if you don't honor your truth."

There is much more that I can quote from, much more that has helped me.

While doing the written exercises, simply and clearly spelled out in the beginning of the book, I experienced what many people call "A-Ha" moments. Each one brought more about what was holding my back into my awareness, and then following the guidance in the book I was able to un-do the old, and replace it with truth that feels much better!

I read this book twice so far, and am now re-reading it again. It's an excellent book for anyone male or female!

I'm sorry but I found this book extremely unhelpful. It was very disjointed. It wasn't even clear what you were supposed to be writing in the workbook pages. It just seemed like a stream of consciousness of trite phrases like "everything happens for a reason". Maybe it's helpful to people who have never thought beyond their nose for their entire life. I don't know. I couldn't find anything redeeming in the entire thing. I ended up just skimming the second half so maybe there was something redeeming in there.

Better than expected with quotes and daily reminders of why we started to run and what motivates us to continue.

The daily readings are well written, appropriate, inspirational and at times informative. This is a great way to start off your day whether you are running that day or not.

The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration:A Year of Motivation, Revelation, and Instruction is most likely the best investment I have ever made. Last year, I made a resoltion to myself to get in shape, eat healthy, and basically be a fit person inside and out. This is not a very easy resolution to fulfill, as I soon found out. It was my plan to run at least 3 times a week, and supplement it with another form of aerobic exercise. Very quickly, I lost my motivation, and was not living up to my expectations. I came upon this book soon afterwards, and tried to regain my motivation. After restarting my exercise program along with reading this book, I am now running every day of the week, rain or shine, hot or cold, I run through it all, all due this very book. If you buy one book in your life, buy Catcher in the Rye. But if you buy two, buy this one too!

This book was given to me as a gift. Being a "novice runner" of two years, I found this book to be very motivational. It is very intuitive on the thoughts of runners and some of the obstacles runners may encounter and how to get beyond those barriers. I have thought it such an excellent book that I am suprised it is not readily stocked and available for 24 hour shipping, especially during the holiday season. You know us last minute shoppers. Great gift idea for the novice or avid runner in your life if you can find a copy of it in time.

I read this book every day and love it! Kevin Nelson gives practical, fun and whimsical advice to people who love (or want to love) to run.