"Modesty: A Fashion Paradox" by Hafsa Lodi

This fascinating book covers modest fashion from a primarily Muslim perspective.  That being said, the author does occasionally weave in parallels with Christian and Jewish traditions which--while not as strict as Islam--promote their own form of modesty.  Surprisingly, Lodi who is a Muslim herself does not cover her hair.  She approaches fashion from a straightforward approach.  While she does not avoid the topic of religion, she also does not force it on readers.  As a non-Muslim myself, I learned a great deal about Islamic fashion while not feeling like I was being proselytized to.  It was interesting to see how modesty standards vary within even the Muslim community itself.  While some Muslim models are celebrated as heroes, others are criticized as not being modest enough.  From those who argue over whether or not to cover one's hair to what specific hair covering is appropriate, there is a myriad of opinions.  There are even those who argue over colors, sparkles, and even nail polish.  Lodi does a good job representing diverse opinions without overtly favoring one over the other.  This book is a great read for people of all faiths (or none) who want to learn more about modest fashion.  It should be noted that this book is more academic / historical and is not in any way any sort of "how to" guide for modest dressing.  Aside from a few color photos in the middle of the book, this is primarily text.

"Crown of Creation" by Chana Weisberg

 

Chana Weisberg is one of my favorite teachers when it comes to women and Judaism.  While this book is a tad more academic than leisurely, it is fascinating nonetheless.  Chana walks readers thru the lives of Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Esther, and more.  Through both biblical and talmudic sources, she weaves together tales of mystical proportions.  All of this is done in an attempt to understand the spiritual forces behind the actions of great Jewish women.  I found this book to be very thought-provoking.

Children's Shabbat Books

These various children's books all center around the Jewish theme of Shabbat.  In "Shabbat Shalom" by Douglas Florian, kids enjoy a wooden book with bright colors walking them thru preparation for a delicious Shabbat dinner.  In "Chik Chak Shabbat" by Mara Rockliff, young readers see how a whole community comes together to make food for their cholent chef when she is ill.  In "On Shabbat" by Cathy Fishman, kids are walked thru Shabbat customs with a keen eye for tradition.  In "Around the World in One Shabbat" by Durga Bernhard, children see how families all around the globe celebrate Shabbat differently.  In "Soosie the Horse that Saved Shabbat", kids are delighted to see a horse deliver challah all around town.  In "Dinosaur on Shabbat" by Diane Rauchwerger, little ones laugh along at a dinosaur's clumsy attempts at celebrating Shabbat.  In "The Shabbat Princess" by Amy Meltzer, girls vicariously live thru the Shabbat Queen as they dress up in their finest attire.  All in all, these children's books are rather delightful.  They are an excellent way to take a relaxing break on any Shabbat of the year.  Enjoy!

"Midnight Sun" by Stephenie Meyer

 I remember years ago reading the Twilight Series as a teenager.  The story of a girl falling in love with a vampire was very popular.  Four books and four movies later, the author was an international sensation.  All of the books from the original series are written from the perspective of the female protagonist--Bella.  I recall years ago there were musings that the author was writing a parallel book telling the same story but this time from the male vampire's perspective--Edward.  Unfortunately, someone leaked a few chapters from the manuscript onto the internet.  Upset from this betrayal, the author Meyer halted all work and publication of the book.  Much to my surprise, I discovered she recently changed her mind.  Meyer both finished and published her book.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Although, it should be noted that this book is really just the first Twilight book from Edward the vampire's perspective.  It does not cover Edward's side of things throughout all four books of the original series.  Nevertheless, it does give readers enough of a window into his mind to understand how he feels.

"Miraculous Living" by Rabbi Shoni Labowitz

Beautifully written and thoughtfully organized, this book takes readers on a guided journey of kabbalah thru the ten gates of the tree of life.  Each of the ten "gates" is preceded by a summary of the gate.  Each subsequent chapter (only a few pages at a time) starts off with double quotations.  One quote is from Jewish sources while one quote is from Taoist / Buddhist sources.  The author weaves traditional Judaism in with eastern religious principles.  Though each chapter is quick enough to read in ten minutes, readers will find themselves mulling over the words time and time again.  The book is written in such a concise yet profound way.  There is no "fluff" or paragraphs for the sake of paragraphs.  Rather, each sentence is carefully crafter to lure the reader deeper into their own soul awakening.

 

"Jews, God and History" by Max I Dimont

 

Recommended to me by a friend, this book packed a punch when it came to historical commentary.  Starting at the beginning of the Bible and ending with the current day, the author historian chronicles the Jewish journey through time.  Many civilizations have risen and fallen.  Many have been absorbed into other civilizations.  But something special not only made Judaism survive but also blessed the nations where Jews settled.  Dimont follows the Jews through centuries and continents, noting the changes in economics, law, and culture.  He argues that the Jewish people aren't so much a "lucky charm" as God's chosen people but rather a mass of ideas that has catapulted the world into a more civilized age.  Excellently written and unusually captivating for a history book, this tale of the Jewish saga does not disappoint.

"20 Minute Kabbalah" by Wayne Dosick and Ellen Kaufman Dosick

 

This is a wonderful book to help every person get more in touch with G-d.  After a quick introduction to kabbalah, the book jumps right into the characteristics of G-d and twenty minute meditations.  The meditations are in both Hebrew and English.  There is even a CD included full of songs and chants to help readers get into the meditative mood.  There is also a list of questions in the book related to each of G-d's traits.  This is perfect for contemplative time, journal prompts, or even a book club.  My favorite part of this book is that it encourages everyone to connect to G-d.  People like Moses were special, sure, but they weren't divine.  If G-d can speak to Moses, He can speak to you too!

"The Rules" by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider

 

Lauded as one of the best old school guidebooks for women, this book does not disappoint.  While some of its advice can appear outdated and conservative, there is a commonsense undercurrent that few can argue with.  The authors encourage women to be their best selves both physically and mentally.  They also discourage women from approaching men, opting instead for them to be mysterious and aloofly available.  With modern feminist ladies and career women, many have a "go get them" mentality that is truly counterproductive.  The authors attest that if a man is not approaching a woman, he is simply not interested.  While it can be difficult to not approach a man a woman is interested in, these rules claim to lead to marriage.  Wait for a man to approach you and be a little hard to get.  Don't chase men, don't ask men out, don't be at the beck and call of men, and live your life.  Allow men to delight in the thrill of the chase and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised with romantic attention and (hopefully) a diamond ring.

"The Fine Art of Small Talk" by Debra Fine

 This small book is worth its weight in gold!  Written by an engineer who described herself as shy with social anxiety, this book provides the blueprint to successful conversations.  The chapters are short and to the point.  Readers learn how to approach others, what to say, what not to say, how to listen well, how to keep conversation going, and--most of all--how to be liked.  Whether in one's business or personal life, the art of small talk is extremely valuable.  Make and keep both friends and colleagues with the practical tips included herein.  I personally got reminded myself of habits I need to form and habits I need to break.  No skill in life may be as important as carrying a good conversation, and this book can help you do just that.

"Kabbalah for Beginners" by Rav Michael Laitman PhD

 

Organized as a series of seven essays, this book gives an introduction to the world of Kabbalah.  It discusses the upper world, the ego, desires, souls, and much more.  It is somewhat of an academic book in that it does not read very informally.  As the cover implies, these essays are best read on a contemplative day in nature.  This book is more for calming one's soul and deepening understanding than actually understanding every single nuance of Kabbalah.  While it doesn't hold a candle to Berg's writings, it is a fascinating book nonetheless.

"The Power of Kabbalah" by Yehuda Berg

 

Written by the son of kabbalists, this book does not disappoint.  It takes complex and esoteric concepts from Kabbalah and compresses them into bite-size tidbits of wisdom that even the most inexperienced layperson can understand.  Instead of distinct chapters that read like a novel, this book is full of short pages of light (pun intended).  The reader is given a little bit at a time to chew on and is in this way not overwhelmed.  I really liked how Berg talked about the history of Kabbalah and how famous scholars throughout time have used Kabbalah--from Plato to Newton!  Berg teaches that one must see every situation as an opportunity to fix oneself.   Additionally, the ability to resist temptation and avoid reactions is tantamount.  Only when one can control himself or herself can one control their reality.  Stop playing the victim and blaming others for what's happening in your life.  See the spiritual significance and begin your work of transformation!

"God Wears Lipstick" by Karen Berg

 Written by the co-founder of The Kabbalah Centers, this book does not disappoint.  Despite its catchy title, it is not a fictional account of G-d becoming woman and dressing up.  Rather, it is a simple and easy-to-understand guide of kabbalah for women.  As someone who has tried before to study kabbalah and ended up scratching my head, words can not express how much I am indebted to Mrs. Berg.  Her writing style is so clear and to the point.  Kabbalah concepts that would have taken me years to understand come across in a page or two.  She truly has a gift for making the intangible tangible.  The principles in this book remind me of the famous "The Secret" series that came out years ago.  Perhaps kabbalah is where others got their ideas from.  In this book, women will learn the spiritual significance of their gender, how karma works, how everything that happens can teach a lesson, how to suppress the ego, how to usher more light into the world, and so on.  Instead of dense sections, each chapter is only a few pages.  There is no "fluff" in this book.  Even though a chapter may only take 10 minutes, the ideas they hold will have readers thinking about them for hours.

"Class with Countess" by Countess LuAnn de Lesseps

 

This book is written by a star from The Real Housewives of New York City, who just so happens to be a countess.  She teaches readers how to be classy and elegant.  Topics range from beauty to style to manners to etiquette and more.  Not sure which fork is for which dish at a dinner party?  The countess has got you covered.  Not sure how to dress for a cocktail party?  The countess has got you covered.  Interspersed throughout the advice are stories from the author's own life that add a personal touch.  If class could be summed it, it would be as so.  Treat others with kindness and be happy.

"To Be A Jewish Woman" by Lisa Aiken

This is one of the only books I am aware of that goes into such detail on the topic of women in Judaism.  While it focuses primarily on Orthodox Judaism, the author is transparent about how she wasn't raised as an "expert" but rather learned more on her own as she grew up.  This, coupled with the simple prose that makes even the most perplexing topics understandable, makes for a pleasant experience where the reader can learn while not feeling embarrassed for their lack of knowledge.  No controversial topic is skipped over as the author explains mixed seating, modest dress codes, divorce, and even the prayer men say thanking G-d for "not making me a woman".  Aiken aims to educate readers on women's unique role in Judaism, which is not less-than or subservient to men.  While women have different roles than men, they are equal in the sense that they are beloved by G-d and have a purpose in life.  Of particular interest that I learned was why women are not obligated to go to synagogue (although they are most certainly encouraged to do so), how exclusivity only begins at marriage, and how women are not obligated to marry (as opposed to men).  This was a refreshing read that I highly recommend.  Whether you want to be an Orthodox Jew or your own brand of Modern Orthodox Jew, you will certainly learn a lot about women in Judaism.  Enjoy!

"Secrets About Life Every Woman Should Know" by Barbara DeAngelis, PhD

 While this book is marketed towards women, the information in it applies to all people.  The author goes over ten "secrets" about life that are truly life changing.  While by no means new, they encompass truths that we could all use some reminding of.  These include ideas such as: love is the answer, courage overcomes fear, every relationship is a mirror to yourself, you can't control exterior circumstances but you can control your internal emotions, and so on.  Full of inspirational quotes, poems, and personal stories, the lessons get thru to readers in a myriad of ways.  This book was serious at times but overall very inspirational.

"Passion" by Barbara DeAngelis, PhD

This book is a guidebook for men and women to find their passion in life.  From friendship to career, many people are finding themselves unfulfilled.  Far too many people go thru life with no meaning.  They have superficial friendships and dread going to work.  The author focuses on how to discover one's passion in life and how to go after it.  According to the author, passion makes life worth living.  Without passion, we miss out on the best of life.  This book is very inspirational and a rather short read.

"How Did I Get Here?" by Barbara DeAngelis

 Full of thought-provoking stories and little tidbits of wisdom, this book is a must have for anyone who feels stuck in life.  DeAngelis explains how life will throw us all curveballs.  She discusses how failures and setbacks need to be viewed--as opportunities to make changes in life and go after better outcomes.  No one has a trouble-free life, and getting depressed does nothing for one's future successes.  The author encourages readers to see every closed door as an opportunity to knock on a new door.  Various quotes and poems are sprinkled throughout the book for emotional inspiration.

"Are You the One for Me?" by Barbara DeAngelis, PhD

 

This is one of the most in-depth and thorough relationship books I have ever read.  Written by a PhD, it goes into the psychology of why relationships work or don't work.  This isn't a fun beach gossip read or some celebrity's advice on dating.  Rather, this book delves deep into why people choose partners and what they need to really focus on.  DeAngelis differentiates between lust and love.  She also talks extensively about compatibility and friendship.  The book is full of various case studies in love--both from those who have mastered it and those who are struggling.  Topics such as age difference, cultural difference, religious difference, addictions, responsibility, and more are covered as DeAngelis encourages readers to focus on what really matters.  While chemistry is essential, it can not carry a relationship thru the test of time alone.  It needs to be coupled with true compatibility, a shared vision, and mutual commitment.

"Real Moments" by Barbara DeAngelis, PhD

 

This book is all about slowing down and experiencing life.  The author talks about true joy and how happiness must be found within--not without.  Accomplishing goals and accumulating wealth are great.  However, those can not be the source of true happiness because they can go away.  People can get laid off, lose their finances, get divorced, lose a spouse, and so on.  To be truly happy, one must experience more of what the author calls "real moments".  These are moments in time when people understand their love, worth, and purpose.  It can be found by paying attention to a partner, putting the electronics away, taking a walk, learning from strangers, and so much more.  A real moment is an epiphany when a life lesson is learned and true gratitude emerges.  The trouble is people are often so hurried and rushed that they do not stop and feel their feelings of living in the moment. 

"Super Attractor" by Gabrielle Bernstein

As someone who is fascinated by the topic of manifesting, I was very excited to read this book.  Having got it from the library, I had to wait a few weeks until it was my turn since several other people were in line ahead of me.  Once I finally got the book, I was a little disappointed.  This isn't because the advice in the book was bad.  While not everything I agreed with (consulting the dead, angels, and other "spirit guides"), I try to keep an open mind and try to learn something from others.  There were several good points about being grateful, staying positive, shifting one's thoughts from negative to positive, having faith, and so on.  My biggest qualm was that the book felt like an author was trying to meet a word count.  I learned very little from all the paragraphs beyond what I could have learned from the heading titles in each chapter.