"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.