Dear Dr. Debra,
 
It’s that time of year again when I want to stock up on books and CDs that will motivate and inspire me.  I’ve read some of the books you’ve suggested in the past and found them helpful.  Can you make some new suggestions?
 
An Eager Learner
 
Dear Eager Learner,
 
First of all, I’m going to commend you for reading and listening to inspiring literature. (See previous suggestions in my archived column, Uplifting Motivational Publications.) I’m sure it’s helping you to be a better person and achieve more of your goals.
 
I’d love to give you some new suggestions. I haven’t had as much reading time this year as usual because I’ve been doing so much consulting work.  However, I’ve been using Joel Osteen’s, Becoming a Better Person, as my morning prayer/meditation reading. 
 
I discovered Joel Osteen when I was flipping TV channels, and something he said caught my attention enough to keep listening.  For a few minutes I couldn’t figure out if he was a motivational speaker or a minister (although he’s both.)  He didn’t sound like any television evangelist I’d ever heard.  Although he mentioned God, he didn’t try to hit you over the head with sin or damnation.  He spoke of positive concepts and told interesting stories. He had a unique way of combining motivational concepts with some positive scripture and belief in God.  If he had a church in Southern California, instead of Texas, I’d have immediately started attending services.
 
I’ve been recommending Becoming a Better Person to all my clients, and gave it out as Christmas presents.  Luckily, the book came out on CD a few weeks before Christmas, so I bought it for my boyfriend, who doesn’t tend to read books.  I’ve only listened to a few minutes, but the CD, read in Joel’s educated Texas twang, is just as compelling as the book.  Both the book and CD will be lapped up by spiritual people.  But even if you’re not spiritual, you will find a lot to inspire you in the book.
 
Another new favorite book, Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, was recommended by one of my clients.  She’d heard about it on a talk show, touted as the new The Secret, meaning The Secret was the in book for 2007 and Eat, Pray, Love is the in book for 2008.
 
In book or not, Liz Gilbert writes a fascinating, honest, spiritual memoir about taking a year off from a life full of mistakes, unhappiness, and depression and spending four months each in Italy, India, and Indonesia on a journey of self-discovery and mental/emotional healing.  Even those who don’t like memoirs will find the book reads like a novel, full of interesting people, quirky humor, and a candid revelation of personal humanity.
 
 Since I’ve been on the road a lot, I’ve been listening to CDs of books on tape or of lectures/workshops given by inspirational speakers.  Surprisingly, this year, my reading/listening choices have been influenced by gifts or suggestions from clients, employees at consulting jobs, or friends.
 
I started listening to CDs when I found myself having to do a one and a half to two hour commute in nasty LA traffic to get to a consulting job.  Already tired from having to get up earlier than normal, I found myself arriving at the job exhausted and feeling a little grumpy.  NOT the way I wanted to feel.  I started listening to The Secret on CD and found myself arriving at work full of excitement and energy.
 
From there, I experimented with other books on CD given me by others, they’re good, but not enough for me to recommend.  But there’s lots more out there, and I’ll be grateful to hear reader recommendations.
 
Today I listened to the CD of a service of Agape International Spiritual Center, given me by another client.  Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder and Spiritual Director.  (If you’re familiar with The Secret, than you’ll know him.)  I loved the sermon, and one of the songs really made me think about something I need to work on.  I plan on ordering more sermons from www.agapelive.com.
 
I hope that’s enough recommendations to keep you busy for a while.
 
Dr. Debra 

 
Feel free to write me with your questions.

Debra Holland, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in relationships and communication techniques.

To read previous 'Ask Dr. Debra' articles, please visit www.wetnoodleposse.com, where Dr. Debra is a regular contributor, or click here to view the archives.

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