We recently reached out to GoPhil Founder’s Circle members – an amazing group of intelligent, insightful, globally-conscious, earth and humanity lovers – to see what they have been reading.

The reading suggestions below make up a wide and interesting scope of books to tuck into this summer – books on mindfulness, coping with parents with Alzheimers, to books exploring how helping others drives our personal success.

Note: We simply have to kick off this list with two fabulous suggestions written by members of our own GoPhil Community. Congratulations to both Bruce Logan and Sarah Davison-Tracy for their recent publications!

Live Ablaze and Light up the World & Soulfully Ablaze 
by Sarah Davison-Tracy

These two amazing reads are hot off the press and written by our fellow colleague and Denver-based humanitarian, Sarah Davison-Tracy.

“Kindle a life beyond what you have dared to dream, make a powerful difference, and discover new ways to connect and find community. Link arms, learn, expand for change, and light up the world with us. One step at a time, you will uncover more of who you are and what matters most to you. You will be fueled for a life that is peace-making, bridge-building, and change-making.” – Sarah

Check out this video excerpt of Sarah Davison-Tracy & Lydia Dean as she reviews Sarah’s books: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNa_z1kCxTs&mc_cid=eca79a1e82&mc_eid=93dd6a3e7e

As the Lotus Blooms – Coming in September!
by Bruce Logan

This book is the fast-moving sequel to Bruce’s’s first novel, Finding Lien. The story follows Lien, traumatized from her ordeal as a victim of child trafficking in a Cambodian brothel, on her journey of recovery. Despite her recurring bouts of PTSD, this courageous young woman signs on with an NGO, to work with a team to prevent trafficking and rescue victims. It is a dangerous mission for all, especially Lien, whose wounds are deep and emotional stability in question.

Bruce and his wife Elaine Head also wrote Back to Vietnam – Tours of the Heart, an intriguing tale of their struggles and delights in becoming volunteers in a third world country where traveled to Vietnam to retrace Bruce’s steps as a young US Army Lieutenant in the 60’s and found their new purpose.

The Untethered Soul
by Michael A Singer

Recommended by GoPhil Founder’s Circle Member, Ronald Reneau.

By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization.

Whether this is your first exploration of inner space, or you’ve devoted your life to the inward journey, this book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness.

The Book of Joy – Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
by Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu

This year’s favorite read from Founder’s Circle Member, Elaine Head.

In April 2015, Archbishop Desmond Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness’s eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?

They traded intimate stories, teased each other continually, and shared their spiritual practices. By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our time and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy.

Give and Take – Why Helping Others Drives Our Success 
by Adam Grant

Currently being read by Founder’s Circle Member Barbara Burger.

For generations, we have focused on the individual drivers of success: passion, hard work, talent, and luck. But today, success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others. It turns out that at work, most people operate as either takers, matchers, or givers. Whereas takers strive to get as much as possible from others and matchers aim to trade evenly, givers are the rare breed of people who contribute to others without expecting anything in return.

“Another quick read that I enjoyed last month was Silence in the Age of Noise, by Erling Kagge. I also recently finished Salt – A World History by Mark Kurlansky, which was a fascinating way to view history and finally a River in Darkness—One Man’s Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa.” – Barbara Burger

Requiem for the Status Quo
by Irene Frances Olson

Top pick from Founder’s Circle Member, Bruce Logan.

Family caregivers are oftentimes ruthlessly challenged by uninvolved family members who are quick to condemn, but reticent to offer assistance. Such is the case for Colleen Strand, a widow who recently found her own footing who takes on the task of caring for her father, Patrick Quinn, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s fiction, but vividly portrays a typical struggle of dealing with escalating Alzheimers in a parent. It does not address philanthropy but will appeal to persons with a compassionate bent, such as in GoPhil’s community.” – Bruce Logan

The Soul of Money
by Lynne Twist

Recommended by Founder’s Circle Member and GoPhil Traveler, Peggy Sassi.

“A life-changing read. With warmth, honesty, and storytelling, Lynne turns everything we think we know about money upside down…It’s the book we all need right now.” —Brené Brown, Ph.D., author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rising Strong

This liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money—earning it, spending it, and giving it away—offers surprising insight into our lives. Through personal stories and practical advice, Lynne Twist asks us to discover our relationship with money, understand how we use it, and by assessing our core human values, align our relationship with it to our desired goals. In doing so, we can transform our lives.

The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey and
I’ve Been Thinking by Maria Shriver

Recommended by GoPhil Founder’s Circle Member, Robin Craig.

“Both of these books inspired me enough to go back and read some of the sections for the second time. Both are filled with insights and wisdoms from many leaders in the world.  I can see myself returning to both of these books over time for inspiration.” – Robin Craig

Robin and her husband Robert are long-time travelers to Southeast Asia. For those interested in the region, Robin also highly recommends Through the Flames, by Allan Lokos, which chronicles the author’s experience when he and his wife were in a small plane crash while traveling to Myanmar. “It’s more about overcoming disaster through compassion, patience and determination – meaning it could relate to any ‘crash’ that may happen in life.”

Novels by Sue Guiney, board member for the NGO Anjali House in Siem Reap, Cambodia, also offer wonderful insights into Cambodian life. The first is A Clash of Innocents and the second is Out of the Ruins.

“For someone who has never been to Cambodia it gives you an understanding of the day in the life in Cambodia, the life in an orphanage, as well as a look into the country’s history.  After you read the first one you will be totally hooked.” – Robin Craig