May 2026 – Created Curated by Sara Brown

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I have purchased many copies over the years, having given them away after reading, it’s definitely a book to pass on to others. This short book of only 10,000 words can be read in one sitting. Although it’s a light-hearted story it’s poignant and full of wonderful quotes. It never fails to uplift me and lighten my mood after reading. In fact, it was the first new age/ spiritual fiction book I read several decades ago.

First published in 1970, by 1972 over a million copies were in print and it became a bestselling book. This modern classic has since had updated editions.

Briefly this is the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull who is bored with the daily squabbles over food and is seized by a passion to fly. He pushes himself to learn everything he can about flying despite the ridicule and possible expulsion he faces from his flock. One day Jonathan is met by two gulls who take him to a “higher plane of existence” He discovers that his sheer tenacity and desire to learn make him “pretty well a one in a million bird”. On returning to earth, he finds others like himself and brings them his learning and spreads the love of flying. His mission is successful, gathering around him others who have been outlawed for not conforming. On his journey, Jonathan Livingston Seagull discovered that boredom, fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is short, and with those gone from his thoughts, he lived a long life indeed!

“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now and nothing can stand in your way”

It’s a fable very much about seeking a higher purpose in life, even if others find your ambition threatening. To stay true to yourself and not to compromise your vision. I would recommend this to anyone who is unsure of their direction, particularly young adults at the start of their lives who have bigger ambitions than the people they grew up with. To fly as far and as high as you can!

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

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I haven’t got a list of favourite books as I feel there are just too many great books to choose from. However, if I did have a list this book would be close to the top. I have purchased several copies and loaned them out. (Often to never be returned- but hopefully happy in their new homes.)

I have read this book at different times of my life and although it was published in 1984,it still makes many points that are as relevant today if not more so. Louise Hay’s timeless wisdom encourages us to harness the power of our thoughts, beliefs and use affirmations to create positive change in our lives and wellbeing. Her teachings on self-worth, forgiveness, and the healing process remain as empowering several decades on.

The simple message is that Dis-ease comes from a state of forgiveness, when you are ill, look at who you need to forgive most,in some if not most cases yourself. This is not to condone bad behaviour but just not to let it control your thoughts. The saying goes “There is no point dwelling on what is past” true words indeed, but often harder in practice. How easy it is to mull over an argument or problem afterwards. Replaying this over and over again, until the situation has increased in its potency. If only I had said or done that! Louise stresses how resentment, criticism, guilt and fear cause far greater problems than anything else.

The Past Has No Power Over Me……..

The exercises and affirmations given to release the past are simple to do yet have the power to help in difficult circumstances. Like most of us, I found using the daily affirmations a bit strange but can be used first thing in the morning to build up the confidence to tackle a problem and last thing at night to aid better sleep, building a more positive attitude and mindset. I do write this from some experience as taking a negative thought and trying to replace it with a more positive one does make things better. No one is ever going to feel great complaining or having a Why- Me mindset, in fact it’s going to make things worse.

I think the mental links to physical pain is at the core of Holistic medicine or New Age Health. And isn’t really a new concept as many cultures have known this for centuries. During stressful times, how often do people come down with flu, or migraines, stomach problems or even back and neck pain. Illness and accidents can of course arise during happy, relaxing times (but speaking from a non-medical point of view) during stressful times we do often start coming down with an illness of some description.

Healthy and fit, despite having had cancer several times, Louise Hay continuing to heal others until her death in her 90s. I would love to have the quality of life in my latter years. So,certainly think its worth listening to her wise advice.

If you get the chance, do read this book as I feel sure you will find something you can take away as useful.

Louise Hay- A true Pioneer

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If I was to start a list of my favourite books, it would have to include a book from Louise Hay. A key pioneer in the field of self-healing and the founder of the Hay Institute and the Queen of the New Age.

Louise’s early life was fraught with problems: abuse, poverty and a very unstable home-life. Despite this becoming a successful model and married a wealthy businessman. In 1970,feeling that something was missing from her life she started attended meetings at the Church of Religious Science, which taught the transformative power of thought.

The first book she wrote and self-published was Heal Your Body in 1976. This was one of the first books of its kind, and was a reference guide to the mental cause of physical pain. After the books success she began travelling around the USA giving workshops. Louise Hay’s teachings revolve around the fundamental idea that our thoughts and beliefs directly influence our health, happiness, and life circumstances. Many physical ailments are manifestations of emotional and mental patterns—particularly negative beliefs about oneself. This was a controversial view at the time (It possibly still is) and was to have as many opponents and adversaries as supporters. The Mind/ Body connection is not a new one and many Eastern philosophers hold this at its core root. But in Western society it was viewed as a newer way of looking at health and wellbeing.

In 1980, Louise published Heal Your Life. Her books were now reaching a much wider audience and she was able to make people aware of more taboo subjects. In the mid-1980s, Hay became a prominent figure in the early HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, setting up The Hayride in 1985 a support group for 6 men with Aids. Increasing to a weekly event with 800 people attending.

In 1984 the publishing house Hay House, was established, selling millions of books, tapes and DVDs worldwide. In 1988 Reid Tracy joined the company as an accountant and would eventually become its CEO and continues to grow the legacy of Louise Hay. This was one of the largest independent owned mind-body enterprises in the world forming a diverse community which empowered, educated and inspired. In 2023 this was acquired by Penguin Books.

A daily newsletter and events (many of these are now online) have made a huge difference to many people. Numerous top authors and healers have worked with Hay House: Wayne Dyer, Joe Dispenza, Caroline Myss and Gay Hendricks, to name a few. In addition to running a publishing company there is a charitable organization called the Hay Foundation, founded in 1985. Its mission is to build futures and support organizations that enhance the quality of life for people, animals, and the environment.

Helping others to heal well into her later years, until passing away peacefully in her sleep in 2017 at the age of 90. I was in Spain when she died, when her close friend Robert Holden posted this sad news online, people were communicating their grief globally. To have touched so many lives is a true legacy.

For more information:

www.hayhouse.com and www.louisehay.com