The Reading Lounge: Books That Bring the Woo
15 favorite page turning fiction & nonfiction reads that explore the creative life, the universe, life and death, philosophical explorations and/or what truly matters
If you’re reading this right now that means I didn’t lose you with the title, yay! I’m someone who loves the woo—I think of the woo as that which can’t be easily explained, the mystical, the otherworldly, energetic vibes, the universe, etc. The online definition I found describes the woo or “woo-woo” as:
A term used to describe ideas, beliefs, or practices that are considered dubious, mystical, or unscientific, especially when they relate to spirituality, alternative medicine, or pseudoscience.
I’ve got this concept on my mind because I just started Suleika Jaouad’s new book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice For An Inspired Life and the title alone was enough to pique my woo interest. I don’t often preorder books, but I preordered this back in Sept and have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. The introduction and chapter one is all Suleika’s writing and then the book is an amazing compilation of essays and journaling prompts from people from all walks of life—big name writers, creators, musicians, a priest, a prisoner and many many more. I peeked at essay one and it’s from author Dani Shapiro, what a treat this book will be!
I love the term ‘alchemy’ and the fact that it means “a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.” I’m someone who tends to enjoy the ideas and process of alchemy without having ever applied that particular word to my life. I spend a lot of time reading books that explore creativity, transformation, the universe, life and death etc. I’ve visited many different psychics over the past 17 years and have had readings that have blown my mind. I’ve had mediocre readings too, but visiting a psychic is something I just find enjoyable no matter what. As you can see, on the Woo Spectrum, (via Ness Labs) I’m woo convinced. This was a fun article about noticing patterns in woo-woo beliefs and the four different levels people may find themselves on.
I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of my favorite fiction and nonfiction books that bring the woo or woo vibes to their stories. I ended up with fifteen titles! These stories vary in topic and style (some are funny, sad, serious, reflective), but all explore different themes like the universe, philosophical explorations of life and death, creativity, the afterlife and more. I would love to hear your woo recommendations in the comments!
Favorite Fiction Books That Bring the Woo
**synopses from The Storygraph
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
Growing up on Long Island, Shelby Richmond is an ordinary girl until one night an extraordinary tragedy changes her fate. A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future. In New York City she finds a circle of lost and found souls—including an angel who’s been watching over her ever since that fateful icy night.
I loved this exploration of fate, love, friendship and the animals...oh my gosh the dogs! One of my very favorite Alice Hoffman books!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better? Nora Seed fin ds herself faced with this very decision.
I LOVE a what if story, especially if it involves being able to find out what would’ve happened down the road not taken. I thought this story was captivating and hard to put down. It’s a creative concept and I thought he pulled it off. Also great on audio!
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
This is about one spirited girl alone in the wilderness, trying to survive. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her. What she finds is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her.
On paper I wasn’t sure if I would like this, but it was one of my favorite books of the year two years ago. The audio narration by January Lavoy was incredible and I was left crying at the end which I have to say always elevates a story for me. This is one of the lighter woo picks today, a subtler woo if you will. Her writing is beautiful and I thought the story was compelling from start to finish.
Joyland by Stephen King
Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever. Ideal for readers who crave a haunting blend of nostalgic coming-of-age storytelling and chilling supernatural mysteries.
Please ignore the awful cover of this book, it’s so bad and does nothing to highlight the fantastic story inside. This is one of my very favorite Stephen King books and the one I often recommend to people who want to read him, but don’t want anything horror or gruesome. This is also fairly short with a character, setting and time period I loved. It’s also light on the supernatural and just creepy enough on the ghost aspect. The bittersweet ending got me, if I recall tissues were needed.
We Are the Light by Matthew Quick
An unforgettable novel about the quicksand of grief and the daily miracle of love. The humorous, soul-baring story of Lucas Goodgame offers an antidote to toxic masculinity and celebrates the healing power of art. In this tale that will stay with you long after the final page is turned, Quick reminds us that guardian angels are all around us—sometimes in the forms we least expect.
Tissues were needed. A beautiful book!
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
An introspective, atmospheric journey that blends labyrinthine mysteries with philosophical wonder and the allure of hidden worlds.
This story of Piranesi who lived in the House is one that I have no idea how to explain, but it was an incredible story that I didn’t understand for most of the book, but loved it nonetheless. This is my just trust me recommendation. It was great on audio and one I will reread someday
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
The astrobiologist Theo Byrne searches for life throughout the cosmos while single-handedly raising his unusual nine-year-old, Robin, following the death of his wife. An ideal book for readers who appreciate emotionally rich, thought-provoking stories that explore the interplay of personal grief and existential questions through the lens of complex family dynamics.
This was my first Richard Powers and I was surprised, enlightened, frustrated at times, but always riveted by this story. Tissues were needed! Great on audio
The Late Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow
The circumstances of Molly Marx’s death may be suspicious, but she hasn’t lost her joie de vivre. Newly arrived in the hereafter, aka the Duration, Molly, thirty-five years old, is delighted to discover that she can still keep tabs on those she left behind. As a bonus, Molly quickly realizes that the afterlife comes with a finely tuned bullshit detector. As Molly looks on, her loved ones try to discern whether her death was an accident, suicide, or murder. She was last seen alive leaving for a bike ride through New York City’s Riverside Park; her body was found lying on the bank of the Hudson River. As the police question her circle of intimates, Molly relives the years and days that led up to her sudden end.
This is a woo book with heart and humor. There’s mystery, family drama, motherhood, and starting over whether we want to or not. I laughed out loud several times while also crying during different scenes. I was invested in finding out what really happened to Molly. I think this is a delightful, life affirming book.
Favorite Nonfiction Books That Bring the Woo
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
A beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distills the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime’s work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments—and lifetimes—of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us
My top book of the year in 2023, I’ve already listened to this three times! It’s a book for everyone, whether you’re an artist or not. It’s a book about living and being. A true gem of a book and would make a great gift.
Personal Effects: What Recovering the Dead Teaches Me About Caring For the Living by Robert Jensen
The owner of the world’s leading disaster management company chronicles the unseen world behind the yellow tape, and explores what it means to be human after a lifetime of caring for the dead.
This is one of those books that at first glance seems like it might be too hard to read and at it’s heart it is an up close look at death and the dying in ways I’ve never thought about before. It’s a book I often think about, especially when I read about a plane crash, mass tragedy, or natural disaster. The jobs people like the author and those in his company are doing to help recover loved ones and their personal effects are heartbreaking, but also bring tremendous comfort to surviving family members. The author does a brilliant job shedding light on how doing this job that centers on death has taught him so much about living. It’s a fascinating, heartbreaking, and grounding read.
The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America’s Wildlands by Jon Billman
A fascinating, in-depth look at people who vanish in the wilderness without a trace and those eccentric, determined characters who try to find them. These are the stories that defy conventional logic. The proverbial vanished without a trace incidences, which happen a lot more (and a lot closer to your backyard) than almost anyone thinks
This was fascinating from start to finish. There’s a couple stories that if you didn’t know they were true would seen too far fetched. It’s a give it a try I bet you’ll like it recommendation
Manifest by Roxie Nafousi
A meeting of science and wisdom, manifesting is a philosophy and a self-development practice to help you reach for your goals, cultivate self-love and live your best life. This book will teach you exactly how to get there in just 7 steps.
Great on audio, I ended up buying a print copy to refer back to. This is one of those books that you could pick up at different times of your life and get something different out of it. After reading this, I started making my own vision board as a fun new year activity
Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz
Jon Katz addresses the difficult but necessary topic of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Drawing on personal experiences, stories from fellow pet owners, and philosophical reflections, Katz provides support for those in mourning. By allowing ourselves to grieve honestly and openly, he posits, we can in time celebrate the dogs, cats, and other creatures that have so enriched us.
This is a comfort book I’ve read twice in the last 5 years, once when my 11 year old lab Rocco died in March 2020 and again last August when we had to say goodbye to my 15 year old cat Toby. I found his writing to be caring, thoughtful, and compassionate and a reading balm at a time when all I felt was sad.
You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Life Changing Lessons from Heaven by Theresa Caputo
Each chapter incorporates a powerful lesson that is made real by Theresa’s witty and wise insights. She shares moving client stories and fascinating behind-the-scenes tales from her life and hit reality show to help people find peace and closure and to better understand the spiritual world. With lessons revolving around themes such as choice, faith, fear, gratitude, healing, surrender, relationships, compassion, and living each day to the fullest
Granted, this is one of the biggest woo books on my list, but I really enjoyed this on audio. I listened to it in 2018 shortly after my grandma (who I was extremely close to) died. I recognize that some of the stories she shared seem truly unbelievable and if I wouldn’t have had my own unbelievable experience with a psychic, I would’ve been much more skeptical reading a few of these stories. With books like this, I go in with an open mind and just enjoy the reading experience.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. She offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.
One of my all time favorite nonfiction books, I’ve read and/or listened to this more than once over the last few years. I’ve also listened to every episode of her Big Magic podcast. It’s another book, like The Creative Act, that looks at creativity and inspiration as something that every single person can tap into. I especially love that her focus is on not letting fear stop us. I for one need this type of pep talk on a regular basis. This is also great on audio!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of some of my very favorite woo books. If you have a minute, share some go your favorites win the comments.
Today’s The Reading Lounge is free for all. I would love if you’d consider restacking or sharing with a friend who might enjoy these woo filled recommendations:)
I want to read Faithful, sounds beautiful! I have read some of these, I didn't love Midnight Library, I thought it was too cheesy tbh, I think I have an issue with this kind of stories and it really depends on my mood when reading them. I remember liking Joyland, and Vaster Wilds was a bit of a struggle but I liked it. That said, I started Piranesi and put it down like 20 pages later 🤣
What a fun list, Renee! Love this topic and many of these books are favorites!