The best books with spiritual depth

Why am I passionate about this?

As well as a novelist, I’m an astrologer who’s intrigued that 6,000 years ago - when Lilith apparently existed, alongside Adam and Eve - marks a point in an astrological cycle when a matriarchal era became a patriarchal one, followed by a fated reunion of the feminine and masculine energies. That era of unification begins now, and I call it the New Earth. I Am Lilith shares these big-scale and hopeful understandings about human evolution in a wildly luscious story. It is for those who are ready for unity and sense that the time has come for a New Earth.


I wrote...

I Am Lilith: An epic reimagining of the story of Lilith

By Melanie Dufty,

Book cover of I Am Lilith: An epic reimagining of the story of Lilith

What is my book about?

In a female-ruled society, she's trapped in an ancient struggle between the sexes. Will she be the spark to restore unity? 6,000 years ago, the mighty High Priestess Lilith is torn between her sacred duty and following the truth in her heart. Haunted by the injustice she oversees, Lilith yearns to set men and boys free from her temple's tyranny. But with a secret prophecy of masculine domination threatening chaos, Lilith is forced to quell a mounting male-led revolt. She finds herself falling for the one man who inspires her trust. But his growing ambitions and a rising war trigger events that demand a starry destiny plays out.

A mystical story based on a real astrological cycle that sees Her on top, then Him, before we unite equally. That time is now.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Alchemist

Melanie Dufty Why did I love this book?

I love this simple and delightful story filled with symbolism and meaning. There’s a clarity in these pages that makes it easy to see how we are similarly guided through synchronicities and divine messages in our own lives. It’s easy to feel the truth that courageously holding to our dreams with determination will lead us to fulfillment. The book shows it’s just as easy to fall off the good path and lose hope, vigour, and courage, and not progress our destiny. I love that it’s never too earnest or self-conscious - it keeps the feels real. 

By Paulo Coelho,

Why should I read it?

25 authors picked The Alchemist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book - a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is…


Book cover of The Mists of Avalon

Melanie Dufty Why did I love this book?

This ambitious and magical doorstopper of a book carries a big energy that has never left me. What I most love is the way the complex feminine is captured, especially through the character Morgaine. She has been vilified in Arthurian stories but in this book, we know her as a deeply intelligent, sensitive, powerful, and vulnerable woman, doing the best she can to hold to her pagan faith through her glories as well as her falls into shadow. Her yearning for love and true passion, and bereftness when she can’t get it, spoke to me as a woman. There was a time I wanted to reject this book due to controversy over the author, but I’ve continued to value it as an expression of complex light and dark feminine energy. 

By Marion Zimmer Bradley,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked The Mists of Avalon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Here is the tragic tale of the rise and fall of Camelot - but seen through the eyes of Camelot's women: The devout Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's Queen; Vivane, High priestess of Avalon and the Lady of the Lake; above all, Morgaine, possessor of the sight, the wise, the wise-woman fated to bring ruin on them all...


Book cover of The Red Tent

Melanie Dufty Why did I love this book?

This is a sensual, warm and alive book carrying a profound depth of feminine understanding. It is beautifully written and transports me to another world, with characters who are flawed and wonderful. The concept of women gathering happily to bleed together in a restful red tent while eating honey cakes was, for me at least, groundbreaking. There is real love for the feminine and our ability to bleed, to conceive and birth, and to enjoy sexuality fully. The sexism and cruelty of the age are not shyed away from, and the women handle it with strength, resourcefulness, and dignity. This is a book that deepened my love for what it is to be a woman. 

By Anita Diamant,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Red Tent as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In The Red Tent Anita Diamant brings the fascinating biblical character of Dinah to vivid life.

'Intensely moving . . . feminist . . . a riveting tale of love' - Observer

Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her fate is merely hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the verses of the Book of Genesis that recount the life of Jacob and his infamous dozen sons. Anita Diamant's The Red Tent is an extraordinary and engrossing tale of ancient womanhood and family honour. Told in Dinah's voice, it opens with the story of her mothers -…


Book cover of The Celestine Prophecy

Melanie Dufty Why did I love this book?

This book opened my mind and planted a quality seed that took a long time to germinate. When I read it so long ago, I was oblivious to the realms of energy and consciousness, and it was incredibly exciting to feel the resonance of truth in the pages… to know there’s something more. Nowadays it’s very simplistic because of how consciousness has moved on, but it was groundbreaking at the time. It carries real power to have rocked human consciousness to the extent it did, and bump us along the road of awakening. The story and writing are simple but does the trick as a vehicle to share understandings on how the world of energy and human consciousness works. 

By James Redfield,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Celestine Prophecy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This extremely readable and addictive parable has become a breakout word-of-mouth hit for its uncanny ability to renew your understanding of life, connections and perspective with fresh vigour. From the multimillion-bestselling author, James Redfield, and perfect for fans of Paulo Coelho and Eckhart Tolle.

'The Celestine Prophecy has already reached cult status... It homes in on the deepest, most urgent search of our times - the search for meaning... This is a book like no other.' - THE TELEGRAPH

'If you've ever wondered what the formula is for an "inspirational" bestseller, with promising potential for cult status, look no further'…


Book cover of Initiation

Melanie Dufty Why did I love this book?

This may be my favourite book ever, apart from I Am Lilith. It shares lucid past life memories of the author in very ancient Egypt, as well as her experiences living through World War II in Eastern Europe, revealing purposeful links between souls incarnated in both lives. The spiritual knowledge is astounding, and the depth seems endless. I’ve read it multiple times and often randomly read a few pages, each time seeing something new. It’s very evocative, with fascinating descriptions of life and spiritual practices in very ancient Egypt while highly evolved beings were still active. It explains how the pyramids were made, and that a long era of separation and dense consciousness was due before a return to unity again would rise. It also explains the truth of passionate human love and sexual connection, through spiritual yet also very human eyes. It’s a mighty tome to take on, but if it speaks to you, you’ll be hooked. 

By Elisabeth Haich,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Initiation as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An autobiography that connects the twentieth century European life of internationally beloved teacher Elisabeth Haich and her lucid memories of initiation into the hidden mystical teachings of the priesthood in ancient Egypt. It reveals her insights into the subtle workings of karma, reincarnation, and spiritual development.


You might also like...

American Flygirl

By Susan Tate Ankeny,

Book cover of American Flygirl

Susan Tate Ankeny Author Of The Girl and the Bombardier: A True Story of Resistance and Rescue in Nazi-Occupied France

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Susan Tate Ankeny left a career in teaching to write the story of her father’s escape from Nazi-occupied France. In 2011, after being led on his path through France by the same Resistance fighters who guided him in 1944, she felt inspired to tell the story of these brave French patriots, especially the 17-year-old- girl who risked her own life to save her father’s. Susan is a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society, and the Association des Sauveteurs d’Aviateurs Alliés. 

Susan's book list on women during WW2

What is my book about?

The first and only full-length biography of Hazel Ying Lee, an unrecognized pioneer and unsung World War II hero who fought for a country that actively discriminated against her gender, race, and ambition.

This unique hidden figure defied countless stereotypes to become the first Asian American woman in United States history to earn a pilot's license, and the first female Asian American pilot to fly for the military.

Her achievements, passionate drive, and resistance in the face of oppression as a daughter of Chinese immigrants and a female aviator changed the course of history. Now the remarkable story of a fearless underdog finally surfaces to inspire anyone to reach toward the sky.

American Flygirl

By Susan Tate Ankeny,

What is this book about?

One of WWII’s most uniquely hidden figures, Hazel Ying Lee was the first Asian American woman to earn a pilot’s license, join the WASPs, and fly for the United States military amid widespread anti-Asian sentiment and policies.

Her singular story of patriotism, barrier breaking, and fearless sacrifice is told for the first time in full for readers of The Women with Silver Wings by Katherine Sharp Landdeck, A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell, The Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia, Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown and all Asian American, women’s and WWII history books.…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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