Part of developing our spirituality, is to do with developing our creative ability and freeing our imagination.

When I was about 10 years old, my brother returned home form England, and came to greet me while holding The Hobbit under his arms, (not in his suit case). I knew that this was a meaningful gift.

I started reading it and could not put it down. It was this book that ignited my interst in myth that sealed my continuing interest in fable and fantasy. I also came to appreciate how rich is my own culture in myth and fantasy. Most of us know about Arabiab 1001 Nights, but wait till you read The Fables of Kalilah Wa Dimnah, and Tales of Alhambra. This is why the list on this page, is that of treasured booksthat I own, and which I would never lend out!

You will also note that I have favourite books, and not necessarily favorite authors. Classics, I believe, cannot be repeated.

Read my article about The Mystery of Myth: Are Fairy Tales Spiritual?

Myth, Fable, & Fantasy

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream (Paperback), by Paulo Coelho. "Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sense a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coelho introduces Santiago, an Andalucian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream." Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

The Fables of Kalilah Wa Dimnah: by S. Saleh Jallad. Adapted and translated from the Sanskrit through the Pahlavi into Arabic by Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa AD 750. Translated from the Arabic by Saleh Saadeh Jallad. Drawings and cover design by Myriam Misk Saikaly. Dust jacket. Hardbound. London: Melisende. £14.95 from Foyle's, London, July, '02. "The book thus infuses wisdom with amusement." Hard to find- grab it when you can. Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

The Hobbit, by J. r. R. Tolkien ( illustrated)
"Tolkien wrote this story for children; to be more specific, this was written for HIS children. There were several stories like this, but it was this, The Hobbit, that was his master achievement in children's literature. The Lord of the Rings ( a single epic, NOT a trilogy) was written to cash in on The Hobbit's success. Tolkien wanted to get on with the more serious work of his mythology, and ultimately that is what happened with The Lord of the Rings."- from Amazon reviewer.
Amazon UK, Amazon USA
The Hobbit, Or, There and Back Again (Paperback), by J. R. R. Tolkien
(children's version), Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach - A spirituality classic!
Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (author), Katherine Woods (translator). There is a modern translation of this book by Richard Howard, but I personally prefer the one here, by Katherine Woods.
Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

The Prophet, by Khalil Gibran. Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

Tales of Alhambra, by Washington Irving
"The mood is bewitchingly enhanced by Spanish guitar music and beautiful packaging. Perhaps the most romantic travel book ever written. . " Washington Irving’s dreamlike description of Spain’s Granada and the beautiful Moorish castle, the Alhambra, remains one of the most entertaining travelogues ever written. Enhanced here with exquisite Spanish guitar music, the narrative is a heady mix of fact, myth, and depictions of secret chambers, desperate battles, imprisoned princesses, palace ghosts, and fragrant gardens, described in a wistful and dreamlike eloquence, will transport listeners to a paradise of their own. This book is hard to come by, unless you are in Granada, Spain where you can purchase the version published by Granada University. So, buy it where you can find it!
Alibris UK, Alibris USA, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.

This is my favourite section of the recommended book list.

I don't know about you, but when I was a child, I never really enjoyed being lectured at. I would soon loose interest, and stop paying attention. But whenever something was related in a story form, with wit, charm and fantasy- my ears perked up.

Many a-times, the language of symbols, fables and magic, conveys and expresses spiritual teaching in a charming, fun and profound manner; without having to feel that have been "lectured"!

I believe partly because it speaks to the child within- that refuses to grows up but continues to be inspired by imagination.

On this page, I share with you a personal favourit list of Myth, Fable & Fantasy books. I hope that it will fire your imagination and enhance your spiritual understanding too.

For more creative links, including writing courses, please visit Creative Resources page.