Bel’s essential reads for creativity, mystery and the unknown.
This is more than just a booklist—it’s a portal and it’s ever-growing. A collection of books that have shaped my creative journey, sparked new ideas, and deepened my understanding of the unseen forces at play in art, spirituality, and the cosmos. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a fresh perspective, or a deep dive into the mystical, you’ll find something here.
Happy reading—and happy unraveling.
*Please note these books have affiliate links to Amazon that benefit the Sacred Mechanics podcast.
The Deepest Secret – Bel Bare
A lost spiritual manuscript, hidden for over a century, resurfaces to reveal the mysteries of time, space, and existence. The search is over—the truth awaits.
This book contains the full text of J.J. Brown’s The Eternal News (1889), plus Bel’s story of how she located the last remaining copy, restored and published it.
The Eternal News – J J Brown
This book contains the full text of J.J. Brown’s The Eternal News (1889). A rare, enigmatic text about the nature of existence, consciousness, and the universal forces shaping our reality. Found, restored, and finally available again.
The Creative Act – Rick Rubin
A mind-expanding guide to creativity from legendary music producer Rick Rubin. This isn’t just for artists—it’s for anyone looking to tap into their creative flow.
The Other Side – Jennifer Higgie
This book opened up many doors for me as an artist. The concet of Artist as Medium deeply resonates and since reading this book a few times, I have made creative leaps.
It is an exploration of artists and their fascination with the spirit world. Ghosts, visions, and the supernatural woven into art history… and so much more!
Do Disrupt – Mark Shayler
A hard to find little gem of a book. A punchy, inspiring book about shaking things up, challenging norms, and doing work that matters. A creative rebel’s handbook. It’s also a little workbook and it doesn’t hold back in encouraging new thinking for creative projects and new businesses. I found my copy in an Art Gallery book store. It doesn’t get directly into spirituality, but gives a creative kick in the pants to procrastinators.
You Are a Badass – Jen Sincero
Oh Lord! I adore this book! I first read in in 2015 and have lost, given away and replaced more than my share if this piece of brilliance. A fun, no-nonsense guide to getting out of your own way, believing in yourself, and creating the life you actually want. It’s full of spiriutal insight, delivered artfully by a word punk.
My Big TOE Trilogy – Thomas Campbell
I am part way through this beast of a book (820 pages of goodness). It can be a heavy read, but lays out ‘what’s what’ in the universe. It is a mind-bending theory of everything (TOE) that fuses consciousness, physics, and the nature of reality. Prepare to have your worldview shattered… I’ll race you to the last page.
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
An absolute classic, that no list should be without. The ultimate guide to unlocking your creativity. Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and a whole lot of self-discovery. Essential reading for any creative soul.
The Second Kind of Impossible – Paul J. Steinhardt
I first heard of this book on the radio where the Author was telling a little of the story, and the interviewer was gushiing that is sounded like Indiana Jones in real life — I agreed. I could’nt get hold of this book fast enough and tore through it. It is a real-life quest, exciting for even those slightly interested in science.
It’s like a scientific detective story about an impossible new form of matter, pushing the limits of what we think we know about reality.
The Quantum Universe – Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw
‘By chance’ I found this book in one of those shopping centre reading corners and had to take it home. Following the hard science theme, there is something fun about learning about scientific thinking in this way, through a spiritual lens. I found this book fascinating and a bit complex in places, but I hear that’s good for the brain! In summary, it is a beautifully written introduction to quantum physics that makes the bizarre, mind-bending nature of the universe feel almost understandable.
Chariots of the Gods – Erich Von Däniken
This was one of the first books I ever read, finished, and carried around with me in the summer of 1981. I was a kid on vacation in Noosa, and this book spoke to me loud and clear and permitted me to stay on the path I am still on, the seeker’s path, despite what the grown-ups were saying … and still are.
The classic book launched a thousand alien conspiracy theories. Were ancient gods extraterrestrials? A classic that still sparks debate. Fabulous debates.