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.
The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying – Sogyal Rinpoche
I first read this book when I was 23 years old. It has been a wonderful companion. If I’m honest, the first time I read it, so much went over my head, and now 20 years on, I understand just a bit more — enough to find solace and peace within its pages.
This work is a profound exploration of life, death, and the nature of consciousness. As a modern spiritual classic, it blends Tibetan Buddhist wisdom with practical guidance on dying, meditation, and living with greater awareness. Sogyal Rinpoche offers insights into impermanence, the afterlife, and how to approach death with grace, making it an essential read for seekers of deeper meaning.
Supernatural – Graham Hancock
I’ll admit—I still haven’t finished this brick of a book! I’ve been lugging my copy around the world since 2011 … I really must. Hancock’s delivery is entertaining, detailed, and endlessly fascinating—his passion never fades. Supernatural takes readers on a mind-bending journey through ancient cave art, shamanic visions, and the origins of human consciousness. Exploring altered states, otherworldly encounters, and lost knowledge, Hancock challenges history and asks: what if our ancestors tapped into hidden dimensions of reality?
You may enjoy his audiobook Fingerprints of the Gods as well.
Becoming Supernatural – Dr. Joe Dispenza
Wow! This one was powerful. It book includes and is built upon many case studies and tips how to meditate and experience healing. Dr. Joe Dispenza bridges science and mysticism, showing how we can rewire our brains, heal our bodies, and create extraordinary lives. Blending neuroscience, quantum physics, and meditation, he offers practical techniques to break free from old patterns and step into a new reality—one where the mind truly has the power to transform.
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Dr Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi PhD
Ever been so deep in a creative zone that hours pass like minutes? That’s flow—a magical state where you’re fully immersed, focused, and alive. In this groundbreaking book, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi unpacks what it means to be in flow, and how we can tap into it more often to create meaning, joy, and even transcendence in everyday life.
You may enjoy the audiobook version too.
The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
The Secret is all about the Law of Attraction—the idea that your thoughts shape your reality. Think good things, feel the feelings of already having them, and the universe starts working in your favor. Rhonda Byrne mixes ancient wisdom with modern-day manifesting tips, encouraging readers to get clear on what they want, visualize it, and believe it's already theirs.
It’s a high-vibe intro to creating a life you love—just by shifting your mindset and energy. Whether you're calling in abundance, health, love, or purpose, this book says: you've got the power.
The Science of Getting Rich – Wallace D. Wattles
This is a great book. A short read, direct and easy to follow. I inspired Rhonda Byrne’s the Secret, sparking the ‘manifesting’ craze. You will notice in the front matter, that this book was inspired by The Eternal News by J. J. Brown … it’s good to keep pulling the thread sometimes.