GRAND WINNER
ADULT

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl
By Daniel Pinchback
(Tarcher/Penguin)

This literary and metaphysical epic unifies the cosmological phenomena of our time, from crop circles to quantum mechanics to the worldwide resurgence of shamanism, in support of the Mayan prophecy that the year 2012 portends an unprecedented global shift. Combine Umberto Eco, Aldous Huxley, and Carlos Castaneda and you get the voice of Daniel Pinchbeck. And yet nothing quite prepares you for the lucidity, rationality, and informed audacity of this seeker, skeptic, and cartographer of hidden realms.

GRAND WINNER
SMALL PRESS

PLANETWALKER: How to Change Your World One Step at a Time
by John Francis, PhD.
(Elephant Mountain Press)

Planetwalker is the inspirational story of one man's silent walk across America to raise environmental consciousness, address social injustice, and promote world peace. Born the son of a West Indian immigrant in north Philadelphia, Francis overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles on his walk from the California coast to the New Jersey shore. In 17 years of silence, he earned a college degree and a Ph.D. in land resources. He was named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme, and was recruited by the US government to write oil spill regulations following the Exxon Valdez disaster. As a chronicle of a young man's call to public service, Planetwalker addresses both complex issues and the simple, deep yearning of the heart. A remarkable man, and a remarkable book.

GRAND WINNER
CHILDREN / YOUNG ADULT

THE GREAT TREE OF AVALON: The Eternal Flame – Book III
by T.A. Barron (Philomel)

The culmination of this remarkable trilogy fulfills the premise begun in 2004, with its conviction that all of creation is connected and interdependent. Barron’s Avalon appears to be the last stronghold in the universe where harmony, sustainability, and interspecies friendship prevail—but the forces of greed now imperil this idyll. Three young people of disparate backgrounds call upon all their resources to bring about significant change, as Barron shows that there are no easy answers to the interplay of dark and light forces. Elegantly designed and edited, the series deserves a place among the classics of young adult literature.

Now for the rest of our Nautilus Winners

ANIMALS/NATURE

COMMUNICATING WITH ORCAS: The Whales Perspective
By Mary J. Getten (Hampton Roads)

This unusual book is the true story of an amazing journey into the unfamiliar world of Orca whales by Getten, a respected whale naturalist and professional animal communicator, and her colleague. Calling these magnificent creatures her “daughters,” Getten describes the horrendous whale captures of the 60s and 70s, and then explores the many mysteries of Orca life, enlightening readers and suggesting many areas for future research.

ART/SPECIALTY/GIFT

THE MISSING PEACE: Artists & The Dahli Lama Committee of 100 for Tibet (Mandala Publishing)

Exploring the many facets of our common longing for peace, The Missing Peace showcases contemporary art that celebrates and incorporates the spirit of the Dalai Lama. Each featured artist interprets the Dalai Lama's life and message in his or her own way; each unique work is a meditation and an opportunity to contemplate the values of kindness, patience, courage, nonviolence, responsibility, and restraint. These extraordinary images from around the world demonstrate that no matter how difficult the road to peace may seem, we have the ability to travel it with creativity, wisdom, and compassion.

BUSINESS/CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP

CONSCIOUS BUSINESS: How to Build Values Through Value
by Fred Kofman
(Sounds True)

This is not your ordinary business book. Kofman, former MIT Teacher of the Year and a colleague of Peter Senge and Ken Wilber (who both wrote forewords for the book), has skillfully woven the dynamics of inner personal change with those of outer change within a corporate context. The role of consciousness is primary for Kofman, who considers it our basic faculty for survival and success. For example, what are the hidden emotional obstacles that may be holding us back from making good decisions at work? A truly conscious business, he says, also prioritizes for the needs of others and the primacy of processes that tap into collective wisdom.

COSMOLOGY/NEW SCIENCE

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl
By Daniel Pinchback
(Tarcher/Penguin)

This literary and metaphysical epic unifies the cosmological phenomena of our time, from crop circles to quantum mechanics to the worldwide resurgence of shamanism, in support of the Mayan prophecy that the year 2012 portends an unprecedented global shift. Combine Umberto Eco, Aldous Huxley, and Carlos Castaneda and you get the voice of Daniel Pinchbeck. And yet nothing quite prepares you for the lucidity, rationality, and informed audacity of this seeker, skeptic, and cartographer of hidden realms.

ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT

THE WISDOM OF WINDERNESS: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature
by Gerald May
(Harper San Francisco)

The Wisdom of Wilderness expresses the healing and wholeness May received through spending time in the wild—hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, or just sitting. The natural world has the power to inspire the best and soothe the worst in us. It also has much to teach us about the wilderness within and the divine presence that is manifest in nature. This book offers a memoir and spiritual guide that reveals the great lessons available to us when we retreat from our crowded lives to the serenity of the wild, and reminds us of the many reasons why we must honor and preserve this gift.

FOOD/COOKING/NUTRITION

GRUB: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen
By Anne Lappe & Bryant Terry (Tarcher/Penguin)

Combining a straight-to-the-point exposé about organic foods and the how-to's of creating an affordable, easy-to use organic kitchen, Grub brings organics home to urban dwellers. It gives the reader compelling arguments for buying organic food, revealing the pesticide industry's influence on government regulation and the extent of its pollution in our waterways and bodies. With an inviting recipe section, Grub also offers fresh ideas and easy ways to cook. This savvy and practical guide to organic eating for urban dwellers combines a straight-to-the-point exposé about organic foods with the how-tos of creating an affordable, easy-to use organic kitchen. It gives the reader compelling arguments for buying organic food, revealing the pesticide industry's influence on government regulation and the extent of its pollution in our waterways and bodies.

GRIEVING/AGING/DEATH & DYING

THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE:
Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom
by Angeles Arrien
(Sounds True)

This collection of teachings, reflections, and stories from around the world open us to the challenge and deeper mysteries of the "great crossing" at midlife. Working with images, poetry, metaphors, and other forms of symbolic language from diverse cultures, Arrien introduces the “Eight Gates of Initiation,” and takes the reader step-by-step through each one, revealing valuable tools for coping with the challenges of health and aging, connecting with your life dream, and cultivating intimacy in your relationships. Some wise and sound advice on retirement strategies are also shared.

HEALTH & HEALING

CONSCIOUS HEALTH: Choosing Natural Solutions for Optimum Health & Livelong Vitality
by Ron Garner
(Namaste Publishing/Beaufort Books

Timely and to the point, Garner presents Five Keys to ensuring optimum health and life-long vitality. Clear, well-organized, and easy-to-read, Conscious Health conveys how the body operates, why it succumbs to disease, and how health problems can be reversed. He teaches natural health principles while identifying both the causes of and how to prevent disease—everything one needs to make confident decisions about health care. Neither doctors nor medications can heal us, says Garner. Only our bodies can do that.

INSPIRATIONAL/MOTIVATIONAL

THE SECRET
By Rhonda Byrne
(Beyond Words - Atria Books)

This is life-changing book that people from all walks of life can read and then "get" the concept of “The Secret’. It allows them to then take it and apply it to their lives. Children, teenagers and adults of all ages are reporting miraculous stories of positive changes as a result. Rhonda Byrne is dedicated to making sure the whole world knows about The Secret. This book gives hope for what many have been waiting for—a shift in the way the world thinks.

MEMOIR/PERSONAL JOURNEY

FIELD NOTES ON THE COMPASSIONATE LIFE: A Search for the Soul of Kindness
by Marc Ian Barasch
(Rodale Press)

With a keen balance of hope and realism, Barasch is never pious as he ponders the meaning of compassion and its healing properties, and the wisdom of the compassionate from St. Francis and the Dalai Lama to caring individuals in his own life. He poses a vital question: What if the great driving force of our evolution were actually "survival of the kindest”? And he comes up with challenging, ultimately inspiring answers. Touching on psychology, social science, and evolutionary biology, Barasch melds accessible reportage with spiritual quest.

PARENTING/FAMILY

ENCHANTED LIVES: A Holistic Guide MAGICAL BEGINNINGS to Pregnancy and Childbirth
by Deepak Chopra, M.D., David Simon, M.D., Vicki Abrams, C.C.E., I.B.C.L.C.
(Crown/Three Rivers Press)

A much-needed answer to today’s “assembly-line” approach to childbirth, this book is a guide for all who wish to participate in the wondrous process of bringing new life into the world. Its ideas derive from both the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, with its emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and the latest Western scientific prenatal research. By integrating the best information from these two very different perspectives, this remarkable book gives readers the tools to ensure that our children are nourished by thoughts, words, and actions from the very moment of conception.

RELATIONSHIPS/MEN & WOMEN’S ISSUES

HOW TO CREATE A MAGICAL RELATIONSHIP
by Ariel and Shya Kane
(ASK Productions, Inc)

This thoughtful book is a profound journey into the world of relationships, both their pitfalls and their potential. It is filled with simple but powerful principles demonstrating how the foundations of a magical relationship can be created, and reminds us that relationships and the magic they contain are in constant movement—both are renewable resources that must be cared for and nurtured moment to moment.

SELF-HELP/PSYCHOLOGY/PERSONAL GROWTH

A LIFE IN BALANCE: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness
By Dr. Kathleen Hall
(AMACOM Books)

A guided journey to joy, peace, and an intentional life can benefit every thinking and caring person on our planet. Hall describes the many directions in which our lives pull us, and shows how, in order to stay “balanced” and true to our soul, we can use the four steps she outlines to find happiness as we create that essential balance. Filled with wit, wisdom, and compassion, A Life in Balance is a powerful guidebook to identifying and staying true to your soul.

SOCIAL CHANGE/CURRENT EVENTS/ACTIVISM

WAKING THE GLOBAL HEART: Humanities Rite of Passage from the Love of Power to the Power of Love
By ANODEA JUDITH, PhD (Elite Books)

Only through a global rite of passage will humanity shift from the love of power to the power of love. This initiation, brought on by economic and environmental imbalances, will uproot and transform every aspect of human civilization, demanding of humankind a new myth that insists on cooperation rather than competition, networks rather than markets, sustainability rather than exploitation, and a reverence for ecosystems more than ego-systems. Waking the Global Heart takes us on a journey through the twists and turns of our collective history to emerge with an inspiring vision for our next awakening.

SPIRITUALITY/RELIGIOUS

TALKING TO GOD: Portrait of a World at Prayer
By John Gattuso (Stone Creek Publications)

A sumptuous feast of beauty and wisdom. Rich with powerful images and thoughtful reflections and essays by internationally renowned writers of faith that explore the universal significance of prayer in this inspirational volume of lush images and meditative words. More than 100 photographs taken in 50 countries chronicle the diversity of the devotional experience. The experience of prayer is shown to connect all parts of the human family in pursuit of a greater, transcending realitygiving readers new insights into the practices of the world’s many faiths reminding us of our common spiritual ground that underlies differences in belief and practice

YOGA/MASSAGE/BODYWORK

CONTACT: The Yoga of Relationship
Tara Lynda Guber and Anodea Judith, PhD. (Mandala Publishing)

This unique book presents an inspiring new vision of yoga that can deepen one’s relationships with lovers, friends, family, and other intimates. Using poses designed for two participants, it explores that mysterious and dynamic edge where two people connect physically, emotionally, and spiritually, offering valuable insight into the dynamics of all loving relationships. Learning the “Seven Points of Contact”—trust, passion, commitment, love, communication, vision, and union–will bring joy and fulfillment to all your personal interactions.

ADULT VISIONARY FICTION

FIREBELLY
By J.C. Michaels (Philograph)

Firebelly, a small misshapen frog, has the opportunity to choose between a comfortable life as a pet and an adventurous life in the wild. His story intersects with the life of a young girl facing family challenges and struggling to understand the difference between what she can be and what she must be / what she wants to be and what she is expected to be. The arc of this poetic and very unique story introduces readers to some of the great ideas in philosophy, especially those of Sartre, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Dostoyevsky, and Buber. An excellent opportunity for dialogue and discussion across all ages.

JUVENILE/YOUNG ADULT VISIONARY FICTION

THE GREAT TREE OF AVALON: The Eternal Flame – Book III
by T.A. Barron (Philomel)

The culmination of this remarkable trilogy fulfills the premise begun in 2004, with its conviction that all of creation is connected and interdependent. Barron’s Avalon appears to be the last stronghold in the universe where harmony, sustainability, and interspecies friendship prevail—but the forces of greed now imperil this idyll. Three young people of disparate backgrounds call upon all their resources to bring about significant change, as Barron shows that there are no easy answers to the interplay of dark and light forces. Elegantly designed and edited, the series deserves a place among the classics of young adult literature.

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED

MEET PATOU
By Dianna Edwards; Illus by Jessica Hargreaves
(Patou Books)

This beguiling three-part tale of a pair of schnauzers cannot fail to touch the heart of every reader. Without undue sentimentality, Patou voices his concerns over his changing circumstances in a way that becomes a reassuring comment on uncertainty, adapting to a new environment, grief, and renewed hope. Edwards is that rare children’s writer whose gentle style reaches people of all ages. Hargreaves’ illustrations succinctly evoke the charm of the dog characters while her abstract backgrounds encourage readers to make their own connections.

CHLDREN’S FICTION & NON-FICTION

OWEN & MZEE: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff & Dr. Paula Kahumbu
(Scholastic Press)

This true story, told by a father and his six-year-old daughter, shows how a tragic disaster can produce beautiful stories and enduring teachings. Owen, a baby hippopotamus, separated from his mother in the aftermath of a devastating tsunami, is rescued by villagers and finds a new home in Haller Park Animal Sanctuary. Here Owen and a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee become inseparable friends. Besides fostering concern and interest in endangered wildlife, the animals themselves become models for friendship in spite of disparate backgrounds.