We're in phase one: Compiling a list of books from which to choose. Voting will begin once everybody has had a chance to add their book ideas to the list. Here's the list so far.

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis (1944, 2009)

Expanding a series of radio talks into book form, Mere Christianity never flinches as it sets out a rational basis for Christianity and builds an edifice of compassionate morality atop this foundation.

The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community, Marc J. Dunkelman (2014)

“Marc Dunkelman gets it. In The Vanishing Neighbor, he shows how the traditional web of relationships that makes up American life is undergoing fundamental change, why it matters, and what we need to do about it.”

     -President Bill Clinton


 
Epiphany: True Stories of Sudden Insight to Inspire, Encourage and Transform, Elise Ballard (2014)

Have you ever experienced an epiphany, a life-changing moment or realization? This book is a collection of more than fifty revelations that changed lives forever. Elise Ballard started asking others if they had ever experienced these kinds of breakthroughs. What began as simple curiosity led to an unexpected and exciting journey.
Strengthsfinder 2.0, Tom Rath (2007)

Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular assessment. While you can read this book in one sitting, you'll use it as a reference for decades. Loaded with hundreds of strategies for applying your strengths, this new book and accompanying website will change the way you look at yourself, and the world around you, forever.  



 
Blessing the Hands That Feed Us: What Eating Closer to Home Can Teach Us About Food, Community, and Our Place on Earth, Vicki Robin (2014)

Taking the locavore movement to heart, bestselling author and social innovator Vicki Robin pledged for one month to eat only food sourced within a 10-mile radius of her home. Her sustainable diet not only brings to light society’s unhealthy dependency on mass-produced foods but also helps her reconnect with her body and her environment.



Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, Karen Armstrong (2011)

In this important and thought-provoking work, Karen Armstrong—one of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world—provides an impassioned and practical guide to helping us make the world a more compassionate place.





Sacred Stories, Spiritual Tribes, Nancy Tatom Ammerman (2013)

Ammerman examines the stories Americans tell of their everyday lives, from dinner table to office and shopping mall to doctor's office, about the things that matter most to them and the routines they take for granted, and the times and places where the everyday and ordinary meet the spiritual. 





The Art of Stillness, Pico Iyer (2014)

Iyer considers the unexpected adventure of staying put and reveals a counterintuitive truth: The more ways we have to connect, the more we seem desperate to unplug. In our madly accelerating world, our lives are crowded, chaotic and noisy. There’s never been a greater need to give ourselves permission to be still.
 




The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door, Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon (2012)

This unique and inspiring book asks the question: What is the most loving thing I can do for the people who live on my street or in my apartment building? Through compelling true stories of lives impacted, the authors show readers how to create genuine friendships with the people who live in closest proximity to them.




My House Our House: Living Far Better for Far Less in a Cooperative Household Paperback, Karen Bush, Louise S. Machinist, Jean McQuillin (2013) 

This is the story of three trailblazing women who came together to create a 21st century cooperative household. "Alternative" living arrangements account for a large and growing percentage of American households, and offer practical, economical solutions for people looking to live together for less and still maintain a high quality of life.


CoHousing Cultures: Handbook for Self-Organized, Community-Oriented and Sustainable Housing, Jovis (2013)

This handbook presents a selection of the most significant housing projects in Europe today, from Berlin, to Stockholm.






Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett (2011)

This book offers an in-depth exploration of a uniquely rewarding type of housing which is perfect for anyone who values their independence but longs for more connection with those around them. Written by an award-winning team, this fully-illustrated manual combines nuts-and-bolts practical considerations and design ideas.