“The Body” is a bookworm.
Supermodel Elle Macpherson — whose new memoir, “Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself,” hit shelves Tuesday — tells Page Six Style she tends to “read and reread” her favorite nonfiction works.
“There’s something about the resonating truths authors share that inspires me and the words transform, blossom, as my awareness grows,” she says.
In her first book, the five-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star writes candidly about secretly battling breast cancer seven years ago and her journey to sobriety.
Below, discover the six reads that changed Macpherson’s life, from the one that “opened [her] eyes and heart” as a young model in the ’80s to the “deeply sensory” romance novel she couldn’t put down.
“From Atoms to Angels” by Paul Darrol Walsh
“Paul presents a straight-talking, simple, practical approach to consciousness. I love the way he demystifies how consciousness works and what the current wave of rising consciousness promises us all — a very different world based on unconditional love, real personal empowerment and authentic wisdom.
“Just what I wanted and it changed my life completely. A real pivot point in my life, ‘From Atoms to Angels’ made clear to me the remarkable benefits you can expect in life as you master the powerful universal forces and principles that invisibly shape all existence. I’ve gifted this book many times; it’s such an ‘everyone’ read of a usually complicated, convoluted topic.”
“Be Here Now” by Ram Dass
“Given to me in the early 1980s in New York City when I had just arrived from Australia as a young girl embarking on a modeling career, it opened my eyes and heart to a new way of being and of perceiving life and our world. At the time, much of this book made very little logical sense to me, yet as the years passed I began to understand the pearls of wisdom in those pages as I have been applying them to my own life. I still have my original copy on my bookshelves and have gifted it many times.”
“Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself” by Elle Macpherson
“My own first foray into writing a whole book was really initiated several years ago when I was still in a cycle of life that was too full-on. Not at all a typical story of my life, ‘Elle’ (as it is simply titled) is more a portrait of what my life has meant and the fact we all face the same life challenges, just in our own unique context.
“Trials and tribulations I’ve experienced in life illustrate the fact that all life circumstances are worthwhile — valuable, meaningful and purposeful. From piercing criticisms and glaring photographers, trying to be someone I’m not, to exotic gifts and places, bathing in motherhood, and losing my cool when it was least wise to do so, this is a peek at the real me, not the reputation that precedes me.”
“The Creation of Health” by Caroline Myss, Ph.D. and C. Norman Shealy, M.D.
“This is a well-worn, well-read book in my library. A collaboration between a traditionally trained physician and a medical intuitive, ‘The Creation of Health’ illuminates the deep connection between emotional conditions and physical illness, from the common cold to arthritis, to chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The empowering realizations in this book meant a fresh outlook for me and transformative choices that affected my life deeply.”
“The Surrender Experiment” by Michael Singer
“This book brought powerful transformation to my life. It’s about the principle of letting go — letting go of the steering wheel of life that we often want or think we have in our hands, and just letting life run its course as we simply go for the ride and adapt. Following the flow of life seemed to me an irresponsible thing to do yet, in reality, it is the only way to ensure we thrive.
“This story of the author’s journey and the constant thread of amazing, almost impossible, things that became his norm, touched many parts of me that I hadn’t dared go to. Yet the experience of letting go and trusting life brought me such relief and ease, surprises and successes, and my own real-life miracles. I found it’s OK to follow my inner guidance; in fact, it’s very wise to do so. You’ll love it!”
“The Course of Love” by Alain de Botton
“And a little fiction for you … This captivating tale provides plenty of food for thought as it captures the playful, wise and profound beauty of the deliciously complex journey of a romantic partnership.
“This is a romantic novel in the true sense, one interested in exploring how love can survive and thrive in the long term. A deeply sensory experience — fictional, philosophical, psychological — it urges us to identify deeply with the characters and to reflect on our own experiences in love. Fresh, visceral and utterly compelling.”