Books to feed the body,mind,and spirit

Ruth    Thompson’s    books    are    imbued    with    her value    for    community,    supportive    relationships, holistic health, and spiritual growth. From   an   early   age,   Thompson   read   avidly,   coming home    from    the    local    public    library    every    week with    a    stack    of    novels.    She    espouses    lifelong learning   and   has   joked   that   if   it   paid   well,   she would   just   stay   in   school.   Education   has   been   a big    part    of    her    life,    having    completed    a    BA    in psychology,    a    Master    of    Social    Work,    and    a diploma   in   natural   nutrition.   In   private   practice as   a   holistic   nutritionist   for   eighteen   years,   she spent   the   previous   twenty-five   years   as   a   social worker    specializing    in    community    development and social planning. Thompson’s    passion    for    learning    inevitably    led her    to    writing.    She    was    also    inspired    by    her mother,   who   spent   the   last   twenty   years   of   her   life writing memoirs and essays. Thompson   has   poured   into   her   books   a   wealth   of   experience   with   health   care   from   her personal   and   professional   life.   She   wrote   her   first   book,   You Can Be Well ,   to   help readers   be   proactive   about   their   health,   knowing   that   many   will   not   consult   with   a holistic health practitioner but will read a self-help book. To    further    inspire    readers    to    take    charge    of    their    health,    Thompson    took    on    the challenge   of   writing   a   novel,   the   first   fictional   work   with   a   heroine   who   is   an   alternative health   practitioner.   With   A Heart for Healing, her readers will find a relatable heroine who, while embroiled in family drama, perseveres in a profession that is often discredited, even vilified .   She   is   currently   writing   the   sequel   with   the   working title A Spirit to Raise. As    to    Thompson’s    reading    preferences,    they    span    fiction    and    non-fiction    authors, including   Jodi   Picoult,   Lisa   Genova,   Mitch   Albom,   Barbara   Kingsolver,   Richard   Paul Evans, Miriam Toews, Louise Hay, and Marianne Williamson.