When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Pema Chodron, 1997 

I think that Chodron is one of the clearest thinkers and writers on the topics of meditation, Buddhism, etc.  This book extends the one I read earlier this year and is focused on running towards our monsters, leaning into our fears, and spending no energy on avoiding or obsessing, but focusing on accepting and taking joy in our being alive in our world.  She makes a strong case that life is, by its very nature, filled with pain and suffering and that it’s all about how we deal with those challenges, not about avoiding them.  There are many useful phrases and take home messages that make this a valuable addition to my meditation library.