Ethics for the New Millennium

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni recommends Ethics for the New Millennium by the Dalai Lama (Riverhead, $13)

An inspiring and honest book. The Dalai Lama analyzes the timeless human quest for happiness and shows how it cannot be fulfilled without developing restraint, virtue, and compassion. Written in simple, direct language, with warm and humorous examples from the Dalai Lama’s own life, this is a wonderful and generous text, full of love and hope. I found the chapter on peace particularly relevant at this difficult time in our nation’s history.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is the author of Sister of My Heart and The Mistress of Spices. Her new novel, The Vine of Desire, will be published in January.