Bigger Than Us: The Power of Finding Meaning in a Messy World

British radio and TV host Cotton (Happy from Head to Toe) invites readers to join the pursuit of “God, a higher power, [and] the universe” in this uneven outing. Seeking to connect to herself and to forces “bigger than us,” Cotton interviewed people well versed in such fields as shamanism, astrology, yoga, and meditation. But in attempting to show how readers can harness these modes of spirituality, Cotton weaves in a copious amount of distracting self-analysis, sometimes bogging down conversations with exclamations like “THIS IS ME! At twenty-nine I had all the best stuff and all the worst stuff happen to me.” Elsewhere, shaman Wendy Mandy offers insight into Cotton’s emotional struggles before prescribing self-compassion: “The first thing is to just be kind to yourself.” Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, explains the law of attraction, and astrologist Paula Shaw, along with Donna Lancaster, cofounder of a spiritual retreat, round out Cotton’s “expedition into all things mental health” with a discussion of intentionality, prayer, and celestial cycles. An extensive bibliography allows readers to dive deeper into the topics without autobiographical commentary. Cotton’s fans may enjoy this rambling quest, but others will grow frustrated with her endless self-talk. Readers hoping to find a jumping off point to explore life’s deeper meanings should look elsewhere. (Jan.)