Offering a wide variety of books, music, gifts, jewelry, apparel and other items, Unity bookstores play an important role in offering Unity congregants and the general public access to a wide range of spiritual resources. Unlike mainstream bookstores, which are tailored to a broad spectrum of consumers, Unity bookstores are designed to enhance the spiritual experience, understanding and interests of today's spiritual seekers. Highlighted below are some of the most requested spiritual books and resources at a few Unity bookstores around the country.
Unity Center of Tulsa
The Unity Center of Tulsa Bookstore and Library offers an extensive collection of current and classic spiritual books, inspirational items and gifts. The store also hosts online book reviews.
“We seem to set trends by promoting books with displays and [through] our website,” says bookstore manager Bill Ferguson. References made by the minister on Sundays spur sales as well. “If she quotes from an article in Unity Magazine, we sell out,” he says. “If [she quotes] from an Eric Butterworth book, we have calls for it after the service.”
The store's best-sellers include Ordinary Enlightenment by John Robinson, Heart-Centered Metaphysics by Rev. Paul Hasselbeck, and Love Without End: Jesus Speaks...
by Glenda Green. Unity of Tucson
The bookstore at Unity of Tucson offers a wide variety of current and classic book titles, CDs, DVDs, cards and gifts. Works by Catherine Ponder, Eric Butterworth and Abraham-Hicks are among the store's top sellers.
According to bookstore manager Sammie Alijagic, there is also renewed interest in “old-style literature” like the book Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East (6 Volume Set)
by Baird Spalding. “The bookstore is designed to help foster one's relationship … with the Divine by creating an ambience as serene, beautiful and sacred as the sanctuary experience,” she says. “That's why I carry the books I do, because they underscore the principles [and] the roots of Unity.”She says other popular books include Hiring the Heavens: A Practical Guide to Developing Working Relationships with the Spirits of Creation
by Jean Slatter and You Can Heal Your Life
by Louise Hay. Unity Church of Venice
Books about the Unity movement and its founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore are among the best-sellers at the bookstore at Unity Church of Venice in Venice, Florida. Works by Byron Katie and Wayne Dyer, as well as The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have
by Mark Nepo and A Deep Breath of Life: Daily Inspiration for Heart-Centered Living
by Alan Cohen, are other popular reads.The store also offers a wide variety of children's books, staff and minister top picks, jewelry, magnets, posters, diffusers, cards and quilts. “Our clientele consists of regular church patrons (and) they like new things,” says store co-manager Sharon Hamant.
Unity Church of Overland Park
At CommUnity Books and Gifts at Unity Church of Overland Park in Overland Park, Kansas, prosperity and personal growth books are frequently requested. Congregants also ask for music by Karen Drucker, Rev. Paulette Pipe's Touching the Stillness CD, and audiobooks by Abraham-Hicks.
“Our best-selling books tend to vary depending on what books our senior minister mentions during Sunday services,” says bookstore manager Karen Adinolfi. “We also receive requests for newly published Unity House® books such as Ask Yourself This by Rev. Wendy Craig-Purcell, and The Five Principles by Rev. Ellen Debenport. We also sell lots of gift items, Unity jewelry and quartz crystal pendants made by local artists.”
Unique features of this bookstore include a music listening station and a free five- minute HeartMath computer assessment.
Unity of Phoenix
Julia Kellogg, manager of Divine Idea Bookstore at Unity of Phoenix notes that Unity congregants are very loyal to their church bookstore. “They like to buy unique items that they can only find in their Unity store,” she says, “Things they won't see in Hallmark or Target.”
Gregg Braden is a popular author right now, along with Don Miguel Ruiz' book The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery
. Inspirational stones, affirmation and greeting cards, candles and anything related to the Law of Attraction are also popular items, says Kellogg.The bookstore has a children's section, rents out popular DVDs and has a collection of items with the Prayer for Protection by James Dillet Freeman.
Unity Village, Missouri
The Unity Village Bookstore and Coffee House at the spiritual headquarters for the worldwide Unity movement offers a warm environment where Unity Village employees, students and congregants gather daily. Alicha Dwyer, the store's manager, says many people request the book Images of Unity Village by Tom Taylor and the CD Affirmations From the Prayers of Silent Unity.
“In terms of genres, metaphysics and spirituality are very popular,” Dwyer notes. “We also sell a lot of focus stones, Unity apparel and pocket tokens. Some of our most requested items are music by Faith Rivera and Rickie Byars Beckwith.”
