20 Best Books On Enneagram (2023 Update)

EEKS FOR GEEKS This is a book about a common occurrence in the life of one who is artistically inclined therefore (as it quite often happens) introverted. Such a person in America is constantly assailed by the forces of 'normality ' especially in the person of parents who if they are 'normal' American parents are harping incessantly 'Why can't you be normal like everyone else?' It so often happens as in the case of Mary Bast that a child tries to appease parents by playing 'the good little girl' for them while in one's private mind indulging idiosyncrasies and looking at the wild side of life. Mary Bast could have chosen to write about the side of her that was (maybe still in part is) that good little girl. Of course the wild side though is always more appealing as a subject for a writer. In 'Homage to the Goddess ' the poet appeals not to the nurturing motherly side of the Mother Goddess but to the feminine principle with 'hefty thighs.' This is the Mother Nature who cares for nothing but 'juicy-pomegranate' procreation and the fermenting stench of Death. The poet stands in the ripe stench between those thighs exuding her own fermenting smell and declaring (as if it were not obvious!) 'I am no longer nice.' So much for the good little girl. Several more of the poems in the first section (titled 'The Freak') pursue that same theme. Women sit in cages women perform in freak shows biting off the heads of chickens yearning to escape 'boredom's daily shadow.' In 'Woman in A Cage' the protagonist 'wants to break her demons'/hold upon the prison she calls home.' In 'Earning Her Chops' we are shown another little girl who progresses from timidity and reticence ('turning from sissy things') to a place where she's a tough mean Momma with 'eye fierce and hip to fight.' In 'Rave ' a prose poem the tough woman in the poet rages against the loss of her breasts to cancer and yet that gentle little girl is still there in 'Birthday Voodoo ' which tells of how the poet's two-year-old child ignores her mother's 'blameless gift a perfect cuddler ' while embracing a 'spindle-legged/corkscrew-haired buttinski' of a Raggedy Ann doll. This it seems to me harkens back to the time when the parents of our idiosyncratic poet were shouting 'Be normal pick the cute cuddly doll that pees its pants ' while child-idiosyn was sneering at such conformity and going with the ugly doll. Now the tables have been turned and already at age two a new 'good little girl' is on her way to going bad! In the second section (titled 'The Clown') the poet treats us to her sense of humor. In two of these poems the narration is given to flowers: 'From a Slightly Masochistic Petunia' (what a title!) and 'If a Daisy Could Speak.' Sick of being torn apart petal by petal (by lovers looking to find out if they are loved) that daisy laments 'I want the simple life /to soak rain and suck sun.' How much we all have in common with that daisy! We all basically want to soak rain and suck sun; that's our job on earth. In the whimsical playful 'Whimsy for Willy ' penis envy runs amuck to the point of an irresistible urge to dress up all different wieners in hats. This poem reminds me of something one of my lovers once said (and she knew of what she spoke being a connoisseur of pricks): 'No two phalluses are the same; each is a unique individual with his own unique charm.' More humor stands out in two odes one to birkenstocks and one to knees. The one about the knees laments the time when those buggers could still kick ('when ball fit socket you could Taekwondo a kick'); the owner of the knees in desuetude yearns to get past the poor articulations and 'blow this joint.' In section three (titled 'The Sword Swallower') my favorite is 'Chewing on the Page ' a fascinating treatise on various interesting tidbits. It tells us e.g. about an essay detailing how many insect heads the FDA approves in fig paste and introduces us to 'Butler's opus Severance /on the 1.5 minutes following/decapitation.' If that opus exists I'd like to read it as decapitation has always been an avocation of mine. My second favorite 'Pierced ' begins by detailing various bits and pieces of lives with previous lovers and husbands ('when we biked in tandem/on Mackinac Island/when we posed astonished/on the thin ice of taste') and ends by informing us that 'pierced' is not only a sharp moment of ecstasy but is also a metaphor for separation: 'words for pierced: parted /riven broken sundered torn.' Summing up: Eek Love is full of great stuff. Thank you for presenting it to the world Mary!u.r. bowie

I have appreciated the enneagram as a way to better understand and offer compassion to myself and those around me for several years. However, this book is exactly what the conversation surrounding the enneagram has been missing. Chichi talks about our enneagram types as armor- one that we are often encouraged to put down as a sign of growth and self-reflection. While this is lovely in theory, as pointed out in the book it also centers privileged individuals. And as Chichi writes, "It is harmful to make unarmored vulnerability the end goal without addressing the systemic inequities that make armoring necessary for groups of people.” This book speaks truth to power, embraces nuance, and shines a light on the enneagram as a tool for Black liberation. I will be reflecting on what I have learned from this book for a long time. Buy it. And then buy it for all your friends. You won’t regret it.Kailin

This book is incredible. As a couple and family therapist and a seeker of knowledge myself I am always on the lookout for books that I connect with and that my clients may as well. I have read many books on the Enneagram, I often utilize the enneagram types in therapy and for myself as well. This is the first enneagram book where I felt fully seen, heard, known and supported. As a 2, myself, I can feel extreme shame while reading "my section" and I did not feel that way while reading this book!!!! I actually took so many notes in the book and want to know more, want to understand myself even more as my shame isn't taking over as I read Chichi's words. I felt understood and reflected back from the pages. In my opinion, which is just my opinion, I imagine anyone who has felt as an outsider, has felt oppressed, has felt lesser can benefit from the wisdom in this book. I do believe that everyone and anyone can and will benefit from reading this book. Please buy two, read one for yourself and gift another one.Cate

Love these books. I actually wanted to get type 2 to read to understand my mate a bit better as hes been super response to how I treat him based on their suggestions but I figured I better read through mine first and Im having to take my time with it because its blowing up my brain. Great idea linking it with what God says about us. I still cant get over how much it has truly helped. Thanks!b22ge

I was hoping this book would be a meaty dissection of prompts and questions for my specific personality number. Although the journal had helpful questions that are meant for type 4, I felt the book spent more time on general enneagram and spiritual overview than the individualized depth I was hoping for. It works as a very basic overview or perhaps for those who are spiritually seeking or want to know how to merge their enneagram with a Christian perspective. Not a bad book just not the one I was looking for!Carrye B.

Love the readings and breakdown of my personality type. Also love the questions that make me think about current and future plans.Sharon J.

Love the readings and breakdown of my personality type. Also love the questions that make me think about current and future plans.Sharon J.

Love this book! I simple look into the enneagram. I have other more hefty enneagram books but this one is easier to digest and fun to share with friends! Also a good quick 'reference guide' when I forget some characteristics of certain types.Smith