I have found these alternative books enjoyable - they are alternative because they introduce a spiritual context into the mainstream. As I discover such authors I will present them here in the alternative list. Some will be obscure, not contemporary and difficult to find but with a bit of diligence and AbeBooks you can have success. They may very well use totally different spiritual vocabularies so you will need to learn to read between the lines on some but, as I said, they are fascinating in their own right.

These books are intended to act as awareness provokers. There are no groups to join or regimes to follow in order to gain full benefit. There may be no spiritual benefit at all. They are not spiritual guides but rather curiosities that make you question your worldview on how things are. Call them "spiritual lite"

I would start anywhere with any alternative author listed in the Recommended Reading drop down menu with the first being: Mark Burch - Stepping Lightly. Follow your curiosity with this list.

One author may resonate more for you than others. Rejoice as that makes your experience easier to access. Have fun!

Alternative Reading
  |Overview
  |Mark A. Burch
  |Swami Rama
  |Holger Kersten
  |Thom Hartman

If you have some authors you think would be of interest email me and I will have a look too.