Off the Bookshelf....

I love to read. There is nothing like a good book in your hands and a story that you can't tear yourself away from. At the moment, I am reading "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

I know....I know. For someone who loves to read, why am I just now reading this book? A New York Times Best Seller? An Oprah Book Club book? A "Now seen in Theaters" book? Well, believe you me, I saw it on the shelves in all the book stores I frequent, but for some reason the word PRAY in the title was throwing me off. Not that I don't pray. I just assumed that I wouldn't care for it because of the portion of the book that was geared as more spiritual than I'm accustomed to reading. Not that I'm not spiritual. I just didn't know how I would feel about it. Anyway, it just goes to show you....I didn't peak a real interest in the book until the movie trailers started playing....and it was then I decided - as I always do - that I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie. And I'm so glad I did.....

The book is a true memoir about and by Elizabeth Gilbert. Recently divorced, she decides to travel across the world to Italy, India, and Indonesia in her personal search for.....well, EVERYTHING! She writes "I wanted to explore one aspect of myself set against the backdrop of each country, in a place that has traditionally done that one thing very well". She continued in writing "I wanted to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two."

At this blog entry, I have only read half of the book.....all of the EAT section.....and half of the PRAY section. I can totally relate to the EATING part. Oh, what we wouldn't give to spend months in Italy eating...and eating...and eating. Carbs....what carbs?

And.....believe it or not, I am gaining a lot of insight from the PRAY section. Honestly. Its made me think about my own spirituality and how it relates to how I live my life. How I feel about others and how I feel about myself. And its made me realize that you don't always have to be in control. Its okay to let go.

The pleasant surprise of the book is that I've found that even though the author and I are profoundly different, we are so much alike. So much that it's scary. We both have control issues (yes....I can admit this) and we both have an over active mind. Even though I haven't finished "Eat, Pray, Love", I would recommend reading this book for the first portion alone - when I say portion, I'm meaning the EATING portion(s)! Anyway, I find the memoir extremely compelling. The honesty of the author is admirable and touching. It makes me wish that I could experience a trip such as this....only to find.....well....of course, PASTA!