Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Non-fiction)
Humor-filled review (read on for something more serious):
This book is about a woman searching for her soul. (This is where the men-folk decide to check out a blog about something else, anything else.) The book is divided into three parts (see title). The first, she is in Italy gaining 25 pounds, next she is in India getting transcendent in an Ashram, and last, she checks out Bali for some unexpected lovin'. (I expect her intent for the latter was not carnal fulfillment, but more allowing herself to love again-blah blah blah.)
This book peaked early. I was completely into the story when she was in Italy surrounded by men and delicious food. She was going through the post-breakup, crazy woman, cry on the bathroom floor situation....she was in that place we have all been. I was thinking how close I felt to this writer. She found peace in learning Italian and indulging herself (my kind of healing).
Next she goes to an Ashram in India and begins 4 am meditations, a meat-free existence, and yoga. She does this for FOUR months. I am not that fond of 4 am. I would be more eager to be transcendent past 7 am. This book started to delve into hokey at this point. I was still hopeful I would get some sort of climax in the Love portion (pun intended), but mostly it was just on the downhill. The leading lady finally finds her inner love and is able to flirt again....I imagine after the eight months of celibacy she was quite frisky. It is in this last section that the proof of her healing is truly revealed.
A more serious look:
Liz was a serial monogamist who always morphed into whomever she was dating. She truly gave herself up. After a nasty divorce (while in a serious relationship with another man) she went through a nasty breakup. She decided to heal herself in an all encompassing way; by finding pleasure (Italy), experiencing God (India), and learning to find balance between the two (Bali). The book was well written and humorous. Liz is easy to find a piece of yourself in (even if it is just when she is gorging on Italian food or being crazy). She took a courageous journey into her mind to get herself past all the crazy. (most of us never get past it, we just get through an episode) She learned how to love without losing herself. I would recommend this book if you have recently been through a tragic breakup, enjoy long baths, or use the Alaska State Ferry as a method of travel.

MY NEW GOAL!

As you may have notices from my extremely lazy blogging technique, I can't commit well to this thing. I think I might have a solution! I need a purpose. I am going to do literature reviews! I use this term very loosely. I run the gamut of books, but mostly stick to non-fiction. Although, I have read a few novels this summer. (A cast will do that do you) Feel free to comment...you can even disagree with me. This is not advisable as I will SPAM you for the rest of your natural life. Kidding. :) I love it when people disagree with me.