Seeing Things In A Different Light
September 2nd, 2010
I was in therapy the other day (aka web-surfing for mindless crap) and ran across a quote that sent off a flare in my mind. For the past couple of days I have been reading Christa Polkinhorn’s debut novel “Love of a Stonemason” and try as I might, I couldn’t peg a witty or otherwise enchanting way of wording its message, and then I ran into this…
“I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”
This is exactly what Polkinhorn’s novel is all about, the struggle to overcome your demons and let love flood in.
Karla is an artist, but like most magicians with a canvas her talents come at a cost. At the age of 5 Karla lost her mother, and with it went her peace. Andreas is also an artist, but instead of painting he carves tombstones. Both have issues, both are looking for closure, and in a ironic turn of fate (or an inability to look where they are going) they are about to meet, but will their instant connection be enough to keep them together? With depression, and anger waiting in the wings Karla and Andreas are forced to make a decision… face their pasts together, or live their hells alone.
A few days ago I was dreading having to write this review. I was 20% in and bored (which is never a good sign) but luckily my inability to toss a book (regardless of how crappy) kicked in and I pushed through. I’m very glad I didn’t give up. While I undoubtedly enjoyed the first few chapters of this novel, my patience began to wear thin when the focus of the novel shifted. What I thought was supposed to be a (in the most basic term) “love story” suddenly turned into a long drawn out battle with daddy issues. Thankfully, Polkinhorn’s ability to creatively capture the culture, and beauty of her settings added brief moments of reprieve from (an otherwise) excessively wordy section, and enticed the reader to keep moving. After her stint in Peru however, things very quickly got back on track (well… as on track as you can be for throwing depression, abandonment, resentment and infidelity at a couple) and before I knew it I was sucked back in. The writing quality as a whole was wonderful, and Polkinhorn’s ability to “write art” was a nice little treat when it was all said in done. Her characters (though written to have a slew of flaws) were nicely detailed, and allowed the reader to indulge in their complexities.
All in all… not bad for a book I initially disliked.
One word of warning however, if this sounds like the book for you, please set aside the appropriate amount of time to read it. It is not an easy read, and it is long… so take your time and be prepared to learn some hard lessons.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If you plan on writing secret love letters to people, don’t leave them on the table for everyone to see… that just screams FAIR GAME!
For a complete book description click image
(4/5)
Can’t Fight That Feeling
August 31st, 2010
Back in March I read a book called “Leaving Paradise” and it was fantastic. I raved about it, and (if I remember correctly) told all of you to run right out and buy it. There was something so emotional, and real about it that it left me breathless, so when I received an ARC copy of its follow-up novel “Return to Paradise” I was like a kid in a candy store. I jumped, I squealed, and then I stayed up until ungodly hours reading it.
I wish I hadn’t.
“Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.
Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She’s determined to make a new life for herself.
But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie’s accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.”
I have been let down by books before, (even books by Simone Elkeles) but for some reason this felt much more personal to me. I fell in love with Caleb and Maggie’s story in LP, I held my breath in anticipation of their future, I felt their emotional acceptance, I even cried for them, but somehow in “Return to Paradise” all of that was lost. The character development, and intensity that was so carefully crafted seemed to disappear completely, and was replaced by (somewhat) forced dialogue, and awkward personal interaction.
The lessons in RTP (which are absolution and acceptance) were cleverly disguised as a “Re-Start” youth program, and allowed Elkeles to expand her cast, but even with witty new characters, and chapters of angst, everything just felt dry and redundant. For a woman that has (not only) made her mark in the YA community, but kicked mounds of sand over everyone elses’, to say I was disappointed would be like saying “spiders are icky”… grossly understated. I was completely deflated.
Read it if you must, but my advice (and I really hate saying this) retain your reading high from “Leaving Paradise” and write off the rest.
Oh… and (just because I have no self control) What the hell is up with the cover art? Really? Did we have to go with the extra slice of cheese?
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes even the best book can be broken.
Click image for complete details
(3.0/5)
(On a side note: I know some of y’all are probably wondering where the 3 is coming from after such a harsh review, so let me explain. Regardless of its inability to live up to it’s predecessor, RTP did have a few outstanding moments in it, and at the end of the day… I still love Caleb and Maggie, and giving their story anything less than a 3 felt sorta sinful. If you are now confused I humbly apologize, this was not my intention, but so goes the game of a bi-polar reviewer.)
Sunday Saver – Kindle Freebie Alert!
August 29th, 2010
Happy Sunday All,
I only found 2 freebies this week that I thought may be worth your time, but no worries… I compromised. In addition to your 2 NEW reads, below you will find 3 books that are ALWAYS free for Kindle (so no big rush in the download department.) Pride & Prejudice, Anna Kerenina, and Dracula are just 3 examples of classic literature that shaped modern writing. Each have strong original characters and themes that were unheard of in their era. If you have yet to read them, please take the time to do so… you won’t be sorry.
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: A little dust never hurt anyone.
Being bad never felt so good-
After being jilted by her former master, Jane Porter looks to end her year-long celibacy by attending a bondage-themed event. Thanks to her ex-boyfriend-s stunning betrayal, she isn-t looking for happily-ever-after, just a master who-s willing to explore the depths of her passion and teach her what the BDSM lifestyle is all about.
Antonio Villareal was a wanted man. Single, rich and good looking, he-s on the hunt for a submissive to share his world. The moment he sees Jane on the arm of another man, he wants to possess her body and soul. The only problem is; Jane makes it clear she isn-t a forever kind of girl.
Can Antonio convince Jane to give him a chance?
After one of the most harrowing weeks of Henry Parker’s life, night has finally come. Settled in with Amanda Davies, he sleeps before preparing to chase a story alongside his mentor, Jack O’Donnell. Meanwhile Jack sits on the other side of town, fresh out of rehab, hoping to salvage a once-great career derailed by public humiliation. This is Jack’s last chance to leave his mark. Elsewhere in the city, two killers are on the move. They are brutal, calculating, and after tonight their decade’s long plan will come to fruition. But before the morning comes they have a few stops to make… THE HUNTERS: The thrilling lead-in to THE DARKNESS
For over 150 years, “Pride And Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen herself called this brilliant work her “own darling child.” “Pride And Prejudice, the story of Mrs. Bennet’s attempts to marry off her five daughters is one of the best-loved and most enduring classics in English literature. Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these — the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy — irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls. She annoys him. Which is how we know they must one day marry. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring. As the characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, Jane Austen’s radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle.
When beautiful, aristocratic, and married Anna falls madly in love with the dashing Count Vronsky, their affair shocks Russian society, tears her family apart, and leads, inevitably, to tragedy. Count Leo Tolstoy’s epic story of passion, infidelity, vengeance, and retribution has held readers spellbound since it was first published in the late 1800s. Set against the fatal attraction of Anna and Vronsky, unfolding in perfect symmetry, is another love story: of the melancholy nobleman Constantin Levin and his devoted wife, Kitty. In doubt about the meaning of life, haunted by thoughts of suicide, Levin’s struggles echo Tolstoy’s own spiritual crisis. Filled with unforgettable characters, rich in history and social realism, “Anna Karenina” is a masterpiece of world literature, a story that fires the imagination and touches the heart.
The punctured throat, the coffin lid slowly opening, the unholy shriek as the stake pierces the heart—these are just a few of the chilling images Bram Stoker unleashed upon the world with his 1897 masterpiece, Dracula. Inspired by the folk legend of nosferatu, the undead, Stoker created a timeless tale of gothic horror and romance that has enthralled and terrified readers ever since.
A true masterwork of storytelling, Dracula has transcended generation, language, and culture to become one of the most popular novels ever written. It is a quintessential tale of suspense and horror, boasting one of the most terrifying characters ever born in literature: Count Dracula, a tragic, night-dwelling specter who feeds upon the blood of the living, and whose diabolical passions prey upon the innocent, the helpless, and the beautiful. But Dracula also stands as a bleak allegorical saga of an eternally cursed being whose nocturnal atrocities reflect the dark underside of the supremely moralistic age in which it was originally written — and the corrupt desires that continue to plague the modern human condition.
Karma Is A Bigger Bitch Than I Will Ever Be
August 27th, 2010
About a month ago Debbi Mack sent me her collection of short stories “5 Uneasy Pieces.” I decided to take a chance on them, (not because of the obvious sleuth pretence) but because I knew that at some-point I would need a break. Yes, I know that sounds horrible on so many levels, but sometimes less complicated is just plain nice. Not all of us have the time to dive into a 500 page book, we need something to read in between switching out loads of laundry, and carpool, or… (for those of us that work a ridiculous number of hours a week) it is sometimes much more convenient to curl up with a 45 minute read than the 20 hour one.
Debbi Mack’s collection offers readers exactly that. Easy reading, investigation style.
All 5 of these stories offer different things; payback, bad timing, deception…but at the same time they are all identical. How? Irony. Mack’s ability to smack her own characters in the face is impressive, and because she weaves a twisted tale BEFORE she does this it makes her stories even more enthralling.
However…the best thing about “5 Uneasy Pieces” is that (with just a few short stories) you are able to get a good clean look into Mack’s writing style. Is she for you? Can you stand the 500 classic movie references she throws out, and most importantly do you “believe” her self-made glimpses into the world of investigation. If you answered yes, then it enables you to purchase one of her full length novels guilt free. If the answer is no… no big loss, it was only 99 cents and I’m willing to bet you have more than that in your car’s console.
If you like short easy reads…go for it. Why the hell not.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: never give your shrink your address…it’s inevitable that one day they will snap. Do you want them knowing where you sleep?
For a complete book description click image
(4/5)
Come Over Here And Let Me Smack You!
August 25th, 2010
It’s always a good sign when I have to physically pull myself away from a book to write a blog. This has not happened to me in a while, and I have to admit… it’s rather refreshing!
The last time I read 4 books in 3 days was when I tackled the Twilight Saga (don’t roll your eyes at me!) Regardless of your feelings, the writing was undeniably captivating and had a way of sucking you in. Amanda Hocking’s “My Blood Approves” series has successfully accomplished the same thing.
Combine: intrigue/fate/compulsion/and lust, throw in a pinch of hottie vampire, add a dash of vulnerable human and what do you get? The next big thing, that’s what.
Sometimes my reasons for reading a particular book are… well…just plain retarded, and this time was no different. A few days ago I saw a random twitter post that read “Team Peter T-shirts!” and being the naturally nosy person that I am, I just couldn’t help myself. Who was this Peter dude, and why in the world does he get his own shirt? So I did the only rational thing I could think of, I bought the book.
For once that annoying little voice in my head did something right!
Normally this would be the part where I give my own personal synopsis of the book, but since I have read all of them so very quickly I figured I would let Amanda tell you.
Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham’s life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack’s unlike anyone she’s ever met. Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he’s around. Even though he can’t stand the sight of her, she’s drawn to him. But falling for two very different guys isn’t even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood…
The only real problem I had with any of these novels was in the first 30% of the 1st book. There were so many similarities to Twilight (sudden appearances in a car to save the day, family vampire setting, and a waitress that just couldn’t stop staring) that after 4 chapters I had to stop making annotations for fear of running out of memory on my Kindle, but thankfully… once the characters were established the story took on a life of its own, and a new world was created. Hocking’s writing shined brighter the longer I read, and by the end of “My Blood Approves” I was hooked. The tension created between the “love triangle” was so intense I felt a physical response when reading their dialogue, and the battles both inner and external (and believe me there were some doozies) were expertly plotted.
There were blood whores, pudgy brothers, mangy men from Finland, cracked skulls, one very high-tension moment with a cross, and lots of angst between a house of otherwise lovable creatures.
If you are a vampire enthusiast or would like to know the true meaning of “If you love them let them go” these are a MUST read!
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-its and remember: there are always two sides to every story! (And yes… in case you are wondering, Peter does deserve his own shirt)
For complete book descriptions click image
(5/5) <– and that goes for all of them!
What Goes Around, Comes Around!
August 23rd, 2010
When I was a teenager I used to stay up really late on Saturday nights to watch a show called “Cheaters.” Girlfriends, boyfriends, fiance’s, and spouses would hire this private detective (whose name I honestly can’t remember right now) to follow their loved one. “Convince me that he’s not cheating on me” they would say only to be told 30 minutes later, “Sorry ma’am your mans a dog! Ruff Ruff!” SURPRISE!
Needless to say I was never fully convinced that these “take-downs” where 100% spontaneous (not that it mattered all that much) but now…being the much older, (and I would like to think marginally more intelligent) person that I am, I have decided that yes… these crazy, “I’m-going-to-confront-you-on-late-night-TV” melodramas do actually happen.
When I first picked up “Excuse Me, Miss” by Phillip Thomas Duck, “Cheater’s” is the first thing that popped into my mind. (I had a time warp moment… it was a little scary.)
Victoria (or “V” as her “savior-boss” affectionately addresses her) is a “Sexy Decoy.” What is that exactly? Well, let’s just say that you think your hubby is shagging his secretary… instead of performing your own home-grown lame version of Sherlock Holmes, (reading text messages while he’s in the shower, or wearing a lame red wig and hiding behind a bush) you can just hire V to hit on him. Perfect right? Not so much. On paper the idea is brilliant, but when V’s emotional past starts to rear its ugly head, she suddenly realizes she’s not just lying to the men she’s sent to catch… she’s lying to herself as well. Will Victoria burn herself in the process of burning someone else… or will help arrive just in time to stop her from self destructing?
When I started reading EMM my thoughts were, “Wow! This is kinda cool… fun… sassy” and then, all of a sudden it wasn’t. I was not expecting the dramatic, and pragmatic turn that popped up in the 2nd half of this novel, but that’s not to say it wasn’t well received. Duck’s writing was a tad elementary in the first several chapters, (over using names, and awkward dialogue) but by the time to novel took it’s turn, so did its fluidity. Chalk it up to the change in structure (conversational to reflective) or even throw out the standby “author found his niche” cliche’, (it really doesn’t matter,) what matters is that it got better the longer I read. I think the plot was a tad bumpy in places (specifically when detailing her past) and I could have used a little more insight into her “love interest” but, what the hey… I got what I needed and that’s what matters. Let’s just see if Duck can hold onto his groove for any future pieces.
Let’s put this one into the decent summer read column. Fun, sometimes deep, and easy to read.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If a guy in a green tweed jacket ever approaches you at 2 in the morning and says he “just wants to talk” keep in mind that that is code for… your woman is about to bitch slap you.
Click Image for complete details
(3.5/5)
KindleObsessed Celebrates 1 year!!
August 22nd, 2010
Today is KindleObsessed’s 1 year Blogiversary and I’m SUPER excited!! Now…before I bore you with the milestones I have reached this year I first wanted to thank all of you who have made KO such a success. Without dedicated readers, and authors like yourself I would not be here; instead I would be just another random chick that reads a lot, and bitches to much, so… *Hugs* to all of you for not only giving me an outlet, but actually listening to my advice on what to read and what to avoid. This year has been a whirl wind for me, I never expected KO to take off quite like it did, but I don’t regret a single moment of it. I have met a boat load of talented people, gotten to share opinions with some of the best in the business, and have become friends with people I only every dreamed about. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. So again…thank you for letting me enjoy the ride!
Much Love! – Misty
These are the milestones I felt warranted a shout out… enjoy!
1 Year of KO History~ 8.22.09 thru 8.22.10
- KO has had 8,139 site visits & and whopping 14,996 pageviews
- Those visits include layovers from over 100 countries and all 52 states (<–that includes Puerto Rico and DC)
- My readers? I have 138 Facebook Fans, 212 Twitter followers, 100 Shelfari friends, 252 Myspacer’s & 50 Amazon subscription holders!
- I have been a featured panelist on Book Chatter with Stacey Cochran twice
- KO won the “Versatile Blogger” award, and was also named #27 in the “50 Awesome Blogs for Kindle Addicts“
- I also had the pleasure of (not only) interviewing 2 very well known authors (Chadda & Shorts) but being interviewed myself by David Wisehart!
- KO has had 226 post and a WHOPPING 128 of those were book reviews!
Paying It Forward
Whew! Ok… now on to the moment you have all been waiting for. In honor of YOUR dedication to KO over the last year I wanted to give you a little something. At the end of the week I will make a list of ALL of my FACEBOOK FANS, throw your names into a hat, and randomly pick 9 winners!! What can you win exactly?
A signed copy of:
Or… The AUDIO Version of:
Would you rather have a sassy series about a kick-butt girl? OK… how about this: I have The complete “Alexis Stanton Series” in both Digital and Signed Paperback!
Still not satisfied? Ok… have it your way.
A copy of EVERY KINDLE book in my library!!
What does that mean? Well… it means you will get a digital copy of approximately 128 books!! Scroll to see the list (Or the best list I could provide on short notice… I’m sure I missed a lot + I still have authors sending me copies! *wink Kippoe*)
Morganville Vampires Books 1-8
Vampire Academy Books 1-5
Temperance Brennan (Bones) Novels 1-11
Southern Vampire Tales (Sookie Stackhouse Series) Books 1-11
The House of Night Series Books 1-7
Percy Jackson & The Olymians Books 1 & 2
Complete Fade Series
Riley Jensen Series Books 1-4
Evernight Series Books 1-3
Bite Me Series Books 1 & 2
Mortal Instrument Series Books 1-3
Shiver Series Books 1 & 2 by Maggie Stiefvater
The Forest of Hands and Teeth Series Books 1 & 2 by Carrie Ryan
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sleepless by Cyn Balog
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Calling Home by Janna McMahan
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn
The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
My Name is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder
The Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith
Mossy Creek by Deborah Smith
Exposure: A Novel by Brandilyn Collins
Murder Takes The Cake by Gayle Trent
Summer of the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson
Gypsy Legacy: The Marquis by Denise Patrick
Nightlight: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
Wit’ch Fire by James Clemens
Already Dead: A Novel by Charlie Huston
The Pawn by Steven James
The Demon Awakens by R.A. Salvatore
Unbreakable by Sydney Somers
When Night Falls by Maragret Daley
MetaGame by Sam Landstrom
Paradox I by Rosemary Laurey & JC Wilder
Urge to Kill by John Lutz
Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
The Wild’s Call by Jeri Smith-Ready
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Captivate by Carrie Jones
His Eyes by Renee Carter
The Pace by Shelena Shorts
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Paper Towns by John Green
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Whisper by Phoebe Kitandis
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
Beastly by Alex Flinn
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
I Heart You, You Haunt me by Lisa Schroeder
Need by Carrie Jones
Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen
Sea Change Aimee Friedman
Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jink
The Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Uninvited by Amanda Marrone
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Rules of Attaction by Simone Elkeles
Willow by Julia Hoban
Stealing Bradford by Melody Carlson
Mixed Bags by Melody Carlson
Always Watching by Brandilyn Collins
Beyone the Reflection’s Edge by Bryan Davis
The Goddess of Fried Okra by Jean Brashear
Take Me There by Carolee Dean
The Shunning by Beverly Lewis
If you see something you really want be sure to tell me, and if you see something you could care less about, let me know that as well… I would love to give the appropriate people a chance at their desired prize! Also… I still have gifts coming in, so who knows… I may keep adding more gifts, and more chances to win as the week progresses!
Again… thanks so much to ALL of you, and HAPPY READING!
Here Kitty Kitty!
August 19th, 2010
There is nothing more powerful than the imagination. As children we use it to pass the time playing cops and robbers or planing fairytale weddings. As adults we use it in different ways, we design websites, create video games, or even make up bedtime stories for our little ones. It’s a quality that will never fail us. We are always in control of our own imaginations, we decide how we want things to be and then *poof* that bite sized movie screen you have in the back of your brain comes to life, filling in the blanks.
Stephen James Price wrote a prime example of “use-your-imagination- literature.”
“Pages of Promises” is comprised of 15 “dark fiction” short stories boasting anything from a confirmed (*ahem*) hatred of Stephen King to the more literal “You are what you eat.” All are unique in there own way and (I’ll admit) kept me VERY entertained, (and sometimes laughing) but none of these attributes are what caught my eye. Nope, it was Price’s amazing way of letting the READER finish the story. Each of his tales were detailed without actually being detailed. (Ok… that was a ridiculous statement so let me explain.) Price gives his readers the set up, he gives the characters, and tells the story, but then… right when you are sucked in, and your mind is running a million miles a minute… BAM! He throws a wrench into the plot line, and then stops writing completely. Normally this would annoy me, (I have thrown my Kindle on more than 1 occasion for this very thing) but for some reason this was the clincher for me. This is what made me appreciate and love these sometimes quippy, sometimes creepy stories.
On a side note: the horror that was so eloquently expressed in each and every story was only made better with the explanation of their matriculation at the end of the collection. Knowing the thought process of such off beat stories was almost as entertaining as the stories themselves, and the introduction Price threw as an his preface made me belly laugh. Nice bonus.
Overall: HUGE success, and… (pay attention, this is the important part) a collection that even the newest of horror fans can appreciate.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes all you need is a “pretty kitty” to solve all of your problems.
Click Image for Complete Details
(4.5/5)
The Return of Tiny-Tot Tuesdays!
August 17th, 2010
I haven’t done one of these in a while and figured it is long overdue… so… in honor of Tiny Tot Tuesday and the return of the school year, here is a cute one for the little people in your life.
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!
What’s Wrong With My Hair?
Click Image for Complete Details
Product Description
Lionel is going to a party today, so he must do something about his bad hair. He finds a barber who has lots of crazy suggestions for hairstyles, from dandelion hair to octopus hair! Will Lionel find a style that suits him, and what will be the surprise ending? A head-sized hole in each page allows children to try out Lionel’s hairstyles for themselves, and the back cover has instructions for how to create your own hairstyle.
Knowing the Difference Between Me, Myself and I
August 16th, 2010
My reasons for reading “Eat, Pray, Love” were purely selfish. I had no need for inner enlightenment, (so I thought) or urge to live vicariously through another. I love the idea of 4 months in Italy, but had no desire to hear someone else’s account of it, and while meeting some beautiful Brazilian man sounds appealing, it’s just not in my cards.
Nope, simply put… I just wanted to watch the movie. (Which means in “OCD Land” that I had to read the book first.)
My hopes for EPL were a big fat goose egg. I am (admittedly) not that big of a fan of Non-fiction, but the more I read, the more I realized this book was not about 1 one woman’s journey to find the things she felt she had lost, no… this book was a 12 month experience in what your head, and heart can handle if you make up your mind to confront them.
Now, I can’t really breakdown this book in the traditional sense (which is one of the reason’s I choose to avoid novel’s like this) but I can offer you a little insight into how it reads. Elizabeth Gilbert is witty. Amidst the paragraphs of self loathing, and her search for the perfect meditation mantra she tends to crack jokes at herself. This is a very good thing, otherwise it would basically be 400 pages of college level psychology classes, and Gandhi talk. Instead… think of this as a week long discovery channel mini-series on the inner workings of traditional and non-traditional prayer, add a dash of pizza obsession, a few (very awkward) banana references and viola, you have Gilbert’s travel journal.
What could have very easily been the most boring book on the planet was actually entertaining, and while yes… Gilbert tends to get a little wordy in places, (oh dear lord please answer MY prayer and make her move on) in the end I didn’t seem to mind so much. The topics in which I was learning about were things I never (in a million years) would have guessed myself caring about, yet I found myself unable to stop reading about them, engrossed by the semblance of them all I guess you could say.
In the end I would concur that my eyes have been opened, my head has been scolded, and my respect for yoga has grown exponentially.
My final thoughts: This book is DEFINITELY not for everyone. If you are one of those people that demand a plot, and could careless for mundane details like; why guru’s have 109 beads on their prayer necklaces, then this book will act like Ambien and lull you to sleep in minutes, but if you are a non-fiction fan, and don’t mind learning a few new things, take a chance on it; you just might find some inner peace yourself.
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.”
(3.5/5)
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