Monday, September 8, 2008

Eat, Pray, Love Take 2; Award and Nomination Miscellany

Title: Eat, Pray, Love
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Date Finished: Sept 8, 2008 #52
Pages: 331

I read this one almost a year ago just because and finished it again today for my face-to-face book club meeting. I decided not to rate it this time around--but I didn't read my previous review until just now and was surprised that I had rated it so high the first time around. My ratings tend to change over time as I continue to think about the book. I forgot what I had rated it, but if I had to guess I would have guessed a 3-3.5. After reading it again I'd say I had it right the first time and will probably remember it more fondly now. And let me reiterate how much I love Liz. I don't always relate to her and we are incredibly different, but I simply really really like her.

I remember liking the book the first time but feeling highly uncomfortable with the whole spirituality aspect of the book (which I failed to mention in my first review--or maybe that's the part that I just couldn't put my finger on at the time). But this time around I was able to enjoy the book a little bit more because I knew the story and didn't have to feel bogged down with a lot of the more technical aspects of the book (although I don't feel that Liz is ever really preachy). Instead of going back through what I thought about the book, I thought I simply remember a few of my favorite quotes from the book that I marked this time around:

"Depression and Loneliness track me down after about ten days in Italy...They don't need to show me their badges. I know these guys very well. We've been playing a cat-and-mouse game for years now. Though I admit that I am surprised to meet them in this elegant Italian garden at dusk. This is no place they belong" (47). I love this whole section, but it's too long for me to quote.

"I love my pizza so much, in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me, in return. I am having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair" (79). Oh yes, Liz. I completely understand!

"You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight" (115).

"...A true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake...Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it" (Richard from Texas 149).

"'So what can we do about the craziness of the world?' (Liz) 'Nothing.' Ketut laughed, but with a dose of kindness. 'This is nature of world. This is destiny. Worry about your craziness only - make you in peace'" (251).

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You Make Me Enjoy Blogging!!

I've been passed on this very lovely award first by Ramya (who designed it) and then by Dar and Bethany. I'm supposed to pass it on to three people and would love to give it back to Ramya, Dar, and Bethany--all three who completely deserve it, but I know I must keep the train going. So thank you so much, ladies, for the mention! And thank YOU for making blogging such a joy for me.

So Nymeth, Debi, and Bellezza, I'm passing this on to you--it is always such a joy to visit your blogs and also to have you visit here. All the people who I visit and who visit me make me enjoy blogging--and it's difficult to narrow down to just three. Without all of you, blogging wouldn't be near as fun. I had no idea that I was joining such a wonderful community of bloggers, but I'm so glad I did. Alright--goin for the Kleenex. ;)

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Have you seen the nominations for Book Blogger Appreciation Week--I can't tell you how thrilled I was to see myself nominated for one of the best commenters. Thank you thank you for mentioning me. Especially when I've been gone so much this summer and feel like I'm always behind in my commenting (after not checking my reader all weekend because I was out of town I'm into the hundreds again). This nomination means a lot--especially considering the commenters that I'm mentioned alongside!! Thank you thank you thank you!!

I was actually surprised to see a lot of blogs that I am not familiar with, but it was fun to see some friends listed among the nominees. Click HERE to see the nominations and HERE to cast your vote. You have until September 12th to do so.

15 comments:

Laura said...

I love ALL the quotes you picked out of EPL-especially the pizza one! I don't remember the quote that begins "You were given life..." but it is a good one and something I should try to do daily!

Corinne said...

I own this but I've never read it. Thanks for your thoughts and congrats on the awards :)

Darlene said...

I've had this book on my shelf for quite a while now and haven't gotten to it. I've heard such mixed reviews on it but I will give it a read soon.

Congrats on the award-you deserve it!

Ana S. said...

Awww, thank you, Trish! You make me enjoy blogging too! And congrats on the nomination :) You were one of my picks for that category and I was so thrilled to see your name among the finalists.

It's funny how our perception of a book changes over time, isn't it? There are books I remember having enjoyed more than I actually did, and then there are others that I remember having enjoyed less.

I'm curious enough about this book to pick it up eventually. And lol at that pizza quote :P

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Laura - I only marked a few passages, but it seems that we talked about most of them yesterday! By the way--I like the new picture!

*Corinne - I hope you end up liking it--like Dar says, the reviews have been pretty mixed but I think it's best to go in with an open mind.

*Dar - It's definitely an interesting take on life. There are elements that I wish I could incorporate (not having to feel that I need to be in control of everything!) but others that I don't really buy into. I hope you like it--a lot of people really do.

*Nymeth - The book is interesting, but there were some parts that I had a tough time reading about. This time was much easier because I could kind read lightly through some of those passages.

And thank you! :)

Debi said...

Oh Trish, thank you so very much! You just totally made my day. Heck, who am I kidding...you made my week! I can certainly see how you've been awarded this one three times already, for you do make blogging a joy! And I was so excited when I first saw the finalists and saw you'd made it...you know you got my vote! I was really surprised to see so many blogs I'd never heard of too, but also very happy to see some of the blogs I love most (like yours!) among the finalists.

You know, I'm one of the small handful of people who have never read this book. I honestly didn't think I had any interest in it. But you just changed my mind...those passages you quoted have me liking the author already! One of those books I thought I would never have to add to the list now goes on it. Hmmm, should I be thanking you, or just the opposite? :)

Terri B. said...

I'm curious how people in your face-to-face book club rate this book. So far I've heard such wildly diverging opinions! People seem to either LOVE it or HATE it (yes ... with capitals!). I haven't read it, so I blissfully have no opinion :o)

Your current read (as per It's Tuesday...) sounds like a good one.

Melody said...

Congrats on the nomination, Trish! Very well deserved! :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Debi - *blushes* thank you. :) It's interesting how most of the blogs I love so much I am able to pinpoint exactly when I stumbled upon them. I'll always thank Weekly Geeks for meeting you (finally).

It is so difficult to NOT like the author of this book--whether you agree with her thoughts or not (and a lot of the time I didn't). There are a lot of fantastic characters (I call them characters even though they are real) who make the book what it is. And a handful of insights that I would like to incorporate in my life. I think this is one of those border books where people either love it or don't.

*Terri - I liked it--with small case letters. :) I think I'm a tad too young because my mom and aunts all gush over it. But they've been through the divorce and the heartache. I was a kid when my parents went through that so I couldn't really relate to that aspect of the book. I don't know--maybe that doesn't really having anything to do with it. My bookclub was pretty careful last night with the discussion (we are still pretty new--this was our third meeting), but I think most of us felt about the same way as I did. Liked it without the caps. :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Melody - We must have just crossed paths because I missed your comment! Thank you. :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I definitely think it's an awesome idea to show appreciation for readers that don't blog themselves, but just love reading them!

I also wanted to let you know that there is a fun charity project coming up. Post on the blog, just scroll down a bit! :)

-Lauren

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Thanks for all the comments on my blog lately - sorry I haven't been here as often. :( In answer to your question, the business cards are for my blog, funny as that sounds!

Ramya said...

hey trish! congrats on the nomination.. you are a super commentator!! i have felt the same thing when i re-read books.. if i lked the book immensely the first time, i usually don't like it as much the next time i read it and vice versa.. there are exception to the rules of course!:)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Lauren - I've got you in my reader, so hopefully I don't miss a thing! Thanks for the heads up.

*Heather - No worries! Sounds like you've been very busy lately. :)

*Ramya - I don't do a whole lot of re-reading, but the good news for re-reading is that my memory is pretty faulty. So sometimes reading a book a second time is just like reading it the first. The bad news is I have a bad memory!! And thanks. :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Trish: Awesome, and I definitely hope you don't!! :)

Thanks
Lauren