"Eat, Pray, Love".....The Book....

"Eat, Pray, Love...."

(scheduled for US release August, UK release September)

So I finished "Eat, Pray, Love" yesterday....it was really great read. I have to say that it took me a couple of goes to get into it....not really sure why....but I was quickly hooked. I actually felt I wanted to read it all again straightaway.

The "Italy" part was definitely the easiest part to read....laugh-out-loud funny at times and I thought she absolutely nailed the Italians (for those of you who don't know my husband is London-Italian!)....so many characteristics that I recognised....tremendous warmth, a particular simplicity and attitude towards life (and its challenges) - and a huge passion for family, Italy, food, life, wine and football...and not necessarily in that order ;)

The "India" part was by far the most challenging to read for me....but, interestingly, it was the part I read the quickest and which I found most thought-provoking, I literally couldn't put it down. Spiritual, demanding, revelatory and clearly the sort of experience that strips you and takes you right back to the core of your being, making you ask every single question of yourself - those you wanted to ask and those you have avoided all your adult life....her time at the ashram in India is quite incredible.

The "Indonesia" (Bali) segment of the book was easier to read although I found it as enlightening and amazing as her Indian stay....and it was definitely the most visual, I practically felt as though I was in Bali, it was so  incredibly beautiful.

I don't want to say too much about what happens in each country since I don't want to ruin it for anyone - although as I have said once before, I feel as though I am the only person in the world who hasn't read this book!

Very thought provoking, moving, funny and inspiring as a read, to me it's the kind of book that really stays with you....I can see how some people have read it and found it life-changing....although I will be honest (since I just took a look at some of the reviews on Amazon!) and say that I can see why some people found the book self-indulgent and irritating beyond belief! I really enjoyed it though, would read it again and found it very easy to relate to....I think sometimes you take what you want from a book and I got a lot from this one....

I can't wait to see the film - I love Julia Roberts and the very handsome Javier Bardem....although since such a lot of the book is narrative and descriptive, it will be interesting to see how that translates to the big screen.

Another feeling that the book definitely inspired in me was a desire to travel more....all three cultures that Elizabeth Gilbert visited were so different....I always think I have travelled quite a bit yet this book made me realise that there is an awful lot more to be seen out there....

I'm now half-way through "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion (it's school hols, I have daytime reading time...woo hoo!) and have so far read most of it with a huge lump in my throat....beautifully written and very very moving.

Right.....off to "Toy Story 3" right now, hanky at the ready!

PS Next week I will be reviewing my fantastic new ice-cream maker (courtesy of CSN Stores) and am looking for some really fabulous ice cream recipes to try out....if you have one of your own or can recommend one, please do let me know!

CSN Stores has amazing online stores where you can find everything from cookware to Ceiling Lights  to furniture!

Happy Monday!!