I chose this last book because many years ago I read Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. I remember little about the book, aside from that I enjoyed reading it. The Glass Lake is quite a tragedy. In fact, I almost quit reading it after the first hundred pages because it was so depressing. Don't worry, it got better. Kit, a 12 year old girl, loses her mother to an "accident" on the lake near her house. This day changes her life forever. As she grows into an adult she carries with her secrets, both from that day, and from years following. Secrets she can share with no one. One of the main themes that comes up repeatedly in the story is the choice between two types of love. A love filled with depth and fidelity or a love filled with passion and excitement. Which one is the greater source of true happiness? Overall, I enjoyed the book. I would categorize it as a drama. The content was for the most part PG. Although there was a couple swear words. It was well written and original in story content. To see a summary of the book click here. It's a good book to read laying by the pool. Will any of us be doing that any time soon? I could only dream. Happy reading.
I saw the author Elizabeth Gilbert on Oprah one day and wanted to see what all of the fuss was about regarding her new book, "Eat Pray Love". I've never read or been into Oprah's book club, but it seemed that women around the nation thought this book to be "the answer". With caution from my husband about New York Bestsellers, I opened the first page and began my journey or I should say Elizabeth Gilbert's journey, through Italy, India, and Indonesia.
The beginning of the book was a preface to how and why she began this year long journey through three countries. At first I felt quite distanced from her. She talked of hating her marriage, keeping her dream career going and wanting everything but children. She was a New Yorker so wound up in success and prestige that it was backfiring on her and the confusion and depression was setting in. She needed to get away.
The book was more enjoyable for me when she started to travel. I would love to be able to lose myself in Italy and it's cuisine. The desire to learn another language is always enticing. And to live in and see world history down every street is a dream of mine.
The most interesting part of the book for me was her stay in a Yogi meditation university or an "Ashram". She writes about getting in tune with her inner self and her healing process. She gives beautiful accounts of her being swept up in the hand of God and how she combats her overpowering mind. It inspired me to continue with my Yoga classes and find ways to meditate and ground myself, so that life doesn't seem so overbearing. She shares teachings of her Guru to the reader about peace and joy are found inside onself, but that the key to finding God's peace and love, you must fight to keep them everyday.
She continues her journey to Indonesia, where service and love conclude her travels.
There were many things in the book that I could not relate to, but there were also many things that I could relate to. It was fun to read a Best Seller and see where a woman might find answers to her troubled life and say "Yeah, I feel like that too." She's a fun witty author, however, she does like to add in a few choice words and thoughts here and there. There's talk of sexual intimacy, but nothing explicit.
Overall I feel that even though we come from what seems like two separate worlds, Elizabeth does a marvelous job in encompassing the true and fundamental needs of every man, woman, and child in the book title...Eat Pray Love.
(Melissa C.B.)
Well, I finished Sense and Sensibility last night. To be honest, I did not in anyway love this book. I liked the movie much better. Jane Austin simply uses too many words and says too little. The relationships in the book are very shallow. The people all pretend to like one another, but truly detest each other. Although,it was good enough that I read it in just a couple days. I won't be reading it again. Ever.
Twilight was an addictive story. I read all three books in a week. I abandoned all motherly responsibilities, thus leaving myself to feel constantly guilty. I started reading it again, so I thought perhaps a new book would help. It has. I am reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin. Probably inspired by Bella's addiction to such authors. At any rate, while the Twilight series did not increase the number of brain cells I have in any way I enjoyed it completely. I checked out the twilight website and read a first chapter of Midnight Sun. Twilight written from Edwards point of view. Surely, I would love it if she wrote the entire series again using Edward as the narrator. However, if you want thought provoking or awe inspiring this book series is not for you. It is quite simply and escape from reality. If you want to read the Edward Story click here
