Eat Pray Love

After hearing some mixed reviews on this book, I decided that I needed to pick it up. I’ve always loved reading but have neglected that particular hobby for a little while now. So, off I went to Borders bookstore and picked it up. (I also grabbed Julie & Julia, having never read it either. It was buy one, get one 1/2 off. What’s a girl to do? Buy them both, of course!)

I realize this book has some controversial content for Christians seeing as how the author’s religious beliefs are very different, but I think Christians could learn a lot from other traditions. That doesn’t mean we have to adopt them, but we can gain from their practices and see how we can integrate the same dedication and purpose into our worship and relationship with God. That being said, I also think it’s important to be reading what is being read by a wide audience. If we want to be culturally relevant and want to be able to build relationships with those outside of our traditions, why not educate ourselves on their interests and gain a bit of insight on the way they think? (Remind me to tell you about my new reading regimen. I’m very excited. The next post, perhaps?)

So, this book is about a woman (the author) who goes through a troubling divorce (are any divorces NOT troubling?) and winds up wanting to do a bit of self exploration by journeying to Italy, India, and Indonesia. She spends 4 months in each country, meaning she spends a year away from home. She goes to Italy for pleasure… just to enjoy life for a bit. India is for the spiritual part of her journey, and Indonesia is for the combination of the two. Elizabeth’s writing style is fun and easy to keep up with. She’s got a wit about her that is very entertaining! The book does contain some language, but not so much to keep me from reading it.

Reading about her travels really made me want to visit those places, too. She is very vivid & colorful in her descriptions and gives a lot of information on the history and setting of each place she visits. I found that I was learning while reading her story. It was such an interesting read! If I ever read it again, I’ll be writing down the names of all the restaurants she visits so I make sure to go sometime in my life as well. They all sounded so delicious.

In reading about her spiritual journey, I was really awed at her commitment to figuring it out. She asked questions, was seriously dedicated to her purpose, and found value in herself along the way. As stated earlier, I don’t necessarily agree with her religious beliefs, but I learned a lot from some of the philosophies she shared & dedication she achieved.

All in all, very insightful, very fun, and very easy to read. I’m now very looking forward to the movie that’s coming out soon. I really enjoy Julia Roberts, so I can’t wait to see how she interprets the book!

Here’s the trailer….. and go pick up the book to read before you watch the movie. It’s almost always better that way. :)