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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Reading and a GREAT Recommendation -- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Reading has always been a hobby of mine. My father taught me how to read when I was 2 years old and I have loved it ever since. 36 years later I cannot even begin to count the number of books I have read. If I had to estimate I would guess thousands. I have mentioned how WHAT I have been reading has changed dramatically since I began my healing process. I used to read hardboiled detective novels with tons of violence and then there were the headlines that always sucked me in on the internet or in newspapers. It is very important you are cognizant of WHAT you are reading and how it affects you. I touched on this in my post "Is the media you are surrounding yourself with hurting or helping you?" and I give some recommendations of GREAT positive blogs to read in my post "Excellence Award".

Since last January I have immersed myself in law of attraction and mind/body connection books. I also read tons of personal development, spiritual and health blogs and e-books. I have had "Eat, Pray, Love" recommended to me no less than 10 times. My stepmother (and wonderful artist) Darcy Lynn told me she loved it and thought it was the kind of book I would really enjoy. I STILL didn't listen. Then my mom got me a copy for Christmas and I said "OK -- I think I am meant to read this book".

"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert has gotten a lot of press since Oprah really enjoyed it and had Elizabeth Gilbert on her show AND it was a #1 NY Times Bestseller. What IS all this hubbub about and is it worth it? Yes! "Eat, Pray, Love" won my heart on page 1 and was a book I was very sad to see end and have to put down. It is the true story of Liz's awakening to the fact she did not want to be married anymore or have children that ultimately led to her journey through Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (love). She spent 4 months in each place finding herself, exploring and learning.

Elizabeth Gilbert speaks to the reader as a friend and has you laughing and sharing her most intimate thoughts. She doesn't hold back at all and you experience her growth as you also laugh out loud with her self-deprecating and hilarious comments. Through her book I learned that I want to delve much more into meditation and BOY do I want more travel in my life. I will definitely be looking more into Elizabeth Gilbert's other books and be looking forward to her next autobiographical tale coming out in 2009.

Reading can be so therapeutic when you pick the right material to read. I still love fiction and know I will always read some of my favorite fictional authors as well as keep a look out for new ones. It is also feels amazing to educate myself and read books that I would have sworn I had no interest in ten years ago. Reading has helped so much in my life. When I was ill there were a lot of times that a good book was the only way to transport myself and not be solely concentrating on my pain. Janet Evanovich's 'Stephanie Plum" series made me laugh even in my worst pain. Most of the books I read while I was ill transported me but were dark and didn't really help to elevate my mood. Newspapers, headlines and books about my illnesses did not help me feel any better or to heal.

Reading or listening to audio books (how my husband and I went through the WHOLE Harry Potter series more times than I care to admit) are a great way to relax, unwind, learn and rejuvenate. Choose what you will read carefully because what you read will affect your mood. If you only read the news you are getting tons of negative messages a day and that can affect your health as well. I highly recommend "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert and will be continuing to recommend inspiring books to read as I find them. If you have any you think I would enjoy and would like to see reviewed -- please tell me about them. Happy reading!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny.
When it comes to reading books, perhaps the most important thing isn't the amount of books you read or even the nature of those you choose. Perhaps the priceless, soulful goal underneath your initiatives is to bring you closer to understanding your true self.

Jenny Mannion said...

Hi Liara, You are right and every book I have read has contributed in part to where I am today so I am thankful for every single one of them! Thanks for coming by and commenting. Gratefully, Jenny

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny,

I loved the book too! It's not one that I would normally have thought to read, but my wife Kathryn bought it. As soon as I started to read it I couldn't put it down.

Peter

Jenny Mannion said...

Hi Peter, I am so happy you have read it as well. I got a lot out of it and it made me laugh too! Not my typical book either but I am very grateful to have read it! It has inspired me to learn even more about meditation. I want to see that blue light! Thanks for coming by and commenting. You know I am a frequent visitor at your blog and really enjoy your writing! Gratefully, Jenny

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