tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post2031066303938091347..comments2024-03-25T08:06:20.334-07:00Comments on Coastal Horizons... <i>books, beaches, and backroad adventures</i>: Eat, Pray, LoveLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-22032957461472478512008-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:002008-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:00Tara - I (finally!) read your review. In spite of...Tara - I (finally!) read your review. In spite of your opposite reaction, I thought it was a fabulous review. I can see how you wound up not liking the book. There were several instances when I felt the same as you did. I wonder if you book club discussion was as lively as mine? :)Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-23149481401801914652008-04-23T18:06:00.000-07:002008-04-23T18:06:00.000-07:00Nan sent me over to read this post - I think I pas...Nan sent me over to read this post - I think I passed over it the first time since I was reading EPL at the time and didn't want any outside influence. In any case, I've had a different reaction from you and enjoyed reading your thoughts. I'll be discussing with my book club tomorrow.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208766776468157501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-54001914649567979322008-04-07T12:47:00.000-07:002008-04-07T12:47:00.000-07:00Bellezza - I'm not sure if I've read Ladder of Yea...Bellezza - I'm not sure if I've read Ladder of Years or not. I've read several books by Ann Tyler, but I always have a tough time remembering which were which. And, I get them mixed up with Alice Hoffman's books.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-88631502209338237812008-04-05T17:24:00.000-07:002008-04-05T17:24:00.000-07:00Les, I think everyone in my book club liked it mor...Les, I think everyone in my book club liked it more than I did. That's partly because my faith is so defined for me, and they all have more of an "anything goes" type attitude. One of my friends believes in reincarnation, so it makes sense to me that she is okay with the explorations this author makes into faith. I think every one was a bit envious? I'm not sure of the right word, that she could just up and leave her life. Sometimes, that sounds rather tempting. Did you ever read Ann Tyler's Ladder of Years where the mom just leaves?Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-2954370085158434832008-04-05T13:24:00.000-07:002008-04-05T13:24:00.000-07:00Nan - Thanks for the link to "Sounds Like Canada."...Nan - Thanks for the link to "Sounds Like Canada." I enjoyed listening to the interview.<BR/><BR/>I think you might enjoy a lot of aspects of this book. Don't let my remarks about the whining discourage you. As you can see, in spite of that, I still loved the book.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-15335262416235318562008-04-04T07:46:00.000-07:002008-04-04T07:46:00.000-07:00Les, this morning (Fri) E. Gilbert was on Sounds L...Les, this morning (Fri) E. Gilbert was on Sounds Like Canada on the CBC. <BR/><BR/>http://www.cbc.ca/soundslikecanada/<BR/><BR/>If you go there maybe tomorrow, I think you can hear the excellent interview with Shelagh Rogers, one of the very best interviewers I know.<BR/><BR/>From listening to her, I thought I'd like to read it, but after reading your review I'm not so sure. I'm not big on rich people whining. That said, if it helps someone going through it, that is a good thing. But there are so many worse things, as you so very well know. In the interview she mentioned Three Dog Life. Now that was an excellent book. So, I'm not sure if I'll read it or not. There are so many non-fiction books I am really looking forward to; biographies of people like Gladstone and Kipling and George Washington and those Mitford Girls. So, I'll keep it in mind, but it may be later than sooner. Excellently written with not so many 'alsos' :<)Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-39253062943533977102008-04-03T14:30:00.000-07:002008-04-03T14:30:00.000-07:00Maudeen - I'm so glad to hear that you loved this ...Maudeen - I'm so glad to hear that you loved this book! I've been second-guessing my rating over the past few days, wondering if I was too generous. But I try to go with my first reaction as soon as I finish the book, which is probably good. Otherwise, I'm too easily influenced by what other readers have to say. <BR/><BR/>I'm thinking about getting a copy for my daughter. She loves Rome, so I know she'll enjoy that part. She's has a strong faith, so I think the second segment would be interesting to her, as well.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I loved Richard. One of the funniest lines was when he said something like "They've got mosquitoes big enough to rape a chicken!" I snorted with laughter when I read that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great comment!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-1528574299178141802008-04-02T22:34:00.000-07:002008-04-02T22:34:00.000-07:00Les,I am so glad you loved this book! I can't sto...Les,<BR/>I am so glad you loved this book! I can't stop recommending it.I have bought copies for both my daughters and have given others as gifts. I both read it and listened to it (nearly simultaneously) about a year ago and am about ready to read it again but am waiting to buy another copy since I discovered mine is actually a signed copy. There was so much to like and so many truths to be found. And didn't you just love Richard from Texas? And learning about the culture of the Balinese? Yes, we cannot all BE Liz but we can all learn from her. I am glad to hear there's another book but wish it was going to be sooner.Beachreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12758420829062991423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-19061762853399613922008-04-02T13:03:00.000-07:002008-04-02T13:03:00.000-07:00Andi - This strikes me as a book you'd really enjo...Andi - This strikes me as a book you'd really enjoy. Go for it!<BR/><BR/>Kay - Thank you! I'll post a follow-up to the review after our book club meeting next week. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on it. <BR/><BR/>The group I'm in is trying to read one nonfiction book for every two fiction. Next up is The Shadow of the Wind. We're just beginning to nominate titles for June & July. We're going to go with a Current Affairs or History book for the nonfiction choice. It'll be interesting to see what gets nominated and what the final vote is!<BR/><BR/>Iliana - Isn't it a pretty cover? It's a quick read, too. Looking forward to your review.<BR/><BR/>Bybee - Have you read A Year by the Sea? She's written a few more since that one. I liked it ok. Not as much as this one, though.<BR/><BR/>Joy - Well, there! We finally see eye-to-eye on a book! ;)<BR/><BR/>Teddy Rose - Thank you so much. Glad to hear that you'll give it a read. It's kind of nice that it's broken up into three segments. <BR/><BR/>Gayla - Aw, thanks. But you know, in the end, I think Gilbert does have a sense of what's important and isn't a spoiled, rich girl. (<I>She just came off that way.</I>) She just happens to be lucky in that she could afford to take a year off to figure out her life. The book deal was already planned, so she got an advance and was able to afford to do what she did.<BR/><BR/>Katya - Yes, it is too bad that we think that way. It's not fair to all the authors who have been truthful. I shouldn't prejudge Gilbert's credibility. <BR/><BR/>Bellezza - I think one of the things that kept me reading was a desire to learn more about Hinduism and meditation. How did the rest of your book club members like the book? Was it a mixed response or did everyone feel the way you did?<BR/><BR/>Maw Books - You know, I don't think I ever felt any sympathy toward the author, either. Interesting question - whether her experiences created the book or the book deal created the experiences. I may have to pose that question at my book club meeting!<BR/><BR/>SuziQ - Ooh, I'll bet it was a good audio book! It's the perfect sort of book for short commutes.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-52223123367370147362008-04-01T19:40:00.000-07:002008-04-01T19:40:00.000-07:00I listened to this on in small snippets (10-15 min...I listened to this on in small snippets (10-15 min increments) in the car. The author read it, so hearing it in her own voice was nice. I enjoyed it.SuziQoregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15552565982732943323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-21606312273626323792008-04-01T14:30:00.000-07:002008-04-01T14:30:00.000-07:00I actually think this book did not live up to all ...I actually think this book did not live up to all of it's hype. After my mom's absolutely raving review, I decided to pick it up. I enjoyed it, I didn't enjoy it. It was written in a fun way, she was cute, funny but man was she annoying!! I was just rubbed the wrong way the whole time. I didn't sympathize with her at all which I think is a big part to fully liking the book. I also had to ask the question, because she had her book deal already, did her experiences create the book or did the book deal create her experiences? Something I know nobody could answer. Overall, I liked it okay but it's a hard one to recommend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-30204086577823306622008-03-31T18:16:00.000-07:002008-03-31T18:16:00.000-07:00oops, I meant the paragraph where you began "My fi...oops, I meant the paragraph where you began "My first reaction to this rant was disbelief..."Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-53680727412562009942008-03-31T18:14:00.000-07:002008-03-31T18:14:00.000-07:00I must admit I stopped reading this book a third o...I must admit I stopped reading this book a third of the way through, feeling exactly like you described in your first (blue) paragraph: get over it. Our book club read it, and then watched the author interviewed on Oprah, and I felt a little annoyed (which is rather cheeky of me, I admit). I think it's a little self-indulgent to just bag your marriage and go exploring, but then again I'm always tryint to do the right thing and that certainly gets trying sometimes! I did like the portion of the Oprah show where we were introduced to her new lover, and I am happy that she found happiness. That was a good thing.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-90205149313140067952008-03-31T17:49:00.000-07:002008-03-31T17:49:00.000-07:00". . . and as I read, I couldn't help but wonder i...". . . and as I read, I couldn't help but wonder if a particular person (or event) really exists or if Gilbert was relying on poetic license at the expense of a truthful story." Isn't it sad that we have to think that way?<BR/><BR/>I've been so afraid to read this book because of the hype surrounding it.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12066257241391122732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-53944028885304280432008-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:002008-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:00Very intersting commentary on this book, Les. I a...Very intersting commentary on this book, Les. I am a huge believer in miracles....the miracle of my child's birth being my biggest. However, I understand your feelings too.<BR/><BR/>I probably wouldn't get much from this book as I feel no empathy or understanding of this woman. I have been watching, "The Housewives of New York City" and I am literally appalled at what is important....who you know, how much money do they have and how can you use them as a connection to someone or something bigger? It makes no sense to me. None. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the review....I loved reading more about your feelings than the author's.<BR/><BR/>GaylaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-48809810913310126722008-03-31T12:46:00.000-07:002008-03-31T12:46:00.000-07:00Wonderful review! It is on my TBR, but I've been ...Wonderful review! It is on my TBR, but I've been leary because of all the hype. It sounds really good though, so I will read it.Teddy Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145413222317511542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-18510313020938005182008-03-31T11:13:00.000-07:002008-03-31T11:13:00.000-07:00I think I just began reading this when Oprah annou...I think I just began reading this when Oprah announced it for her book club.<BR/><BR/>You shared many of my thoughts, along with the rating. :)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00832231139076878401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-72138286891767094372008-03-30T21:59:00.000-07:002008-03-30T21:59:00.000-07:00Like you, I've been shying away from this book, wh...Like you, I've been shying away from this book, which I purchased last year. Thanks for mentioning the Joan Anderson book as well...I'd forgotten the title.Bybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10061186489010154661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-82985123527013302302008-03-30T19:02:00.000-07:002008-03-30T19:02:00.000-07:00I've put off reading this book because of the hype...I've put off reading this book because of the hype. So happy to hear you enjoyed it. I will get to it eventually (I even have the book!).Ilianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026669671843769219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-34084741467301786602008-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:002008-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:00Really great review. You'll have to let us know h...Really great review. You'll have to let us know how the book club meeting went afterward. I purchased this book today and thought I might read it and see if it would work for my afternoon book group. We've voted on what to read for the next few months, but we have several memoirs and some difficult fiction. Some of the ladies are thinking it is all a little bleak. I think that is fairly common with book groups though. In order to have enough meat to discuss, it needs to have issues and be emotional at least. I'll try to start this soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-25218430533659881512008-03-30T13:40:00.000-07:002008-03-30T13:40:00.000-07:00Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! It's one of those h...Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! It's one of those hype books I haven't had the courage to pick up yet, so I'm glad to read your positive review. :)Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.com