Eat, Pray, Love (2006)

If I could, I would give this book 4.5 stars. I thought it was really good other than she seemed to ramble at times...that's about my only complaint. I found her "experiment" very interesting and found myself longing for a spiritual experience similar to the one she experienced in India. I may just have to dust off my yoga mat. :)

I loved that she was able to discuss her views on religion without putting me off--it's a thin line, let me tell you. I think she's a very talented writer and I love her voice. It works for me.

If you're a "non-religious" individual like myself who is longing to find some kind of practice/activity that brings you closer to "feeling whole" or if your religion just ain't quite cutting it for you, this book may open up some other options for you. Not that this book is all about faith and spirituality, since it is probably more a journey of self-discovery, but for me, that spirituality chunk of it was the most interesting. ( )

I think you have to be in the right mindset for this book, because I can see why many people dislike it. However, I read this after my divorce and a horrible struggle with depression, and was at a point where I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I related to Gilbert quite a bit and really enjoyed her journey of self-discover and love. My only major beef is one small vignette about giving up her anti-depressants. She made it seem like it was something she could just decide to do one morning, just wake up and not be depressed anymore. I was angry because I felt like this did a terrible disservice to people who can't just "decide" to overcome their clinical depression. ( )

One of those books that I will remember having read but would never want to read again especially the "pray" section. ( )

I didn't expect to love this book, but I totally did. Although there were parts of it that were difficult, particularly in the beginning when her marriage is dying, I got into it by the time she had embraced the pizza in Italy and was wholly on board by the time she got to India. While I can see how some saw this as a privileged white people blues, I also don't care. I found it a wonderful journey. ( )

If you can listen to this, instead of read it, do it. Gilbert's accents were a bit off-putting, but other than that it was perfect. This book has resonated strongly with me because of similarities between me & Gilbert (both pursuing Buddhist paths, both divorced around the same age, both driven to succeed), but I think it's the differences that struck me most. So much more than I expected from the little bit I knew before picking it up on a whim. ( )