I imagine that most people will have heard of this book, even if they haven’t read it or seen the movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts. I read it a few years ago and remember enjoying it as a ‘feel good’ experience despite the struggles of the author. Trying to recover from a bitter divorce Gilbert begins to examine her life. She travels to Rome where she studies the art of pleasure, to India to explore the art of devotion and to Bali to learn to balance her spiritual nature with worldly enjoyment.The thing that has made me think again about this book is a comment from a friend not so long ago. Another friend had said that it was life changing and that she needed to read it. The authors’ journey was clearly life changing for her, but it’s a big call to find someone else’s life so inspiring that it is personally life changing. My friend and I chatted about this for awhile and I came away feeling that a book could probably start you thinking in a different way that could eventually become life changing, or it could clarify changes that you had already been making. But for one book to be life changing?
A colleague recently created a display about New Years’ resolutions. As I was walking past it earlier today a particular book caught my eye ‘1000 Books to Change Your Life’. To be honest a quick flick through it did not reveal anything astonishing, but I like the synchronicity of coming across it at this particular time so I’m taking it home for a closer look.
2 comments:
This was my favourite book in 2010. I'm not sure if I'd describe it as life changing but I know there are parts of it that stick in my mind when I'm having a hard time such as 'You've got to stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be' (quoted from the colourful Richard). I found I could identify with Gilbert and relate to some of her problems. It's a book that will stick in my mind for a long time.
I had read some bad reviews of this but thought I's give it a go. The first part in Italy was interesting and I thought the bad reviews must have been made by men because a lot of women could have identified with much of the authors experience and discoveries. Then part 2, India. I skipped bits here and there but couldn't find anything I wanted to know about - get over it and just live life! I never made it to part 3, Indonesia.
Dianne
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