Goodreads

So my new sort of worthless obsession seems to be http://goodreads.com. It is a kind of social networking site for readers. You can list the books you have read or are reading or plan to read. You can review books and share your books with your friends. I am currently addicted to the site. I am a bit afraid because it really does not seem to serve much purpose in my life to catalog the books I have read over my lifetime. In fact, some of the time, I wonder how many years of my life have been spent reading rather than living. I wonder how that fits into my happiness search/debate. I think when you read you are being a passive observer of life, but some books have given me genuine periods of happiness. A good book can be read over and over and always has something new to give. But is this the same as happiness gained from doing something active? I really don't know but I do know I can't live without reading.

Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

I finished reading the book, Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have to admit that I had heard of the book but had no interest in reading until I spent a day home sick and watched an Oprah episode with the author. I found her very genuine and I became intrigued by the book. I placed a hold for it at the local library and when it finally came in, I read it in a few days.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It really made me think. I am not sure that it helped me through my own crisis of faith. However, it did reinforce some of my recent thoughts on the meaning of life, faith, pleasure, growth, etc. Her writing was very engaging. She wrote with intelligence but also with beauty and sincerity. Every part of her journey made me want to experience my own journey to the places she visited and other unknown places.

She shared a spiritual journey, but unlike other less engaging memoirs, she filled this journey with real people and therefore, for me, the journey was more memorable and intriguing. I would like to be the kind of person who would seek meditation in India, but doubt that is who I am. However, this book made me aware that I might be more than who I think I am at this moment. I like that this book made me aware of the unknown possibilities in life.