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It just kind of happened that way. I started reading "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens about two weeks ago. I like it. But it's not exactly a page-turner type of story, not for me anyway. I'm more than half way finished it. Then I received an email from my local library saying that Elizabeth Gilbert's autobiographical book "Eat, Pray Love" is now available. I had placed it on hold over a month ago.
When I received that email, I became giddy, I must admit. Was it divine intervention that gave me this book during this kind of blech week I'm having? Or was it just the last slacker who read it finally decided she/he could part with it? I have heard about this book for quite some time. How could you not? It's been on the bestseller's list for several years now. Plus I've recently watched a few of the movie trailers starring Julia Roberts which happens to be coming out next month. I determined that I finally wanted to read the book; then see the film.
Here I am on Tuesday playfully posing with my borrowed library copy of the book with some children statues. I asked some random library person to take my picture. Because I'm nutty like that.
I'm already 75 pages into Liz's story. Yes I feel like I know her on a first-name basis already. And I am really enjoying it. I can't wait to finish it (ideally this weekend) and review it on here. I really dig Liz's humor especially on such heavy topics like God, marriage, love, depression, careers and more. When she had her life-crisis, she was at my almost age of 32. So I feel like we're connected in some way. Not that I am depressed or planning to leave my husband and travel for a year. No way! But I understand her uncertainties, her questioning and her need to try to make sense in this crazy world.
I'm a total sap for self-help and self discovery type stories. Especially those that are relatable, humorous but not preachy.
When "Eat, Pray Love" is not in my fingertips or sitting quiety next to me, I'm listening to my audio book on CD (that I also plan/hope to review next week!) I'm enjoying this other story as well -- "Heart of the Matter" by Emily Giffin. I am a little fearful of how clearly I indentify with a few of the characters in this book. But I'll dive more into that when I write my review on this book, hopefully soon.
So between those two novels and the "Great Expectations" book that I randomly read a chapter here and there, I'm a mess. I don't feel like focusing on much else. I'm trying ever so hard to distract Vivian to allow myself more time to read during the day, instead of paying attention to her. But the Diva doesn't let me forget her for too long.
Therefore, I'm trying to encourage good reading habits for Vivian, (as evidence in the below photo). You can see that she and I lined up all her stuffed animals so that we could all have some quiet reading time to ourselves. LOL!
The only problem with lots of reading, especially this deep thinking kind of reading, is that your mind begins running around. You can't stop it. I can't stop mine. You try to clear it from all the questions and new wonderments you have. I can't seem to quiet the questioning.
In fact, I even tried running on my treadmill in order to run away from my thoughts. I put my music on and rocked out to Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, Usher and a dozen others.
But that only lasted a half-hour or so. Once I wiped away the sweat from my face, the sore muscles in my legs resurfaced, along with the Freud who lives within me. And those kinds of philosophical thoughts lead to insomnia. So, I've had insomnia for the past two nights. Not fun. Although it does allow me to read more and then that leads to rethinking.....
Oh rethinking....I'm always analyzing this or that about myself. Constantly questioning my actions, words and choices. A few days ago I wished for a minute that I was some redneck-hillbilly who lived in a shack that knew nothing of the outside world. I only had one friend and was just happy in my hole, eating beans and canned sausages.
But then I snapped out of that dream. I realized that although that "ignorance is bliss" kind of lifestyle may seem appealing at times, it just isn't me. That way is not my way.
So here I sit writing this post, taking a few moments to reveal how I can't stop reading, running and rethinking. That's all. Nothing more.
I'm questioning things. I have no definitive answers. No profound discoveries to share here just yet. I'm just wandering around. Just me with my books. With thoughts running through my brain while I literally run. And my mind stays in constant rethinking mode.
What are you reading? What is running through your mind today? Did this post make you rethink about something going on in your world?
9 comments:
Heck yeah! I totally relate to the insomnia thing right now. I wake up at 3:30 am and can't get back to sleep until 5:00 am.
Right now I'm reading too many books. One of them is called Blue Like Jazz - Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality. It's a slow process because my mind keeps wandering to other things going on right now.
I'm also doing a review for a new author. The book is called Lucky Baby.
I have some others on the list that I've started but haven't picked them up in a bit.
You don't even want to know all that is going on in my life! LOL
How cute that the stuffed animals are also having quiet reading time.
I usually read two or more books at one time. Currently I'm ready the fourth book of the Twilight series (Rather slowly because I don't want to know yet how it ends and the fourth movie won't be out until next year!), The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood (even though I've already seen the movie), The first book in the Harry Potter Series, and The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I guess I just get bored easily. Reading more than one book at a time is like changing the channel on the TV, time to watch another show when you get bored ha ha
I can completely sympathise, my brain rarely stops, in fact it's only since I met my husband that I can relax. I have trouble sleeping without him because my mind is too active - it's such a pain!
xjcx
Sometimes it's good not to have answers and let your mind wander! Not getting sleep does suck though, I have no idea how to stop your thoughts to sleeps -- I always have that same problem.
I never reviewed Eat, Pray, Love, but I did absolutely LOVE that book when I read it last year! Isn't it fabulous?? It's incredible the whole way through and I couldn't put it down once I started. Can't wait to read your review about it. :) Right now I'm (still) reading American Psycho...I've been slacking on picking it up lately since I'm over at my grandma's refinishing furniture every day. :P
P.S.: If I was a Golden Girl I would be Blanche, through and through. Who would you be?
p.p.s. Towanda!?! LOL!!!!! I read J your comment and we both couldn't stop laughing!
I love how you are setting the example with the stuffed animals. What a great idea! My 2 year old son had an addiction to his pacifier which we remedied about a month ago. Now he takes a book to bed with him and looks through it before falling asleep. Until recently it was wonderful, now he has decided to rip out pages and flaps and I'm getting very upset. Oh well.
As for the book reading myself, I haven't picked up a book other than a cookbook in a while. But you know, I read cookbooks like they were novels anyways, so I guess I could say I've been "reading" Mark Sohn's Appalachian Cooking. LOL! It's amazing how you develop a kinship with the author whether about food or life. I had insomnia about 2 weeks ago. It was horrible. My mind was racing. I ended up planning an entire Barnyard Bash for my kids next party complete with pony carousel and pin the tail on the piggie. Hope you figure out what's triggering it. Mine was some medication they had given me fore my upper respiratory infection.
We read eat Pray Love for book club and can't wait to all go the movie next month!! Right now I'm reading: Some Girls, The Girl who played with fire and the poisonwood Bible (next month's book club selection) That's a heavy one, thus I need to read more than one thing at a time as well!! Have a great weekend,
anne
www.anniebakes.net
I've been wanting to read Eat, Pray, Love since the movie looks entertaining.
And I finished that Emily Giffin book. It was pretty good but I cringed throughout most of it.
Now I better stop using my treadmill as a laundry hanger after seeing super fit you jogging along. That's awesome!!! I think it's good to keep questioning things. That's the sign of a healthy, creative mind. Tell Kirk that you're a renaissance woman. Doesn't that sound exotic? I need to read something desperately. I have a pile of books, but I fall asleep too fast. Ugh!
I was just away on vaca and had a chance to read a few books...I have to admit that I am into Chick-Lit - it's easy to get through! My two favorites were The Help and Comfort Food (sorry I can't remember the authors). I consider these two slightly a step above the stuff I normally read.
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