I need a book...

It is so strange for those four words to be uttered out of MY mouth. 

I have never been a big reader.  Ever.  But, I picked up Eat, Pray, Love last year and just loved it.  I then picked up the follow up book to that...and have read only about 60 pages.  About 5 months ago.  I have not picked it up since.  Probably because it has something to do with marriage.  And...let's just say, that is not my forte.  Ha!

Anyway.  I am finding myself looking at online book stores!?!  For a new book.

There are so many!!!  Who knew?!?

So, I would really appreciate any good advice on a great - INSPIRATIONAL - book to read this holiday. 

Come on ladies....what book should I pick up or put on my wish list? 

My Favorites...just so you know!

My favorite letter is M.  (duh!?)

My favorite number is twenty-one.

My favorite color is aqua or coral...can't just pick one.

My favorite flowers are tulips.

My favorite place is the Greek Isles.  (I think.  Never been there.  But, pretty sure.)

My favorite animal is a horse.

My favorite smell is any candle from Carriage Candle Company.

My favorite season is autumn.

My favorite food is mexican food.

My favorite show is Olivia, thanks to Layla.  It is all I have time for.

My favorite candy is Snicker's.  (duh!?)

{Pardon me, it was too funny not to post.}

My favorite movie is a hard one to pick.  I am old skool, so...probably Dirty Dancing. 

My favorite time is quittin' time!

My favorite band singer is Rob Thomas.

My favorite drink is a frozen margarita.

{I enjoyed this last weekend. Photography by me.}

My favorite book is Eat, Pray, Love.

My favorite word is audacity.

My favorite thing is PEACE.

{most images via google search}

Eat, Pray Love - 2nd stage

Click here to read my initial start to Eat, Pray, Love. 

I am enjoying this book so, so much.  And I love it even more now that I know a movie is coming out soon.  It made me put my reading into overdrive!  Meaning, six weeks after starting the book, I am now on page 253.  Hey!  I was never a reader, so bare with me.

I will admit.  When Italy was over, I did not even want to go to India!  Somehow I morphed into Elizabeth Gilbert and it was ME who was living and eating in Italy.  And I was NOT ready to leave.  But, I had to.

I was not looking forward to India because my friend said she thought it "was boring."  So, I was dreading the fact that I could fall out of love with this book that I had just crushed on.  Hard. 

Fear not, I did not!  India was definitely different from Italy...obviously!  But, my favorite character showed up in India.  Richard, from Texas, no less!

He is a HOOT!!!!  I knew I was gonna like him when he sat down next to her at her dinner table and said,

"Man, they got mosquitos 'round this place

big enough to rape a chicken!" 

That's right, folks.  Richard from Texas has arrived in India.  Please excuse us.  Ha!

And my favorite passage from the India Book is what made me go out and buy this book.  This is what drew me in and made me read.  I can obviously relate...to the monkey mind!  Page 132.

{image via}

...the thoughts that swing from limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves, spit and howl.  From the distant past to the unknowable future, my mind swings wildly through time, touching on dozens of ideas a minute, unharnessed and undisciplined. 

...Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.

{image via}

It was calming to know I was not alone in my wild thoughts that dash and move around like tiny mice.  Do you have that problem?  I hope not.  If so, how did you learn to control them?  I would LOVE to know.

I am in Indonesia now.  In the book, you know.  And I am loving it.  Although, I miss Richard from Texas.  Stay tuned for more...

Eat, Pray, Love - 1st stage

Has anyone read Eat, Pray, Love?  I know a few of you have, because it comes highly recommended.  I just started reading the book this week.  The very strange thing about this...is the fact that I DO NOT NORMALLY READ BOOKS.  No lie.  Magazines, all day.  Books, not since college.  And only when required. 

So, I am kinda baffled that I went to a book store.  Asked for help locating the said book.  Found it.  Waited in line to pay for it.  Paid for it.  Went home.  And started reading.  I am on page 73 and I am stunned. 
Did I mention that I NORMALLY DO NOT READ!!!!!????!!!!!

Who is this person who embodied, well, me????  I am so confused. 

But, I find that I go somewhere when I read.  I became Elizabeth Gilbert.  I am now in Italy.  I love it.  Television on around me.  Layla asking me questions intermittenly.  Me answering.  But, then I am right back in Italy. 

Yeah, something like that...or the below.

With mounds of Italian Gelato to enjoy....yes, please.

Sorry.  I am all over the place.  But, my heart and mind remain in Italy!  Ha.

I came across this gorgeous image and I could really use a space like that in my house.   How lovely is that?  I could just sink into that mighty chair and continue my trip through Italy.   

{image via}

Next up....INDIA!  Via Eat, Pray, Love, of course!  But, a girl can dream....

And I will, thank you.  I leave you with my favorite excerpt from the book so far.  Page 65.

So be lonely, Liz.  Learn your way around loneliness.  Make a map of it.  Sit with it, for once in your life.  Welcome to the human experience.  But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings.