How do you choose which books to read, movies to watch, or music to listen to? Nostalgia and recommendations? Sure. But, have you ever challenged your choices? You should and this is why.
Ah, I know this bias well--resisting with all your might the thing that everyone is reading and is getting pushed at you from every direction! I too have rejected many books for that reason. The latest one is You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith. I must have come to Eat, Pray, Love through a different route since I don't remember feeling like it was the "it" book when I first read it. I think I first read it for a class I was teaching on women's travel writing. It is a fascinating book to discuss with a room full of curious and opinionated female students. Now the real question is, will you read Eat, Pray, Love?
I knew someone would ask that! And yes, I have read Eat, Pray, Love, and it was a much different book from what I was imagining/fearing in my head. Different in a quite positive way. First of all, it's a well-crafted book. I liked the writing and language. (I didn't expect that.) I like the humour in it. (I didn't expect that.) I really liked the Eat part. (I kind of expected that.) It made me want to move to Italy and eat loads of lovely food. I wanted more of that. So, if it had been Eat, Eat, Eat, I would've given it five stars, I think. ;-)
Ha! This is a great response! I too have liked the Eat part best. The last time I read it, the Pray part really spoke to me, for the first time. I’m still not sure what I make of the Love part.
Now you inspired me to read it again. Some books give you a different experiences when you get back to them after a few years. Hmm... That could be an interesting topic for a future newsletter. Thank you!
Anna, thanks for sharing this. Challenging self taste and preferences takes a great deal of discipline and will. Especially when it comes to things that are spontaneous, like music and literature. I enjoyed this reflection. Hope you're doing well, Anna-
Ah, I know this bias well--resisting with all your might the thing that everyone is reading and is getting pushed at you from every direction! I too have rejected many books for that reason. The latest one is You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith. I must have come to Eat, Pray, Love through a different route since I don't remember feeling like it was the "it" book when I first read it. I think I first read it for a class I was teaching on women's travel writing. It is a fascinating book to discuss with a room full of curious and opinionated female students. Now the real question is, will you read Eat, Pray, Love?
I knew someone would ask that! And yes, I have read Eat, Pray, Love, and it was a much different book from what I was imagining/fearing in my head. Different in a quite positive way. First of all, it's a well-crafted book. I liked the writing and language. (I didn't expect that.) I like the humour in it. (I didn't expect that.) I really liked the Eat part. (I kind of expected that.) It made me want to move to Italy and eat loads of lovely food. I wanted more of that. So, if it had been Eat, Eat, Eat, I would've given it five stars, I think. ;-)
Ha! This is a great response! I too have liked the Eat part best. The last time I read it, the Pray part really spoke to me, for the first time. I’m still not sure what I make of the Love part.
Now you inspired me to read it again. Some books give you a different experiences when you get back to them after a few years. Hmm... That could be an interesting topic for a future newsletter. Thank you!
I’m so glad! It is a rich book and definitely worth re-reading. :)
Anna, thanks for sharing this. Challenging self taste and preferences takes a great deal of discipline and will. Especially when it comes to things that are spontaneous, like music and literature. I enjoyed this reflection. Hope you're doing well, Anna-