Gilbert’s journey begins in Italy, where she freely indulges in all the culinary pleasures she can find. She studies Italian, learns about the culture by quickly making friends, including a sweet, young language study partner name Giovanni, and an accountant named Luca Spaghetti (yes, Spaghetti). She questions whether or not she deserves so much pleasure as her waistline expands from breakfasts of chocolate pastries and cappuccinos, Quattro Formaggi pasta, and the best pizza she can find in Italy.

Next, she travels to India for the very different experience of life in an Ashram. She learns, with difficulty at first, how to quiet her mind and accept the isolation. She’s assigned the tasks of scrubbing the temple floors, and, later on, welcoming new arrivals and helping them adjust. She meets Richard from Texas who gives her the nickname “Groceries” and doesn’t hesitate to offer advice like, “You gotta learn how to let go, Groceries. Otherwise, you’re gonna make yourself sick.”

Finally, she travels to Bali, to find the medicine man Ketut Liyer who had told her on a previous visit that she would someday return and study with him. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he teaches her to meditate by just smiling. “Even smile in your liver…smile all the way through,” he says. She befriends a healer named Wayan and her daughter Tutti, for whom she (through an email campaign to friends and acquaintances) raises $18,000 to buy a home. She rents a cozy house with a garden, and begins to open her heart again…better not spoil it for you. You’ll have to read this wonderful book to see how it all ends (begins?).

When I bought this book, I read a few of the reviews online. I found it odd that several reviewers felt that the author was behaving selfishly or, as one put it, was “too self-absorbed.” In my mind, a journey of self-discovery should be somewhat self-centered and introspective, shouldn’t it? I think many women are too afraid of breaking with the cultural norms to allow themselves this kind of journey, and I think that’s why so many women love this book. It speaks to a secret desire to take a journey and discover who we are, be a little self-indulgent, and feed our souls.

Bravo, Elizabeth Gilbert! Thanks for sharing your incredible journey with us!

It’s also the love story of Sophie and Luca, an Italian sculptor, both passionate about their art, but hiding from the pain of the war. It winds its way through their meeting as young adults to a reunion late in life, through betrayals and the sweetest kind of love.

In Sophie, Michele Zackheim has developed a character so real you feel that you’ve been a witness to her remarkable life. She is endearing and intriguing, but stubborn and guarded, making decisions to protect her heart that often leave her in total isolation. She journeys from England to France, Italy, the American Southwest, and back to Europe. You’ll love traveling along with her.

This book, written by Betty Smith in 1943, is one of my favorites. I first read it when I was twelve years old and became so attached to the characters and story, Francie Nolan felt more like a best friend than a fictional character. I identified with her love of reading, writing, and her determination to find good in life. Set in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn, this is the story of her family’s struggle to survive against poverty, prejudice, alcoholism and hardship.

Francie is a solitary child, adored by her father, a big-hearted, impractical alcoholic. Her mother, a kind but tired and reserved person who clearly favors her son Neely, is forced to be the realist in the family.

Francie is rejected by her peers and treated poorly at school due to her family’s social standing and her father’s reputation as a drunk. Her mother puts kerosene in her hair to “kill germs” resulting in an unpleasant smell that adds to the ridicule and humiliation. Despite the bleakness of their life, Francie endures with grace and a strength symbolized by the tree growing outside her window.

This is a wonderful story that you won’t soon forget.

Grobel began with the intention of doing one interview with Capote, but was so intrigued he continued to do a series of interviews and maintained a friendship with him until Capote’s death in 1984. As you read, you can see why Grobel couldn’t resist the conversations. Capote’s responses are direct and raw. He talks about his rivalry with Norman Mailer, and offers straightforward, sometimes harsh, criticism of fellow writers like Jack Kerouac, William Faulkner, and Ken Kesey. He often reflects on his own writing as well and offers insights into the art of writing. A word of warning–you might not be able to put this one down. I was captivated by it.

The story also sheds light on the Afghan people and culture in a way that can’t be achieved through a history book. I was brought to tears more than once while reading this wonderful book, and when I finished, I found myself thinking about Mariam and Laila and missing these wonderfully written characters. Don’t miss this one - it’s a great read!

As a whole, it serves as a testimony to carrying on with good humor and grace and making the most out of life. This book gave me hope, insight, and some much-needed laughter. It’s a wonderful book to get lost in!