All Over the Map - Laura Fraser

3 1/2 out of 5 stars


As most memoirs go Fraser comes across a bit self absorbed but that, I've found, goes with the territory. She is honest and down to earth. Even taking on topics that can be dificult to address, like sexual assault. Although aside from her personal experience and one article she wrote on human trafficking in Italy she stays in the land of self.

Laura hopscotches the globe from start to finish, often using her travels as jumping off points for her story. While she is successful in her career as a travel writer and has many close friends to keep her company, it is the company of a man she craves. This once divorced woman in her mid 40's talks openly on the struggles of life as a single woman of her age, the lack of men out there willing to be her base and loneliness. As the book, and years, progress finding a partner becomes secondary to the self discoveries she makes along the way.

This book would be great read for a book club. It would also be great if you are in need of some adventure in your life!

Committed - Elizabeth Gilbert

4/5 stars.

Everybody has heard about Eat, Pray, Love. You may have avoided reading the book and you may avoid watching the movie when it comes out later this month, but you have certainly heard of the book. Who hasn't? The book was reviewed and its author interviewed in every major publication, from the NYT to Oprah. It was a very good book (I enjoyed it immensely). When my friend lent me this book, I thought "okay, do not be disappointed if it's not as good as EPL." Turns out, this book is also very good, in a different way. It focuses on one topic -marriage- and is more serious than the first one, as it provides information about the history and sociology of marriage and married people.

The man Gilbert loves, Felipe, is from Brazil and is an Australian citizen. One day, coming back from a trip abroad, the US customs detained Felipe and told him he could never go back to the US unless he and Gilbert married. That was a problem, since both of them decided that they were fine living together without being married, thank you very much (both went through painful divorces). I find the title particularly good, since Gilbert end up committed to marriage, but fears that the institution might trap her (as in "committed" in a real hospital/institution). Elizabeth Gilbert takes us on her very personal journey of coming to terms with being married, since it is the only way she and Felipe can live together in the US.

Her insights into marriage are fascinating. I learnt that the early church didn't want people to get married in order to stay pure (this still applies to priests and nuns and monks). I loved reading about the fact that though governments tried to control marriage (who can get married to whom is just one example), ultimately the intimacy that happens behind closed doors only belongs to two people. I enjoyed discovering other cultures' idea of marriage: the Hmongs, for instance, live in community and get much of their happiness from this sense of belonging, so they don't expect their spouse to fulfill their every need.

The book is easy to read, definitely interesting, and, as in EPL, Gilbert's tone is personal, funny, and touching. I highly recommend Committed. I give it only 4 stars because I feel that to deserve 5 a book has to inspire me and has to leave an indelible mark. This book is really enjoyable, but might not make it on my all time favorites list.

Lunch in Paris - by Elizabeth Bard

2 1/2 out of 5 stars

I really want to say that I loved this book. I love memoirs. I especially love memoirs that tell about adventures abroad and when they have recipes..bonus! This memoir, however, I did not love. The story line was mostly predictable, as most of these types of memoirs tend to be. Her writing was at best average and her adventures were less than noteworthy. Where did the book lose me? With Elizabeth, I just didn't like her. I found her elitist and arrogant in a way that I couldn't get behind. Again, usually not a problem. I often felt as though Elizabeth thinks herself above her audience and that didn't work for me. It was little comments like how she was living an "extraordinary" life in Paris and it would be "ordinary" to live back in New York. There were many more little remarks that were subtle but just enough to catch my attention.

If like me you enjoy memoirs about foreign locales and recipes give it a go. Just don't expect anything riveting!

Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado

3 out of 5 stars

This is a book that I desperately wanted to love. After all, I am a total foodie and nothing helps me devour a book like lustful descriptions of my all time favorite, the pastry. Gesine did a delightful job recounting her story. A Hollywood cog burnt out on Hollywood life, discovers a love of baking, moves to Vermont with her Husband and on the fly opens a bakery. She recounts her struggles in becoming a baker and small business owner, as well as, shares a little of her personal life. I was fascinated to read about her mother, a beautiful German opera singer, who sadly died to young. I loved reading about her experiences in Germany, with her family, the traditions they shared and the food that came to shape her. I especially enjoyed the part when she went on a sugar bender through the neighborhood. Each chapter ends with a mouth watering recipe, which I loved! She did have a poor me tendency, which after awhile I found bothersome. But in all, it was a fun (and quick) read. Oh and by the way, she's Sandra Bullocks sister.

The Last Supper: A Summer In Italy - Rachel Cusk

2 1/2 out of 5 stars

In The Last Supper novelist Rachel Cusk chronicles her families 3 month trip to Italy. Though an accomplished and prize winning novelist, in this memoir she shows herself to be a bit of a snob. In a desperate attempt to leave behind the dreary English weather and the routine of daily life, her family sells their home and heads to Tuscany. Although I found the book to be beautifully written and stylish, I also found it to be lacking human interest. At no point does she mention the names of her husband or children and goes into little, if often no, detail about their personal experiences. At best she complains about tourist and expatiates as though feeling herself to be superior to them. Unfortunately, this is as deep as she goes. I often found myself reading on for hope and desire of depth. Never really finding it but continuing on because of the beauty of her words. The most appealing part of this book is the art that she encounters and writes on. This I found to be very interesting, as she touches on the great masters of Italian art. At first I was excited to read this book, having spent much time in Italy myself. However, Cusk never really delved into the qualities that make Italy so wonderful - the food and people. Although, she seems to consider herself a cultural elitist above those of the "herds" of tourist. She simply shows her ignorance and lack of adventure.

The Wishing Year - Noelle Oxenhandler

3 Stars / 5

This books recounts one year of the author's life, in which she decided to apply the power of positive thinking to reach three goals: find a spiritual community, own a house, and find love.

I found this book quite refreshing, mainly because the author refrains from "The Secret" type of methodology. Yes, the main premise is similar (positive thinking is the key to getting what you want) but unlike most books on the topic, her quest is not monetary or uber-materialistic. Oxenhandler analyses the positive thinking movement from as far back as the Greek philosophy and doesn't take a simplistic view of this form of wishing -even though she sometimes gives in to tricks such as wishing only in 8-syllable sentences. The bottom line of her experiment is that you have to think positively and act on what you wish for. Wishing alone will not work.

This book worked for me because I read it when I needed it. Had I read it at another time, I might have thought it was one of many nice-but-without-substance books on the topic.