June Online Girlfriendology Book Club – ‘Eat, Pray, Love’
Join us on MONDAY, June 28th, 7-9pm EST for the June online Girlfriendology Book Club!
RIGHT HERE on Girlfriendology!
Just come to this page and we’ll start promptly at 7pm EST with introductions to see who’s online (if you want to introduce yourself) – just leave a comment below. Then refresh the page (or hit the F5 key) to see the new comments. Then, we’ll post discussion questions and talk online about the book. (Like you would at a Book Club in your living room – but you don’t have to clean, prepare snacks/drinks or dress up for our Book Club!) Here’s an example – our May Girlfriendology online Book Club discussion. (See the p.s. below re: technical difficulties)
The June Girlfriendology Book Club book is “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Loved and read by millions of women, join us to chat about it and invite your girlfriends to join us!
Any questions, please let us know – info (at) girlfriendology.com. See you HERE on Monday!
AND … we’ll announce the selected Book Club book for July at the end of the discussion. Share your Book Club book recommendations on our Girlfriendology Facebook page!
Here’s some Book Club books we’ve read in the past, as well as some this girlfriend community has recommended as well as some great Girlfriend Gifts.
*** UPDATE: Here’s our review of the movie, ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ ***
p.s. If you were online last month for Book Club, you may have experienced some ‘technical difficulties.’ We fixed that so there should be no problem to having as many women on the site at the same time and leaving comments simultaneously. So JOIN US!
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Tags: Book Club, books, eat pray love, Elizabeth Gilbert, girlfriendology book club, online book club, womens book club
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Welcome to the June online Girlfriendology Book Club! THANKS FOR JOINING US! (Remember to add your comments then refresh the page F5)
Introduce yourself!
Hi! I’m Carla and it’s my first online book club!
Yeah! Carla’s here! Let the party start!
Who else is here? Say HI!
Hi! It’s Mary Beth! First time for me, too.
Lori’s here.
Hi Mary Beth! Thanks for joining us!
Carla & Mary Beth – care to introduce yourself? Share where you live? Share your biz/websites? Funny things about you?!
Hi Lori!
This is Debba (aka: Girlfriendology) & I’m in Cincinnati. (And I’ve been craving Italian Food since the beginning of this book!)
I live in Burlington, KY. I write two blogs with my husband Hoperatives.com and TagTeamTech.com. To actually make money, I teach at a community college and I work part time for an online travel agency that specializes in Disney travel.
And – did you recently read this book? Re-read it?
Me – I read it on a trip to London and Paris. Perfect to read while traveling!
Just watched the trailer for the movie and was surprised there was no classic Julia Roberts laugh.
Carla – I have to ask (Knowing Hoperatives.com as a great Beer Blog!) what you’re drinking during book club? I will pour a glass of red wine (to go with the grilled steak my sweet husband made me for dinner) eventually.
I’m on page 382 of 509. She’s in Bali now and just wrote about Yudhi.
Sure! I live in Newport, KY.
My consulting company is Consider It Dunn, LLC. I specialize in event strategy and meeting planning with a project management approach. Love using my natural talents to help clients meet their goals by choosing the right venue, atmosphere, etc. and working to understand what success means to them.
I have a dog named Zen & a cat named Cheezy Poof & I love to laugh!
No beer yet. But I will need to leave at 8, because I promised Tom dinner at Hebron Brew Haus tonight.
Carla – I confess, in re-reading the book – I actually am listening to it. I had to skip a few CDs to get caught up by tonight! (But I’ll go back and listen to the rest. I love the writing!)
(Hate when I get my days confused and double book myself!)
I’m actually reading it on iBooks on my iPad. Love it!
Okay – feel free to keep introducing yourself.
We’re going to cover the official “Eat, Pray, Love” Book Club questions.
Here’s #1: # Gilbert writes that “the appreciation of pleasure can be the anchor of humanity,” making the argument that America is “an entertainment-seeking nation, not necessarily a pleasure-seeking one.” Is this a fair assessment?
Saw the trailer yesterday, thought movie could be really wonderful. Loved the book – really put me in a great state of mind.
I read this book right before I started to live through my own divorce. That is perhaps why it meant so much to me. I absolutely fell in love with it. Told everyone I knew about it.
So entertainment can’t be pleasurable? Not sure I agree with that.
In general I agree, but I think lots of people make a choice to ignore the buzz of entertainment & do what they love.
Mary Beth – love your pets names!
Okay – answer #1, I guess I do agree and that’s sad. I wish we could spend time appreciating pleasure the way Liz did in Italy – fabulous foods, naps in the park, laughing with friends.
Hi Molly – that would be a memorable time to read this. I hope it gave you hope and joy!
What’s the end result of entertainment if it’s not pleasure?
Carla – true. Interesting. I think sometimes Entertainment is just something to do. Like just watching TV whether you like the show or not.
I think that is interesting to think about – pleasure vs. entertainment. I think that what I am seeking is meaningful happiness. Hadn’t thought to qualify it as pleasure or entertainment. Just true, pure appreciation for all and everyone around me.
That’s why the TiVo is a wondrous thing. You only watch what you want and choose to watch.
It also is interesting to see how other countries view us. When I was in So. Africa I wanted to hear their music & all they played was our Hip Hop. In England they are obsessed with our celebrities. And I think they think we are too.
Carla and Girlfriendology – Yes! That is exactly what I am saying – NOT simply watching TV to unwind but to do something meaninful…like sit here and chat with you and a nice glass of wine (sorry, not beer tonight) and relax.
I’m actually in process of a divorce, maybe that’s why it resonated with me. It can be a powerful, comforting guidebook through a crazy time.
Lucky Molly is going to Italy soon. I bet you’re looking forward to some food? (I hope you aren’t on a diet there – experience PLEASURE!)
Anyone else crave Italian Food during the book?
Okay, now the song, “That’s Entertainment!” is stuck in my head.
Geeze, I have you on FB and I missed this months book. Looks like a great book too. Will you announce July’s book on FB?, if so maybe I can catch the next one.
Carla – I like the TiVo comment – haven’t thought of it that way! Really only watching what you want & when, not living around the TV schedule!
Mary Beth – that’s great that it was a powerful, comforting guidebook.
Here’s Question 2: After imagining a petition to God for divorce, an exhausted Gilbert answers her phone to news that her husband has finally signed. During a moment of quietude before a Roman fountain, she opens her Louise Glück collection to a verse about a fountain, one reminiscent of the Balinese medicine man’s drawing. After struggling to master a 182-verse daily prayer, she succeeds by focusing on her nephew, who suddenly is free from nightmares. Do these incidents of fortuitous timing signal fate? Cosmic unity? Coincidence?
If you had to get stuck somewhere for food, Italy would be nice. Maybe France.
Loved Italy (went in ‘90) and yes!! definitely found myself eating more pasta and gelato – I’m very impressionable.
Serendipity
Sandy – so sorry you missed it! It will be on the Facebook page and the website. Plus, we promote it in the newsletter. (So, yes, we’ll post it later tonight!)
I believe that we are all connected. I’d say “cosmic unity”.
I loved when she petitioned God. I may do that!
I also thought when she got locked in her room in India was ‘interesting’ timing too!
My question – what was your favorite part of the trip to Italy?
When her sister came to visit
I vaguely remember her getting locked in her room, but I don’t remember the circumstances. I do remember about that that ‘interesting’ things kept happening to her.
I’m just thinking now about how that changed throughout the book – she really began noticing these moments of “coincidence” as they happened.
Mary Beth – Since you’ve said it and I’ve been through it, I am sorry you are going through a divorce. Not fun. This book really did help me. And also, connecting with so many wonderful people who came out of the woodwork to be help – some who didn’t even know that they were such a tremendous light at the time.
hmmmm… Italy… maybe when they left the city and visited the friend’s home in the country… and the daily gelato….
The trip to Naples was also a good part.
Molly and Mary Beth – thanks for being here and connecting! (that’s what girlfriends do – and I love that!)
Q3: Gilbert hashes out internal debates in a notebook, a place where she can argue with her inner demons and remind herself about the constancy of self-love. When an inner monologue becomes a literal conversation between a divided self, is this a sign of last resort or of self-reliance?
Thanks, Molly! Most days I’m very certain that we are not a good match and this is the right thing.
I find there are really beautiful places here in Cincy that bring me pleasure – like Krohn Conservatory and even just sitting/people watching at Fountain Square or Findlay Market.
The Italy portion reminded me of an older Food Network show called “Mario Eats Italy.” Mario Batali took his “buddy” to all these great places in Italy where he had lived and they ate great food!
At least the fact that the divided self is at least talking to each other, might be the first step!
Ok, who doesn’t have a conversation between a divided self? I have one every day.
A3: I have to say that the notebook segments were some of my least favorite, but then I’m not into journaling. I’m more of a silent contemplater then, when I’m ready, I talk with a friend.
Q3 – Some combination of the two and a little bit of crazy. Sometimes I have to write to discover all of how I’m feeling about something. I think being able to talk to ourselves (especially when a girlfriend isn’t available) helps us make better decisions. Being our own ‘girlfriend’.
Mary Beth – One day I went to Krohn Conservatory with my journal (still have the same one) and wrote down all of the amazing places that Cincinnati has to offer and started to work my way through them. I find that I turn to that page every now and again as a refresher that there are so many wonderful things here.
Carla – Funny, listening to the audio book didn’t seem to cover a notebook story.
Debba – I find that to be a problem with abridged audio versions. When I was living in TN and driving to Cincinnati once a month, I tried to get unabridged versions when I could.
Next question: When Gilbert finally returns to Bali and seeks out the medicine man who foretold her return to study with him, he doesn’t recognize her. Despite her despair, she persists in her attempts to spark his memory, eventually succeeding. How much of the success of Gilbert’s journey do you attribute to persistence?
So much of it was persistance – even if that just meant her being patient.
Carla – it’s unabridged (& 11 CDs!). Maybe I just missed that part?
I don’t know about the success part, but the whole journey was about persistence.
Must have, Debba! The part in Italy with her notebook at her apartment was very vivid.
Molly – we should compare lists sometime and/or share them with Secret Cincinnati – putting them in a special ‘pleasure’ category!!
I feel like I can’t answer this question since I haven’t finished the book yet.
I think her out-going, lover of travel personality did her well.
I love your idea about comparing lists. And I recently made another one to be sure to keep myself (and my sig. other) on our toes. Big fear in life is to become passive. That’s how I was becoming I think – when I was married.
Molly – love how you keep your goals in view. Love that about you!
I think the whole trip was about persistance. The word disipline comes to mind also – probably more in India and Indonesia – she really kept going…
Okay – these questions are pretty deep. If you have questions to discuss feel free to add them!
Sorry I need to duck out! Enjoy talking with all of you!
I thought it could have been called Love, Love, Love (Pasta, Self, Others). I loved the power of love theme throughout the book.
Until next month!
Bye, Carla!!
Carla – thanks for joining us! Have a wonderful dinner w/ your sweetie!
Great subtitle!
Travel question: Do you think people are more open to new experiences when they travel? And why?
Sorry guys, I don’t know why I am being so darn..well, not light…this evening, but I am going to have to go with everything in life is about persistence. That is my experience. This applies to men, careers, people, pets even…
I think they are. People tend to be more relaxed or more adventurous when traveling. I’ve traveled a lot, so I think I’m similar wherever I am. Like Molly – I try to discover new places or explore a new area – even if it’s 5 miles from my home. Keeps me alive and feeling like an ‘adventurer’.
Moly, it would be a good thing to wake up in the morning and say “Today I am going to be persistent.”
How much more could we all accomplish?
I’m totally more free to new experiences when I travel. I even just get energized and inspired by sitting in an airport watching people. (wish someone would pay for me a year abroad!)
I think this book really takes you to a deeper place – it’s so introspective, in addition to loving the beautiful places that she goes!!
Love that, Lori! “Today I am going to be persistant” Great ‘mantra’!
Has anyone read Committed yet? I have it sitting on my coffee table. Only been able to get through a chapter but do think that it will be a good one. Actually want to read it with the BF but he is not much of a reader…
Is Committed her new book?
I agree.
“Today I am going to be persistant” Great ‘mantra’!
Has anyone been to Salerno?
I’m curious about your thoughts on friendship from the book. She said she ‘meets friends by accident’ and that she got a letter of introductions between her friends. How did friendship play out?
Hi
I read it two years ago (?) so details are fuzzy–and yes Debba, those questions ARE deep! 
Just wanted to say hi and I’m enjoying reading your comments. I LOVED the “LOVE LOVE LOVE Pasta Self Others” book title by the way. I am grieving the loss of a pet, and not up for anything that requires too much thought right now..but thanks Debba for picking this book and having a great group of women discuss!
Terri from Mpls here… a friend gave me Eat Pray Love…and I actually gave it to Debba
Yes – committed is the next book. Heard it wasn’t as good but it would be hard, IMHO, to top this book.
No, haven’t been to Salerno but wish I had/was!
No, not Salerno. I was in Rome, Venice, Milan and in Tuscany – Florence, Siena & San Giamiano. Have a good friend who spends a week in Tuscany every year. He’d love to talk Italy ideas anytime!!
Thanks Terri for stopping in. You take care of you, not bother with deep questions. (But thanks, as always, for being a supportive, caring friend!)
I’ve kind of been delaying reading the second book. I agree – hard to top this one!!
And Terri – sorry to hear about your pet – like losing a family member.
Any final thoughts on the book? Lesson you learned from it?
Thank you Mary Beth! Wow are you well-traveled. My goal is to do a week culinary/wine/olive oil Tuscany trip one of these…years.
My lesson – Live EVERY single moment of life to the fullest. Don’t take one single thing for granted.
I am so sorry Terri for the loss of your pet. I have 2 dogs who are my kids and I can’t imagine. Sending good thoughts your way.
Believe that dreams become reality. Trust your intuition and the opportunities around you. PERSIST! And most of the time trying to figure out the “how’s” isn’t worth the time. I was reminded to focus on what I would like to make reality for me.
Love, love , LOVE your lesson. Thanks for sharing – and inspiring!
Hey girlfriends – I think I’m gonna ‘call’ this Book Club a little early. Give you time to go enjoy your evening. (And me, a little time to prep before I’m involved in the #GNO Twitter party from 9-11.) Okay?
Thanks SO MUCH for being here and for being a Girlfriendology friend and supporter!
BIG HUGS, Debba
Tomorrow I will be persistent.
I have loved, loved, loved spending this time with you ladies!!!!
Thank you so much!
I forgot to do earlier… No website yet for Consider It Dunn, but I’m on LinkedIn & FB (search Mary Beth Dunn) and on Twitter @mbdunnusa.
So enjoyed this time & look forward to next month!!
Lori – awesome. (think I’ll post that on my laptop too!)
Debba – thank you for organizing. Clearly I needed this tonight. Have so much fun at #gno.
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