Journal Entry 1 by CrazyDutchwoman from Heemstede, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Monday, June 23, 2008

Gilbert (The Last American Man) grafts the structure of romantic fiction upon the inquiries of reporting in this sprawling yet methodical travelogue of soul-searching and self-discovery. Plagued with despair after a nasty divorce, the author, in her early 30s, divides a year equally among three dissimilar countries, exploring her competing urges for earthly delights and divine transcendence. First, pleasure: savoring Italy's buffet of delights--the world's best pizza, free-flowing wine and dashing conversation partners--Gilbert consumes la dolce vita as spiritual succor. "I came to Italy pinched and thin," she writes, but soon fills out in waist and soul. Then, prayer and ascetic rigor: seeking communion with the divine at a sacred ashram in India, Gilbert emulates the ways of yogis in grueling hours of meditation, struggling to still her churning mind. Finally, a balancing act in Bali, where Gilbert tries for equipoise "betwixt and between" realms, studies with a merry medicine man and plunges into a charged love affair. Sustaining a chatty, conspiratorial tone, Gilbert fully engages readers in the year's cultural and emotional tapestry--conveying rapture with infectious brio, recalling anguish with touching candor--as she details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression.

(Discovered this book on the road in a box full with books) 

Journal Entry 2 by CrazyDutchwoman at By mail, Happiness Day Exchange -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, August 10, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (8/10/2008 UTC) at By mail, Happiness Day Exchange -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I released this book to my Happiness Day partner Xeyra.
This book was on her wish list. Hope you'll enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 3 by Xeyra from Seixal, Setúbal Portugal on Monday, August 18, 2008

Wow, I wish I'd discover a box full of books on the road one of these days! :) Thank you SO much for sending this book (alongside all the others and the goodies too!). You were an amazing Happiness Day partner and I loved everything. Especially this book, which I've been very curious about ever since I found it on Bookmooch and noticed it was like one of the most wishlisted books in there. I want to know what the hype is all about! :p 

Journal Entry 4 by Xeyra at BookMooch in Book Mooch, Book Mooch -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, March 20, 2011

Released 2 yrs ago (1/1/2010 UTC) at BookMooch in Book Mooch, Book Mooch -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to a Canadian Bookmooch member.