Reading books is so much easier than writing them. And, I am an insatiable reader. When I was young, my parents had a stack of Reader’s Digest hard cover books, you know, the ones with different vintage covers on each volume. When I was not using them for Barbie’s bed, I was looking up new words. My aunt Rosie jokes about how when I was 3 years old I came up to her and told her, “I am going back to my territory now.” In other words, I was going home.

I read at night while soaking in the tub and right before surrendering to sleep. Some nights I can’t sleep because I’m reading. For example, two nights ago I stayed up until 2 am, just so I could finish “The Great Gatsby.”  Oh, that F. Scott Fitzgerald has a poetic way with words. The latest book I’ve read is one of the best ever. It’s “Eat, Pray, Love.” By Elizabeth Gilbert. The book was a gift from my publisher. They (the ubiquitous Penguin Books and their darling imprints) also published Elizabeth’s book. So, when I was in New York last time, my editor gave me a stack of books and said, “Fair thee well!”

The only thing is, I’m not a big fan of female narratives. So, I did not plan on reading it. They kinda drive me crazy. I don’t like being in the mind of a woman with issues. God knows I’ve got enough of my own, so why would I want to dive into someone else’s? I hate watching the evening news too – it creates that same type of angst in me. For example, I read that book, “Fat Girl” because I really wanted to understand how someone could get obese. I’m too vain to get fat – which is just as unhealthly! But, by the time I finished “Fat Girl” I wanted a cream puff, a plate of pasta, and a knife so I could stab myself. Oh, the author just died.

Back to my all-time favorite book right now. So, I was flying to the Dominican Republic and I needed something to read, so I took her book with me. What a great companion! “Eat, Pray, Love” is a fabulous narrative about a woman who decides to divorce her husband and take a year off to travel the world. Sounds trite, doesn’t it? Well, let me tell you, it is filled with glorious tales of her travels, wonderful characters she meets on her way, and the lessons she learns when she seeks to find her truth. Brilliant!! She should be the Tango Diva poster child!

So, if you are in an emotional rough patch, or trying to figure out if you should dump the dead weight (husband or beau), or if you want a great read – pick up her book! And if you buy it from amazon.com, buy a new copy please! Us authors don’t get paid for used copies. Thanks!