Lit by Mary Karr is the third in a series of memoirs. The first book in the series, The Liars Club, was widely acclaimed. The second in the series, Cherry, was also well received. Each of the books deals with a different era in Mary's life.

Surviving a childhood filled with alcoholism, mental illness, and violence set the stage for a life of challenge for this very talented woman. Her talent for writing was her salvation. Lit deals with her own battle with alcoholism. It is one of the most honest accounts I have ever read of the journey from the jaws of death to recovery.

I love the fact that she doesn't blame her childhood or her marriage for her problems but takes responsibility for her own recovery. Her life as a single mother and aspiring writer makes for a very compelling story. Best of all, the writing is amazing. I loved this book.

Submitted by: Sharon Booher Johnson

This is a great reading experience. The author, Jeannette Walls also wrote The Glass Castle, which was wonderful. Half Broke Horses is the story of her grandmother's life. It is one of those books that really makes you think about what is important in life. It is such a pleasure to read that it just flows without effort. I really loved this book.

Sumitted by: Sharon Booher Johnson

Cultural misunderstandings, crazy and dangerous situations, inter-cultural friendships, love and disappointment and the excitement of exploring. "Crossing Borders" tells the story of living and becoming an adult in a foreign country. For anyone who likes to travel, whether in their mind or reality.

If you are interested in learning more about the author Michael Ferris and of his amazing journeys traveling abroad, you can visit his website.

The Glass Castle is a memoir by Jeannette Walls and is a very unique book. I have never read a book quite like this before. The way the author told her life story was full of action, intrigue and fly-by -the-seat of your pants adventure.

When the final page was read I just sat there. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The emotions that are felt when you read this book are limitless. One sentence your happy enough while the next, your scared or sad. The thought of living this life makes my head spin. The Walls' children lived through so much on their own and you cannot help but think”Thank God they had each other throughout it all.”

The most difficult emotions to deal with that arises as a reader are towards the Walls parents. The Walls parents are basically good, loving and proud people. However, they both have a; for lack of a better word, dark side to them. Both parents are tortured by their own demons and therefore lose all sensibility as parents. They can even be hateful outwards not only themselves but to their children. Of course any kind of professional help is not an option due to a lack of money and oddly, pride. You cannot help but feel both disgust and compassion for these two parents.

On the flip side, as a family they are fiercely loyal to each other, especially in the early years. Everything they did together was always an adventure. And for the very little tat the children's parent provided them with, they were given the invaluable possession of their parents' involvement and quality time. Oddly, for the great number of us with money, it cannot always be said that we can provide quality time to our children.

It is apparent that Jeannette Walls and her three siblings loved their parents and that their parents loved them. As most of these stories go, most kids in these stressful and tumultuous situations do not continue to have a relationship with their parents once they are out of the house. So the way that this family's story plays out is both unique, admirable and unexpected.

If nothing else it shows that despite all of the heartache that a family dishes onto themselves, with love, loyalty and determination, you can get through anything, and still be intact.

Overall, this is an unbelievable story. It is still hard to believe that it actually happened. I would recommend this book because of its uniqueness. As tough as it is to hear kids enduring such dire circumstances it will, I hope, make you if you are a parent appreciate yourselves more as parents. It will put into perspective all that you actually do for your kids. We do a hell of a lot more as parents than we think we do, don't we? This book at least opens our eyes to that and helps us to appreciate that fact.

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We've all been there haven't we. Not yet? Someday you will. Guarantee it.

All of us have and will struggle with the path that our lives have taken. Some people will feel fulfilled and in control while for the rest of us (I'm thinking the vast majority) will think “why in the hell am I here?” and “How did I get here and why did I let this happen?” But what sets us apart from the great divide is that “others” do something about it.

This is exactly what Eat, Pray, Love is about. The author, Elizabeth Gilbert finds herself in a lonely and agonizing place that she just knows she can't be a part of any longer. She however actually does something about it. She takes us on her personal journey through desperation to enlightenment. Every possible emotion that you can possibly think of, it's in there.

The author, refers to herself a lot as Liz in the book, is not a celebrity, is not from royalty, and is not a wealthy person. All of this makes her so refreshing, real and approachable. She is the regular person that you see in the mirror every day just trying to make it through, but doing it on her own terms. You feel that if this “regular” person did it and made a change, then dammit so can I.

The author's whole effort in her journey is to ultimately find balance. I think what is most interesting about this book is how we as a reader will react to each section of her journey; whether it be Italy, India or Indonesia. Therefore, depending on what phase of life you are in within your own life will ultimately determine how you will react to each section of the book and how it will personally affect you. With that said you may find a section more appealing than another.

One section may even be challenging to get through. All in all however, there are plenty of inspiring words of wisdom and straight to the point phrases to internalize and possibly live by. One great phrase I think we can all live by is a perfect quote from Richard from Texas (He is a prominent character in her book) says, “Your wishin' too much. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone 'oughtta be.” Great at any age isn't it.

This book is a 'life is a journey' kind of book. Happy Reading. For more book reviews about Eat, Pray, Love go ahead and click on more book reviews from Amazon.com