Thursday, September 8, 2011

An Itty Bitty Book Review

I've just finished a book by Dominique Browning entitled "Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas, and Found Happiness."
The title snagged me -- I'm always up for anything remotely dealing with pajamas!

Dominique Browning was living her exceedingly busy and seemingly full life as the editor-in-chief of House & Garden magazine work which she described as "the scaffolding of her life."

The scaffolding, however, collapsed entirely when her magazine, her job, and her only known way of living her life very suddenly ceased to exist.

The ensuing memoir tells the story of how Ms. Browning discovered what she calls slow love "the most sustaining sort of love I have ever known--a love that comes of an unhurried and focused attention to the simplest things."

The reading of this at times poignant, and at times funny tale, was a pleasurable one. Each time I opened the book it felt like I was visiting an interesting acquaintance and hearing in her voice the journey she was undertaking which was slowly leading her to peace.

Mind you, Ms. Browning's peace is not my peace, but that was interesting too. It was enlightening to see another's take on life from a viewpoint decidedly not my own yet with interests that turned out to be much the same.

The joy, was truly in the journey for the author--a journey that led her through baking, purchasing PJs, mint gardening, reading, the end of the author's irritating relationship with "Stroller" who, alas, was not really hers for the loving, and rebuilding a Rhode Island beach home. The new home, like her new life turns out simpler, purer, and much more beautiful than the old one.

**Note: I received and read this book as a part of the BlogHer Book Club and will be participating in ongoing discussions (here) on the many topics contained in this book worth discussing like: what does one do when she looses her job, what does one do in the midst of a trying long-term relationship, the lifestyle the author lived while employed and then while unemployed...please feel free to join the discussion!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Gretchen said...

Thank you so much, it's kind of you to take time to comment!!

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