I just finished “Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas and Found Happiness,” by Dominique Browning. This book was described to me as being comparable to Elizabeth Gilbert’s famous novel, “Eat Pray Love,” a story of loss, redemption and resurrection.
In a way, it is Browning’s “Slow Love” is similar, in the sense that it deals with loss, relationships, work and evaluation. Yet, where Browning’s book succeeds is that she deals with these things in a relateable way, she is not an escapist running off after loss to some exotic place- she looks around her and attempts to deal with her life where it is, not by booking a plane ticket.
“Slow Love” begins with the author losing her job when the magazine she’s poured her life into shuts down. This dramatic slow down of her entire life forces her to pause and evaluate everything, and to truly face herself. Browning’s memoir serves as a realistic road map for anyone who is feeling lost in their life, or who could ever relate to that feeling. When she loses her job she is sent adrift, she puts on her pajamas, drinks wine and tries to figure out her life, her relationships- essentially, who she is.
As a reader, you paw through the pages, reading with heartfelt nods when she {quite often} says something that truly resonates with you- whether it be a simple personal quirk or an astute observation of the human condition and the beauty of life- there are plenty of these profound little moments amongst her pages.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. It’s real without being depressing. It is inspirational and beautiful without being trite or preachy, an honestly good read that you can easily fit into your life and fill you up with a good story.
This book sounds like something I can totally get in to. I have a stack of Jen Lancaster and Chuck Klosterman books on my nightstand right now but I'm scampering over to my library's database to reserve this one. Thanks for the recommendation, fellow Yakezie Fall Groupie!
Jana! Jen Lancaster is one of my FAVORITE authors! I love her stuff so much I even waiting in line for two stinkin' hours to get her to sign a copy of her new book, "If You Were Here" and I love her humor, style and insight. I think you'll like this book too, I know I enjoyed it and I think it looks so darn pretty on my shelf!
I never actually read Eat Pray Love, but I watched the movie (because I'm a huge Julia Roberts fan) & loved the whole story. There were many times I wish I had the funds to just escape somewhere else to figure things out, but for me that's not real. I might have to check this book out if our library has it. There's something so inspiring about learning someone else's life-changing story.
Oh totally, I totally dug Eat, Pray, Love. This book captured some of that transformation but for those of us who aren't writers who can take off and go eat pizza in Sicily, this book is a more accessible, attainable form of transformation. I loved the book because there was so many of those head-nodding "I hear you" moments when she would talk about her life. I liked it because while she undergoes some great changes, it's not dramatic- it's real, relateable and you feel like you're right along with her.
OMG, this sounds awesome! I'm going to have to make this my next book club pick! Eat, Pray, Love is my absolute favorite book, so anything compared to that, I'm automatically hooked! I loved that she traveled the world to find herself, but I also love the idea of being able to do it right at home, so I am eager to read this book! It already tells my own story of being forced to evaluate and find yourself after losing your job, so I'm in! lol
Alexis, I think this would be a good book to review on your blog as well. If you loved EPL, I think you'll like this…I really enjoyed the read! It falls in line with the awesome theme you have on your website!
I am a snobby reader, but you described the book so well, I'm going to have to check it out! Thanks for review!
Haha, I'm kind of a snobby reader myself, lol. I love books but don't really pick them up unless there are some solid reviews on them- I just don't have the time (or the patience really) to put time into a book if it's not giving anything back. I think you'll enjoy this and I'd love to hear your thoughts if you get around to reading it!
I know there's a whole discussion on this book going on at the Blog Her Book Club with the other bloggers who read/reviewed the book this month: https://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-slow-…