I close the cover of Elizabeth Gilbert’s The Signature of All Things, which had me entranced for an entire week and I think:

“Now what do I do with the rest of my life?”

Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating a bit.  But seriously – isn’t that the effect  of a good book?  By the first chapter, doesn’t it somehow nudge its way into the number one priority in your life?  Please tell me other people experience this.

A really great, engrossing novel is worse than being newly in love.  I go through the motions of my day – through the tasks of a job I love, interact with friends who I truly enjoy, all the while waiting for the moment I can get back to The Story.  Because that’s the key, right?  A great STORY.  Or is the the characters?  In this case, I absolutely know Alma.  I mean, I know her.

The Signature of All Things has me particularly baffled in this regard-

There is nothing about this book that should interest me.  Why in the world would I want to read about a nineteeth century botanist?  I care about neither.  There’s little dialog; all narrative.  But damn… She had me from the first chapter.

Over the past few months I’ve spent a lot of time reading “bargain basement fiction” – eBooks that cost less than a couple dollars.  It’s true that I’ve found a few gems there.  But mostly?  It’s been okay stories with amateurish writing skills.

How wonderful it feels to read something from an author who can actually WRITE.  If Eat, Pray, Love is all you know about Elizabeth Gilbert, please check out her other work.  I had no idea….