book discussion

Maximum Security-The True Meaning of Freedom is being touted as the men's version of Eat, Pray, Love.

Written by Alan Gompers and schedule for release in May 2008.

I'm having a tough time getting into this book, although at times, I read parts of it to my husband so I must be finding parts of it interesting.

You are so right. I was just in Mexico all week and I still couldn't finish this book. I guess I just find it hard to relate to some of her experiences.

You mean the whining upper class white lady who is annoyed that she didn't get what she clearly didn't want? And whined about it forever? Running Away from our troubles is no way to grow up.

Ugh. This is the book that made me resume my boycott of Oprah selections (except for the classics that were selected by greater minds than hers).

Had I been traveling with the author, I'd have found the first vaporetto to Venice. What made her think that her observations, her desires, her lessons would be of any value to anyone other than herself? Did I bother anyone else with my trite observations about life?

How do books like this seem to take on a life of their own? Do people not think for themselves or not know what they do enjoy in a book? Are people too afraid to say, "Yuck," because everyone else is raving?

Argh, and then to wrap it in the spiritual mumbo jumbo. I think my mom called it a rosary...

I so agree! Thought I was the only one who thought she was selfish and whiney and that I was jealous for not getting paid for my own boring stream of consciousness.

So happy to find another who thought this was rubbish. Let's all buy notebooks and a special pen for our next trip and record all the random thoughts that fly into our head and get an agent! I have a hard time keeping a journal because it seems so precious and I'm always thinking, "Why should I think any of this is so important that I should write it down?" (And I used to get paid to write and edit!)

You know, just because you don't relate and get nothing from it does not mean that others can't nor that it is a useless book. Also, just because someone does find value in it does not mean that they are mindlessly following the masses.

I had no idea that this was an Oprah book until you said so... seems you are paying more attention to the masses than I!

In a way I am pleased for you if you cannot relate because it means you haven't had to go through that kind of depth of suffering. But don't belittle others and what they relate to in their journey because you are not there.

I respect your opinion in disliking it, just not your desire to batter whomever does find hope and insight in it.