Learning to Float: The Journey of a Woman, a Dog, and Just Enough Men

by Lili Wright

Book Overview

Lili Wright is a thirty-something woman on the emotional lam. Faced with a choice between two men--Stuart, the steady veterinarian, and Peter, the dreamy writer--she climbs into her car and leaves them both behind.

With only a borrowed dog named Brando for company and a map of twelve states in her pocket, Lili sets out on a road trip, hoping that by setting herself in motion she will find a way to settle down. Charting a course from Cadillac...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767910044
• ISBN13: 9780767910040
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Inspirational Journey

When I picked up this book at a little bookstore at the beach, I was on a week-long vacation from a job I disliked and trying both to relax and to do some soul-searching. As Lili says, there are those people who have their personal lives in order and whose professional lives are a mess and those whose professional lives are in order but their personal lives are a mess. I had always lived in the second camp - but, at the time, I was facing chaos in my professional life and needed a break from reality.From the moment I started reading "Learning to Float," I literally could not put it down. Lili speaks to readers like an old friend - airing her dirty laundry and taking us through the painful, yet liberating, process of trying to figure out what she needs to do to be happy. "Learning to Float" is a deeply personal book. Yet, for others who are facing - or have ever faced - a time in life when we have to reassess our priorities and figure out what we need to do next, "Learning to Float" reassures us that we are not alone and provides inspiration that we, too, can find our way.

Learning to Float

Wonderful! Wonderful, Wonderful! This is a rare book that will occupy your thoughts for days and touch every emotion! I found myself laughing out loud quite often and crying as well, You may even see yourself in this book at times! Lili is an exceptional storyteller! So much so that I didn't want the book to end. She will take you away with her on a soul searching journey that will leave you wanting more. Run don't walk to get this book!

A journey worth enjoying

The author's journey of reminiscing while finding her way felt wonderfully familiar. As a woman the same age, I found myself feeling as though we had so much in common, yet wishing I could have put my own memories to paper the way that she has. Lili has a wonderful way of writing, a whimsical and lyric way of describing things. Sprinkled through the book, every chapter or so, there is an account of a conversation with "Grampy" on the porch in Maine. I eagerly looked forward to each one, usually finding myself chuckling out loud at his probing questions and humorous insights. I found myself looking forward to going a little way on Lili's adventure every night, after my kids were in bed. There is just enough sex to make it a definitely grown-up book, somewhat "Sex in the City"ish and very hip . A good read for those of us who have had our adventures, and have moved on, but still have fun reminiscing. This is a book to be slowly enjoyed and savoured.

An Uplifting Tale!

I randomly plucked this book off a table at a beach book shop, more expectng a beach-blanket read, than something as profound and precise as this book was.Not trite like many of its genre, the humanity and brutal nature of love was explored from a nostalgic vantage point as well as a dreamy "what if" one. Anyone who has already devoured the Candace Bushnell books and moved onto the zillion other books on the agnst ridden journey for love by flawed 20 and 30 somethings....should move beyond that, and pick this one up. There is a real story, by a real woman in here.

The long journey for love....

For anyone who has struggled to find, and hold on to, love (and who among us hasn't) this book is a great read. The author searches her soul (and psyche) and gives you her view from the drivers seat on the rollercoaster of love. The ups and downs of her love life are adventurous, sad, comical and utterly all to familiar.She acknowledges her own shortcomings, as well as those of her suitors with grace and humor. We laugh with her as she flounders through her 20's and into her 30's. And ultimately Lili makes the journey we've all had to take. As she shares her experiences we can all see a little of ourselves in her travails. She's honest and funny. Read this book and recommend it to a friend who's also going through this struggle, they'll laugh, appreciate it and hopefully they'll be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel as well.