Book Launch for “From Rifles to Roses: Memories and Miracles” Draws Elizabeth Gilbert to Town

Writer / Kara Reibel

An event on July 28 at St. Luke’s Methodist Church will be a bit of a role reversal for two friends. The last time Iva Nasr was with Elizabeth Gilbert at St. Luke’s for an event, it was for Liz’s book, “Eat, Pray, Love.” Now the chairs are reversed, and Gilbert is in town to support her friend, Nasr, on her first release, “From Rifles to Roses: Memories and Miracles.”

Nasr met Gilbert in North Carolina while the two were staying at the nature preserve Turtle Island owned by naturalist Eustace Conway. Liz was researching her book, “The Last American Man.”

“Iva and I were clearly meant to become friends,” says Gilbert. “I thought to myself, ‘What is this firefly doing here?’”

After Gilbert finished her book on Conway and just before her journey that became “Eat, Pray, Love,” Nasr had joined Gilbert on a book tour. “It worked out that I had some time, and we traveled a bit together,” shares Nasr. Part of this road trip is shared by Gilbert in “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Now it’s Nasr’s turn. “I have been advised by many people with whom I’ve shared my story that I needed to write a book,” says Nasr. “’From Rifles to Roses’ is that book.”

Two years ago, the window of opportunity to pen her life story to paper presented itself, and Nasr went for it. During this creative period of writing that she spent in Portland, Oregon, she would walk outside and smell the roses that were in full bloom while she was there.

At the end of every day of writing, Nasr would call her parents and read to them every new chapter she had completed. Her parents were her first audience. “It is a living memory,” shares Nasr. “They were at the core of much of it, and I felt a sense of completion in sharing it with them.”

Nasr writes from the heart, and the tale is compelling. There are lessons learned and incredibly magical experiences shared. After reading her story to her parents, her first readers were her sister and Gilbert.

“Holy cow, Iva, you’re a writer!” was Gilbert’s first comment after reading the memoir. “As a writer, the first thing I want to comment on is your writing. You don’t get in the way of your words, and you are a storyteller.” Coming from Gilbert, this is the pinnacle of praise.

Equally enthusiastic is Betty Brandt with St. Luke’s. “We are very excited to be a part of the celebration of Iva’s new book!”

“I feel deep gratitude for this event,” shares Nasr. “All my earthly angels are showing up to help. Thank you for the collaboration!”

For more stories and dialogue between Nasr and Gilbert, join them on Tuesday, July 28, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis. Tickets are $10 and available online at stlukesumc.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the event from 7-8:30 p.m., followed by a book signing by Iva at 8:30. In addition to Gilbert, remarkable music will be featured by Salaam Band of Bloomington.

Additionally, on Wednesday, July 29, Iva will be speaking at the Playful Soul from 6:30-9 p.m. Visit ThePlayfulSoul.com for tickets.

“From Rifles to Roses: Memories and Miracles” will be available for purchase at the event or online mid-July.