Long time, no post

I've been neglecting my blog for a long time. I have no excuse, except for the fact that I've really gotten into Twitter and spend all my free time on that. Plus my online book club goodreads.com takes time and I always enjoy my friends there as well. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, in case anyone still looks for blogposts from me! Please check out my Twitter feed Joy@joyfulng if you want daily comments and photos from me.

To blog or not to blog, that is the question!

I have been neglecting this blog because I spend a lot of time on Twitter. Please follow me there if you'd like. It's Joy@joyfulng if you want to check it out. Twitter is a lot of fun!

Mr. Mercedes

One of my favorite books so far this year is Mr. Mercedes by mystery/horror author extraordinaire Stephen King.  There are many great reviews of this book on www.goodreads.com. I'm not sure what I can add that's not already out there. I thought it was a brilliant, page turning thriller and recommend it highly, even if you're not a Stephen King fan.




I hope they make a movie out of this book someday! I hear there will be a sequel released next year called Finders Keepers.

Wisdom

"What I know for sure...
is that what you give comes back to you."


- Oprah Winfrey

Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty

I just finished reading Diane Keaton's new book called Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty.  I've been a big fan of Diane Keaton for as long as I can remember. I loved her early Woody Allen films (especially "Love and Death", "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" which I own on DVD) and she continues to make movies I want to see. I haven't read her first memoir yet called Then Again but I really enjoyed this one.


The thing that is great about Diane is she is so true to herself, doesn't follow trends and is unique and funny. She writes well and I highly recommend this book.


Here are some of my favorite quotes -


She is a fan of Cary Grant and this is a quote of his that she likes - "I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be, and I finally became that person."


"And every day for the last few years I have a little chat with myself. 'Okay, Diane... your hands still wash your face. You can still feel hot water. See's Candies peanut brittle is still your favorite dessert. The wild parrots on the telephone wire outside your bathroom still sing to you every morning, and just like them, you're still a live animal. Be grateful for what you have, you big jerk.'"


"Maybe my smile could help me make it through the day. Maybe I could stop being so aggravated if I wore a smile."  Later she quotes Charlie Chaplin and his "You'll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile."


I enjoyed reading Diane's thoughts about some of the men in her life such as Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson. She's had quite an interesting life.

Quotes For Today

Max out the time with the people you love. - Tony Soprano




Depression is rage turned inward. - Dr. Melfi to Tony Soprano

Mastering the Art of French Eating

I recently read a wonderful book called Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah. I loved this book! It really made me want to return to Paris someday. I enjoyed the way Ann described the various dishes that she learned to make and that she included the recipes at the end of each chapter. If you plan to travel to France or even just in your dreams, this book is for you!

Also, Ann has a great website - check out www.annmah.net.