Site of the Week- Goodreads

Welcome to a new feature on my blog- “Site of the Week.” In this feature, as the title implies, I will weekly share a web-site I find fun, useful, and interesting.

The 1st site of the week post was actually inspired by something my sister in-law, Megan, posted on Facebook about wanting to be a part of a book club. Since I am in the US and Megan is currently in Italy the 2 of us starting a book club could be a bit challenging, however it is not totally impossible. Thanks to the world wide web and our site of the week . . . . Goodreads that and so much more is entirely possible.

I should note that I was introduced to this site a few months ago by a friend from church. Thanks Leslie!

Goodreads is sort of like a social networking site for readers. This site really has some great features  that any reader would find totally useful. Here are just a few of the things you can do once you become a member:

• Search for books
• Make a catalog of books you have read and would like to read
• Rate books and write reviews
• Form book clubs
• See what your friends are reading

As an avid reader, I find Goodreads extremely useful! I always have one book going and one audio book going at the same so the cataloguing of what “I have read” and what “I want to read” is very useful to me. I also like to see what books my Goodreads friends are reading. This often gives me ideas of things that I might want to read.

My least favorite thing about Goodreads is how few friends I have on the site. So if you are a reader of my blog and a reader of books I encourage you to become a member, you will not regret it. After you join, find me! I would love to see what you are reading!

 

Until next time . . .Happy Reading!!

Julie/Julia . . .Finding Joy through food.

So this is kind of weird I am writing a blog about a book and a movie that were born from a blog project.  WHICH is totally awesome that one simple blog can inspire a best selling book and an awesome movie. Awww, lets all take a moment and step back and admire the all consuming power of the internet.

Okay moment over and now back to our regular scheduled programming. A few months back my Mom and I were watching TV at her house and we saw a trailer for the Julie & Julia movie. The trailer showed Meryl Streep as Julia Child and then Amy Adams as this other person who had a blog. My Mom said she wanted to see it and I was intrigued. I had of course heard of Julia Child . . .who hasn’t! (if you have not don’t fell bad just click on her name her to read more)!!! but who was this Julie that did the blogging stuff. So naturally I Googled it and found out there was a book that the movie was based off of . . .WHOO HOO! So a trip to Barnes and Nobles was made and I was soon the proud owner of Julie and Julia: A Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. The book was actually a true story, the author Julie Powell embarked on a mission to cook here way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child (and some others) and write a blog about the experience. Julie begins her journey as an unhappy cubicle dweller in a government office in New York City. Through the blog Julie finds not only a connection with Julia Child but also a joy for cooking a renewed joy and purpose for her life  that she could not have found in her cubicle. I really enjoyed the book it had a lot of really hilarious moments particularly with the cooking of the lobster. I also admit that this part is a little gross but not nearly as gross as the calves feet.  I also got quite a few chuckles over the conversations that Julie had with her mother regarding her blog.  The book also featured several letters that Paul Child  and Julia Child had written which I believe were excerpts from My Life in France, a book that Julia child wrote about her time in France (but don’t quote me on that).  Despite the fact that there is a movie out there I encourage you to read the book the language and the descriptions are wonderful and you truly get immersed in Julie’s journey.

My Mom and I finally went to see the movie this past Saturday and I have to say the movie was not exactly like the book BUT I was okay with it.  The movie gave me one thing that I did not completely get from the book, a better understanding of Julia Child and her accomplishments. On a side note Meryl Streep played Julia Child brilliantly and I really admire her for enduring all those amazingly high heals to pull off Julia’s 6’2” stature. Julia Child worked for 8 years to get the Mastering the Art of French Cooking Published! What patience and persistence! By the way I do not feel I am ruining anything about the book or movie by telling you this it is common knowledge and can be found by a bit of Googling.

Both the book and the movie were an answer to the question “What am I good at?” Both Julie and Julia had at one time been in government work but were not satisfied and found purpose through cooking.  Both have now made a life’s work out of cooking and to me this is truly AWESOME! To find  the one single thing in life that you love to do and  make it your purpose  . . . to me that is just priceless! One of my favorite lines from the movie is between Paul and Julia Child. Paul ask Julia “What is it you like to do?” Julia laughs and says “Eat!” She took a love for eating to a whole new level, and for that I applaud her.

Another one of my favorite lines made famous by Julia Child on her cooking showing and one we can all relate to is – “DON'T BE AFRAID!” (really you have to hear Julia say this to get the full effect). I think this may be a bit of advice that is applicable  in every thing from boning a duck to realizing life goals.

So go forth and DON’T BE AFRAID! God is always in control and besides what is the work thing that can happen? You hack up a duck the wrong way. At least you tried and you will do better the next time. 

Just for the record this is something I need to remember on a daily basis I am constantly “afraid” and losing self confidence,

 

In conclusion, see the MOVIE and read the BOOK. They are FABULOUS!

 

BON APPETIT!