Listen to this post:

I’ve always quit a book if I don’t like it in the first few pages. I’ve been known to give up within paragraphs. This isn’t because I’m twitchy or antsy. It’s because I know there are more books than I could ever read even if that’s all I do for the rest of my life. So if I don’t like one, see ya!

This is one reason I’m in love with reading blogs. The posts are short. If I’m not into one, I move on. If I am, I stick around and read more posts. Then I get multiple full stories. And unlike how it is with book authors, you can strike up quick friendships with other bloggers because you just chat with them right there on their blog.

Here’s one of the friends I’ve made by connecting through blogging: Joy Corcoran. Joy’s blog is www.JoyCorcoran.com. Here’s how she puts it: “This blog is my space to share my general exuberance for life — to share book reviews, insights, art and stories.  

I am a writer and artist living in Portland, Oregon…. All of my work is narrative with a hint of magic and wonder.

I also write about using the arts to rise above chronic pain and health conditions…. Since I was young, I have used the power of the arts to redefine, expand and celebrate my life.”

The blog has a wealth of photos of Joy’s drawings, fabric sculptures, and group shots of her living the good life with her intergenerational community members at Bridge Meadows. She also writes really engaging book reviews filled with pictures of pages from the books themselves. What a gift for someone like me who doesn’t want to pick up a book unless I magically somehow already know I will love it.

I want to share with you this one particular post called “The Illuminated Brain” from October 17, 2014. In it, she reviews Neurocomic by Dr. Hana Ros and Matteo Farinella. From her review, I can clearly tell I want to own this book. Just look at this description of Neurocomic! “It’s an altogether engrossing and entertaining way to learn about the brain. We often see science as stuffy and serious, but this book injects so much playfulness and humor into neuroscience, that it’s an irresistible way to learn. The drawings are lively and expressive. I love the playful way brain functions are characterized.” She also introduces us to the characters and the plot. Yes, a science book with an adventurous storyline!

The review also gave a little taste of something Joy and I have in common: neurologists who generally thought something was wrong with us but didn’t go far beyond saying that. Of course, we have different disabilities, and our neurologists said “meh” for very different reasons. But I have to say, I don’t have a lot of other friends at the moment who are also medically mysterious. And Joy and I aren’t that mysterious, and I’m especially not that mysterious. We both needed other kinds of testing. Then we found out a little bit more about what we “have.” And then we made some more art.

Neurocomic stuff, on a really visually rich website that’s probably not accessible: www.neurocomic.org .

Interesting in purchasing your own Neurocomic? You can get it straight from the publishers at www.nobrow.net/13846. But definitely check out Joy’s review and her blog in general while you’re online. Her artwork is so gorgeous and thoughtful. It’s neat to see her own creations while you also check out her take on other peoples’ art.