Joan Didion's Cookbook

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means,” Joan Didion confessed in 1976. 

Though she has been critiqued for often writing in the first person narrative, this is what I like most about Joan's writing. It's honest and open. 

And now we can all get another glimpse into the mind of Joan Didion. Joan as a party hostess. 

Joan's personal cookbook; a collection of party menus, guest lists and favourite recipes, was on offer to a certain bidder during a campaign to raise funds for the production of a documentary about her life. The bidder is now sharing excerpts. 

I'm delighted for the opportunity to read these excerpts and love to think of Joan cooking for her glamorous guests. 

I'm also delighted that for such a tiny woman, who's diet seemed to consist of Coca Cola, salted almonds and cigarettes,  she had any interest in food or cooking.

Looks can be deceiving.

I'm sure Joan Didion has written many amazing sentences about this truth.