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Book Review: Joie

Lately, I’ve been drawn to books that remind me to slow down and savor life—the kind that gently nudge you toward living with more meaning and less hustle. Joie by Ajiri Aki is exactly that kind of book. It's not a manual on how to “do life better,” but rather an invitation to shift how you see and experience your everyday.

Ajiri Aki shares her journey of moving to Paris and learning how the French find beauty and contentment in even the simplest moments. While her life may look different from mine, the mindset she embraces is something I deeply connected with.

My Key Takeaways from Joie:

  • Visit a café: Not just to grab a drink, but to sit, observe, and be present. It’s about creating a moment—pausing to enjoy life as it’s unfolding.
  • Commit to lunch once a week: With a friend, a loved one, or even yourself. Carving out intentional time for connection is a quiet act of joy.  
  • Savor quality food: Ajiri’s appreciation for beautiful, high-quality meals inspired me to dream a little—this may have to wait, as I want to remain focused on decluttering the house, but it's definitely on my bucket list now.  
  • Entertain with purpose, not pressure: “The purpose of entertaining is to bring together one's friends. Focus on the purpose: It should be pleasure, not pressure.”  This quote reframed the way I think about hospitality. It's not about perfection—it's about presence.

    Highlights I Don't Want to Forget:  

    • This sentence hit me hard:  “It's no wonder I was continually searching for joie [joy]. I never felt satisfied with myself or my life as it was.”  How often do we chase happiness in the future, thinking it lives in the “next” thing, rather than uncovering it in the here and now?  Her words made me pause and ask: What if joy isn’t something to chase, but something to notice?
    • The book closes with this beautiful reminder from Dr. Maya Angelou:  “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” This is the kind of wisdom I want to live by—a gentle guide for how I show up in the world.

    Joie reminded me that joy isn’t always loud or grand. Sometimes, it's as soft as a café moment, a shared lunch, or a deep breath between tasks. If you're looking to bring more intention and beauty into your life, this book will leave you inspired to find your own joie—your own version of joy—in every day.


    Image from GoodReads

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