My friend and I have decided to make a conscious effort to read more books. Since we have started our impromptu book club in May I have read 7 books! The books have ranged from self-help, to business, to fiction. I love writing just as much as I love photography so for me, reading is an extension of my love for writing. I love immersing myself in a book until I’ve finished it. I’m such a fast reader that I generally finish books in about 2 days. I thought I would share with you guys what I’ve been reading because after all reading is fundamental.

The Help (Kathryn Stockett) — This book is A-MA-ZING! It’s about African American maids in the 1960s and the white women that they work for. The characters are so multi-dimensional and since the author chose to write the book from three different perspectives you get a really good sense of who the characters are. The story will have you hooked and you’ll be turning the pages to see what happens next.

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing (Al Ries & Jack Trout) — I came across this book from the suggestion of another photographer. I’m glad that I read it. It’s not a  long book and it gives great strategies for marketing your business and ultimately, gain customers!

Lights, Camera, Capture: Creative Lighting Techniques for Digital Photographers (Bob Davis) — Simply put this is a good book to learn about the basics of light (both natural and flash). If you are a novice when it comes to using flash, it’s definitely a good book to check out. One key thing I took from the book is: shutter controls ambient light, aperture controls the flash.

When Tito Loved Clara (Jon Michaud) — A compelling story, just like that of Stockett’s, that is written from three different points of view. It is a story of what happens when Clara’s past catches up with her–particularly the character of Tito Moreno, her high school sweetheart.