what I’m reading.

I've been plugging along at my 40 @ 40 list. One of the items is to read 26 books this year. A few that have made the list so far….

The kids bought me this book for Mother's Day (after I pointedly said "hey, why don't you buy me this book for mother's day?") I tossed it into my laptop bag and planned to thumb through it on my flight to Ohio this week. In reality? I devoured it on the very first leg of flights. 

Plate to Pixel: Digital Food Photography & Styling (aff) is simply stunning. I can't say that I learned anything earth-shattering from a technical perspective – I already know my way around fstops & shutter speeds. What I loved was that she shows examples & explains what changes were made to get different effects. I guess I'm a visual learner b/c that part really clicked for me. I don't have any real reason to shoot food, but I found myself making mental notes of techniques that I can carry over into my commercial product photography. 

I have this as a Nook-book. It sits on the table beside my bed so that I can read a section each morning. The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction (aff) has a great positive vibe, and is sooo encouraging. I'm getting into the habit of daily affirmations, and even have some of them taped to my bathroom mirror (yes, Mom, I know I sound like Aunt Betty!). 

Memoir has definitely become my favorite genre over the past year or so. Planting Dandelions is a funny, honest look at "living the dream" – even when that dream looks nothing like you'd thought. This feels like the kind of book that I'd write – so it's super fun to read. 

I think I'm up to about 10 books total for the year – so 16 to go! What are you reading right now that should make it onto my list?