pure joy

How adorable is this little girl?!? I had so much fun photographing her family earlier this week. She was an absolute delight (perhaps the most polite child I have ever met -- I hope to someday ply her parents with wine and steal all of their secrets).As you can imagine, I am absolutely slammed with family portraits this time of year. As of right now, I have seven sessions left before the end of the year -- and those are being fit in around my commercial work. When I wrap up my final shoot on Dec 29, there will be a big glass of red wine waiting for me at the end of this long tunnel!But even though I feign like it's so much work (which it is), it's also so much fun! I am absolutely delighted to have a career spending time with people and work that I love. I wouldn't trade it for the world.Now. For your internet share, I dove deep into this book list and made a gazillion additions to my library holds. And that got me thinking... Because of my discovery of audiobooks, I have "read" more this year than any other (27 at last count -- that's a huge jump for me!). And I have so very many suggestions!So here is my first-ever informal holiday book giving guide:For people who love historical fiction, particularly about WWII: The Nightingale, The Invisible Bridge, All the Light We Cannot See and The Book Thief. These are listed in the order of my preference, although they are all good for different reasons.For absolutely everyone: A Man Called Ove (So good !!!), Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Yes, this was a movie. The book is a thousand times better.)For women and / or feminists: Circling the Sun, The Nightingale (yes, this one is on my list twice -- that's how much it touched me)For Sci/Fi lovers: The Girl With All the Gifts, The MartianFor people who love thrillers: Girl on a TrainFor your enemies: The Goldfinch. Sorry. Hated it.