For the Love of Books

Where would we be without our wealth of books? On our shelves, our night stands, our coffee tables. Reading to ourselves, to our children, or being read to. Words, illustrations, pictures. Covers, sleeves, pages. Oh, our beloved books!

Ever since our very first Shutter Sisters book has been out, we've seen it on bookstore shelves, being busted out of Amazon boxes, displayed in your homes. There have been encouraging words, rave reviews, and giveaways. We cannot thank you enough for all of your support!

With all this good stuff to report, we've decided to create a little home pagefor all the links that are around the blogosphere. Have your shared your thoughts on Expressive Photography on your blog or somewhere else around the wonderfully wide web?  Please share it with us on our new Expressive Photography page here at Shutter Sisters. And if you've got a shot of the book to share, we've got a new place for those too! It's called Book Sightings and it's just for pictures of the book. All you have to do is add your images into our Flickr Pool tagged "Expressive Photography" (with the quotes) and we'll be featuring your sightings! What better way to celebrate?

And because we are focusing on the love of books of all kinds, our generous sponsor this month Focal Press has offered a number of their stellar titles to YOU for a book love giveaway day today.

All you have to do is share a comment on this post between now and Sunday 11/27 at midnight EST to be entered to win one of these photography titles from Focal Press:

Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sister Guide to Shooting from the Heart (wink wink)

The Elements of Photographyby Angela Faris Belt

Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity by Michelle Bates

Lensbaby: Bending Your Perspectiveby Corey Hiltz

The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman

Books! Books! And more books! 5 books means 5 winners! YAY! So, this post begs the question: what are your favorite books? Do tell the story!

Comments

[Kat]

Ooooh, I am currently reading "The Photographer's Eye" and getting so much out of it. Would love to win another title. I imagine it must be fabulous to spot your book, when out and about!

[Audra Van Vliet]

Becoming a fledgling photographer definitely has its ups and downs, but David DuChemin's "VisionMongers: Making a Life and Living in Photography" has been the most informative book I have ever read having to do with the marketing of yourself and your photography. Actually, anything by DuChemin is worth checking out. I have another one called "Vision and Voice: Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom" that is great as well. I have a couple of Ebooks. He isn't schmaltzy. Very straight to the point, and I like that. Not like a manual either, though. More like someone you would pay to mentor with. He is that good.

[Rebecca]

I don't have any photography books, so one of these would be awesome (especially yours!!!) Thank you for the chance. My very favorite book is John Grisham's The Camel Club.

[justine]

I absolutely love your book, I think it offers so much and I keep picking it up and putting it down, great stuff.

[Marcie]

Oh...these books look/sound great! A favorite book? A most recent one is 'The Help'.

[se]

UH! I already bought Expressive and Its' fantastic!
Soooo now.... I'll try for photographer's eye... hard choosing, eh?

[Vanessa]

What a fabulous giveaway! I'm currently devouring our very own Shutter Sister Karen's book "The Beauty of Different". Its words and images heal and delight.

Check this book out too (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4786713450/in/set-72157607625768404/), a fantastic novel.

I posted some pics of my copy of "Expressive Photography" (UK edition) to the SS Flickr pool back when it arrived on my doorstep in October (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/5097455250/in/set-72157607625768404/). Since then it's given me many hours of enjoyment and inspiration. Thank you, sisters!

[sheri]

Expressive Photography is on my wish list for Christmas. My favourite book right nowis Freedom.

[Vanessa]

ooops... please forgive the broken links above!:
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4786713450
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/5097455250

peace out, Vx

[Heidi]

Just got my copy of Expressive...loving it just getting into photography so all the other titles look delightful! Currently, The Gifts of Imperfection is top of my list...

[Jill F]

I love Expressive Photography. Every time I pick it up I learn something. And it's not written like a manual, more like friends just talking

[Betsy]

What a great give away! Many of these are on my Christmas list :)

[Nancy]

I, too, am reading the Photographer's Eye and really liked the Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing.

[AndMilesToGo]

already read Expressive Photography and it is great--now being used as a reference guide. would love to read the others mentioned also.

[Marilyn Johnson]

Expressive Photography is on my wishlist. I have a pile of books on my nightstand ready to read but with a little 6 month old haven't had time yet!

[claudia]

oooo, any one of these would be wonderful to have!!

[carol bloomfield]

oooh, expressive photography looks amazing! I'm currently really enjoying
Photo-journalism developing style in creative photography B&W by Terry Hope, from rotovision

[Trish]

I just put holds on some books from the library that were recommended by my photography class instructor.
Bryan Peterson: Understanding Exposure and a few others of his, and a book by Joe McNally.

[Becky Sue]

I would love to win one of these books, esp. Expressive Photography. :)

[ScrappBarb]

I am new to photography so my only book is Expressive Photography. I love it!! I have learned so much and improved my photography.

I am currently reading Olive Kitteridge, and it is great. Fabulous character development.

[Jennifer]

I LOVE books...I mostly like to read fictional stories...love the way, when done well, a story can pull you into another world

[Tracy Sutherland]

One can never have too many books!

[Steph L]

I loved undrestanding exposure, but now I'm ready to read more about the creative side of photography! Expressive photography has been in my Amazon cart, so I've been wanting it badly. Photographers eye and Lensbaby books look great too!

[joy]

I would love to have any of these books added to my pile. Currently enjoying Humble Masterpieces by Paola Antonelli and Scott Kelby's Digital Photography book 2.

[Sandi]

I have been reading your new book and loving it. I do not have any of the others but they look great.
Thank you for the opportunity to win. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sandi

[Pam]

I have the Lensbaby book, and I am so glad to see your suggestions! I would love Expressive Photography and the Elements of Photography. I have eyed Photographers Eye like forever!

[Jen L.]

I just ordered this the other day (along with 4 other photog books) and can't wait til they arrive! Other than the Shutter Sisters book I don't have any of the other titles and would love a chance to win one of them! Thanks for the give away =)

[joey]

As much as I love a beautiful photography book, I've been spending most of my reading time reading children's books.

[Cindy R]

I love books -- especially photography books. Expressive Photography is already on my list to buy. Thank you for your wonderful blog!

[Jodi]

I just can't get enough of your stuff! I love it all!

http://livinglifephotographically.blogspot.com/2010/11/picture-holidays-im-so-excited.html

[Bethany]

I don't have as much time to read for fun as I'd like since I'm a busy senior in high school, but when I do get the chance, I especially love:
(1) Biographies of how people overcame weaknesses, such as blindness or paralysis,
and
(2) Exciting and mysterious books like those written Frank Peretti.

I don't have any photography books yet, but I do have one on my Christmas list. I hadn't heard of all those you mentioned -- they sound awesome!

[Amanda]

I love to read, I love all types of books! It's so hard for me to pick a favorite. But, on the top of my list at the moment are books that make you think and question. I just finished "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert and just started reading her second autobiography of sorts, "Committed." I love her wit and sense of wonder. She definitely makes me think!
I am also currently reading "Photographer's Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business" It is a great read for anything even considering starting a photography business. It has taught me so much about the the business process. It may not be the most exciting read, but it is really teaching me quite a bit.

[Hannah]

love the digital photography books by scott kelby.

[Angella]

My copy of Expressive Photography is on its way, and I'd love to win one of the other titles!

[Crystal]

I would absolutely love to have the Expressive Photography book! Thanks for sharing!

[Ali]

I love books about photography, especially those with photos and examples of how oto use different settings.

[The Biblioholic]

WIth a username of "thebiblioholic", you know I love books... :-)

http://www.flickr.com/thebiblioholic

[Andreas]

Currently devouring "Expressive Photography" and all its beauty and brilliance. Just got word "The Beauty of Difference" is on its way and I can't wait! The best book I ever read- that might have to be "James and the Giant Peach", for all its magic, wonder and silliness.

[Rachael]

Oh...I would SO, SO, SO love to win this. I am in the mist of reading every photography book out there...including perfect exposure, the photographers eye, Perfect portrait workshops...you name it.

I have wanted this book for awhile!!

[Laurie]

I always give my favorite book slot to A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving -- but I also love Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

I would love to have a copy of Expressive Photography -- super biased as so many of you are my friends and photographic inspirations. Happy Thanksgiving to all of the SIsters. :)

[Meg]

I just love books :) my fave right now is Water for Elephants!

[molly]

i love mysteries, and photo books. right now i'm poring over photo books on walker evans and stephen shore.

[Marina D-K]

I really love non-fiction books about society (think Malcolm Gladwell or Freakanomics) or good autobiographies. All of the Harry Potter books are my guilty pleasure. I am looking so forward to the day when my little girl starts reading them. =)

[Becky]

My favorite book is usually the last one I read. So I'd love to read yours. :)

[Nicolasa]

I just love reading books! I have so many photography books. The one that I am currently so happy about is The Linked Photographers' Guide to Online Marketing and Social Media. Love it! I would love to have one of these books as well!

[angie]

i'm currently reading 'organized simplicity' - but am really looking forward to diving into 'the art of racing in the rain'.

favorite book ever? toss up between the twilight books and 'the notebook' :) i'm a sappy girl!

[sHANNON]

I would love love love to win any of these books exspecially YOURS! I am just starting out and loving it. Im signed up for your BPS calls starting next wednesday! I am having so much fun learning! I also just bought a book you suggested the gifts of imperfections...love it too! Thanks...PICK ME PICK ME!

[Rosa]

One of my all time favorite books is One Hundred Years of Solitude - it's a must read!

[Jen]

Right now my favorite book is Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.
Expressive photography is a topic that inspires me regularly, so I'd love to read any of these books.

[Donna G.]

I don't have a favorite book. I love too many to name one favorite. However, in the area of photography, I totally enjoyed reading Expressive Photography. That was well-worth the money! It's the only one your list above that I've read.