Melissa Johnston Photography

Since my trip out East, I only thought it was appropriate for me to indulge in the whole series of Anne of Green Gables. So if you think it’s been a while since I posted a ‘reads’ post, now you know what my brain has been keeping busy on. They are absolutely splendid (I also find myself talking like her at times haha!). I am presently on the 3rd book and I cannot put them down. It’s definitely something different from the usual books I read – I’ll let you know how the rest are

I am actually following up on my little book club post I wrote a while ago. I was able to read a few books while I went on my trip last month and I’m happy to say they kept me entertained, especially on the long plane rides.

First, I read ‘Still Alice’.

This book was a great, quick read. It’s a story about Alice, a Harvard Professor who finds out that she has early onset Alzheimers disease. It was a very heavy subject to read about, but to read about her triumphs and the strong woman she continues to be during her turmoil was spectacular. I recommend it.

The second book I read was ‘Scar Tissue’, Anthony Kiedis’ autobiography.

This book talks about the ups and downs of the rockstar especially his battle with drug addiction. The book also talks alot about the forming and the rising of the band. I always like to read biographies from time to time and this had been one of my favorites so far.

I read alot. Books are my way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When I have a book in hand, I can actually say that I am relaxing and I have stopped thinking about my to do lists, work overload and house cleaning..which I do alot – the thinking part anyway. So for 2010, I have decided to add a little section to my blog called ‘Reads’. I know it has nothing to do with photography but it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want with it. Hehe! Maybe you’ll even get a little insight on what books to read next if you are as much of a book worm as me!

So to introduce the section I have decided to start it off by naming my 10 most favourite books of the decade. It was a tough one but I finally narrowed it down. Here they are:

By far my favourite book of all time – ‘Fall On Your Knees’ by Ann-Marie MacDonald, a Canadian author. It is so beautifully written, I can’t even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book. The book is set on Cape Breton Island off Nova Scotia about the life of a family over the years. I have to say though, that it is a very dark story which chronicles generations of sin, redemption, triumph and forbidden love.

My next book is also by Ann-Marie MacDonald called ‘The Way The Crow Flies’. It is much more different then the last. The book is set in the 60s on an airforce base in Ontario. It is about a once-happy family who’s lives are changed by a tragedy. It revolves around the imagination of Madeleine, a young girl and her learning about the ambiguity of human morality and her fathers participation in the cold war who is stuck in a huge web of lies.

I fell in love with ‘Time Traveller’s Wife’. Most of you probably saw the movie but it doesn’t do the book justice, at all! It’s a love story about a man with a genetic disorder which causes him to ‘time travel’ and about his lover who must cope with the difficulties that this disorder faces. All in all it’s an amazing book about love and loss (in a non-corny way) which must be read!

To change things up from time to time, I like to throw in a biography. ‘Heavier Than Heaven’ is a book about the life of Kurt Cobain. I didn’t only read this because I am a huge Nirvana fan but I had heard many good things about this book. It is by far the best bio I have ever read and definitely describes the life of a troubled artist in a interesting, non-biased way.

‘She’s Come Undone’ by author Wally Lamb is a magnificent book about an over weight girl who has struggled through childhood. It is also the story of her determination at giving life one more chance before it’s too late.

‘The Bridges of Madison County’ is of course a very famous love story about a photographer and free-spirited man who is in search of covered bridges in Madison County and who meets a farm wife which leads to a legendary love affair. It is a very quick read which I finished in just a few hours but still holds a very special place in my heart.

‘My Sister’s Keeper’ is another book which was butchered by a movie. A fantastic novel by Jodi Picoult about a 13 year old girl who decides to sue her parents for the right to her own body when it comes to her sister who is dying of leukemia. This book talks about decisions that a family must overcome when faced with such huge challenges and is definitely a tear jerker! (All of Jodi Picoult’s books are great! ‘The Pact’ came in a very close second to this book).

‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ was a very different read for me. Books which are set in the 16th century aren’t really my style but it was recommended by a friend and I am happy that I agreed to read it. This book is about love, sex, greed and ambition. It revolves around the story of Mary Boleyn, her sister and family, and about the need of a male heir to the throne. I won’t even begin to describe the horrible mess of a movie they made from this story – ugh!

‘The Glass Castle” is a memoir by Jeannette Walls. Despite the fact that the story depicts the life of a homeless and dysfunctional family, this book is filled with passion, triumphs and brilliance.

And last but not least, I caved in and read the ‘Twilight Series’. Fantasy books about vampires aren’t at all my typical reads but I definitely got sucked (no pun intended) into these ones! I won’t waste my breath and give you a short synopsis of the story as I’m sure you all know what these books are about!

So that’s it! Those were my top 10 books over the decade. More books will be featured on the blog as soon as I get around to reading them

* These pictures were all taken from the Chapters bookstore website.

On another note – I know some of you are waiting for pictures on the blog. I have been keeping busy doing many albums designs as well as editing. I will post what I’ve been up to very soon