Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? by Ann Rule, 4/5
This is an incredibly twisted true tale of manipulation, misery, and murder, made even more shocking by the fact that the real-life people involved were so beautiful and outwardly successful. I can’t even begin to imagine how the author gathered and organized the massive amount of information required to make sense of this convoluted tragedy.
Why I read it: a hand-me-down from a friend.
In the Name of Love and Other True Cases by Ann Rule, 3/5
This book’s format may be a little unusual–the first three-quarters explore the life and 1987 murder of entrepreneur Jerry Harris, while the remaining quarter contains four unrelated short cases–but I appreciated that, unlike In the Still of the Night, the author did not unnecessarily expand the first story in order to make it stand alone.
This is only the second book by Ann Rule that I’ve read and I was previously unaware of the existence of true crime as a genre of literature. At first, I was tempted to dismiss it as exploitative and voyeuristic; I love a good true crime documentary, but what feels like a harmless guilty pleasure to watch takes on a bit more moral weight for me when it appears in black and white on a page. However, I felt differently after looking up the Jerry Harris murder online and finding very little about it beyond the disgusting update that his killer has made a name for himself over the last 30 years by relentlessly filing over 2500 lawsuits from death row, most (if not all) of which are frivolous.1 The case summary online was dry and impersonal, contrasting greatly with the care and research Rule invested to make Jerry and Susan Harris come alive as real, vibrant, complicated people. Did Ann Rule profit from others’ tragedy? Yes. But nobody wants to be forgotten after they are gone and I think that this book is a respectful tribute to a few of the many lives that end too soon.
Why I read it: a hand-me-down from a friend.
In the Still of the Night: The Strange Death of Ronda Reynolds and Her Mother’s Unceasing Quest for the Truth by Ann Rule, 2/5
I do not usually read books this shape but, snobbery aside, the writing was fairly bad, the presentation somewhat bloated, and I devoured it eagerly in one 4-hour reading session that kept me up until 3am.
Why I read it: a hand-me-down from a friend.
Finding Your Way in the Outdoors by Robert L. Mooers, Jr., 3/5
Written in 1972, before the invention of the internet, GPS, and cell phones, this book provides a basic overview of compass navigation and map reading–skills which seem to require an impressive, but frankly off-putting combination of common sense, forethought, and tedious attention to detail. There is also a section on weather forecasting which makes me acutely aware of how addicted I am to the hourly and 10-day forecasts which are bookmarked on my phone. I guess this book could be a useful reference if civilization collapses, but the main thing I enjoyed about it was feeling like a time traveler into a future that is just 53 years removed from the author’s reality, but already filled with unimaginably cool technology.
Why I read it: a thrift store find. I only paid a couple dollars for it, I think, but was surprised to see that the original price in 1972 was $5.95. This sounded high to me, so I did a conversion to today’s dollars and it turns out to be the equivalent of around $47 nowadays! This is a small hardcover book with black and white illustrations, so I’m sure it wasn’t worth that much back in the day. Were books wildly more expensive in the ’70s than they are now? Please leave a comment if you know.
Secrets of Great Portrait Photography: Photographs of the Famous and Infamous by Brian Smith, 5/5
I have enjoyed all of the Strobist’s book recommendations so far (just one left to go), but this book is, to quote Goldilocks and the Three Bears, “just right.” Not too artsy, not too didactic, impeccably organized and generously illustrated, this collection of stories, images, and advice is an absolute joy to read.
Why I read it: another excellent recommendation from “The Updated, Essential Strobist Bookshelf.”
The Passionate Photographer: Dream It, Be It (Revised & Remastered) by Steve Simon, 4/5
At first, this book made me feel like a kid in a candy shop. In the service of practical inspiration, Simon has collected not only his own thoughts on how to develop creatively as a photographer, but also a variety of excellent quotes and photographs from other artists. After a while, though, the presentation felt a bit cliched and overly simplistic. The “Proven Ten-Step Plan for Success” is generally motivating in terms of personal artistic development and personal projects, but does not seem that helpful with regard to making an actual career out of photography.
That said, the book did open my mind to a more artistic and intentional approach to photography, along with providing some practical advice that I found very helpful (listed below for future reference).
Why I read it: a recommendation from “The Updated, Essential Strobist Bookshelf.”
The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp, 5/5
I approached this autobiography with apprehension, expecting to encounter a dull true story that would bear little resemblance to the beloved film it inspired. My fears were unfounded; the true account is even more charming and dramatic than the movie version of events! Part Two of the book continues past the Trapp family’s escape from Nazi-occupied Austria to tell the inspiring and fascinating story of their difficult road to success and integration into American society. It was a joy to read about the love, faith, hard work, and music that enabled this family to thrive, despite crushing circumstances.
Why I read it: a $2.18 thrift store purchase (not bad for a vintage book worth at least $40)!
Road to Seeing by Dan Winters, 4/5
This 696-page, unwieldy brick of a book is part biography, part portfolio, part manifesto, part history of photography, and wholly unsuitable for reading in bed before falling asleep. Though I did not resonate with the author’s artistic journey and have not [yet?] developed a deep appreciation for most street and fine art photography, I really enjoyed expanding my horizons with this lavishly illustrated, high-quality labor of love.
Why I read it: a recommendation from “The Updated, Essential Strobist Bookshelf.” Once again, I am indebted to my library’s interlibrary loan system, which sourced this out-of-print, $200+ book for me.
Logic Made Easy by R.H. Warring, 1/5
For years now, I’ve been looking for an accessible introduction to logic that would demystify its specialized language and symbols. Unfortunately, this book is not entirely it. Not only is it somewhat outdated, but the author lacks the gift of simple explanation and includes several errors and omissions (pages 31, 59, 89-91).
Though I was disappointed by this book, it did provide a framework for further research and learning, especially while attempting to identify its inaccuracies. Notably, I was surprised to find out for the first time just how useful AI can be as a personal tutor. I uploaded pictures of troubling equations and concepts from the book and was extremely impressed by ChatGPT’s clear assessment of the text’s accuracy, and simple, personalized explanations far exceeding what the text itself could provide.
Why I read it: a thrift store find.
Northwest Weeds: The Ugly and Beautiful Villains of Fields, Gardens, and Roadsides by Ronald J. Taylor, 4/5
A casual guide whose color photographs provide a good starting point for identifying the most ubiquitous of plants in the northwest United States.
Why I read it: a thrift store find.
OmniRambles 