pocket travel.

Although I've visited the big city more times than I can I care to count at the moment, there are still things I have never done. I've never been to a Broadway show. I've never been to the New York Public Library (I know, crazy). I've never been to Coney Island. ALL of these things are still sitting on my bucket list while I spend my Friday nights at Yankee games (I've been to 5 or 6) and Sundays drinking my body weight in bottomless mimosas. The struggle. Receiving DK Eyewitness Travel's 2016 Top 10 New York City reminded me that travel books are for everyone, even the seasoned tourists. Yes, I have been to most of the top spots listed in this DK Publishing effort, but their itineraries (that are updated in this edition) still blow me away. Like, I want to do them all immediately. Whether you have two days or ten, DK has you covered with walking route maps, dining, shopping, and off-the-beaten-path ideas that will make your visit to the big apple more memorable than ever before.

collection of art.

I kind of missed the Star Wars boat in the sense that I have never seen any of the movies. But as a photographer, I know high-quality images when I see them, and The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak is filled with beautiful art on every page. Definitely a collector's item. I'm actually giving my copy to my nephew for his birthday. He dressed up as Chewbacca when he went to see the new movie which was totally adorable because he's 9.

Szostak offers readers amazing insight into the detailed art direction and production design that went into creating The Force Awakens from beginning to end.

a comedy about suicide.

I am always looking for novels with a unique storyline, if you are the same you must check out A Reunion of Ghosts by Judith Claire Mitchell which came out in paperback last month.

This novel is set in 1999. Back in 1999 my mom had our basement packed with canned goods and thermal sleeping bags. In this story, three sisters are planning their suicide. Tomato, tomato. But on a more serious note, Lady, Vee, and Delph live together in Manhattan, and considering their family history, know that one or all will succumb to the family curse of dying by their own hand, so they decide to die together. Stop the madness. End the bloodlines. But before they go through with it, they take readers back in time, telling their family history from the beginning. I don't know how a story can be hilarious and depressing at the same time, but Mitchell makes it happen. I spent the entire novel hoping the sisters would find a light out of such darkness.

#girlboss

Being a creative person by nature, The Conquer Kit: A Creative Business Planner for Women Entrepreneurs by boss lady Natalie MacNeil came into my life at exactly the right time. Winter is a slower time of year for my business as a natural light photographer, and I like to use this time to think about my goals. This book is designed for women who are following their passion. No MBA's, no training in finance or management or advertising. Just plain old doing what you love, and figuring out the rest later. Well, later is now, and MacNeil has got you covered with a more enjoyable way to business plan and also loads of advice on how to conquer every aspect of your business.

when in doubt.

In any profession, you cannot remember everything. So it's normal to have reference books piled high on your desk just in case you need to be sure about something. The Tech Contracts Handbook, David W. Tollen's latest reference book specifically for drafting and negotiating technology contracts is designed for lawyers and businesspeople alike who need to prepare themselves for technology  negotiations and licensing. Whether you're a lawyer who needs to brush up or you're a businessperson who wants to skip hiring an attorney to represent you, Tollen (who's a Harvard Law graduate) has got you covered with all of the fundamental principals of IP licensing. And when asking around, the 2nd edition is definitely worth the buy.

ramen for every occasion.

Every college student who has ever lived in a dorm room knows how to doctor up a bowl of ramen noodles, but apparently it's prisoners who have perfected the art. Prison Ramen by coauthors Gustavo “Goose” Alvarez and Clifton Collins Jr., is a collection of stories and ramen recipes from the author's friends and some big-name celebrities who have developed ramen delicacies behind bars. Yes, even Shia Labeouf had something to contribute. Prison Ramen would actually make a great graduation present, the chilling stories should keep your college bound kid out of trouble, and the recipes (there are sandwiches, soups and salads) are pretty inventive.

a little too real.

First things first. I would definitely recommend you adding What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross to your 2016 Must-Read List. If you don't make lists like this, I also recommend that you start.

The only thing missing from Lucy Wakefield's idyllic life is a child. When it becomes obvious that having her own was not going to happen, Lucy got desperate. When her husband (who wouldn't even consider adoption) leaves her for a younger woman, Lucy gets really desperate. Desperate enough to take a baby (Marilyn's baby) from a shopping cart and raise her as her own. Over two decades later, when 21-year-old Mia discovers the truth about Lucy's crime, everything goes to hell as you can imagine.

What Was Mine is written in short chapters, each from the point-of-view of the three main characters in the book, Lucy, Mia and Marilyn. It's perfectly paced, emotional, and suspenseful, especially if you're a mother.