Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba ~ Non-Fiction | Photo Biographies | Real-Life Reflections

Item: Ordinary People: Extraordinary Lives
Rating: 3.5
Author: Gina

“Everyone has a story—and when paired with a portrait, that story deepens.”

📸 Welcome to the Tour!

I’m thrilled to share today’s review of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba, a heartfelt collection of photo biographies that blend visual storytelling with intimate personal reflections. As part of this virtual book tour hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions, we’ll explore the premise behind this meaningful project, peek at one of its featured stories, and offer you the chance to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card!

Post Highlights

📚 Book Overview

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives is a powerful photo-biography collection that pairs intimate portraits with thought-provoking questions. Each chapter features one person’s story—reflections on pivotal moments, challenges, and personal wisdom—culminating in a final insight from their journey. It’s a moving tribute to real people and the lives they’ve built.

🔻 Keep scrolling to enter the giveaway! 🔻

📝 Book Details

Ordinary People: Extraordinary Lives
By Naguib Kerba
Published by BWL Publishing on April 1, 2025
Genres: Non-fiction, Essays, Memoir, Photography
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 223

Everyone has a story. A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes one needs words as well.

‘Ordinary people extraordinary lives,” does just that. I’ve combined a portrait with asking people four thought provoking questions about themselves. The portrait and their answers are a compelling read about life, its challenges and each individual’s journey.

At the end of each chapter, each person makes one final observation learned from their journey.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

📚 Where to Find Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives

Available on Amazon:

[amazon box ="B0DZYWQQ6J"]
🛒 KINDLE | PAPERBACK

If the above links don’t direct you to your country’s Amazon page, please feel free to contact me—I’m happy to provide the correct link.

Using my Amazon affiliate links doesn’t change the price you pay. Amazon shares a small commission with me, which helps keep this blog running—thank you!

Do you prefer to shop locally?
🛍️ You can also purchase Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives from your favorite indie bookstore online. Use the search box to find more books like this.

Bookshop.org is an excellent option that supports indie authors—and book bloggers like me—while avoiding the big-box route.

📖 Featured Excerpt

Bob and I met in the fall of 1973, in my first semester of studying photography at Sheridan College. I met Lynda shortly afterwards.

We’ve been friends for over fifty years; our shared adventures could fill a book. Bob’s journey is intertwined with the love of his life, his wife Lynda; it is a love story for the ages.

We’ve shared countless photo trips and cherished moments at the cottage, but the highlight has always been the camaraderie and the joy of sharing meals. Bob is my best friend, and I apologize to my other best friends in this book. I am truly blessed to have so many close people I can say are best friends. I valued Bob’s friendship so much that he was the “Second-best man” at our wedding in 1976 (I’ve always maintained that the best man at a wedding is the one getting married).

Breaking bread with a friend is my favourite activity. Bob and I have had countless memorable meals. What makes those meals memorable is not what we ate but who we ate with and where we were when we shared them.

Another common thread between Bob and I is that we are both purebred carnivores; we love our steak dinners. Funny enough, one of our most memorable meals was a steak dinner we never had. We were meeting at the cottage for the weekend, and Bob and Lynda were to bring the steaks. Upon arrival, Bob started unpacking the cooler, only to discover the steaks were not there. Lynda thought Bob put them in the cooler, just as Bob thought Lynda did. The steaks were still in the freezer in Windsor, a full seven hours away. Of course, we all took the liberty of reminding Bob of the missing steaks the rest of the weekend and on many other occasions. We‘ve laughed more about this missing steak dinner than most others.

Bob is a great travel companion. We have travelled extensively together, ostensibly for photo opportunities, and we look forward to many more. Trips throughout Ontario, Oregon, Washington, New York, and numerous other states were true adventures, and the merriment was infectious among all those we met.

Like many others highlighted in this book, Lynda had difficulty speaking about herself. I am grateful she went beyond her comfort zone and into such depth. In addition to her six words, I would add brave; she has an indomitable spirit combined with a delicate je ne sais qua. Bob also missed other adjectives when describing himself; he is caring, loving, loyal to a fault, and selfless.

Their selfless devotion to each other, their children, and their grandchildren is an excellent, shining example of a family-first attitude.

📌 What Pinterest Board will you save this to? Non-Fiction, Photo Essays, or maybe even Books about Friendship.

✨ My Thoughts on Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives ✨

This heartfelt book is part photo essay, part mini-memoir, part interview. It’s like sitting down with someone you’ve just met, then suddenly being pulled into the most meaningful stories of their life. Some are lighthearted, some are deeply emotional, but all are grounded in real, lived experience.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was its focus on enduring friendship. The chapter on Bob and Lynda is especially touching—a beautiful example of connection, memory, and laughter that lingers through time (and even through forgotten steaks in a freezer!).

If you enjoy books that combine visuals with introspection, this one will undoubtedly resonate with you. It’s not a traditional narrative, but that’s the point—this is a celebration of people, one portrait and one reflection at a time.

While I wished for a little more depth or variety in some of the responses, the overall experience was thoughtful and inviting.

📷 Perfect for readers who love photo essays, coffee table memoirs, or real-life inspiration in bite-sized form.

I received a copy of the book as part of this tour. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.

Memory Photo Album image Amazon Affiliate — Begin your photo memories collection today!

About Naguib Kerba

Author Naguib Sami Kerba smiling in front of a display of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives books. He gives a thumbs-up next to neatly stacked copies.”

From the Author, Naguib Kerba

While studying photography at Sheridan College, the gender imbalance was striking: 125 male students compared to just five female students. In our small cohort of eight, there were five men and three women. Summoning my courage, I asked one of the female students, Shirley, out on a date. She kindly declined, saying, “I’m not the girl for you, but I know the perfect one for you!”

Not long after, on May 2, 1974, I met Donna, Shirley’s neighbour. I immediately sensed that Donna was, in fact, the one, and my dating days had ended. We were married on November 6, 1976. Our relationship has blended differences and commonalities, with Donna being my harshest critic and greatest supporter.

Donna and I have raised two wonderful children. Tara is a devoted mother and teacher, while Christopher is a gifted musician. Their physical appearances and intellectual abilities reflect a strange combination of Donna and me. They are exceptional individuals who positively contribute to the world.

One of my long-standing dreams has been to publish a book of my photographs. The concept for this project has been developing for some time. Meeting individuals who can help bring such dreams to fruition is rare, but I was fortunate to forge a close friendship with Dan Bodanis, who has an impressive network. Dan connected me with the NHL Alumni group, which set the stage for my encounters with Paul Patskou, Graham McWaters, and Al Rose, all featured in this book. Dan also introduced me to Jude Pitman, the publisher at BWL Publishing Inc. (BWL).

This book is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the family and friends who have enriched my journey as a person, photographer, and now author. If true wealth is measured by the family, friends, and people we meet, I am indeed the wealthiest man alive.

The questions have been refined since the first “Essence portrait,” but the concept remains unchanged. The primary purpose is to gain a more profound understanding of the person by asking probing questions and encouraging people to share their stories and the lessons they've gleaned from their journeys.

Goodreads | Amazon

💬 Final Thoughts

If you love photo essays, memoir-style storytelling, or books that remind you of the quiet power in everyday people, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives belongs on your shelf. It’s an ode to the ties that bind us—friendship, love, humor, faith, and memory—all told through the dual lens of photography and reflection.