2017 Reading Challenge discussion

Have you read a book about an artist for the challenge? Or perhaps about art thieves or forgers? This is the place to share it!

The Lady in Gold by Anne-Marie. O'Connor

Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale

This book was a pretty quick read. Although parts of it were kind of predictable, it still kept my attention.

by Laura Cumming

The art: a portrait of Charles I of England as a young suitor, one that no one living is known to have seen. The artist: Diego Velázquez, both as a painter and as an overworked court official tethered none too loosely to Philip IV of Spain. Alleged art theft, art confiscation and, above all, art obsession. A really entertaining read.

An artist is invited to stay with an eccentric widow on Barbados. Great read for those who like gothic/horror.

Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy"... a masterful biography of Michaelangelo. Although very long, Stone provided exceptional historical detail, as well as a fantastic look into the painter, sculptor, artist, and architect.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Modern Day YA book, but I don't think you have to like YA to enjoy this. I borrowed it from the library but I think I will need to get my own copy!

I read Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream by Neil Young. I enjoyed this "memoir" / conversation with Neil from 2012. If you expect a tell all book, you will probably be disappointed. This book is insights into Neil from his perspective, someone said from his heart and I would agree. Lionel, Linkvolt, other old cars, his children, that he's nostalgic, materialistic and obsessive. There were a few times where I was confused by time frames, or Neil revisited topics. But as he said, " if you are having trouble reading this, give it to someone else. End of chapter." (p. 174). and "Call me old-fashioned. I make albums and I want the songs to go together to create a feeling. I do those things on purpose. I don’t want people cherry-picking the albums. I like to choose the singles. After all, it’s my shit." (pp. 409-410). "(... If that was too techy for you, then you can just forget I said it, but it’s staying right here in this book where it belongs.)" Young, Neil. Waging Heavy Peace (p. 412). Blue Rider Press. Kindle Edition.