Comfort Reads discussion

Has anyone read any of her books? I have read 4 out of the six she has written and her books are so gentle and hearwarming they are just the best for curling up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate (or glass of red wine).

My favourites are Girl with a Pearl Earring and Remarkable Creatures both of which I can highly recommend.

Boof, I've read Girl with a Pearl Earring and I have one other here at home still unread. It has Unicorn in the title. I'm very interested in reading Remarkable Creatures because it features women pioneering scientific discoveries.

I just added Remarkable Creatures (and a few others) to my to-read shelf.

I've read Girl with a Pearl Earring and really enjoyed it. The Lady and the Unicorn, audioCD version, is in my car as I type, actually, but I haven't started it.

Ah, thank you Paula! The Lady and the Unicorn is the one I have buried somewhere.

Hi Sawyer, welcome to the group. I think the book you are referring to is called Burning Bright. It doesn't seem to have great ratings for some reason.

I've been wanting to read her books for ages since they deal with two of my favorite subjects, art and history. Which one is better to begin with The Girl with the Pearl Earring or The Lady and the Unicorn?

Sandybanks, I absolutely LOVE the combination of art and history too. Or fiction about artists. I wish I could answer your question but I've only read the one so far. There is another author who writes nicely about artists but I'll have to go check my shelves because her name has slipped my memory.

Sandybanks, have you read any of Susan Vreeland's work? She's written quite a few historical novels featuring artists. The one I've read is called The Passion of Artemisia and it was pretty good. Another well known title by her is Girl in Hyacinth Blue but there are quite a few more.

No, I haven't, Lee. I've heard about her books, though. Maybe I'll try a book each from them. Didn't you just read an illustrated volume of Van Gogh's letters? (sorry if I mixed you up with another GR friend).

No that wasn't me but I'd love to! I'll have to try and find that.

I want to read that too! I'll try and look it up.

Let me know if you find it.

Lee wrote: "Sandybanks, I absolutely LOVE the combination of art and history too. Or fiction about artists. I wish I could answer your question but I've only read the one so far. There is another author who..."

Sandybanks, I thought you might be interested in the thread I added to the group Historical Fictionistas. It is under the heading Recommendations and is entitled Artists in Historical Fiction - or something like that.... I too love the combination of art and History. Several good books are listed there and like this group, it too is good group. I find it difficult to find good cgroups, but Lee's is just fantastic!!!

Thanks Chrissie, I hope it's only going to get better! I'd be interested in taking a look at that list too.

Sandybanks wrote: "No, I haven't, Lee. I've heard about her books, though. Maybe I'll try a book each from them. Didn't you just read an illustrated volume of Van Gogh's letters? (sorry if I mixed you up with another..."

it was me, I got it from BBC Radio series, quite wonderful.

Laura, I'm giggling trying to imagine you listening to an illustrated volume of Van Gogh's letters. :-)

any way, I love anything related to Van Gogh, I went specially to Amsterdam to watch his centennial exhibition. I have a reproduction of one of his work in my dinning room.

Which painting do you have Laura?

The Night Café (1888), Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

Ooooh, I wish I could blow that up in order to see it better. If you find the name, I will google it view a larger version.

Laura, I think I remember that you read Misfit's thread on Bundrick's HF Sunflowers, which is of course about Van Gogh. The funny thing is that I also went to that show in Amsterdam! We could have met each other..... I haven't yet, but plan to read the book.

I'm looking forward to Sheramy Bundrick's Sunflowers as well.

Chrissie wrote: "Laura, I think I remember that you read Misfit's thread on Bundrick's HF Sunflowers, which is of course about Van Gogh. The funny thing is that I also went to that show in Amsterdam!..."

probably we should be there at the same time, I managed to get a ticket in the day before the ending and it was quite crowded. It was fantastic!!

Lee wrote: "Ooooh, I wish I could blow that up in order to see it better. If you find the name, I will google it view a larger version. "

I was in a hurry, I will try to get a larger and better one!!

Don't worry Laura, only if you have time!

Laura wrote: "I have to find out the correct name..."

That's my screen saver! I can't recall what the title is, but I think it's a depiction of a late night in an Arles bar. I'd seen his paintings in the Musee d'Orsay but have never been to the Amsterdam museum. You guys are lucky to have seen the Amsterdam show!

I love the 'Japanese' style paintings that he did of the almond/ peach trees.

I have a set of cards with his cherry blossoms and I love them!

Lee wrote: "I have a set of cards with his cherry blossoms and I love them! "

They're lovely, aren't they? Actually I like them even better than the much more famous Sunflowers.

Have you guys read this? Lust for Life

Yes, but I think I need to read it again.
I dig Irving Stone, especially The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo.

Darn it, I just realized we're chatting about all these great art books in the Tracey Chevalier thread.

But Chevalier's books are about art, right? So it's OK to talk about it here. : )

I read The Agony and the Ecstasy a long time ago, but I remember enjoying it a lot.

Sandybanks wrote: "But Chevalier's books are about art, right? So it's OK to talk about it here. : )

I read The Agony and the Ecstasy a long time ago, but I remember enjoying it a lot."

Oh yes it's fine, the darn it part was about not having all the other great art books mentioned in the art thread too. I think I added them down there but I'm kind of too tired to remember now. I hope I'm making sense......

What time is it at your place now, Lee? It must be past midnight already.

We can also mention all the art books that we're talking about here on the art thread.

Sandy, it's 2:39 a.m.
I'll be going to bed soon. I was just trying to compose a few administrative posts but I shouldn't do that when my head is so fuzzy. This is the only time I'm alone and have time to think without someone else requiring my attention.

Sandy, I just checked the art thread and I posted two of Irving Stone's books down there earlier today. I may add some more tomorrow unless I get distracted and forget!

Lee, I am getting truly worried about you. GET SOME SLEEP! Don't let the bed bugs bite.....

Sandybanks wrote: "Lee wrote: "I have a set of cards with his cherry blossoms and I love them! "

They're lovely, aren't they? Actually I like them even better than the much more famous Sunflowers.

Have you guys re..."

thanks to remind me this book Sandy!!

Sandybanks wrote: "Laura wrote: "I have to find out the correct name..."

That's my screen saver! I can't recall what the title is, but I think it's a depiction of a late night in an Arles bar. I'd seen his paintings..."

Sandybanks wrote: "Laura wrote: "I have to find out the correct name..."

That's my screen saver! I can't recall what the title is, but I think it's a depiction of a late night in an Arles bar. I'd seen his paintings..."

The centennial Van Gogh exhibition is something I will never forget, it was soo touching to see all his paintings reunited there, specially those which belongeg to personal collections.

Lee wrote: "Sandy, it's 2:39 a.m.
I'll be going to bed soon. I was just trying to compose a few administrative posts but I shouldn't do that when my head is so fuzzy. This is the only time I'm alone and hav..."

Lee, I can totally relate to that, since I've had little kids myself (now that the youngest have gone to school full time, I have much more time for myself). But you must have enough time to rest yourself, otherwise, you'll be a cranky mommy (spoken from experience). : )

Laura wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "Lee wrote: "I have a set of cards with his cherry blossoms and I love them! "

They're lovely, aren't they? Actually I like them even better than the much more famous Sunflowe..."

You're welcome, Laura. And that exhibition must have been a very special experience.

Chrissie wrote: "Lee, I am getting truly worried about you. GET SOME SLEEP! Don't let the bed bugs bite....."

Chrissie, thanks for being such a good friend. I did get some sleep. I just get so excited about things and I'm happy that the group is appealing to people. I want to be here to welcome everyone and keep things rolling!

Laura, you big sweetie! Thanks for taking the time to look up your painting and find a larger image. Now I can see what it is! I love the way he paints the lights. It must have been amazing to see all of those paintings reunited in the exhibition. I'm envious!

Sandy, I try my best to stay rested but I also need some time to do things I enjoy. Late at night is often the only ME time I have. I would be much crankier if I couldn't read or have fun here on Goodreads chatting with my friends. :-)

it will be other great exhibitions, I am quite sure of it!!

Sawyer, do you manage to get this picture to post here? I am curious..