The Sunflowers: Vincent van Gogh's Search for Beauty by Zahra Marwan
As many of you know, I am in the bookselling business. Currently I am behind the scenes, but I occasionally still “hand sell” a book (usually via an email or over the phone, not on the sales floor). And because I am in retail, it might seem odd I would go to the library as I practically have access to any book I want. But sometimes you just have to. I want to see if I would like a book before I buy it, or […]
Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony : La Grande Vallée Suite by Lisa Rogers
I was hoping for more factual information in Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony : La Grande Vallée Suite by Lisa Rogers and illustrated by Stacy Innerst, but the spirit of the book is as if the artist herself had painted it. Only not abstract and it does have good facts, just focuses more on a poetic execution on the subject. The main point that grabbed my attention was that I was not really aware of the artist, but I think I have seen some of […]
Outside In and Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel by Emmy Kastner
Fanny's Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born by Richard Michelson and Alyssa Russell
For the longest time, biographies were the only non-fiction reading I did. I would explore that genre more as I got older, but I always hold a spot in my heart and read piles for biographies. And picture book biographies have become a staple to read. Two that grabbed my attention and made me need to talk about them were Outside In and Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel by Emmy Kastner and Fanny’s Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born by Richard […]
You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir by Harry Bliss
I learned early on in my journey of reading Harry Bliss that there are two styles when it comes to his artwork. One is kid friendly and the other adult friendly. However, via an online reader copy of You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir, I learned there is a third type to Bliss: the really adult Bliss. This memoir takes slices of life and puts them on the page of a journal. These journal entries, illustrations and more come out in the book. He […]
Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted
Botticelli’s Apprentice is a nice cozy read that is not just a “girl wants to paint because can’t because, you know, “girl” story.” While this book is not a “perfect five” (there are a few things I was not 100% liking (sorry Blue, you’re cute, but OMG what a problem pup!) it is almost there. It was a book I read in almost one sitting (and probably would have if it hadn’t been online). Ursula Murray Husted has a story that is about the time, […]
Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography (BioGraphics) by Michele Botton
Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography (BioGraphics) by Michele Botton and illustrated by Marco Maraggi is told from the point of view of Warhol himself. As we go through several sections of his life, the unfolding of his life is chronological and compact. While it is obviously a pro-Warhol graphic novel and honors his work and influences on the people around him, and the historical times (and not just in art and/or pop art, but in music, photography and film as well), the question of “hack […]
