Topic: Book Buzz
Holiday Book Reviews
So many fantastic books have come in, that I'll be doing a series of book review posts. All of these books are perfect for the holidays, especially as gifts and for the artists in your life. Do people still have those? Onward...
Nonfiction:
The Davinci Notebooks by Leonardo Da Vinci, edited / introduction by Emma Dickens, (Profile Books Ltd UK 2005). What can I say? This small book is scrumptious! Let's go to a quote:
"Now there is a certain race of painters who, having studied but little, must take as their standard of beauty mere gold and azure, and these, with supreme conceit, declare that they will not give good work for miserable payment, and that they could do as well as any other if they were well paid. But, ye foolish folks! Cannot such artists keep some good work, and then say: this is a costly work and this more moderate and this average work and show that they can work at all prices?"
Boy do some, "foolish folk" come to mind but shall remain nameless. When was this written? Some 550 years ago!? Sad that some have not learned such sage advice and how bad of business it is to try and turn art elitist and court only the wealthy. Why else is everyone flocking to design for Target and H&M? This is just one passage that could spark so much debate. Leonardo's book would not only make for a welcome gift but it also could be put to such great "Salon" use with each sonnet making for deep discussion.
The Girl with the Gallery: Edith Gregor Halpert and the Making of the Modern Art Market by Lindsay Pollock (Public Affairs 2006). Now Edith comes from a line of women I like to call, "Chutzpah Women". Women who show guts and not only made great strides for women but for their industries and causes as well. Ms. Halpert happened to indeed be of Jewish decent but other Chutzpah women include Coco Chanel, Frida Kahlo, etc., and it's surprising to see threads of sameness stretching through all of their lives. A certain, "something". Coming to the US as a small girl from, as she would say Odessa Russia, Edith changed her name and told various white lies to get herself into art school and later sales jobs. All the while visiting museums and galleries with a keen interest in arts. When her own artistic talents didn't pan out, Edith went on to open up a series of revolutionary art galleries in NYC and has been credited with making American art not only popular but worthy of collection. Lindsy Pollock brings back into light a women who has sadly been virtually forgotten by both artists and art dealers. A woman who's life was spicy, successful and a good example of what going out on a limb can achieve.
Town & Country Handbook for Hosts: A Practical Guide to Party Planning and Gracious Entertaining by Adam Bluestein (Hearst Books 2006). Just in time for the holidays and all those Salons you wish to hold comes the perfect addition to your, "someone help me please!" library. A tad bit stuffy yet filled with chic illustrations and short paragraphs that sort of makeup for that, this is a book created to be used. Thick pages, lists of things to do, large type, sturdy cover. I was surprised at the helpful detail this book took the time to go into including how many people make up a good cocktail party, what sort of drinks to serve and even music suggestions (the music was indeed optimal) that won't compete with conversation. Small apartment entertaining has a few pages and a whole quarter to being a decent guest. This book is classy and very helpful yet the author reminds us, "The job of a host can be many wonderful things, but there is one thing it surely isn't--easy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." At least they're truthful.
Coming up next, even more books you'll want to add to your holiday wishlist including more non-fiction and new fiction releases.
