What Book Is Bowie Reading on the Read Poster?
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Because reading is, among much else, an escape—into other people, other perspectives, other consciousnesses. Information technology takes you lot out of yourself, only to put you dorsum there infinitely enriched.
This is such a cool little volume! I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway and was smitten with it the instant I laid eyes on it.
Book people tend to like other book people, and Bowie should get a nod of blessing from voracious r
Bowie's Bookshelf by John O'Connell is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.Because reading is, amid much else, an escape—into other people, other perspectives, other consciousnesses. Information technology takes you out of yourself, only to put you dorsum there infinitely enriched.
This is such a cool lilliputian book! I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway and was smitten with it the instant I laid optics on it.
Book people tend to like other book people, and Bowie should go a nod of approval from voracious readers, even if you are more than of a coincidental fan, because -as his son, Duncan, has pointed out, he was a 'animal of a reader'. In 2013, David drew up a listing of a hundred books that had influenced him the most.
I had never seen or read his list before now. Naturally, I was very curious to come across what books might have influenced someone every bit diverse every bit David Bowie. However, I was a little worried that I might not know any of the books on the listing. I had imagined David Bowie's taste in reading material would differ vastly from my ain elementary taste.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by how many books on the list that I recognized. That doesn't hateful I've read them, simply that I'd at to the lowest degree heard of them. In truth, I've just read three books on his list. Only I plan to add more than than a handful of them to MY list.
Naturally, Bowie was well read and had a wide range of interests. The list itself is very telling. What John O'Connell has done here, is to write a cursory limerick about each volume, speculating on how or why information technology may have fabricated an impression on Bowie.
One would have to know Bowie pretty well, I'd think, to assume such a job, but the author did an admirable job, in my opinion. Since I've but read three of the books, I can't actually speak to how shut to the mark O'Connell'southward theories were, just it was fun to read his hypothesis, fifty-fifty if a few of them were a chip odd. Sometimes, the influence is very clear, though, and I had a few "a ha" moments while reading these essays.
In that location were some interesting tidbits well-nigh Bowie sprinkled throughout too- including how he traveled by train, never in airplanes, and carried with him an entire torso full of books, neatly arranged.
The author likewise gives readers a suggested Bowie tune to listen to while reading each specific title on the list.
I thought this book was unique and original, and is one that Bowie fans volition bask, and book lovers will cherish. The volume is insightful and informative, maybe a piffling nostalgic and poignant, but also actually fun besides!
The books are listed one past one, with a description of what the book entail
I've never been the type of person into hero worship, not if a group, singer nor picture star. There have been groups I've loved, singers I've enjoyed only I wasn't one who screamed and yelled myself equus caballus in an audition. Bowie wasn't a favorite merely I liked some of his music, some I didn't. I am guilty if being surprised of what an gorging reader he was, couldn't reject the opportunity to discover out what he read. Then interesting.The books are listed one past one, with a description of what the book entails, what it meant to Bowie and why. Where was he in his life at the point that the volume spoke to him. Some of the books are strange ones, some I've heard of and read, some comics and cartoons that those in the Great britain had heard of, I did non. He loved to read nigh fine art, critical evaluations of literature, difficult hit fiction, and so many others. Varied interests depending where he was in his life.
This was such an intriguing read. It has been said that it was possible to get a feel for a person based on the books they've read. If that is so, Bowie was a talented, well read, multifaceted but a flawed one with many problems he had to overcome.
I establish this absolutely astonishing.
"Bowie hates aircraft and then he mostly travels across u.s. past railroad train, carrying his mobile biblioteque in special trunks which open up out with all his books neatly displayed on shelves. In New United mexican states the volumes dealt mainly with the occult, his current enthusiasm." This portable library stored fifteen hundred titles, enough to make Clark'due south after observation to a journalist that Bowie "actually read alot" while making The Homo Who brutal to globe seem like s but of an understatement."
A list of his books are included.
ARC from Edelweiss.
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Just what of the man? I knew surprisingly petty of him really, and I certainly hadn't perceived him to exist a voracious reader. I suppose his lyrics had to come up from somewhere; something had to be feeding his mind, planting seeds for the many varied stories he told in his songs. Bowie is described an an autodidact, who struggled with formal education but spent a lifetime self-educating. So it turns out he was a huge reader, reading constantly including sometimes from a library of circa 1500 books he often carted around with him when he travelled. This book provides a list of the one hundred books he considered virtually important and influential (note – these are not necessarily the books he virtually enjoyed).
There's a existent mix here. I recognised quite a few just in that location are just ii books (plus one magazine and i comic) that I tin really claim to have read. In that location are about half a dozen books I've sometimes planned to read just haven't gotten around to yet (by authors such every bit Hitchens, Martin Amis, DeLillo and Capote), quite a few I really don't fancy and a fair few more than I'd never heard of. There'south a good sprinkling of science fiction, a little philosophy, some poetry and much of the residue is an eclectic mix of the avant-garde and the obscure. Getting on for a third of the books were written earlier he was born.
The author tries to explicate in what way each book was pregnant for Bowie, what he took from it or how his discovery of the text tied in to a particular song he wrote (for case the phrase homo superior in 'Oh! Yous Pretty Thing' was scavenged from Olaf Stapledon'southward science fiction novel Odd John). There's likewise a thread of autobiographical commentary running through the piece, so nosotros learn quite a bit about Bowie'south development as a person and equally an artist every bit we make our way through the list of books. In fact, I found one if the well-nigh interesting elements to exist how the books seemed to assistance shape the man and that the changes wrought duly steered him towards an always more off-heart collection of books.
I didn't find myself wishing to rush out and grab many titles listed here merely I did find it a fascinating study of this chameleon of a man.
My sincere thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc & NetGalley for supplying an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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I would similar to thank NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing (U.k. &
These are not David Bowie's favourite books, thrynarenthe ones that had a material departure on him. Bowie was such a talented and creative person whom liked to surroundings himself with new information. This is a listing of 100 books that influenced him and at that place is essays on why he thought they did. This is a well researched and written book. This is a boo that fa s old and new will enjoy. Afterward all, I enjoyed information technology and I wasnt a fan at all.I would like to thank NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing (UK & ANZ) and the writer John O'Connell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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2022 was a horrible year. It started with the death of Bowie and ended with the expiry of Carrie Fisher. And let's non talk about the election okay?
If one knew anything about David Bowie, other than his music and Iman, 1 knew that he loved to read. There was a listing of 100 books that influenced Bowie that was released earlier his decease in conjunction with a prove of his costumes at the Agone (Art Gallery of Ontario). After his decease, his
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a off-white review.2022 was a horrible yr. It started with the decease of Bowie and ended with the death of Carrie Fisher. And let's non talk about the election okay?
If one knew anything near David Bowie, other than his music and Iman, one knew that he loved to read. There was a list of 100 books that influenced Bowie that was released before his expiry in conjunction with a show of his costumes at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). Afterward his death, his son, Duncan Jones, founded the David Bowie Book Guild, a podcast series that is working its mode though the list. O'Connell's volume provides a brief overview of each piece of work on the list, but, perchance more than importantly, the influence it might take had on Bowie as well every bit pairing the book with 1 or more than of his songs as well as further reading.
1 question this book raises is if the complete 100 book list is piece of cake enough to find online, why read this book? Part of it is because of the essays that accompanies each work. The essay not only serves as an introduction to the various books but also details virtually when Bowie almost likely read the book for the kickoff fourth dimension, biographical information almost the author and Bowie, and details about what songs refer to the book. There are also references to Iggy Pop.
Some of the books on this list were introduced to Bowie past his half brother Terry. This includes the influence of the Beats as well as writers that he felt an affinity for – such as Fitzgerald and Carter. It also includes writers who wrote about him such every bit Camille Paglia or authors that he met or wanted to run into.
Some writers, like Carter and Fitzgerald are not a surprise, only Bowie also read heavily into history – not only Howard Zinn but also a door stopper well-nigh the Russian Revolution. At that place are some writers or books that are somewhat surprising - such every bit The Leopard or Twenty-four hour period of the Locust (tbh, I'chiliad surprised that anyone likes Day of the Locust). Beano and Homer even make the listing, and there is a expert number of Harlem Renaissance Works on information technology and less famous works as well. I want to read A Grave for a Dolphin now, and I had never heard of it before. There are stories about recommendations that he made to friends and bankroll musicians, such every bit the Street by Ann Petry.
O'Connell'due south writing is engaging, and the book is an easy one to dip in and out of. The hardest part is dealing with the grief of Bowie's decease. (OH, and non wanting to strangle O'Connell when he writes that Bowie read the most of any person on World type hyperbole because I know some people he should meet.
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In general, O'Connell does this very well. At that place is a lengthy introduction in which he describes Bowie'southward almost addictive reading habit and relates th
This is an interesting idea which is done well. John O'Connell has taken the list which Bowie made of the 100 books which had most influenced him (but not necessarily his favourite books, every bit O'Connell firmly points out) and has given a brief description of each book, something of its history and a suggestion of how it came to influence David Bowie.In general, O'Connell does this very well. At that place is a lengthy introduction in which he describes Bowie's almost addictive reading habit and relates this to the man and his extraordinary art. He generally (simply non quite ever, I recall) manages to avoid pretentiousness and gives us a good idea of the influence of reading on Bowie himself. I liked this picayune passage: "This isn't the story of David Bowie's life… Only it is a expect at the tools he used to navigate his life, not to mention a shot in the arm for the unfashionable theory, ane that I've e'er liked, that reading makes you a amend person." That gives an idea of the aims of the book and O'Connell'south style, both of which I liked.
The list is extremely eclectic, from Camus to Viz and The Beano and from art and philosophy to thrillers. O'Connell takes each book in the list and relates information technology to Bowie's career and personal life. This is a catchy task, necessarily a little speculative in places, and he manages to do it credibly and engagingly. It's ane to dip into rather than read at a sitting, but a couple of sections at a time are rewarding and accept suggested several things I may want to read myself.
I did baulk slightly at the terminate of each section where there is a "Read while listening to..." with suggestions of Bowie tracks. I wouldn't dream of listening to Bowie while reading anything – information technology would be an insult to both Bowie and the book. Perchance "After reading, listen to..." would have been better. This is followed by an Amazon-style "If y'all liked this, then try..." suggestion which I have to say I constitute rather patronising.
Minor quibbles aside, this is an interesting, readable book which I can recommend.
(My thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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Anyway, this book was slightly saved past, at the end of each chapter/book, the author lists a Bowie song that fits the book and another book that might of interest to the reader. The writer was plainly working with what he had only unless Bowie left behind his own thoughts, I feel this volume was ameliorate off not beingness written.
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O'Connell thoughtfully dives into the history of Bowie in relation to the choices he made with the books, giving backstory and insight into how they may have shaped sure aspects of his life, or his fine art. Equally a Bowie fan I loved reading this unique take
When Bowie first shared his list of 100 favorite books, I immediately started to work my way through them. It even inspired me to create and maintain my ain listing of 100 favorite books. So, of class when I saw this title, I knew I had to read information technology.O'Connell thoughtfully dives into the history of Bowie in relation to the choices he made with the books, giving backstory and insight into how they may have shaped sure aspects of his life, or his art. Every bit a Bowie fan I loved reading this unique take on his life, merely as a reader, I loved reading near the books themselves and am using this to better prioritize my own reading choices. I retrieve I will read many of those books fifty-fifty more thoughtfully as a result of O'Connell'south information.
A must-read if you love Bowie, and a wonderful read if y'all just love books and want a glimpse into how words can change one'due south life.
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From the Beano to Jack Kerouac and Albert Camus to Dante'southward Inferno, Bowie'south Books links the ideas of these publications together and dorsum to the enigmatic showman himself. The books, music and other publications mentioned are those you appoint with when you are hoping to learn more about yourself or the globe around you and would hardly exist described as lighthearted or incongruous with many of the books we read today; in many respects, they are classics and accept very philosophical messages to them. Being both a Bowie fan and a book advocate, I feel lucky to have picked this upwards and know it will entreatment to a wide range of people. Seeing the sources from which he drew his inspiration was amazing and a existent treat. This is a phenomenal work of non-fiction and one I know I will recall for a very long fourth dimension to come. Genius. Gone too soon. RIP David. Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC.
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Elsewhere, it's less sure-footed, sometimes just stating the bleeding obvious (eg on A Clockwork Orange), and elsewhere verging on outright wrong. For instance, it traces the notion of 'homo superior' back to Odd John, which is fine, and then talks nigh information technology beingness everywhere every bit a notion in the sixties that at that place was a hidden elect who oversaw human evolution and diffused cognition, which is also fine. But then quotes Lovecraft in a list of examples, which...well, yous can twist that around and encounter how it works, but if you don't already know Lovecraft'south stuff, that passage could give yous a very odd idea of it. Or when addressing Twenty-four hour period Of The Locust, which is contrasted with W's mate Fitzgerald, who we're told only addressed Hollywood's upper echelons in The Concluding Tycoon, non the bottom-feeders who interested Due west. Well, true every bit far as it goes, but by failing to note the existence of the Pat Hobby stories, also deeply misleading. As for the notion that Burgess' Earthly Powers is a book which physically has to be read on Kindle...well, I never knew the old stereotype of Bowie fans as limp-wristed was intended so literally. Basically, you volition learn something from this, but fundamentally it'due south a loo book. Although considered as such, not a bad one. Even within that category, mind, I could probably accept done without the occasional cartoons.
(Netgalley ARC)
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For Bowie fans this takes Bowie'southward list of the 100 most influential (not necessarily favorite) books on his life and offers some contextualization with Bowie's life. There is certainly some educated guesses about exactly what each book may accept meant or how it influenced his music, but for the most office the explanations make sense. Of course, without knowing from Bowie hi
Bowie's Bookshelf: The Hundred Books that Changed David Bowie's Life from John O'Connell is a wonderful book on several levels.For Bowie fans this takes Bowie's list of the 100 most influential (not necessarily favorite) books on his life and offers some contextualization with Bowie's life. At that place is certainly some educated guesses about exactly what each book may have meant or how information technology influenced his music, but for the about part the explanations make sense. Of course, without knowing from Bowie himself, it is generally conjecture. But even that is fun and enlightening. If Bowie put a piece of work on this list information technology likely has some trace in his artistic output and O'Connell makes a good faith endeavour to tease out the possibilities.
For ravenous readers or lit majors, the list is interesting in and of itself. The books are not limited in either topic or complexity. Most readers volition likely have read no more than than half of these books. I read quite a bit and have for almost 60 years and I have just read 32 of them. Some of these I still have no desire to read but the fact Bowie idea so highly of these has convinced me to read a number of the ones I haven't. O'Connell doesn't then much give a synopsis of each book, I doubt he has read all of them himself, only he does offer enough about each book to make the connection to Bowie'south piece of work. As such, there aren't major spoilers but there are likewise no in depth analyses either. Which is probably for the best.
For people who autumn into both categories this book offers a glimpse into what helped to brand Bowie into who he was and enough groundwork on the books to couple with your own knowledge to make, perhaps, additional connections. Everyone finds different ways into the music they like, so while O'Connell certainly offers interesting avenues into the music through these books you may well find more. Or at least ways that speak more specifically to how you understand the music. This is not, and does not pretend to be, a definitive analysis of all connections between the books and the music. It does, still, offer a slap-up start step or 2, from which we tin can observe our ain paths forward.
I think there is enough here to make this a good read for non but the readers I mention above but even the coincidental readers who likes either literary lists and/or the interplay betwixt dissimilar art forms and how they influence each other.
Reviewed from a re-create made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
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I've actually got a dissimilar edition, white cover, paperback, published past Bloomsbury, titled Bowie's Books.
I loved this unique romp through Bowie's literary influences, and the links fabricated to his creative output. John O'Connell is such a groovy writer, and his brusk essays really bought Bowie'southward books alive.
Review to follow in Otago Daily Times. 4.v stars.
I've actually got a dissimilar edition, white cover, paperback, published by Bloomsbury, titled Bowie'south Books.
I loved this unique romp through Bowie's literary influences, and the links made to his artistic output. John O'Connell is such a great writer, and his short essays really bought Bowie's books live.
Review to follow in Otago Daily Times. ...more than
Was very excited to receive this. Anything that informed Bowie's mind I'm interested in, b/c he was simply one of those singularly intriguing type of people that occasionally deigns to walk amongst us on this planet.
I'll try not to repeat what others take already said nearly this book. It is definitely the blazon of thing to read a chip of, prepare down, & then come dorsum to again. Short brief bits of info. most the books on the list ar
---- Disclosure: I received this book for free from Goodreads. ----Was very excited to receive this. Anything that informed Bowie's heed I'm interested in, b/c he was just i of those singularly intriguing type of people that occasionally deigns to walk amongst us on this planet.
I'll try not to repeat what others take already said about this book. It is definitely the type of thing to read a bit of, prepare down, & then come dorsum to again. Short brief bits of info. nearly the books on the list are provided, which I used to suss them out as possibilities for my "desire to read" list. Some books unfortunately had too little data, & there doesn't seem to exist any reason for the unevenness of the content. The song suggestions at the end of each section I found slightly annoying, although I tin can't say exactly why. Have them or leave them, they're but a judgement each, after all. Other readers seem to to appreciate them. My only real true complaint, however, is that the author inserts himself mode as well much into this. Information technology's sold as an overview of the books on the book listing Bowie provided for the gallery shows that occurred not long before his expiry. Technically, this is not a falsehood. Certainly though, this book is non sold on the author'southward re-telling of his ideas about Bowie, his Bowie encounter, or things (including books) he things Bowie would have liked. I couldn't be less interested in your thoughts, guy. I certainly don't appreciate your attempts to scatter them throughout my ingestion of material re: Bowie'southward influential life reads. That's not cool, man.
Short review: recommend for reading-types w/ an appreciation for the art that is/was Bowie.
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This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
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I exercise suggest that anyone who is interested in reading any of these titles exist aware that at times the author gives y'all a complete plot summary! And yes most of these books are erstwhile but many aren't especially well known.
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Whatever serious Bowie fan knows that Bowie was a voracious reader and the epitome of an autodidact. In 2013 the Victoria & Albert museum had a David Bowie exhibit and Bowie graced us with an additional memento which was this list of 100 books that changed his life. John O'Connell dissects each of these books and tries to surmise the specifics of influence and import to Bowie. It's an incommunicable job but an amusing one that leads to furt
Tosh and I hash out this on episode 16 of our Volume Musik podcast.Whatsoever serious Bowie fan knows that Bowie was a voracious reader and the paradigm of an autodidact. In 2013 the Victoria & Albert museum had a David Bowie exhibit and Bowie graced us with an additional memento which was this list of 100 books that changed his life. John O'Connell dissects each of these books and tries to surmise the specifics of influence and import to Bowie. Information technology'south an impossible task but an amusing one that leads to further discussion on one of our favorite topics: David Bowie!
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A must-read for Bowie fans!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
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That Bowie was a voracious reader volition come as no surprise to fans of his music; Bowie's lyrics are rife with literary references. What did surprise me, even as a long-time fan, how broadly read he was. In this list of ten
It must be noted at the start that Bowie'southward Bookshelf is not a list of David Bowie's favorite books. The books were Bowie'due south own option of the 100 books that influenced him the most, equally curated for the David Bowie Is ... exhibit (which I was fortunate enough to see in Toronto).That Bowie was a voracious reader will come up as no surprise to fans of his music; Bowie's lyrics are rife with literary references. What did surprise me, fifty-fifty as a long-time fan, how broadly read he was. In this list of 100 titles, only two authors are repeated (George Orwell and Anthony Burgess each appear twice). The genres range from graphic novels to the densest nonfiction, with some rather surprising stops along the way. If I'g perfectly honest, I must admit to existence embarrassed at having read just 8 of the books in the list.
Writer John O'Connell examines each book in its ain essay and shows the parallels of the book to Bowie'southward work, whether on-phase, on picture show, or in the recording studio. He besides suggests music to go with each championship and further reading if one enjoys the referenced book.
Bowie fans are sure to enjoy this await into his erudition.
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The best function was that after each little section nearly a volume there was a recommendation for another book you lot might like and a song to heed to. And then at the top of many of the sections at that place were little $.25 of analogy that was wonderful. This is a lot of fun.
The part
I am a book lover, so when I observe out that a celebrity or other person I admire also loves books I am further smitten. So this book that is part listing, role book recommend, office biography was i I was very excited to read.The best part was that after each trivial department nearly a book there was a recommendation for some other book you might like and a vocal to listen to. And and so at the acme of many of the sections in that location were fiddling bits of illustration that was wonderful. This is a lot of fun.
The role that I wasn't every bit enamored with was that some of the books seemed to be chosen by the author who was speculating that Bowie would have loved them. I didn't really intendance almost those entries and would have preferred the volume to be shorter with fewer entries if he could have stuck to only books Bowie actually cared about.
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~ it's simply a list of books, nothing very insightful offered past the author other than a short blurb of what he assumed Bowie was feeling while reading + what he thought of the volume.
~ the books Bowie read (starting off with the usual suspects [cuckoos nest, on the road, etc], interspersed with lots of comics, philosophy, and sociological texts) all correlated with the albums and songs he put out.
~ some books I had neve I finished this a long time ago and never updated but this is what I recall:
~ it'southward simply a list of books, nothing very insightful offered by the author other than a short blurb of what he causeless Bowie was feeling while reading + what he thought of the book.
~ the books Bowie read (starting off with the usual suspects [cuckoos nest, on the road, etc], interspersed with lots of comics, philosophy, and sociological texts) all correlated with the albums and songs he put out.
~ some books I had never heard of and seemed interesting, at to the lowest degree insofar as how they motivated Bowie'due south art. I wrote them downwards somewhere merely that doesn't assistance any of us.
~ helpful if you're looking for a booklist to go off of, works better as a java table book or something you'd find in a dentists office that gives you a sudden unwarranted lapse of faith in your dentists level of competency. ...more than
The books on Bowie's list run the gamut from classics familiar to most educated readers--at to the lowest degree in synopsis--to more obscure titles. My hunch is that readers of O'Connell's book, who are presumably folks who similar books and are of an age to be Bowie fans, likely take a familiarity with the crude outlines of works like The Iliad or The Neat Gatsby, only they might be less probable to have thought much about how threads plucked from these works might have been woven into the tapestry of Bowie'southward work. Of course, a lot of O'Connell's ideas virtually this are speculative, with Bowie no longer hither to confirm or deny O'Connell'south assertions. The volume includes its share of perhapses, could haves, and likelies; yep, it's a mental do, but it's usually a fun ane.
And every bit a surprise to probably no one and maybe likewise an understatement, Bowie was also into some freaky sh**; the descriptions of a handful of the more than unfamiliar titles had me clutching my pearls a little (more often than not due to mentions of creature cruelty), though I appreciated the heads-upwardly those titles probably won't exist for me. Equally another likely non-surprise, the authors on his list skew twentieth century, western, white, and male. That said, there are exceptions to the design on every i of those fronts, enough to evidence that while he might have been the production of a particular place and time, he strove conscientiously to transcend that.
O'Connell's work ultimately serves as an endeavour to situate Bowie--the human, the construct, the artist--in terms of the literature he consumed, and his effort inches readers closer to understanding the enigmatic performer who adopted and shed personas like quicksilver. But at the same time, it serves as a reminder of his ineffability and of the fact that Bowie absorbed and processed his influences in ways that were greatly unique, defying facile characterizations as much as the Starman himself did.
(Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy.)
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