2014 March Reading Challenge

[Ann]

Art Week falls during the month of March, with this in mind this month’s challenge is to read a book with an art theme or an artist as a character. (It can be fiction or non-fiction.)

[Robyn]

Good choice with the movie "Monuments Men" out. I have the book on hold. Hopefully it will come during March. I did read "Rescuing daVinci". I am grateful for the art they saved. I took my daughter to the movie. It hurt to watch the Nazi soldiers shoot flame throwers at a room full of art.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I have Monuments Men on hold too. We'll see when that comes in...

[Debbie]

I think I'll be bypassing this challenge. Unless one could argue that Harry Potter is an artist with a wand or that Rand al'Thor with a sword. But I think that is a stretch not justified, in my mind. But it will be fun to see what the rest of you read, so I will be following the posts as I normally do!

[Carolyn]

I don't know if I have an art themed book, I may have to sit this one out.

[Becky]

I really wanted to read Monuments Men too before I see the movie. :)

[Mary]

My Name is Asher Lev would be a great choice for this challenge.

[Summer]

Debbie wrote: "I think I'll be bypassing this challenge. Unless one could argue that Harry Potter is an artist with a wand or that Rand al'Thor with a sword. But I think that is a stretch not justified, in my m..."

Perrin Goldeneyes is a blacksmith. That's art.

[Summer]

Mary wrote: "My Name is Asher Lev would be a great choice for this challenge."

Oh my goodness, that book made me want to punch a wall. I wished the author just would have named it "Artists are narcissistic jerks." But heck, if it was well written enough to make me want to break things, it's probably worth a read.

[Katherine]

I saw a documentary on impressionism art in history fit for the imagination of a person of any age, and it was more inspiring to me than reading a book on art. I would rather draw and paint, sculpt, dance, play the piano or guitar, violin or sing...whatever, than read about them, in other words, I would rather experience than just think. Maybe some day I will see the importance of reading about art history...it must go along with art to help you understand and be a better artist, I suppose. Reading is experience too. I really loved the narrator of the documentary, though...he was a good teacher. He made it very, very interesting and inspirational. I also like stories about fine artists and their life experiences....both fictional and non-fictional. I really admire artists because refined realistic art seems like a lost art. I know that it takes talent to put abstract art on paper, or on whatever, and make it look pleasing to the eye and inspirational, but realism and it's branch-offs show such marvelous talent that takes years to develop and refine....like classical ballet. I think everyone should develop a form of art, no matter how they think that they are not the creative type. At least try and then decide if you want to keep it up. Artists also need people to appreciate their work too, like artists can appreciate a good user-friendly smart computer program (that's a form of art too), a kind and experienced veterinarian, a mechanic for a broken car, or a good family therapy session with a PHD in psychology....whatever! We all have talents and none of us need to covet each others gifts because if we develop one, then we get more from God....that is scripture from the Bible! Whatever you are best at....go for it!

[Katherine]

My comment to summer is don't let this book affect your opinion about all artists. Is this guy fictional or non-fictional? Anyway, just wanted to let you know that most fine artists are poor and humble and very giving people. They sometimes give their work for charitable causes too. God is an artist. Look at nature....beautiful! You are an artist at something. There are many forms of art. Have a good day.

[Mary]

Summer wrote: "Mary wrote: "My Name is Asher Lev would be a great choice for this challenge."

Oh my goodness, that book made me want to punch a wall. I wished the author just would have named it "Artists are nar..."

Hmmmm. That is not the way I read that character at all. In fact, I count the book as one of the best that I have read in years. I guess that is one of the things that is so wonderful about reading. We each bring our own perceptions and experiences to a book, making every book a unique experience for each reader.

[Ann]

I just finished listening to The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles. It offered an interesting outlook of one author's view point on what success as an artist, of any kind, entails and requires. It was a quick, short book, but much more interesting and colorful than I was expecting.

[Becky]

I am considering The Moon And Sixpence, Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet, or My Name Is Asher Lev for this challenge. We'll see what I have time for. Great theme! I love learning about art!!

[Ann]

People's comments about Monument Men reminded me of a book I read last year. It's called Heist Society and is a young adult novel about a contemporary group of art thieves that ties in with artwork that was stolen and/or disappeared decades ago during World War II. Though there were some serious parts, it also made me laugh-- better yet there are more books in the series.

[Marinda]

I recommend Who Stole Mona Lisa. I listened to the eAudiobook version.

[Jennie]

I read Sarah Eden's Longing for Home, Hope Springs. The main character, Katie, plays the violin which brings peace and hope to her and to the Irish community. Her violin and her deep love for music play a significant role in the story. It's a two book series and though it's long, it's well worth reading.

[Becky]

I read The Moon And Sixpence. An interesting study in art, genius, and humanity. I am so very grateful for the arts, but must remember that those who create it are human and it is not necessary to love the human who made the art. Perhaps, also, to have compassion for the person who suffered to create it (and those who suffered living with the artist).

[Bobbie]

If any fantasy readers have passed on this challenge, Jilly Coppercorn in Charles de Lint's Newford series is an artist. Would that work?

[Ann]

Bobbie wrote: "If any fantasy readers have passed on this challenge, Jilly Coppercorn in Charles de Lint's Newford series is an artist. Would that work?"

Definitely! If one of the characters is an artist or somehow related to the art world that totally counts.

[Ann]

Jennie wrote: "I read Sarah Eden's Longing for Home, Hope Springs. The main character, Katie, plays the violin which brings peace and hope to her and to the Irish community. Her violin and her deep love for musi..."

I love that you included musicians in this challenge. There are so many different forms of art, and so often we limit the term art to visual representations.

I'm eagerly awaiting the library getting in Hope Springs. I can't wait to find out what happens next to Katie.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I read The One and Only Ivan, which is also the Great Reads for Girls book at Magna this month. My daughter and I both really enjoyed it (actually my son did too).

[Jackie]

I finished From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a young reader mystery about a brother and sister who run away from home and stay at the Metropolitan Museum. There they see a statue that May or may not be done by Michelangelo. Cute book for grade schoolers.

[Summer]

I read Cannery Row, where Henri is an artist, but he is not French and his name is not Henri.

[Cami]

If we're including music as art, then I read Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell where more than one character is skilled at playing the cello. It is a delightful young adult/children's read.

[Virginia]

I just read Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry. It's juvenile fiction about three siblings whose parents move the family into a historic apartment on New York's upper east side. The apartment contains a mystery leading to the original owner's fortune that he left as a puzzle for his children to solve. It takes the kids all over New York to different buildings created by Rafael Gustavino and amazing man who built the first fire-proof buildings in New York. His work is incredible! If I ever go back to New York, I want to take this book with me.

[Ann]

Jackie wrote: "I finished From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a young reader mystery about a brother and sister who run away from home and stay at the Metropolitan Museum. There they see a statu..."

I've got to say this is one of my favorite books from my childhood. I don't know why, but the idea of living in a museum always seemed so awesome.

[JoAnn]

I read Martians Go Home. The protagonist, Luke Devereaux is such a talented word artist that his ideas take on a life of their own.

[Jackie]

Ann, I don't remember ever reading it, and I really enjoyed it. I wish there was a little more detail about the parents, and their reaction to missing children. They would have had to have been quite frantic. I thought the ending was great!

[Dawnmcd]

I read the Christmas quilt, which has not only textile artists, but one of the main characters is a painter as well.

[Ann]

There's still some time yet to post what you've read for this month's reading challenge. Just make sure to let me know what you read by March 31 to be included in the drawing. (If you want to be considered for the prize drawing, please also make sure your account in Goodreads is set to allow you to receive messages.)

[Ann]

Jackie wrote: "Ann, I don't remember ever reading it, and I really enjoyed it. I wish there was a little more detail about the parents, and their reaction to missing children. They would have had to have been qui..."

As a child I didn't notice the scanty information on the parents-- probably because I was just thinking from a kid’s perspective-- but now, with an adult's perspective, it does seem a little odd so little is said about them. Isn't it funny how books seem to change on us when we read them at different points in our lives?

[Jackie]

Ann wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Ann, I don't remember ever reading it, and I really enjoyed it. I wish there was a little more detail about the parents, and their reaction to missing children. They would have had t..."
For sure, Ann. As a parent, it is harder to keep the experiences we have had from tainting the pure story in a book targeted to youth. I definitely remember "Charlotte's Web" being such a sad book, knowing that Wilbur was just being fattened up for slaughter. Now, I just see bacon, lol. Just kidding, but I hope you get my point.

[Alyson]

I used this month's challenge to further my Newbery project and read "The Many Ways of Seeing: An Introduction to the Pleasures of Art." Visual art has never been my forte, so this was quite out of my normal fare. I appreciated learning more about art, I have to say, but a more enduring Newbery for this challenge would have to be "I, Juan de Pareja," which I read a few months ago. That I wholeheartedly recommend.

[Ann]

Our March prize drawing winner was Cami. She read Rooftoppers.

[Debbie]

Congrats, Cami!

[Jackie]

Congrats, Cami!