You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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March 2020 - I Don't Need to Explain My Art to You, Warren
This is a challenge indeed! I like it!I'll have to gopher and check out this thread for inspiration.
It's rare we have a challenge where a graphic novel fits. Good idea, Rus. I've been meaning to read They Called Us Enemy for a while. I looked at the first several pages and I think it's going to read like a history lesson, which seems like it sort of contrasts the graphic novel format to me. It will be interesting for something different for me.
Of course,
would be the perfect fit! But I read it already.I also came across some listopia's, no idea how useful they are:
Paintings on cover
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Art History
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Love the graphic novel idea, Rusalka!I am also looking at They Called Us Enemy or Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations. It all depends on which one becomes available first from the library.
Can two people read the same book for the monthly challenge?
Dawn wrote: "I will be reading Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X
"I read an article this morning about that painting. I'd never heard of it before and here it is twice in one morning!
They Called Us Enemy is not available at my library at the moment and I think I want to stick with a graphic novel as I don't read many. I decided to go through the old choice awards and see whet else I was interested in. I found a few that might be interesting to me. These are all available at my library.Teen Titans: Raven
Be Prepared
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Wires and Nerve, Volume 1
Hey, Kiddo
Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies
Nimona
Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
Janice wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I will be reading Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X"I read an article th..."
Funny how that happens.
I started reading Neil Gaiman's The Sandman graphic novels several years ago and have never had a chance to get back to them. I will have a trek over to my library tonight and see if I can find Fables & Reflections
. If not, I am sure I can find something else off of the shelves.
Would either of these work?
- picture by Van Gogh on the cover?
- picture by Degas?If not, I may try a graphic novel as not something I would normally read.
I would love to read Van Gogh's Ear: The True Story, but my library doesn't hold it and I don't think I am going to buy it at this point.I might go with Optic Nerve which I own in Spanish. From the blurb: "The narrator of Optic Nerve is an Argentinian woman whose obsession is art. The story of her life is the story of the paintings, and painters, who matter to her. Her intimate, digressive voice guides us through a gallery of moments that have touched her."
I have
(Degas "The Star, or Dancer on the Stage") and
(Vermeer "Girl Interrupted at Her Music'") set aside for the year-long challenge. So I think I'll read The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
Exciting. Love graphic novels. I think I have Saga, Vol. 7, Saga, Vol. 8 and Saga, Vol. 9 that I've not read yet. Also I've only read book 1 of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. I'm sure there are others that I'd like to read too. I highly recommend the Locke & Key series starting with Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft and Nimona.
Oh good, I just picked up a copy of The Sandman: Overture for a great price at a local used book shop. Look at me, predicting the future without knowing it!
Sarah wrote: "Exciting. Love graphic novels. I think I have Saga, Vol. 7, Saga, Vol. 8 and Saga, Vol. 9 that I've not read yet..."Thanks for the recommendations, Sarah. Locke & Key and Nimona are both on my list of possibilities.
I've read the Saga series through book 7, but I don't remember enough of the story to just pick it up again. I think I'd need to re-read and I'm just not in the mood to do that.
Yeah it's been a while wince I read the other Saga graphic novels but i'm hoping i can pick it up. I remember enough i think. Not sure i'll be able to read it though. I tried to get it from my library before and it was misplaced. I have put in a reservation but i think i'll have the same problem. So i've requested the next Sandman. I need eome more graphic novel recommendations.
Sarah wrote: "Exciting. Love graphic novels. I think I have Saga, Vol. 7, Saga, Vol. 8 and Saga, Vol. 9 that I've not read yet. Also I've only read book 1 of Neil ..."I tried listening to Locke and Key on audiobook and it just didn't work. When pictures tell the story, dialogue on its own is confusing.
I was surprised that my library had Hey, Kiddo on audio. It seems strange to me to have a graphic novel on audio. The artwork is such a big part of the book. I have to admit that I do have Locke & Key on Audible, but I think it was a freebie.
I had no idea there were audiobooks of graphic novels...
Jayme wrote: "Can two people read the same book for the monthly challenge? "Oh yes. You could even have a buddy read for a challenge!
Leslie wrote: "Would either of these work? - picture by Van Gogh on the cover? - picture by Degas?If not, I may try a graphic novel as..."
The Painted Girls would definitely work. Took me a bit to work out the Jeffery Archer book, but it might be clearer in hardcopy.
Lanelle wrote: "So I think I'll read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. "I had no idea that was a graphic novel. There you go!
Sandra wrote: "I would love to read Van Gogh's Ear: The True Story, but my library doesn't hold it and I don't think I am going to buy it at this point.I might go with [book:Optic Nerve|42077222..."
This one is borderline. It's categorised as fiction, and the book about art should be non-fiction. However, I have had friends read it who have remarked it is more like a memoir through short essays...
Do you have another option?
My personal recommendations for those looking. I've read and loved:The Complete Maus
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea
The Complete Persepolis
I'm unsure what I am going to read. I have all the Sandmans, and the first Saga. Otherwise:
I have another Neil Gaiman graphic novel Black Orchid
Aya
Anya's Ghost
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Through the Woods
A whole heap of Guy Delisle as I bought them all Burma Chronicles, Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City, Shenzhen, Hostage
I also have Tamara Drewe but I haven't read Tess of the D'Urbervilles yet.
Rusalka wrote: "This one is borderline. It's categorised as fiction, and the book about art should be non-fiction. However, I have had friends read it who have remarked it is more like a memoir through short essays...Do you have another option?"
I don't have another option yet, but I haven't gophered either. Don't worry about that. I will find something.
Lanelle wrote: "I......... So I think I'll read The Invention of Hugo Cabret....."An incredible book!
Kristie wrote: "I was surprised that my library had Hey, Kiddo on audio. It seems strange to me to have a graphic novel on audio. The artwork is such a big part of the book. I have to admit that I ..."That's how I got it too. No point in even returning it. Hehehe!
Am I the only one who had to google the challenge title to understand the reference?
TrudyAn wrote: "Am I the only one who had to google the challenge title to understand the reference?"I hadn't until you commented. :)
Janice wrote: "TrudyAn wrote: "Am I the only one who had to google the challenge title to understand the reference?"I hadn't until you commented. :)"
Same! LOL
I've even seen the movie but didn't recognize it.
Rusalka wrote: "My personal recommendations for those looking. I've read and loved:Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened..."
Oh, I have that book in my den. I borrowed it from AmyK a long time ago, I think. I do not think I ever read it.
I've seen the quote, but did not even pay attention to it. I just googled it. LOL!
Yay, I've been wanting to read this one:The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science
I would like to try a graphic novel, but I don't have access to them except for buying them. I just checked the first Sandman book and that's €20! Not sure if you can also get them electronically, but that doesn't attract me at all.
Cool, Anne. Your book looks good. I’m going to see if my library has it. I like the look of the author’s other books too.
I'm going for
This graphic novel has been on my bookshelf for a very long time.
Peggy wrote: "I would like to try a graphic novel, but I don't have access to them except for buying them. I just checked the first Sandman book and that's €20! Not sure if you can also get them electronically, ..."I get mine from the library. I'm not prepqred to pay the price they charge for them.
I'm going to read one I own in print and have had on my TBR for a while. It is an anthology of short stories inspired by Edward Hopper's artwork. The painting "New York Movie" is on the cover. 
Peggy wrote: "I would like to try a graphic novel, but I don't have access to them except for buying them. I just checked the first Sandman book and that's €20! Not sure if you can also get them electronically, ..."I have a friend who only reads them on e-readers. So worth looking at!
TrudyAn wrote: "Am I the only one who had to google the challenge title to understand the reference?"Sorry. This is a standard quote in this house. Too many 90s movies.
I also just ordered the first Locke and Key graphic novel Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft #1 from the library. I have never really cared for graphic novels, but this is a favorite author and son of Stephen King. My experience is like father, like son!
Rusalka wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I would like to try a graphic novel, but I don't have access to them except for buying them. I just checked the first Sandman book and that's €20! Not sure if you can also get them el..."Really? My ereader does only black and white, so it would seem I would miss half the fun. I can imagine reading it on a tablet though. I'll see if I can find one that's not too expensive as an ebook.
@Sarah: yeah, I think using the library is a great option, but I'm not a member of one as it's normally no use to me.
Rusalka wrote: "TrudyAn wrote: "Am I the only one who had to google the challenge title to understand the reference?"Sorry. This is a standard quote in this house. Too many 90s movies."
It’s a great quote. I could use it a lot!
Still pondering my book options for this challenge.
Rusalka wrote: "My personal recommendations for those looking. I've read and loved:The Complete Maus
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Th..."</i>
[book:The Complete Maus is wonderful! I wouldn't have believed that such a sensitive story could be told through this medium.
I haven't yet managed to find a book that I haven't already listened to. I did get the audible freebee Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft but I've had one bad experience with graphic novel on audio and from what Janice says, this one is just as bad!
Debra wrote: "I also just ordered the first Locke and Key graphic novel Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft #1 from the library. I have never really cared for graphic novels, but this is a favori..."You're going to love it!
Weirdly i recognise the quote but i've never seen the film. So not sure what's going on there.
Rusalka wrote: "My personal recommendations for those looking. I've read and loved:The Complete Maus
[book:Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Th..."
Had read some and planning to read Aya this year but still haven't find it yet :(
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Nimona (other topics)Wonderstruck (other topics)
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride (other topics)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret (other topics)
Wonderstruck (other topics)
More...
Well never fear! We are going down this rabbit hole together, and there is always safety in numbers.
This March we are reading one of the following:
• A Graphic Novel
• A book about art or an artist
• A book with a famous artwork on the cover
Graphic novels come in all shapes and sizes, ranging a wide selection of topics. The Goodreads genre page is actually really useful for Graphic Novels, check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/grap.... Libraries have a really good stock of graphic novels these days, so have a look if you haven't before. I was amazed last time I went to my library that there was a whole section of them, and I can tell you ACT Public Libraries are not known for being up with the times.
Books about art, I want the book to discuss art theory, or art history. Or about an artist, as long as it discusses their art meaningfully not as an aside. You will have to explain this to me if it's not obvious. This is a non-fiction task.
Books with a famous artwork on the cover, I want the artwork to be recognisable. And as we all have different ideas of famous, particularly as we are all over the world, please explain and provide a link to the artwork for me so I can see.
Go forth and look at pictures!!
General Rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may be in any genre.
3. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Challenge.
4. The book must be read between March 1 – MArch 31, 2020 (based on your local time zone).
5. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose.
6. Books must be at least 150 pages long.
➽ In the case of ebooks & audiobooks, use the hardcover or paperback edition to determine page length. From the book page, select “all editions”, then select the first paper edition as your guide. If reading an ebook and there is no paper edition, ask for a ruling. If reading an audiobook and there is no paper edition, your book must be a minimum of 6 hours long.
Scoring:
What kind of art book was it
4 pts - Stand alone graphic novel
3 pts - Serialised graphic novel (more like traditional comic books. Eg is Saga, Vol. 1)
2 pts - A book about art
1 pt - A book with a famous artwork on the cover
How many pages? (following the rules above) :
5 pts – 501+
4 pts - 401-500
3 pts - 301-400
2 pts – 201-300
1 pt - 200 or less
Genre
5 pts – Romance
4 pts - Memoir
3 pts - Non-Fiction
2 pts – Fantasy
1 pt - Superheroes
Cover
4 pts - The authors name is larger than the title
3 pts - Cover is 75%+ red (check http://labs.tineye.com/color/ if unsure)
2 pts – Cover is 75%+ white (check http://labs.tineye.com/color/ if unsure)
1 pt - There is a face looking straight at the reader on it.
Random Points! - 2 pts each
• Your read was published originally in an language other than English
• If reading a book about an artist, your artist is dead. If your artist is alive, you get 1 point.
• There is a pet in your book. Not in passing, but a substantial presence.
• The book or series has been made into a movie or TV show (tell us what it is)
• Mars was a bit of a farming god as well as god of war, who knew?! 50%+ of your book is set in a farming community.
• Your title is one word
• St David has the patronage for not just Wales, but for Pembrokeshire, Naas, vegetarians, and poets. Take 2 points if your main character is a poet, and other if they are vegetarian. If you end up with a vegetarian poet, yes that's 4 points.
• International whisk(e)y day - If your characters partake in a whiskey/whisky of some sort. Not per tipple, once per read.