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Bowie's Bookshelf: The Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life
Bowie's Bookshelf: The Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life | John O'Connell
8 posts | 6 read | 13 to read
Part epic reading guide and part biography of a music legend, Bowie's Bookshelf is a collection of mini-essays exploring David Bowie's list of 100 favorite books in the context of the artist's life and work. Imagine a beloved friend sharing their favorite books with you--the ones that shaped them, made them who they are, and inspired them to achieve their dreams. Now imagine that friend is David Bowie. Three years before he died, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winning artist David Bowie shared a list of the hundred books that changed his life--a wide-ranging and eclectic selection that spans beloved classics like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and George Orwell's 1984, to more esoteric gems like Fran Lebowitz's Metropolitan Life and Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn, and even cult comic strips like Beano and Raw. Bowie's Bookshelf celebrates each of Bowie's favorite books with a dedicated mini-essay, exploring each work within the context of Bowie's life and its role in shaping one of the most versatile, avant-garde, and cutting-edge musicians of the twentieth century. A fresh approach to celebrating the enduring legacy of David Bowie, Bowie's Bookshelf is a resounding tribute to the power art has to change our lives for the better.
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Anna40
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Pickpick

It was so much fun to browse these short 'essays' about the books Bowie read and how some of them impacted his music. I wouldn't buy this, but if you can get it at your library it's worth spending some time leafing through it!

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Lizpixie
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Bk2 of today‘s #BookHaul is this beautiful hardcover about the 100 books that changed Bowie‘s life. I‘ve been a huge fan since the 70s, he was all over the radio as I was growing up, first as Ziggy Stardust with Space Oddity, Starman & Spiders From Mars then his Berlin period with Heroes then my favourite Ashes to Ashes. I had no idea he was such a prolific reader though, apparently he had custom trunks that opened up to become a mobile library!

Emilymdxn I got this for my dad for Christmas it‘s a gorgeous book! And David Bowie was scarily well read 4y
56 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Weaponxgirl
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Just needed to share this gem with you all. It‘s literally two of the best things in the world in one book!
Will also wish you all a wonderful New Years 😊

TrishB I brought this for hubby - he said it‘s fab! 4y
Weaponxgirl @TrishB it really is! I‘m not as well read as Bowie obviously though 😉 4y
TrishB Very few of us are! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Bookwomble I've already got this on my wishlist, but had forgotten that I've already got this on my wishlist! Your tag is therefore the answer to the question, "What shall I spend my Christmas book tokens on?" ?❤ 4y
quietlycuriouskate I got this for my daughter for Christmas. She's happy! Of course I wouldn't be totally surprised if it ends up on my TBR too. 4y
RedLeaves Just finished yesterday, absolutely loved it! 4y
SW-T Sounds awesome! Thanks for the tag. 😊 4y
51 likes7 comments
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RedLeaves
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Relishing this absolute gem!! Highly recommended if you love Bowie ? or have an interest in cultural history or bibliophilia. Documents Bowie's restless intelligence, and his pleasure in the fact that books allow readers to slip into someone else's skin and try it on for size
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"A shot in the arm for the unfashionable theory, one I've always liked, that reading books makes you a better person." . ..AGREED!

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overtheedge
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This looks like a really interesting ARC, due November 12th from Gallery books! I'm starting this tonight!
#teamslaughter #scarathon @Clwojick

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Lauren.Archer
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Pickpick

I saw this book reviewed in Kirkus magazine and I said this could be such a gem of book. NetGalley was kind enough to make this available to me. Growing up in the 80‘s one of the most iconic images I remember at the library was of David Bowie for the Read campaign. I knew he was reader, but did you know he carried a portable library of 1500 books. That is just astounding.

http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2019/10/23/bowies-bookshelf-book-review/

readordierachel Sounds amazing ❤⚡ 4y
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Birdsong28
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One for you @TrishB on #netgalley

TrishB Thanks 👍🏻 not on NG, but will put this on hubbys Christmas list! 5y
49 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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tournevis
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I now have a place to share about books. My best reading bud is 500 km away and hates social media.
#changes @Megabooks

Megabooks And your sharing is wonderful! 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
tournevis @Megabooks ☺️☺️☺️ 5y
52 likes2 comments