Asterios Polyp

by David Mazzucchelli, 334 pages

An arrogant academic architect looks back on his life and tries to regroup after his apartment building burns down.

I re-read this for our September graphic novel discussion here at BWD.  Mazzucchelli puts an incredible amount of care into the story and art here, with symbolism and allusions and layers and layers of meaning.  From the colors to the line styles, panel layouts, shapes, names, and motifs, there's more to discover and ponder every time you open the book.  Touching and sarcastic and sad and funny all at the same time, this is one of those titles that manages to both be an intellectual / artistic achievement and a good read.

The Art of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire

by various artists, 189 pages

As I mentioned in my post about A Feast  for Crows, I just read and enjoyed the first book of art inspired by A Song of Ice and Fire. As usual, some of the best images are of Jon Snow, the bastard son of Ned Stark, and his dire wolf, Ghost. Jon becomes part of The Night's Watch in the first book, A Game of Thrones, and is sent to the great Wall in the North to serve the realm.

The images in the book are varied in style, and most are wonderfully rendered studies of many of the characters and settings in the books. I was surprised at the number of European artists involved. The artists' bios at the end of the book lead you to their websites for further exploration. A second volume has just been published, so there will be more scenes of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond to peruse at your leisure. Well, you have to do something while you're waiting for Season 3 of A Game of Thrones on tv.

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

140 pgs., 2012

Full of practical tips, anecdotes and personal experiences, I would highly recommend this book for any artist - aspiring or accomplished. I think one of the best ideas in this book is that its okay to look to others for inspiration and ideas--there is no original idea, and the tips for overcoming writer/artist block. Looking for a gift for an artist? Get them a copy of "Steal Like an Artist."

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

2012/272 pgs

Take graffiti artists, mistaken identity and one wild night at the end of school, mix it with a touch of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist and you've got Graffiti Moon.

Lucy wants to find Shadow-a graffiti artist she's always admired. She only knows him by his artwork, but she's sure that he's the perfect boy for her. Instead of being out looking for Shadow, Lucy is stuck with Ed, the boy she had a disastrous date with a few years earlier. Ed couldn't be further from the idea of Shadow Lucy has in her mind, but our ideas don't always match reality and Lucy and Ed are in for one crazy night!

Missed Connections: Love, Lost and Found by Sophie Blackall

2011/128pgs

I love Sophie Blackall's artwork, so I was very excited for this collection! We've all read missed connections, right? It's a peek into another person's story and some are funny, some are strange, and some are heartbreaking. The introduction to the book made me want to know more about the pictures. Sophie included a note that she heard from some people who met via missed connections and I would have liked to know if any of the connections illustrated did. They are heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. I would suggest this as a story starter set for older teens and adults-I know I can't be alone in imagining the outcome of each posting!

On the Blue Shores of Silence: Poems of the Sea by Pablo Neruda

“…in the salty air of the coast the stars quiver.”

There are many books of poetry written by Pablo Neruda but I do not think I have ever seen one so beautiful. The poems included were written in what Neruda called his “autumn” and were inspired by his surroundings in his house at Isla Negra, Chile. Each poem is presented as an experience with paintings by Mary Heebner of Isla Negra first; the poem in its original Spanish and then the English translation by Neruda’s friend and translator Alastair Reid.

I love the ocean and can get lost in a poem of Neruda’s for hours so my review is a bit biased. I felt as if I was holding a gorgeous treasure waiting to be discovered when I got this book. Like I was walking barefoot in the sand, waves lapping at my toes with the gulls crying out while I search for the perfect shell or piece of sea glass. There’s a moment when you let the salt and the wind and the waves transform you. This book had me right there in an instant despite my completely land-locked location. 2003, 63 pages.

Art and Max

Art & Max, David Wiesner

Art is a master artist. Max wants to be an artist. Max paints Art. And Wiesner's indescribable imagination takes it from there. Friendship + imagination = wonderful Wiesner picture book that is sure to generate conversation and inspiration.