Posts tagged Books
JUNE - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: THE DEADLIEST HURRICANE IN HISTORY
JUNE - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: THE DEADLIEST HURRICANE IN HISTORY

The 2018 hurricane season officially began on June 1st, so, of course, our book for June had to be Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History  by one of my favorite authors, Erik Larson. 

I am a Gulf Coast gal, so reading about the hurricane I grew-up hearing stories about, seeing the few buildings that withstood the destruction while the building next to it was destroyed … well, I was all in as the saying goes. And, I had no doubt that Larson would reward us with a well researched, and detailed story.

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderBooks, Galveston, Erik Larson, ReadingComment
MAY - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: RICHARD AVEDON
MAY - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: RICHARD AVEDON

Our Artist Spotlight for May is American photographer, Richard Avedon. I have shared a few blog posts about Avedon this month (Featured below), but now it is time to bring it full circle with our book for the month. I searched for biographies and books that somehow related to Avedon and/or his work. I finally settled on Avedon at Work by Laura Wilson. While this book is not our typical “read”, I think it is an important glimpse behind the scenes that, in many ways, makes it more important than reading a 400-page biography.

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderSuZan Alexander Fine Art PhotographyRichard Avedon, Reading, BooksComment
ON THE STEINBECK TRAIL - WEDNESDAY WANDERING
ON THE STEINBECK TRAIL - WEDNESDAY WANDERING

In March, I had an opportunity to visit the Silicon Valley area of California. I have visited San Francisco, Napa Valley, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles…, but I never made it to this area. Can I tell you a secret? I was really excited because, as you might recall, in 2016 I wrote a blog post about John Steinbeck’s novel Travels with Charley. This was my opportunity to visit some of the places like Monterey, Cannery Row, Salinas, and… wait for it… The National Steinbeck Center. But, I’m getting ahead of myself so I will start at the beginning of the trip.

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Stories Behind the CameraSuZan AlexanderTravel, Books, John Steinbeck, Wednesday Wanderings, CaliforniaComment
MARCH - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: EDWARD WESTON & MARGRETHE MATHER
MARCH - BOOK CLUB THURSDAY: EDWARD WESTON & MARGRETHE MATHER

Did you read Artful Lives: Edward Weston, Margrethe Mather, and the Bohemians of Los Angeles by Beth Gates Warren? I have to admit, I was expecting a small book and a quick read. I am still amazed that the postal employee CRAMMED the tome into my small mailbox - with damage, of course. I am sure my neighbors got a laugh if they happened to watch me pry my latest read from the confinement of the mailbox. But I digress...

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderArt, Art History, Artist, Books, Edward Weston, Margrethe Mather, Photographer, PhotographyComment
FEBRUARY - Book Club Thursday: Edward Curtis Plus A Bonus
FEBRUARY - Book Club Thursday: Edward Curtis Plus A Bonus

Welcome to the February book party! Did you read Short Night of The Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan? What did you think? Is that a story or what? I wrote a blog post last year that you can read HERE and a recent "birthday" post HERE. I really enjoyed this book. I found the whole story heartbreaking from the treatment of the Native Americans to a man who was so focused on his mission that he lost everything... his marriage, his business, his income, his health...

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderBooksComment
Book Club Thursday 2018 Reading Kickoff
Book Club Thursday 2018 Reading Kickoff

I am a confessed bibliophile. I love to read and I love to share books, and suggested reads, with fellow readers.  After relocating to Central Texas a few years ago, well... I miss being a member of an active book club that discusses books.   This is where you come into the picture. If you enjoy reading, have I got an idea for us.

As a way to encourage each other to read more books in 2018, let's meet here on the last Thursday of each month to discuss books we've read and books we are reading. I will put together a list of books to read to get us started but feel free to make some suggestions. Most of all, add your comments and join the conversation.

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderBooks, ReadingComment
Happy Birthday John Singer Sargent!
Happy Birthday John Singer Sargent!

American artist, John Singer Sargent, was born 162 years ago today (January 12, 1856). John Singer Sargent was apparently THE portrait artists back in the day. The photograph captures the artist in his studio. However, if you look closely at the painting behind him, you will get a glimpse at the portrait that probably brought him the most notoriety. Why this portrait? Well, the subject of the portrait was Virginie Gautreau. Madame Gautreau happened to be the "it girl" of Paris in the late 1800s. But the subject herself was not the reason the painting was famous.

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderArt, Art History, Artist, Books, John Singer Sargent, painter, ReadingComment
Summer Reading: Travel Through Reading
Summer Reading: Travel Through Reading

My birthday is in the latter part of May. Years ago, I was asked by my boss, very cautiously I might add, if my approaching birthday ended in a five or a zero. That has always stayed with me for some reason. He almost seemed frightened yet obligated in some way to ask. I tell you this story because, this year's birthday did end in a five. I don't usually let it bother me. It is just another day after all. But for some reason(s), this year has me waxing philosophical and I decided to immerse myself in reading John Steinbeck's novel, Travels with Charley, because,

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Book ClubSuZan AlexanderBooks, John Steinbeck, Reading, TravelComment