Overview
Several members of the Museum’s reading group, Art+Letters, reflected on their collective favorites over the years in order to make some recommendations for you. Below are some of their selections—check back each month for additional suggestions—happy reading!
The Lady In Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer
Editor: Anne-Marie O’Connor
Why You Should Read
“Lady in Gold is an important book about a Gustav Klimt portrait of a fascinating woman in Vienna that was looted by the Nazis, the American Supreme Court’s verdict in favor of her descendant, and the young lawyer who gave up everything to seek justice.”
– Alice Novak, book club leader
“The true story behind the film, unraveling the portrait’s journey with differing roles that art plays in politics, society, identity, and memory.”
– Carol Tew
Where to Read
Physical: Amazon, Bookshop
Digital: Apple Books, Kindle
Audiobook: Apple Books, Audible
Resources
Loving Frank: A Novel
Author: Nancy Horan
Why You Should Read
“I enjoyed the book and the presentation by Alice and Jim Barganier. Learned much about Frank Lloyd Wright that I never knew.”
– Beverly Bennett
“What’s not to love about the book Loving Frank? It’s an intelligent blend of truth and fiction… a story about passionate characters with a jaw-dropping conclusion.”
– Amy Lovett
Where to Read
Physical: Amazon, Bookshop
Digital: Apple Books, Kindle
Audiobook: Apple Books, Audible
Resources
Mad Enchantment Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies
Author: Ross King
Why You Should Read
“A wonderful portrait of Monet and his times, with special emphasis on his last great work.”
– George Jacobsen
“While Monet is one of the most loved artists in the world, few of us know the whole story about the Water Lillies that he painted in his garden at Giverny, including the gift of his paintings to France as a memorial to the First World War.”
– Alice Novak, Art+Letters lead
“I enjoy everything by Ross King. His text reads like fiction with so many interesting facts and tidbits.”
– Pamela Swan (who loves King’s Brunelleschi’s Dome most of all)
Where to Read
Physical: Amazon, Bookshop
Digital: Apple Books, Kindle
Audiobook: Apple Books, Audible