Cover Image: Bowie's Books

Bowie's Books

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Many millions of music listeners the world over loved nothing better than to listen to the legendary musician David Bowie's instantly recognisable dulcet tones. However, many more, like myself, have been intrigued and fascinated by the music and literature which he himself was inspired. In Bowie's Books, author John O'Connell uses the list Bowie wrote in his last years, featuring 100 books, pieces of music and wider publications (e.g. Viz) that impacted him and his mindset, to set the structure of the book. The list is a diverse and eclectic one and covers iconic literature right through to pop culture favourites; all of whom are related back to Bowie and his life. His love of reading has always taken a backseat to his lyrical prowess but I am so pleased it is now laid bare in this fascinating book which can be read from cover to cover or dipped in and out of wherever and whenever you like.

From the Beano to Jack Kerouac and Albert Camus to Dante's Inferno, Bowie's Books links the ideas of these publications together and back to the enigmatic showman himself. The books, music and other publications mentioned are those you engage with when you are hoping to learn more about yourself or the world around you and would hardly be described as lighthearted or incongruous with many of the books we read today; in many respects, they are classics and have very philosophical messages to them. Being both a Bowie fan and a book advocate, I feel lucky to have picked this up and know it will appeal to a wide range of people. Seeing the sources from which he drew his inspiration was amazing and a real treat. This is a phenomenal work of non-fiction and one I know I will remember for a very long time to come. Genius. Gone too soon. RIP David. Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

These are not David Bowie's favourite books, they are the one that had a material effect on him. Bowie was such a talented and creative person who liked to surround himself with new information. This is a list of the 100 books that influenced him and theres essays on why he thought they did. This is a well researched and written book. This is a book that fans old and new will enjoy. After all, I enjoyed it and i wasnt a fan at all.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and the author John O'Connell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I'm a huge fan of books, and whilst I wouldn't call myself a super-fan of Bowie's, I find his life fascinating. This is a really well-structured book that would make a wonderful gift for book and Bowie lovers alike.

Each book on the list goes in a good amount of detail without becoming too much, and is paired with interesting snippets and facts from Bowie's life, and how each book either inspired or influenced him.

Was this review helpful?

'Bowie's Books' is a fascinating look into David Bowie and a wide range of literature that ticks a lot of boxes. The list is varied and eclectic, covering material as diverse as The Iliad and Viz. This book delves into Bowie's life and inspirations and even covers some of the contemporary history. I could have done without the blog style, 'read this while listening to...', which lowered the tone for me. Whether you are a Bowie fan, interested in popular culture or are a book nerd, this is a great book.

Was this review helpful?

If you are a fan of Bowie then this book will offer you a insight into his great love of writing and literature. It did not surprise me that he was an avid reader and that he read a great variety of genres in his life, as anyone who is of an artistic nature would surely be drawn to reading an eclectic mix of books. He did however read a great many books that would be seen as 'hard work' by many and would possibly feel like surprising choices to some people. The way the book is set out makes it an easy book to read in 'small doses', and the addition of listening suggestions whilst reading is a good idea.
A great read for fans of Bowie who are interested in finding out what might of made the man 'tick'.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful book to dip in and out of. It's a fascinating insight into the world of the late icon that is David Bowie. Joyful to get a glimpse of his world.

Was this review helpful?

Of all the deaths in 2016 (and let’s face it, there was a lot) it was David Bowie’s death that probably upset me the most. I loved Bowie. He was a musician who was way before my time but he was one that I sourced myself, without parental influence. So, it is of some comfort that even nearly three years after his death that fans can still learn new things about the man or feel his influence in a new different way.

With Bowie’s Books we get an insight into the literature that shaped the man he became. We are given access to his favourite books and in turn a stepping point if we enjoy the book then what you should read next. Along the way, we get stories of David Bowie’s life and it is littered with facts and anecdotes.
It really is just a joy to read.

Plus if David Bowie thought it was cool to read then who the heck are we to argue.

Bowie’s Books – The Hundred Literary Heroes Who Changed His Life by John O’Connell is available now.

For more information regarding Bloomsbury (@BloomsburyBooks) please visit www.bloomsbury.com.

Was this review helpful?

This is a treat for a very specific market, the super bookish Bowie fan.

It's a look at his life through the prism of his list of favourite books..

A lot of the title is conjecture, a lot of Bowie would like this book because xyz, or we can see this choice reflected in this life event, but the lack of access to the subject doesn't make the analysis of the texts any less interesting.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely book that is equal parts an insight into a music legend and some of the greatest books of all time. The links between the two are very deftly done (the song choice to accompany each essay is a very nice touch!). Even the most ardant Bowie fan or literature nerd would find something new and interesting in this book. It's well researched though, perhaps, a little bit simplistic in its literature studies at times. However, as an insight into the expanse of Bowie's life and career, it's a novel and interesting way of approaching it.

It's an enjoyable read but not necessarily one you would keep returning to. It would make a great gift for someone who is interested in either literature or music, however, and most definitely deserving of a read.

Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A great insight into the mind and what makes him the man he was.

His influences and life directions derived from this, that makes the person whole.

Was this review helpful?

A great insight into Bowie as a person. It was really interested in learning more about books that shaped his art and in turn have shaped pop culture.

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for an e-arc copy.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting read and a great insight into David Bowie. This book has obviously been well researched and well thought out.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

I'm not a massive Bowie fan. That is, i don't have every single piece of music that he ever released but I was very interested to learn what 100 books David Bowie believed to have influenced him the most.
Influenced . Not his favourites.
The author then goes on to explain why he thinks these books impacted Bowie so much.

Very interesting.

Was this review helpful?

In 2013 there was an exhibition of David Bowie's life which included the list, which he wrote, of the 100 books which influenced his life. John O'Connell has taken this list and added commentary on each of the books in turn to make a very readable book in it's own right.

What an extraordinary project and what a fascinating list. The books vary from fictional accounts, generally from highly esteemed authors to non fictional books, often relating to art or music. Sometimes the author comments mostly on the book and sometimes on the time or place and how the book may have influenced Bowie. I was interested in how the author was credible in bringing this together - there is a short biography at the end which explains that he was senior editor at Time Out magazine and has also written for UK broadsheets, mainly as a literary critic. I would have liked there to be some sort of summary at the end with the author talking about his process researching and writing the book. Sadly this isn't included, but there is a very impressive selected bibliography which hints at the extent of the research required.

I liked the illustrations throughout and I liked the recommendations of songs to listen to alongside each chapter. I read the kindle edition, but feel it would be much better in hardback - a coffee table book to pick up regularly and dip into.

Thankyou to Netgalley for an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A must-read for Bowie Fans. I feel it undiscovered more about David Jones the man, than David Bowie the star. I like David Bowie but I'm not a huge fan so maybe I learned more because of this. Not only about Bowie (the unmade 1984 musical, his Berlin years), I hadn't known the background of Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is exactly the type of book a literature and music nerd like me thrives off! The addition of what Bowie song to listen to whilst reading he book/comic/magazine is a lovely touch - shows how well-researched and lovingly written the book is. I'm going to buy this book for my Bowie-obsessed dad, he'll love it.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed reading this and getting such an amazing insight into the mind of David Bowie. I think this is a really important book to show how a love of reading can fuel creativity in all areas.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very simple idea, very cleverly executed and I loved it. If you rate David Bowie, or if you love reading about books, or even better both, then this is the book for you. John O'Connell has taken the list of the 100 most influential books released shortly after Bowie's death and weaved them into the story of his life. He ties the books to when it was likely Bowie was reading them, who may have recommended them, how they may have influenced Bowie's writing and the author also explains the background of the books themselves. There are excerpts from Bowie's writing to show how the various books made an impact on him and pieces from interviews when he talks about the books.

This is a diverse and eclectic list and starts from when Bowie was young and getting ideas from his older brother through to the latter parts of his life when he was putting ideas together and working through concepts on his own. This is high level stuff and very enlightening about the man Bowie was. The author finishes each little section on the chosen book with a further reading suggestion and a link to Bowie's music to listen to when reading it.

I found this fascinating on so many levels. The reason Bowie chooses certain books, the obvious and obscure ways they influenced his lyrics and his subtle dedication to his learning that followed him throughout his life. There is something here for any fan of David Bowie and if it encourages people to pick up "The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" or Camus' "The Outsider" or Angela Carter or Sarah Waters, then Bowie has left an amazing legacy.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A really interesting idea into what helped form a legend, as a fan of reading and the man this is a wonderfully inspiring read about a hero of mine. A well researched and written book, showing how these influenced him, his life and his song writing, wonderful

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

I thought this was a really interesting concept but perhaps I'm not a big enough fan for this book. It details all the books David Bowie thought was important and his relationship with reading and how he travelled with his books. I did enjoy parts of it but it was a little too detailed for me and I found myself growing a bit tired of it halfway through though it is an interesting insight.

Was this review helpful?