Thursday, June 22, 2017

FOUNDATIONS OF DRAWING : A Practical Guide to Art History, tools, techniques, and Styles

Compiled and written by Al
Gury, FOUNDATIONS OF DRAWING:  A Practical Guide to Art History, Tools, Techniques, and Styles is entertaining as well as educational.  It is chock full of art history that is beautifully illustrated with gorgeous pictures in color.  I read the print version and I loved it!  The book is made of good solid materials and paper which makes the experience with it even more enjoyable. 

Gury fills this book with knowledge of Art History, the tools one may need to work with, and some background on different styles of drawing and how to achieve them.  It's a book that both young and old can relate to and it will inspire many people to continue learning and growing in their artistic endeavors. 

I received this book fro Blogging for Books via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I chose this book for review as I enjoy looking at art and I have some family members and friends who are very artistic.  It is a book that will be looked at over and over with new facts and new realizations noted at each use.

*image provided by publisher.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Lisa McInerney's GLORIOUS HERESIES


People who enjoy the television show
SHAMELESS (UK) or SHAMELESS(US)  will like the novel GLORIOUS HERESIES. It also reminds me of the British Soaps such as CORONATION STREET and HOLLYOAKS.  The story is set in Ireland during the financial crash almost ten years ago.  McInerney exhibits extreme writing skills as she is able to combine the profane Irish street vernacular with some of the biggest and most beautiful words I have ever readGLORIOUS HERESIES was published in Ireland previously where it had won a very big award and is now being released in the USA.  It speaks to changing attitudes on giving birth and women's choice, different vices and crimes, and serves as an coming of age story.  It also speaks to how strong the Catholic Church and Christianity is in Ireland and so there are things considered heresies in the story.  What do people do when the economy is so bad as to leave them with only a series of not so good choices?

Ryan is fifteen and in the throes of first love while dealing with an abusive, alcoholic father.  This propels him to an early career dealing drugs.  Georgie is a young woman whose boyfriend turns her into a prostitute.  Maureen is a grandmother who kills an intruder to her home but is unable to go to the police as they may investigate her gangster son's business.  Some of the characters seem lovable while some of them come across as despicable. It's all an excellent study of human nature.

I read the book straight through in a little over a 24 hour time period on a holiday weekend.  I chose the book for review because I enjoy literature and media from Ireland and England.  I liked this story and will see about getting the sequel when it becomes available.  This book was provided to me free of charge via the publisher and Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. 

Book cover image provided by the publisher  via Blogging for Books.