Books About Artists: Recommendations for Read More 2025Like this list

20 items

• Wild Thing

  a Life of Paul Gauguin

  Prideaux, Sue,

  Add Wild Thing to your for later shelf

  Paul Gauguin’s legend as a transgressive genius arises as much from his biography as his aesthetically daring Polynesian paintings.

• Anita De Monte Laughs Last

  Gonzalez, Xochitl, 1977-

  Add Anita De Monte Laughs Last to your for later shelf

  A first-generation Ivy League student uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death.

• Portrait of a Thief

  a Novel

  Li, Grace D.,

  Add Portrait of a Thief to your for later shelf

  A Chinese American art history major at Harvard is offered a (very illegal) chance to reclaim five priceless treasures China lost centuries ago and assembles a team of fellow students to help him on his mission—and make history.

• The Paradise Problem

  Lauren, Christina,

  Add The Paradise Problem to your for later shelf

  Liam must be happily married for five years in order to receive his inheritance and turns to his secret not-so-ex-wife Anna, a feisty, foul-mouthed artist, to fake their relationship and convince his one-percenter parents they’re in love.

• Chasing Beauty

  the Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner

  Dykstra, Natalie,

  Add Chasing Beauty to your for later shelf

  Chronicles the life of the creator of one of America's most stunning museums—an American original whose own life was remade by art; includes archival photos of her world, museum and the art she collected.

• The Lady From the Black Lagoon

  Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick

  O'Meara, Mallory,

  Add The Lady From the Black Lagoon to your for later shelf

  The story of Millicent Patrick, a feminist trailblazer in the horror film industry who never received proper credit for creating the classic monster from Creature from the Black Lagoon.

• Girl With a Pearl Earring

  Chevalier, Tracy

  Add Girl With a Pearl Earring to your for later shelf

  A poor seventeenth-century servant girl knows her place in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer, but when he begins to paint her, nasty whispers and rumors circulate throughout the town.

• Leonardo Da Vinci

  Isaacson, Walter,

  Add Leonardo Da Vinci to your for later shelf

  Isaacson draws on da Vinci's remarkable notebooks as well as new discoveries about his life and work in a narrative portrait that connects the master's art to his science.

• Background Artist

  the Life and Work of Tyrus Wong

  Fang, Karen (Karen Y.), 1973-

  Add Background Artist to your for later shelf

  Fang tells the inspiring story of Tyrus Wong, a Chinese immigrant who eventually became a best-selling greeting card designer, Warner Bros. sketch artist, and instrumental influence on the beloved Disney animated film, Bambi.

• Brothers

  Van Halen, Alex,

  Add Brothers to your for later shelf

  This poignant memoir of brotherhood, music and enduring love celebrates the profound bond between brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen and chronicles their musical journey.

• Frida Kahlo

  Her Life, Her Work, Her Home

  Mora, Francisco de la,

  Add Frida Kahlo to your for later shelf

  Francisco de la Mora’s full-color graphic novel explores the public and private faces of the iconic artist.

• Punk Rock Karaoke

  Xunise, Bianca,

  Add Punk Rock Karaoke to your for later shelf

  When the realities of post-grad life interfere with their dreams of breaking into the music industry with their garage punk band, Ariel, Michele and Gael garner the attention of a local icon who takes an interest in their talent.

• The Art Forger

  a Novel

  Shapiro, Barbara A., 1951-

  Add The Art Forger to your for later shelf

  An artist whose reputation has been tarnished stumbles on a piece of art that disappeared twenty-five years ago and agrees to forge it for a gallery owner, until she realizes that the art she is forging may itself be a forgery.

• The Bohemians

  a Novel

  Darznik, Jasmin, 1973-

  Add The Bohemians to your for later shelf

  Dorothea, a young aspiring photographer, becomes friends with many artists , including Frida Kahlo, Ansel Adams, and D. H. Lawrence who take her under their wing.

• A Piece of the World

  a Novel

  Kline, Christina Baker, 1964-

  Add A Piece of the World to your for later shelf

  Tells the story of Christina Olson, who served as the host and inspiration for artist Andrew Wyeth, despite an incapacitating illness.

• Cher

  the Memoir, Part One

  Cher, 1946-

  Add Cher to your for later shelf

  The notable pop star and diva offers the first part of her extensive biography about her fascinating life.

• Broken Horses

  a Memoir

  Carlile, Brandi,

  Add Broken Horses to your for later shelf

  Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family outside Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, yet her dysfunctional childhood was as beautiful as it was strange, and as nurturing as it was difficult.

• The Autobiography of Gucci Mane

  Gucci Mane, 1980-

  Add The Autobiography of Gucci Mane to your for later shelf

  The recording artist began writing his autobiography in a federal maximum security prison. Released in 2016, he emerged radically transformed. He was sober, smiling, focused, and positive—a far cry from the Gucci Mane of years past.

• Minor Feelings

  An Asian American Reckoning

  Hong, Cathy Park,

  Add Minor Feelings to your for later shelf

  An award-winning poet and essayist offers a ruthlessly honest, emotionally charged exploration of the psychological condition of being Asian American.

• Adult Summer Reading 2025

  View on bpl.org

  Visit our webpage to learn more about the Adult Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 1 to August 31.