Motivational Biography: The Art of Asking, by Amanda Palmer

The Art of Asking
Amanda Palmer
ISBN: 9781455581085
Read November 10, 2014

Basically everything I want to say about this book was said better and faster by Cory Doctorow in his article/review/philosophical musings hosted by The New Statesman, published November 11, 2014.  Because I like to link to people rather than organizations as much as possible, you're headed over to his blog, where there's a short snippet and a click-through to the article itself.

Short version for click-averse or in the wilds of the future where links are broken and chaos reigns:

This is a really great biography of Amanda, and an even greater manifesto to artists and really to people in general to just accept that the majority of people are good and helpful, and to quit feeling like it's an imposition to ask people for help or to contribute.  Most people WANT to help, and it's incumbent on us to learn how to ask without being greedy or pompous, but also without needlessly presenting as a terribly guilty shame-faced imposition.  Just bloody ask already.

The impetus for the book came from a duo of TED talks focused on the same subject, and here in the book she attempts to find the reasons why it's so hard for her (and for others) to just ask people for help.  It's a great social commentary, and a really necessary one for the "business" of the arts right now, as everything is in flux and funding is becoming less and less corporate and businesslike and impersonal.

The book left me excited for the future, and hopeful about humanity, and a little bummed at myself that I don't feel at all brave enough to follow her advice.  I hope when/if the time comes, I can summon the courage to Ask.

Anna Maria's Gift, Janice Shefelman, illustrated by Robert Papp

Anna Maria's Gift
Janice Shefelman, illustrated by Robert Papp
ISBN: 9780375858819
Read June 13, 2014

Juv-fiction: the musically talented orphan daughter of a famous violin maker moves into the Pieta of Venice to live and study under Don Vivaldi, but a jealous rival steals the violin which was her father's last gift.

Black and white illustrations throughout, and a historical note at the end regarding the orphanages and music schools of Venice.

Super short, super-quick resolution, and I like that all of the characters we meet are essentially good people (even the jealous rival, who is redeemed in the end) and that while the characters are Christians, the story is not overly religious in it's moralizing.

Good choice for serial bedtime reading for little ones.