David Bowie (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016)

I can’t claim to be one of David Bowie’s greatest fans, but I did blow all my pocket money on “Space Oddity” when it was re-released as a single in 1973 (it's still my favourite Bowie track, but more of that later). It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of his death this week.

No one can dispute the talent and creativity of the man and I was fascinated to learn of a list of his 75 favourite books and magazines which had inspired him. This list formed part of an international touring exhibition. Launched at the V&A in 2013, “David Bowie is” was a retrospective of his extraordinary career and demonstrated how Bowie’s work has influenced and been influenced by wider movements in art.

Want to read some of the books that inspired Bowie? The following are all available from Torfaen Libraries.

Julian Barnes – Flaubert’s Parrot (available on audio book)

Mikhail Bulgakov – The Master and Margarita

Truman Capote – In Cold Blood

Bruce Chatwin – The Songlines

Christopher Hitchens – The Trial of Henry Kissinger

Susan Jacoby – The Age of American Unreason

Jack Kerouac – On the Road

Vladimir Nabokov – Lolita

George Orwell - Nineteen Eighty-Four

Elaine Pagels – The Gnostic Gospels

Muriel Spark – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Sarah Waters – Fingersmith

For the full list of 75 titles, click on the link.
David Bowie Reading List



If you love his music don’t forget you can also borrow CDs from Torfaen Libraries for just 50p a week hire charge. Bowie’s latest album, “Black Star” released on his 69th birthday, two days before he died, will be hitting the library shelves very soon!

I ran a quick poll of library staff and customers to find their favourite Bowie track. 

In joint 1st place were "Heroes" and "Let's Dance" with "Space Oddity" runner up. A total of 19 songs were nominated which must be a testimony to the breadth and appeal of his work.

If you have a favourite Bowie track let me know by posting a comment.