Passion and Creativity books
The Diary of Frida Kahlo – By Frida Kahlo
Published here in its entirety, Frida Kahlo's amazing illustrated journal documents the last ten years of her turbulent life. This passionate, often surprising, intimate record, kept under lock and key for some forty years in Mexico, reveals many new dimensions in the complex persona of this remarkable Mexican artist. The text entries, written in Frida's round, full script in brightly colored inks, add an almost decorative quality, making the journal as captivating to look at as it is to read. Frida's childhood, her political sensibilities, and her obsession with Diego are all illuminated in witty phrases and haunting images.
Themes:
Spirituality, Love, Relationships, Art, Expression, Family, Limits, Fame.
Quotes:
“There is nothing more precious than laughter”
“Only one mountain can know the core of another mountain.”
“I want to be inside your darkest everything”
Come As You Are – By Michael Azerrad
Nirvana came out of nowhere in 1991 to sell nearly five million copies of their landmark album Nevermind, whose thunderous sound and indelible melodies embodied all the confusion, frustration, and passion of the emerging Generation X. Come As You Are is the close-up, intimate story of Nirvana - now updated to include a new final chapter detailing the last year of Kurt Cobain's life, before his tragic suicide in April 1994.
Themes:
Art, Expression, Love, Passion, Addiction, Suicide, Fame, Media, Music, Sub-cultures.
Quotes:
“Kurt had that million-dollar grin on his face, and I could tell he was definitely in nirvana. I guess you could say he was the Pied Piper of compassion.”
“The first American generation to have little hope of doing better than their parents, the generation that would suffer for the fiscal excesses of the Reagan eighties, that spent their entire sexual prime in the shadow of AIDS, that spent their childhoods having nightmares about nuclear war.”
“Come as you are. As you were. As you want to be.”
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter – By 50 Cent
In his early twenties Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent rose to the heights of fame and power in the cutthroat music business. A decade ago the multi-platinum selling rap artist decided to pivot. His ability to adapt to change was demonstrated when he became the executive producer and star of Power, a high-octane, gripping crime drama centered around a drug kingpin’s family. The series quickly became “appointment” television, leading to Jackson inking a four-year, $150 million contract with the Starz network—the most lucrative deal in premium cable history. Now, in his most personal book, Jackson shakes up the self-help category with his unique, cutting-edge lessons and hard-earned advice on embracing change.
Themes:
Business, Music, Climbing the Corporate Ladder, Finance, Growth, Change.
Quotes:
“Live on the edge. I’m only free because I’m not afraid. Everything I was afraid of already happened to me.”
“You’re only going to be as strong as the weakest person in your crew.”
“Fear dominates most people’s lives. Fear of loss. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Fear of loneliness.”
The Book of Imaginary Being – By Jorge Luis Borges
In a perfect pairing of talent, this volume blends twenty illustrations by Peter S.' with Jorge Luis Borges' 1957 compilation of 116 "strange creatures conceived through time and space by the human imagination," from dragons and centaurs to Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat and the Morlocks of H. G. Wells' The Time Machine. A lavish feast of exotica brought vividly to life with art commissioned specifically for this volume, The Book of Imaginary Beings will delight readers of classic fantasy as well as Borges' many admirers.
Themes:
Creativity, Myths, Urban Legends, Art, Humanity, Culture, Imagination.
Quotes:
“Can it die? Everything that dies has had some kind of goal, some kind of work that has grated it broken ”
“There are tears, gnashing of teeth, fog, fire, unbearable burn, freezing cold, dogs, bears, lions and snakes in the interiors of Akheron. In this legend, hell is an animal with other animals inside.”
"As we all know, there is a kind of Lazy Pleasure in useless and out-of-the-way erudition."
A Poem For Everyday Of The Year – Edited By Allie Esiri
A Poem For Every Day of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 poems compiled by Allie Esiri, one to share on every day of the year. These poems are funny, thoughtful, inspiring, humbling, informative, quiet, loud, small, epic, peaceful, energetic, upbeat, motivating, and empowering!
Themes:
Humour, Motivation, Empowment, Literacy, Positivity, Family, Love, Development.
Quotes:
“Something’s set to start, there’s meadow-music in the dark”
“Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art!
Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes.
Why preyest thou thus upon the poet’s heart,”
“The variety of our skin tones can confuse, bemuse, delight, brown and pink and beige and purple, tan and blue and white.”
Our FYV Youth Commissioners are Emily Harris, Marion Simakungwe, Rachel Roach and Eugene Vlas.
If you like the sound of any of the book recommendations from our FYV Youth Commissioners you can also enjoy many of these by listening to them on Audible.
If you would like to read our previous blog you can read them here: