Dive into the literary world of David Bowie, Singer-songwriter & Musician.

David Bowie, an iconic figure in the world of music, was known for his eclectic style and groundbreaking contributions to the music industry. Born David Robert Jones in London in 1947, Bowie's career spanned over five decades, during which he reinvented himself and his music numerous times, influencing many genres from glam rock and punk to electronica and pop. His alter egos, most famously Ziggy Stardust, allowed him to explore different musical styles and societal themes, cementing his status as a pioneer of contemporary music and culture. Bowie's hits like "Space Oddity," "Heroes," and "Under Pressure" remain timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

I'm a real self-educated kind of guy. I read voraciously. Every book I ever bought, I have. I can't throw them away. It's actually a burden.❞ — David Bowie

Bowie's intellectual pursuits extended far beyond music; he was an avid reader with a deep love for literature. His wide-ranging tastes included classics, contemporary novels, historical biographies, and philosophical texts. This love of books not only influenced his songwriting—often weaving complex narratives into his lyrics—but also informed his views on life and art. Bowie's personal library was extensive, reflecting his voracious appetite for knowledge and his interest in a plethora of subjects, from the occult to modern art. His reading habit fed into his artistic process, often providing inspiration for his music videos, stage designs, and public personas.

David Bowie's Favorite Books

Last Updated: June 2024

The American Way of Death Revisited

Jessica Mitford's exposé revisits and updates her original critique of the American funeral industry, highlighting the often exploitative practices that take advantage of grieving families.

Fingersmith

Sarah Waters' novel set in Victorian England intricately plots the lives of two women, a pickpocket and a lady, whose fates are intertwined in a story filled with deceit, betrayal, and unexpected twists.

Hawksmoor

Peter Ackroyd's novel is a haunting tale of architecture, murder, and mystery, intertwining the story of Nicholas Dyer, an 18th-century architect who builds churches designed for devil worship, and a 20th-century detective investigating related murders.

Kafka Was the Rage: A Greenwich Village Memoir

Anatole Broyard recounts his post-WWII years in Greenwich Village, a vibrant and bohemian hub, where he navigated young adulthood and intellectual awakening among influential writers and artists.

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Wonder Boys

Michael Chabon's novel chronicles a chaotic weekend in the life of a university professor and unsuccessful author as he struggles to manage his complicated love life, finish his overdue novel, and deal with his eccentric students.

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

Yukio Mishima's novel explores the stark and often disturbing clash between traditional Japanese values and the nihilistic ethos of modern youth, through the story of a group of young boys and a sailor they idolize and ultimately betray.

White Noise

Don DeLillo's novel satirizes the ubiquity of mass media and the complexity of family dynamics in contemporary America, following a professor who specializes in Hitler studies as he grapples with a toxic airborne event and existential dread.
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