Malvern staff member Fernando is a New York Review Books Classics enthusiast, and he has an excellent recommendation for y’all…

Life with Picasso by Françoise Gilot and Carlton Lake

Françoise Gilot was in her early twenties, Picasso in his sixties, when they became friends and developed a decade-long relationship. Gilot was herself an ambitious artist, and this book chronicles Picasso through her eyes in those ten years, during which they had two children and she eventually left him. A revealing account of Picasso, and of Gilot’s singular experience coming into her own as an artist—this is a great read for your summer list.

Also recommended: Renoir, My Father by Jean Renoir. The renowned filmmaker’s account of his father, the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, offers great wisdom and insight regarding an artist’s life’s work.