An Object of Beauty: A Novel (Audiobook, MP3) 2010
This thoroughly engaging primer on the art world is unusual on a number of levels. Although the lead characters are unlikable, the novel is hard to put down, offers an enlightening explication of how the market for art is created, and includes photos and absorbing detail on many of the artworks under discussion. The narrator, Daniel Franks, is an arts journalist who relates the story of avaricious, amoral Lacey Yeager, who is willing to do almost anything to move ahead in the art world. After landing an entry-level job at Sotheby’s, where her stint cataloging dusty works in the basement helps develop her eye for good art, Lacey moves on to working in a gallery
All looks set fair for Major Matthew Hervey: news of a handsome legacy should allow him to purchase command of his beloved regiment, the 6th Light Dragoons. He is resolved to marry, and rather to his surprise, the object of his affections — the widow of the late Sir Ivo Lankester — has readily consented.
Long forgotten in the rush to discover the truth about the Roswell UFO crash, the Shag Harbour incident (consistently misspelled Shag Harbor by the publisher) has now resurfaced as strong evidence that an extraordinary object was tracked and pursued by Canadian military forces. Many witnesses saw an object with four bright lights fall into a bay of the Atlantic Ocean near this small Nova Scotia fishing village on the night of October 4, 1967. Three Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers were in a position to see the lighted object bobbing around on the water for a short time.
Mickey Mouse and all the gang are just waiting to play with toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Toddlers explore Mickey's neighborhood and meet all their favorite friends. Each friend has a different activity. Children can touch any key, move the mouse over an object or click on an object to learn. As they grow and learn mouse skills improve. Mickey needs help finding missing letters. Kids push keys or move the mouse to find the hidden letters. Mickey will say each letter as it appears. Minnie is looking for shapes at her house.
