Books To Give And Treasure

When I was browsing my local bookstore the other day, I picked up a copy of Pints and Purls: Portable Projects for the Social Knitter by Karida Collins and Libby Bruce – and I almost purchased it, even though I don’t knit! This little book is really fun and witty, and includes stylish patterns for little projects to take with you to the pub, from slouchy knit hats and drink cozies to the lovely scarf pictured above.

Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design, edited by R. Klanten and H. Hellige, is a gorgeous book (printed on really nice, thick paper I might add) that explores the current renaissance of 1940’s-1960’s design styles: a must-have for any lover of mid-century modern design.

Clockwise from top left: I Know How To Cook by Ginette Mathiot, first published in 1932 (but only now translated into English) is a bible of home cooking in France – sort of like the Joy of Cooking is here in the US. Jeu de Paume books from Japan are little gems of decor inspiration, featuring really unique and creative spaces. Antiques expert Judith Miller’s new book, Chairs, examines 400 years in seating history and features gorgeous full-page photos on luxuriously thick paper.

Have you seen The Well-Dressed Home by Annette Tatum? I love the blending of fashion and decorating, and the inspiration boards in this book are to-die-for.

The Folio Society has reprinted a great selection of classic hard-boiled crime fiction, mysteries and spy thrillers, all with cool, evocative covers like Raymond Chandler’s Trouble Is My Business (pictured above) and The Big Sleep. The C.I.A. Manual of Trickery and Deception actually includes the recently declassified document – and though the outdated spy tips and tricks seem tame by today’s standards, it will certainly look cool on the coffee table. If your guy is into consuming strange, random facts, get him Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart – it will surely provide enough inappropriate dinner time conversation to last for years. Any die-hard Coen brothers fan will appreciate The Dude Abides by Cathleen Falsani – but the cover already had you, didn’t it?

With 101 super-cute projects using only one yard of fabric apiece, One-Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins would be a welcome addition to anyone’s sewing/crafting library. Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush is adorably illustrated – but also provides solid nuts-and-bolts tips on setting up an Etsy shop, selling at craft fairs, and developing a new crafty business. Rachel Ashwell’s beautiful new book, Shabby Chic Interiors: My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets, is filled with inspiring spaces and fresh ideas. The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature by Tovah Martin and Kindra Clineff is both an inspiration and a practical how-to book, with tips and instructions for creating all sorts of terrariums, cloches, and other little environments for plants.

Woo! That’s the book guide; I hope you have found one or two gift ideas here. And can I just tell you as a little aside that  I was only one book away from finishing this post over two hours ago, and my internet browser crashed! Let this be a friendly reminder to all to save your work frequently. I’m finishing up early for the day, and I will see you back here tomorrow with my special gift guide for all of the little ones in your life.

{images: linked to individual sources above}