We've covered our fair share of books lately, not just beautiful niche print magazines but also actual books, hard-covered and thickly bound tomes that smell of paper and ink. There's especially been more impressive coffee table books sent our way recently, from compilations of vintage art to iconic design and even beautiful women. Here, we've put together a list of 20 of the best books of this past year. Yes.
See out other Buyer's Guides here.
For the first time, Rizzoli collects the photography of Bunny Yeager from 1950 in Bettie Page: Queen of Curves. The book collects more than 250 photos of the pin-up model, all shot on Miami Beach, and many unseen by the public until this collection.
Cartier release ”Cartier in the 20th Century,” a 272-page hardcover coffee table book on their extensive range of fine jewelry and other accessories dating from 1900 to 1975. With black-and-white vintage and color photography from Conde Nast and their own archives, the book is an extremely in-depth but digestible display of Cartier’s rich history.
Infographic Designers' Sketchbooks
In over 350 pages, icons across various disciplines like Massimo Vignelli and Deborah Adler are featured through photographs and copies of their personal sketchbooks. For us design freaks, it’s almost an honor to hold this book in our hands.
Yves Saint Laurent: A Moroccan Passion
The book, entirely written with handwriting, shows personal photographs of the legendary designer — many published for the first time — with his friends like Andy Warhol and Loulou de La Falaise. It was originally published in French in conjunction with the “YSL et le Maroc.”
Viviane Sassen: In and Out of Fashion
Sassen compiles her work in fashion photography of 17 years with the likes of Stella McCartney, adidas, Carven, Bergdorf Goodman, Missoni, New York Times, i-D, Numéro, AnOther, Dazed & Confused, Fantastic Man, and more. Available for $41.
TASCHEN reissue Mario Testino‘s photography book on supermodel Kate Moss in paperback cover. Kate Moss by Mario Testino includes over 100 images that capture moments backstage or on set producing some of the world’s most remembered and celebrated editorials, as well as Testino’s private and previously unseen photos of the muse. Also included in the book is an exclusive essay by Moss herself.
Heidi Klum, The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Eva Green, Robert Downey Jr. and more are captured in Rankin’s controversial and iconic images, giving the finger. This is definitely a conversation starter.
Dust & Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting
The 416-page volume features 130 record collectors from around the world in their most intimate setting — “their record rooms.” Look for incredible photography paired with in-depth interviews from DJs, producers, dealers, and other collectors. This is a must-read for any vinyl enthusiast or fan of music in general.
Canvassing across neon sign makers, blade smiths, violin makers and other individuals who employ time-honored practices, this latest hard-copy publication takes readers through the spaces and processes of hand-craftsmanship.
The legendary photographer compiled works from her 40-year career in a “sumo-sized” hardcover book, complete with art dust jackets and a Marc Newson-designed stand. You can get your hands on this collector's book with just $2,500 to $5,000.
The massive 546-page tome collects pin-up art from more than 95 artists, salvaged from remaining magazines and calendars from the 1920s through the ’70s. Many original pin-up artworks of those decades have been destroyed or disposed of by the publishers, so we are more than glad that The Art of Pin-Up managed to put this together.
The Impossible Collection of Design
Frédéric Chambre was tasked with selecting 100 illustrations of expertly crafted furniture to represent 100 years of inventive design. Each page is arranged to showcase the progression of design while highlighting each piece’s iconic era. The luxurious hand-bound print is finished with a limited-edition clam shell case.
The book documents reggae's history from the initial migration of Jamaicans to the UK after World War II, to the pioneers and early adopters that solidified the sound’s presence in Europe. Although the small English town of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Although, today, the English town appears to be an ordinary place, it was at one point the capital of reggae music in the north of England.
The book documents Sozzani’s genre-defining career in art, design, fashion and retail in over 300 colorfully illustrated pages. Learn about why she left her long tenure in editorial to open galleria Carla Sozzani, the international expansion of her 10 Corso Como concept boutiques, and her relation to American artist Kris Ruhs.
Hide and Seek - The World's Best Cabins
Gestalten release another corker, Hide and Seek: The Architecture of Cabins and Hide-Outs, bringing together the most spectacular summer, winter, forest and mountain hideaways, and everything in between.
Russell James, Victoria's Secret's official photographer, compiles black-and-white nude photography of the most famed models as well as some new faces. Find the likes of Karlie Kloss, Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio, Kendall Jenner, Behati Prinsloo, Martha Hunt and many more.
Fausto Coppi in his pajamas to Bernard Hinault sulking on the train, the duotone reproduced photography gives us an enhanced look at photographs that date back to the mid-20th century.
After 12 years in the business, FriendsWithYou, a collaborative art duo whose mission is to spread the message of “Magic, Luck, and Friendship,” release a monograph with the help of Rizzoli.
Robert Crumb Sketchbooks Volumes 1-6
Great American cartoonist, Robert Crumb, delivers a newly revised version ofSketchbooks 1964 – 1981. The new version, set in a 6-volume box set spanning more than 1,300 pages, was personally edited by Crumb himself and documents sketches from the first half of the underground artist’s career in underground comics and album art.
One Savile Row - Gieves & Hawkes: Invention of the English Gentleman
The legendary Gieves & Hawkes, suppliers to the British military for more than two centuries provide detailed looks behind their bespoke tailoring atelier and a previously-unpublished roster of clients that includes The Duke of Wellington as well as ten generations of British royalty, from King George III in 1809 to Princes William and Harry today. Available for $64.