Top 15 in Arts & Photography
Week of September 14, 2026

by Paul Sterry, Christopher Perrins, Sonya Patel Ellis
An informative and eye-catching reference book for beginner and intermediate backyard bird enthusiasts The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible is that rare type of book, one that is as packed with information as it is pleasing to look at. The latest in a successful line of "bibles," following The Beekeeper's Bible and TheBotanical Bible, this new volume has the broadest appeal yet. An elegant aesthetic is paired with practical tips on identifying, attracting, and caring for backyard birds, as well as crafting bird-friendly gardens and bird houses. With additional sections focused on everything from the bird life cycle to bird behavior, symbolism, and meaning in art, this authoritative book is brimming with engaging answers to all of your birdwatching questions.

by Alli Koch
Learn to draw with fun 5-minute drawing lessons for kids—great for young artists, birthday gifts, homeschool art lessons, and elementary art classes! Perfect for budding artists and kids who have never drawn before, this beginner drawing book will teach your kid how to draw their favorite animals in no time! Author and professional artist Alli Koch's kid-friendly, mini drawing lessons will help your child practice their basic art skills and teach them how to draw with confidence. This one of the best how to draw books for kids 7-12, but kids as young as 5 with an interest in art will be able to easily follow along as well. No experience required! Easy-to-Follow Instructions: Simple steps and diagrams from start to finish 40+ Cool Projects: Learn how to draw animals from the farm, forest, jungle, and sea, including everything from a llama to a dolphin to a kangaroo Layflat Binding: Making it easier for kids to keep the book open as they follow along Perforated Pages and Premium Paper: Easily removable pages that are thick and sturdy 9 x 9 Size: Big pages so your kid has no problem seeing each step

by Karen Homer
Little Book of Hermès tells the story of the evolution of the House of Hermès, through beautiful illustrations of the most coveted items and authoritative text by fashion historian Karen Homer.

by Ernest Norling
Perspective is easy; yet, surprisingly few artists know the simple rules that make it so. Remedy that situation with this simple, step-by-step book, the first devoted entirely to the topic. 256 illustrations.

by Will Schmid, Greg Koch
(Guitar Method). The Hal Leonard Guitar Method is designed for anyone just learning to play acoustic or electric guitar. It is based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages, and it also reflects some of the best guitar teaching ideas from around the world. Book 1 includes tuning; playing position; musical symbols; notes in first position; C, G, G7, D, D7, A7, and Em chords; rhythms through eighth notes; strumming and picking; over 80 great songs, riffs, and examples.

by Architectural Digest
A rich visual history of Architectural Digest, published for the magazine's 100th anniversary Architectural Digest at 100 celebrates the best from the pages of the international design authority. The editors have delved into the archives and culled years of rich material covering a range of subjects. Ranging freely between present and past, the book features the personal spaces of dozens of private celebrities like Barack and Michelle Obama, David Bowie, Truman Capote, David Hockney, Michael Kors, and Diana Vreeland, and includes the work of top designers and architects like Frank Gehry, David Hicks, India Mahdavi, Peter Marino, John Fowler, Renzo Mongiardino, Oscar Niemeyer, Axel Vervoordt, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Elsie de Wolfe. Also included are stunning images from the magazine's history by photographers such as Bill Cunningham, Horst P. Horst, Simon Upton, Francois Dischinger, Francois Halard, Julius Shulman, and Oberto Gili.

by Owen Knoll
Unlock the timeless beauty of handcrafted lace—one knot at a time. If you’ve ever admired intricate lacework and wondered, “Could I really make that?” this book is your answer. With a clear, structured 30-day approach, you’ll go from complete beginner to confident creator—no overwhelm, no confusion, just steady progress and stunning results. Inside, you’ll discover how simple tools and techniques can transform thread into elegant, heirloom-quality designs. This isn’t just a craft—it’s a calming, creative escape that rewards patience with beauty. What you’ll gain from this book: ✨ Step-by-step daily lessons that build real skill fast ✨ Clear, beginner-friendly guidance with zero guesswork ✨ Beautiful lace patterns you’ll be proud to showcase ✨ Techniques to create delicate, professional-quality designs ✨ A relaxing hobby that reduces stress and sparks creativity Whether you want to create handmade gifts, start a small craft business, or simply enjoy a mindful new hobby, this guide is designed for you. Perfect for: ✔ Absolute beginners with no prior experience ✔ DIY enthusiasts looking for a creative outlet ✔ Craft lovers eager to expand their skills ✔ Anyone seeking a relaxing, productive pastime By the end of 30 days, you won’t just understand the craft—you’ll be creating stunning lace pieces with confidence and precision. Start your journey today and turn simple thread into breathtaking works of art.
by O-Young Lee
Containing photographs of everyday, antique objects along with insightful commentary, Things Korean is a useful guide to traditional life in Korea. O-Young Lee, former Korean Minister of Culture gives us a survey of native objects from Korea, from totems(Changsung) to hair-pins(binyo), crock pots(Changdokdae) to temple bells(Jong), scissors(Kawi) to graves(mudon) explaining their significance and place in everyday Korean life. Each item in the book is listed under its English and Korean name; a glossary is provided to further assist the reader. Lavishly illustrated with more than 100 color illustrations, Things Korean is a magnificent celebration of Korean culture.

by Frida Ramstedt
The new comprehensive bible of interior design, from a home styling guru who has coached an entire Scandinavian generation in the art of creating a harmonious home. Frida Ramstedt believes in thinking about how we decorate, rather than focusing on what we decorate with. We know more today than ever before about design trends, furniture, and knickknacks, and now Frida familiarizes readers with the basic principles behind interior and styling—what looks good and, most of all, why it looks good. The Interior Design Handbook teaches you general rules of thumb—like what the golden ratio and the golden spiral are, the proper size for a coffee table in relation to your sofa, the optimal height to hang lighting fixtures, and the best ways to use a mood board—complete with helpful illustrations. Use The Interior Design Handbook to achieve a balanced, beautiful home no matter where you live or what your style is.

by Paul-Gerard Pasols, Pierre Leonforte
The first in depth portrait of one of the world's best known luxury brands, this elegant volume traces the remarkable history of the House of Vuitton, which has been making practical but stylish luggage, handbags and accessories for more than 150 years. Written with full access to the company's archives, the book itself demonstrates Louis Vuitton's passion for fine design with a stunning array of archival art, historical images, product designs and sketches, and cutting edge advertising. The book explores the company's tradition of quality and innovation in the context of sweeping changes in society, art, culture, fashion and, above all, travel. Examining the life and times of the company's first three leaders; founder Louis (who invented the modern trunk), his son Georges and his grandson Gaston, the text focuses on the firm's development under their guidance. It also discusses Vuitton's explosive growth toward the end of the 20th century, including the 1987 merger with Moet Hennessy that made it part of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company and spurred the expansion of its boutiques to more than 300 locations in 50 countries around the globe.

by Lise Herzog
Learn how to draw cool creatures, awesome wildlife, and all your favorite animals with over 150 step-by-step illustrations! Follow along with your sketchbook, pens, and pencils as this easy-to-follow instructional book teaches you how to illustrate your favorite animals. With more than 150 step-by-step illustrations, Drawing Animals is the perfect guide for aspiring artists. Each chapter starts off simple, with how to draw basic animal body shapes. You will then learn how to adapt these bodies to create various species as you go along, including: *Dolphins *Horses *Insects *Birds *Cats *and even Dinosaurs! In addition to creating lifelike animal illustrations, you'll also develop your technical drawing skills by learning which drawing tools will produce thin and thick lines, different levels of shading, and softer edges. Then you'll be able to use this knowledge to create the perfect finishing details for your animals, from scales to feathers to shaggy fur.

by Tom Ford, Bridget Foley
A celebration of Tom Ford's design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004, created with the designer’s full cooperation. This colossal, slip-cased deluxe volume showcases 10 years of the most brilliant, most glamorous, most luxurious, and most provocative designs from one of fashion's great icons. In one decade, Tom Ford transformed a label known for providing clothing for traditional socialites into the sexiest, most decadent line imaginable. Sales exploded at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, creating the powerful luxury goods conglomerate that the Gucci Group is today. Ford brought a hard-edged style synonymous with 21st century glamour to his clothes, and every one of the thick, glossy pages in this collection reflect Ford’s exceptional taste. This is a chronicle not only of Ford's clothing and accessories designs for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, but it’s also an exploration of Ford's grand vision for the complete design of a brand, including architecture, store design, and advertising. Fashion’s greatest photographers appear here as well, featuring more than 375 color and B&W photographs—including many previously unpublished images—by icons like Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Terry Richardson, Craig McDean, Todd Eberle, and many other photographers. Originally published to coincide with his departure from Gucci, this is Ford's testament to a career of singular moments reinventing the boundaries of style and sensuality in clothing. With an introduction by former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and a foreword by Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief at Vogue.
by Frida Giannini
An unprecedented publication showcasing Gucci as never before, including thought-provoking essays, commentaries, and authoritative anecdotes along with previously unpublished contemporary and archival photographs. Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Told through a loose grouping of words, concepts, shapes, and moods, the book tells its story through new conceptual forms and the free links between images, symbols, and objects. Edited by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, with essays and inserts by contributors including Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal, Christopher Breward and Stefano Micelli, Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture. This comprehensive volume showcases the genius of the fashion house through an exclusive lens with inside looks into the inspirations behind the design. This gorgeous book designed by Arnell offers an in-depth look into Gucci’s origins, identity, influence, and innovation, including fabrication methods and appropriation of signature materials, past and present, and its influence among high society and Hollywood. The book is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the heritage and influence of this iconic, multifaceted brand. In recognition of its ongoing partnership with UNICEF and the release of this luxury edition, Gucci will make a donation of US $250,000 to support UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative.

by Athena Calderone
From celebrated design expert and interior designer Athena Calderone, a look into how creatives decorate their spaces Beautiful design isn't just pleasant to look at; it improves the quality of our lives. In Live Beautiful, the highly anticipated design book by Athena Calderone, the EyeSwoon creator taps into her international network of interior decorators, fashion designers, and tastemakers to reveal how carefully crafted interiors come together. She also opens the doors to two of her own residences. With each homeowner, Calderone explores the initial spark of inspiration that incited their design journey. She then breaks down the details of the rooms--like layered textures and patterns, collected pieces, and customized vignettes--and offers helpful tips on how to bring these elevated elements into your own space. Filled with gorgeous photography by Nicole Franzen, Live Beautiful is both a showpiece of exquisite design and a guide to creating a home that's thoughtfully put together.
