VINYL

Forrest Gump By Alan Silvestri (MOV) remains an enduring testament to the emotional power of film music, earning the composer his first Oscar nomination for Best Score. From the moment young Forrest meets Jenny on the school bus, Silvestri’s lush, melodic themes pull listeners into a world of innocence, love, and bittersweet nostalgia. Tracks like “Jenny’s Theme” evoke warmth and melancholy in equal measure, while “You Can Sit Here” perfectly captures the simplicity of a childhood friendship. The score’s signature motif, with its cascading strings, returns in later cues like “Jenny Returns” and “Forrest Meets Forrest,” each time adding new layers of poignancy. Side B in particular brings the emotional weight to a crescendo, making this sentimental score one of the last of its kind in an era of Hollywood’s shrinking orchestral budgets. Now released on a variety of colored vinyl, including a striking red edition, this LP is an essential addition to any film music collection. www.musiconvinyl.com

Shirley Horn – Great Women of Song (Verve) showcases the spellbinding artistry that made Horn a legend in jazz. Known for her sensitive, almost whispered vocals and restrained yet deeply emotive piano playing, she drew in heavyweights like Miles Davis and legions of discerning fans throughout her career. This compilation spans her late-career renaissance, featuring both intimate trio settings and lush string-backed arrangements. While the collection delivers standout moments of quiet brilliance, it feels uneven at times. With Horn’s vast Verve catalog to draw from, it’s a shame that crowd-pleasers like “Hit the Road Jack” and “Fever” were included at the expense of more nuanced, intimate tracks that better define her artistry. Nonetheless, this set still captures flashes of Horn’s haunting allure, leaving listeners yearning for more. Now, if only Verve could be persuaded to dig deeper into her vast catalog for more vinyl releases, rather than continually recycling the same overexposed artists we’ve seen time and again. https://store.ververecords.com/

Basic Instinct By Jerry Goldsmith (Quartet) a masterclass in atmospheric tension and seduction, and this new vinyl release finally gives fans the complete experience. Goldsmith’s orchestration channels the shadowy allure of Bernard Herrmann, weaving an unforgettable main theme that is both haunting and tantalizing. Produced by Neil S. Bulk and Bruce Botnick, and meticulously remastered from the original tapes, the 70+ minute score is presented in full, with corrected edits and original cue titles to match the film’s sequence. Pressed on exclusive 180-gram blood-red vinyl—strictly limited to just 500 units—this premiere LP edition includes a gatefold jacket and a 6-page insert featuring expert commentary by Daniel Schweiger. With lacquers cut by Bernie Grundman, the release delivers Goldsmith’s iconic work with pristine clarity, making this a must-have for cinephiles and vinyl collectors alike. https://quartetrecords.com/

BOOKS

Remembering Tigers By Wildlife Photographers United (Remembering Wildlife) the latest installment in the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife fundraising series, continues its mission to blend artistic beauty with conservation efforts. This ninth volume, featuring awe-inspiring photographs generously contributed by renowned wildlife photographers, showcases the majestic tiger in a way that captivates and raises awareness of the species’ precarious situation. The series, which has already sold over 50,000 copies and raised more than $1.5 million, donates all profits to tiger protection projects. Recently awarded Silver for Best Non-Fiction Book Series at the 2024 IPPY Awards, Remembering Tigers is a visual triumph, using its breathtaking images to inspire action. https://rememberingwildlife.com/

Huntsman – Redefining Savile Row By Tom Chamberlin (Vendome) an opulent dive into the legacy of one of London’s most storied bespoke tailors. Founded in 1849, Huntsman continues to stand as a paragon of craftsmanship and innovation, with a clientele that includes royalty, Hollywood icons, and fashion legends like Queen Victoria, Coco Chanel, and Brad Pitt. The book meticulously guides readers through the intricate 80-hour process of creating a bespoke suit, alongside practical sartorial advice for every occasion. Lavishly photographed by Simon Upton, the volume brings Huntsman’s refined town, country, and holiday aesthetics to life. With contributions from style luminaries Dame Glenda Bailey and Nick Foulkes, Chamberlin’s text is an indispensable, elegantly crafted celebration of timeless style. https://www.vendomepress.com/

Cabana Anthology – The Anniversary Edition By Martina Mondadori (Vendome) celebrates a decade of Cabana magazine’s extraordinary influence on interior design and the decorative arts. This exquisite collection presents the most captivating styles that have defined the publication’s first ten years, with deep dives into the stories behind some of the world’s most inspiring interiors. Founded in 2014 by editor-in-chief Martina Mondadori, designer Christoph Radl, and publisher Gianluca Reina, Cabana has established itself as a beacon of sophistication, craftsmanship, and global artistry. Featuring interviews and insights from designers and collectors, along with stunning photography by talents like Miguel Flores-Vianna and Tim Walker, this volume is a rich, visual journey through the magazine’s unparalleled legacy. https://www.vendomepress.com/

Isabel López-Quesada, Town & Country (Vendome) Lopez-Quesada’s second design book is a masterful celebration of her unparalleled talent as one of Europe’s most influential interior designers. Divided into two sections, Town and Country, this volume showcases her diverse projects, from Mediterranean islands to the Caribbean, blending period and contemporary elements with a sophisticated touch. Her interiors, effortlessly marrying furniture and art, offer a timeless appeal that is both innovative and inspiring. Captured through the lens of renowned photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna, López-Quesada’s striking designs and impeccable attention to detail are beautifully immortalized. https://www.vendomepress.com/

Consuelo Kanaga By Drew Sawyer et al (Thames & Hudson) This retrospective offers a profound exploration of one of modern American photography’s pioneering voices. Beginning her career in 1915 as a photojournalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Kanaga developed a striking artistic style influenced by Alfred Stieglitz, which evolved over six decades of work. Her deeply emotional and socially charged images captured urban poverty, workers’ rights, racial segregation, and inequality with a rare combination of modernist technique and documentary insight. This comprehensive volume, featuring 200 photographs from the Brooklyn Museum, firmly repositions Kanaga as one of the 20th century’s most essential photographers. Accompanying a major 2024–2026 exhibition, it includes 150 color illustrations that bring her visionary work to life. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Interiors: Styled By Mieke ten Have (Vendome) The celebrated stylist reveals her expert approach to creating spaces that are vibrant, compelling, and uniquely personal. In this visually stunning volume, she outlines her core design principles—Color Theory, Pattern Play, Wild and Tame, and Flowers for Living—drawing on examples from her collaborations with renowned designers like Stephen Sills and Victoria Hagan. Mieke also offers a glimpse into her own country home, the Barn, showcasing how she applies these concepts throughout the seasons. With atmospheric photography by Frank Frances, this book is both an aspirational and practical guide for transforming interiors. https://www.vendomepress.com/

Louis Stettner By Sally Martin Katz et al (Thames & Hudson) a comprehensive retrospective that captures the essence of one of the twentieth century’s most influential photographers. This authoritative volume spans the nearly century-long career of Stettner, born in Brooklyn in 1922, and features approximately 190 photographs that highlight his iconic depictions of New York and Paris. From the architectural marvels of Penn Station and the Brooklyn Bridge to the raw humanity of street photography, Stettner’s work exudes both empathy and artistry. Alongside his celebrated black-and-white images, the book reveals previously unpublished color photographs, offering fresh insights into his vast body of work. With 200 stunning color and black-and-white illustrations, it is a treasure for both new and seasoned admirers of Stettner’s work. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation By David Campany (Thames & Hudson) is the first major monograph on one of today’s most exciting photographers, coinciding with her joint exhibition with Walker Evans at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Known for her vibrant use of color and form, Samoylova addresses critical issues like climate change, consumerism, and urban sprawl through a blend of observational photography and studio work. Edited by David Campany, this career-to-date volume spans six project-based chapters, offering a global perspective that is both visually stunning and intellectually provocative. With essays by Lucy Sante and Met curator Mia Fineman, this book introduces Samoylova’s innovative artistry to a broader audience, featuring 195 captivating color images. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

This Creative Life – Fashion Designers at Home By Robyn Lea (Thames & Hudson) an intimate look into the private homes of the world’s leading fashion designers, showcasing how they live and find inspiration outside the studio. With stunning photography and profiles of twenty designers from six countries, this beautifully illustrated volume reveals an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from a fourteenth-century Italian palace to a modern renovation in the English countryside. Designers like Bella Freud, Alice Temperley, and Edgardo Osorio open their doors, offering a glimpse into their creatively charged spaces, from cozy apartments to grand villas. Featuring 239 vibrant color images. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

André Aciman Roman Year (FSG) Aciman masterfully recounts his adolescent years in Rome, a time marked by both loss and discovery. After being expelled from Egypt, Aciman and his family settled in a modest apartment on Via Clelia, far removed from their once privileged life in Alexandria. While his mother and brother slowly embraced their new surroundings, Aciman retreated into books, where he found solace and, ultimately, a way to connect with the city. Through his vivid prose, Aciman captures the essence of Rome—its sights, sounds, and spirit—during this formative period. Though his time in Rome was brief, the city left an indelible mark, and this memoir offers an evocative snapshot of both the Eternal City and a young man on the cusp of adulthood. Roman Year is a lyrical gem from one of the finest writers of place.

Imminent – Inside the Pentagon’s Hunt for UFOs By Luis Elizondo (WM Morrow) Elizondo, the former head of the Pentagon’s UAP investigation program, reveals long-hidden secrets about UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) and the U.S. government’s covert involvement in their investigation. Tasked with leading a highly classified program, he uncovered evidence of nonhuman intelligence and advanced craft that defy known physics, operating globally and surveilling sensitive military sites. With disturbing accounts of government cover-ups and injuries sustained by U.S. personnel during UAP encounters, Imminent sheds light on one of the greatest mysteries of our time, with profound implications for national security and humanity’s place in the universe.nters, Imminent offers a gripping and unsettling glimpse into the greatest mystery of our time.

Cocktails with George and Martha By Philip Gefter (Bloomsbury) Gefter delves into the behind-the-scenes story of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and its legendary film adaptation, brilliantly capturing the intersection of art and reality. Edward Albee’s 1962 play shattered conventions with its searing portrayal of a broken marriage, while the 1966 film, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, brought that volatile dynamic to life both on and off screen. Gefter masterfully connects the fictional couple’s scalding love with the tumultuous relationship of its stars, making this a riveting read that explores how art not only reflects but magnifies the complexities of real-life relationships.

Aesop’s Fables – A New Translation By Robin Waterfield (Basic Books) renowned scholar Robin Waterfield offers a definitive new translation of these timeless stories that have captivated readers for centuries. Familiar tales like “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “Sour Grapes” not only entertain but impart enduring moral lessons. While Aesop’s world may seem simpler than our own, his fables reveal layers of political nuance and literary sophistication. Waterfield’s translation breathes new life into 400 of these classic tales, providing fresh insights and thoughtful annotations that underscore their lasting relevance. This is an essential collection for readers who cherish the intersection of simplicity and wisdom.