From Page Turners to Stunning Visual Treasures: A Curated Guide to the Best Books Worth Owning. Explore the Stories, Art, and Ideas That Shape Our World One Page at a Time.

Monica by Dolce&Gabanna by Babeth Djian (Rizzoli) A breathtaking tribute to Italian icon Monica Bellucci, celebrating her unparalleled beauty, charisma, and enduring role as a muse to the famed designers. This lavish, large-format photo book presents Bellucci’s evolution as a model, actress, and modern diva through an exquisite collection of imagery. Featuring 12 stunning portraits by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, alongside iconic advertising campaigns, editorials, and collaborations with legendary photographers, the volume is curated by Numéro editor Babeth Djian. Two exclusive interviews with Bellucci and the designers, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, further illuminate the indelible connection between the star and her creative admirers, making this a definitive homage to Italian elegance and sensuality. https://www.rizzoliusa.com/

Dior by Mats Gustafson vol. 2 by Mats Gustafson (Rizzoli) a stunning homage to the elegance of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creations, presented in an exquisite large-format volume with a luxurious slipcase. Seven years after his first Dior collaboration, Swedish illustrator Mats Gustafson returns with ethereal watercolors and vibrant collages that encapsulate the sophistication of Chiuri’s haute couture and ready-to-wear designs since 2016. The book offers a visual feast of models, intricate patterns, and detailed portraits, celebrating the artistic innovations of both Chiuri and the iconic fashion house. A masterful blend of fashion and art, this beautifully crafted volume is an indispensable addition for collectors and admirers of Dior’s timeless allure. https://www.rizzoliusa.com/

The Queen of the Dolomites: Living in Cortina d’Ampezzo by Servane Giol, Mattia Aquila (Marsilio Arte) A lavish exploration of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the crown jewel of the Italian Alps. Renowned as a haven for writers like Hemingway, a playground for royalty and celebrities, and the backdrop for iconic films, Cortina’s allure shines anew as it prepares to cohost the 2026 Winter Olympics. Divided into Summer and Winter chapters, the book takes readers on a grand tour of the Ampezzo valley, uncovering private homes, castles, hotels, and malgas alongside its rich traditions, folklore, and culinary excellence. Author Servane Giol invites us into rustic cabins, floral-painted interiors, and wood-paneled retreats, where contemporary elegance meets deep-rooted heritage. https://www.artbook.com/

Sacred Modernity: The Holy Embrace of Modernist Architecture by James McGregor Smith (Hatje Cantz) examines the bold transformation of Catholic architecture in postwar Europe, inspired by the Second Vatican Council’s drive to modernize. Featuring visionary architects like Alvar Aalto and Dominikus Böhm, the book explores structures ranging from Brutalism to Structural Expressionism, some radiating joyful rebellion, others stark minimalism. These provocative designs, still debated by modernists and traditionalists, redefined ecclesiastical spaces. Half a century later, their materials and ideals have matured, offering a patinated testament to this daring period. This is the first comprehensive study of mid-century sacred architecture’s radical aesthetics and enduring impact. https://www.artbook.com/

Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-nation By Kelly Filreis, Alexis Bard Johnson et al (Inventory Press / One Archive) explores the vibrant intersection of science fiction, occult practices, and LGBTQ+ history in mid-20th-century Los Angeles. Spanning the 1930s to the 1960s, the book chronicles how progressive communities like the L.A. Science Fantasy Society, the Agape Lodge of the O.T.O., and ONE, Inc. provided spaces for marginalized individuals to imagine lives beyond societal norms. Through the work of visionaries such as Kenneth Anger, Lisa Ben, and Curtis Harrington, it highlights the role of sci-fi fandom, queer activism, and occultism in shaping new cultural paradigms. Featuring essays by leading scholars, this richly illustrated catalog celebrates a creative nexus where art, identity, and imagination converged to envision a more liberated world.

Magnum America – The United States By Peter van Agtmael & Laura Wexler (Thames & Hudson) a sweeping, decade-by-decade visual history of the United States, from the 1940s to today. Combining individual “Moments,” collective portfolios of historic events, and in-depth narratives, the book showcases Magnum photographers’ unparalleled ability to document pivotal issues and eras. Beyond the borders of the fifty states, it examines “America as Empire,” exploring military interventions in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and its cultural influence worldwide. Enhanced by commentaries and innovative metadata visualizations, Magnum America is both a breathtaking photographic treasure and a profound exploration of the country’s multifaceted identity. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Balenciaga Kublin (Thames & Hudson) is a stunning tribute to the creative partnership between Cristóbal Balenciaga and fashion photographer Tom Kublin during the golden age of Paris couture in the 1950s and 1960s. Featuring over 140 photographs and film stills, including rare footage of Balenciaga at work, the book captures the timeless elegance of his designs through Kublin’s lens. Insightful contributions from Kublin’s muse Katinka Bleeker, photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, and Harper’s Bazaar UK editor Lydia Slater provide personal and professional perspectives on his groundbreaking work. With 163 illustrations, Balenciaga cements Kublin’s legacy as a visionary who helped shape the iconography of one of fashion’s most revered houses. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Daido Moriyama: Record 2 (Thames & Hudson) continues the visual diary of one of photography’s most iconic figures, capturing the raw, fragmentary brilliance that defines his aesthetic. A sequel to the 2017 photobook Record, this volume gathers images and texts from issues 31 to 50 of Moriyama’s self-published magazine, resuming where the original left off. Edited once again by Mark Holborn, Record 2 showcases Moriyama’s fiercely contrasted, intensely composed frames, offering an unfiltered glimpse into his unique vision. With 270 color illustrations, this collection likely marks the final chapter in the Record series, but the work remains as bold and uncompromising as ever, cementing Moriyama’s legacy as one of photography’s greatest provocateurs. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Life Dances On: Robert Frank in Dialogue by Lucy Gallun et al (MOMA) offers an in-depth look at six decades of Robert Frank’s groundbreaking work, focusing on his relentless experimentation and collaborative spirit. Published alongside his first solo exhibition at MoMA, this volume examines the period following The Americans, highlighting Frank’s multifaceted practice across photography, film, and books, as well as his dialogues with fellow artists and communities. Featuring photographs, archival materials, and quotes from Frank himself, the catalog provides fresh insights into his creative process. Three essays, previously unseen video excerpts, and a visual chronology enrich this tribute, released to mark the centennial of Frank’s birth and named after his reflective 1980 film. https://www.artbook.com/

Twentyfive x Herzog & de Meuron By Stanislaus von Moos (Steidl) An expansive, visually stunning survey of 25 key projects by the renowned Pritzker Prize–winning Swiss architects. Curated by art historian Stanislaus von Moos and architect Arthur Rüegg, this selection spans iconic works such as London’s Tate Modern, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and Beijing’s National Stadium. Featuring photographs by luminaries like Iwan Baan and Thomas Ruff, along with plans, essays, and archival materials—including Jacques Herzog’s postcard collection—this volume delves into the duo’s creative processes. Essays by von Moos and Rüegg illuminate how painting, sculpture, and photography shaped their vision and reveal the architects’ complex relationship with the built environment. https://www.artbook.com/

David Hockney – Paper Trails (SKIRA) celebrates over six decades of his vibrant and innovative works on paper, showcasing the largest-ever display of his paper-based art. Renowned for his dynamic printmaking techniques—ranging from etching and lithography to screenprinting and even iPad drawings—Hockney’s works reveal a masterful interplay of color, form, and perspective. Drawing from art historical studies of Old Master techniques, his prints offer a montage of quotidian scenes, capturing both intimate moments and a rich inner life. This collection highlights Hockney’s relentless experimentation and his belief in never experiencing “a feeling of failure,” cementing his status as one of the most inventive artists of our time. https://www.artbook.com/

The 1980s – Image of a Decade By Henry Carroll (Thames & Hudson) An immersive journey through one of history’s most dynamic eras. Mixing iconic photography with art, fashion, music, video games, and global events, this book reveals the fascinating interplay between high and low culture that continues to shape today’s world. From the bold designs of the Memphis group and the hedonistic clubs of London to the rise of hip-hop and the creative energy of 1980s New York, it captures the decade’s cultural pulse. With 315 stunning illustrations, the book also confronts the realities of Apartheid, the AIDS crisis, and nuclear tensions, juxtaposed with groundbreaking moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Citrus – A World History By David J Mabberley (Thames & Hudson) Charts the remarkable journey of one of the world’s most beloved fruits, tracing its origins from ancient wild species to its global prominence today. Through Arab trade routes, European nobility, and maritime conquests, citrus has shaped human history in surprising ways. From Alexander the Great’s discovery of the citron to British sailors relying on limes to combat scurvy, its influence is both practical and cultural. The book explores a dazzling variety of fruits—mandarins, pomelos, bergamots—and their role in art, literature, science, and trade, even touching on the Mafia’s roots in 19th-century Sicily’s citrus trade. Richly illustrated with 357 color images. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Yves Saint Laurent: Inside Out: A Creative Universe Revealed By Carlos Muñoz Yagüe (Thames & Hudson) A rare, intimate glimpse into the final, opulent phase of Yves Saint Laurent’s career, spanning 1989 to his last collection in 2002. Captured by photographer Carlos Muñoz Yagüe, the son of Saint Laurent’s close collaborator Anne-Marie Muñoz, the book reveals the inner workings of a legendary couture house. Through atmospheric portraits of Saint Laurent sketching in his studio, behind-the-scenes moments with artisans, and candid shots of world-famous models at fittings and backstage, it paints a vivid portrait of haute couture in action. Featuring never-before-seen archival material and 295 color illustrations, this is an evocative tribute to the artistry and legacy of a fashion icon. https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/

Dorothy Parker in Hollywood By Gail Crowther (Gallery Books) a compelling exploration of the legendary writer’s tumultuous Hollywood years, capturing both her brilliance and her struggles. Known for her sharp wit, Parker left New York to craft iconic screenplays like A Star Is Born (1937) but faced personal tragedies, including alcoholism, a miscarriage, and her husband’s suicide. The biography also delves into her political activism, from anti-fascist and civil rights work to her eventual blacklisting during the Red Scare. With fresh insights into her life and legacy, this illuminating study reveals the complexities of a literary icon who left her estate to the NAACP, cementing her commitment to justice. https://simonandschusterpublishing.com/gallery-books/

Harmony and Dissonance: Orphism in Paris, 1910–1930 by Vivien Greene et al (Guggenheim) The first in-depth exploration of this avant-garde movement that emerged in early 1910s Paris. Coined by poet Guillaume Apollinaire, “Orphism” described a shift from Cubism toward luminous abstraction, with kaleidoscopic compositions evoking music, motion, and transcendence. This revelatory catalog features over 90 works by artists like Robert and Sonia Delaunay, František Kupka, and lesser-known figures such as Mainie Jellett and Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Through 16 incisive essays, the book traces Orphism’s roots, its connections to music, dance, and poetry, and its far-reaching influence, offering fresh scholarship on its historical and cultural impact. https://www.artbook.com/

DYNASTIES by Anju Gattani (Independent) unfolds in the vibrant, modern landscape of Raigun, India, where tradition and progress collide. Sheetal Prasad, a dazzling 22-year-old oil painter, dreams of marrying her college sweetheart in a country that now celebrates love matches. But her family has other plans: to preserve their honor, they demand she marry millionaire Rakesh Dhanraj or face banishment. Torn between passion and duty, Sheetal’s struggle captures the timeless battle between personal freedom and familial expectations, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society. Book 1 from the Winds of Fire series. https://www.anjugattani.com/