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Art & Culture

Culture and art is many things and at Tales you find a wide selection of art and culture books. If you enjoy a trip to the museum or an evening at the theatre this is the place for you. If you are more into architecture or a well written song, fear not you also find books about that. Lastly design and fashion is also part of our art and culture selection, so what are you waiting for? Set your inner creativity free and get inspired by some of the world’s best artists, musicians, designers or architects.
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  • Save 14%
    - The Richard and Judy bookclub pick and Sunday Times Bestseller
    by Alex Michaelides
    £9.49

    With film rights snapped up by an Oscar winning Hollywood production company, rights sold in a world record 43 territories, and rave blurbs from David Baldacci, Lee Child and A.J. Finn, The Silent Patient promises to be the debut thriller of 2019.

  • Save 28%
    by Marcin Batylda
    £27.49

    An insightful, captivatingly designed, full-color hardcover that transports readers to the futuristic megalopolis of Night City--the epicenter of the vibrant new action-RPG from CD Projekt Red.Step into the year 2077, a world dotted with dystopian metropoles where violence, oppression, and cyberware implants aren't just common--they're necessary tools to get ahead. Delve into incisive lore to discover how the economic decline of the United States created a crippling dependence on devious corporations and birthed the Free State of California. Explore the various districts, gangs, and history of Night City. Learn all there is to know about the technology of tomorrow and research the cybernetics, weapons, and vehicles of Cyberpunk 2077. Dark Horse Books and CD Projekt Red present The World of Cyberpunk 2077--an extensive examination of the rich lore of Cyberpunk 2077. This intricately assembled tome contains everything you need to know about the history, characters, and world of the long-awaited follow-up from the creators of The Witcher video game series.

  • Save 27%
    - The White & Neutral Home
    by Chrissie Rucker
    £25.49

    The White Company, For the Love of White, is a captivating book written by Chrissie Rucker. Published by the Octopus Publishing Group in 2019, this book takes the readers on a mesmerizing journey. As a part of the genre of home and lifestyle, it offers a delightful exploration of the love for the color white in all its purity and elegance. Chrissie Rucker, the author, is renowned for her keen eye for design and aesthetics, which is brilliantly reflected in this book. The White Company is not just a book; it's an experience that transports you into a world where the color white reigns supreme. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of simplicity in design. Published by the Octopus Publishing Group, this book stands as a testament to the author's love for white and her exceptional ability to bring it to life through her words.

  • Save 24%
    - Faith and Devotion
    by Ian Gittins
    £18.99

    Published to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the formation of Depeche Mode in 1980, the story of the electro-pop band's meteoric rise. Gittins is co-author of Nikki Sixx's bestselling "The Heroin Diaries".

  • Save 31%
    - Drawing Course
    by Gerald M. Ackerman
    £44.99

    The Bargue-Gerome Drawing Course is a complete reprint of a famous, late nineteenth century drawing course.

  • Save 20%
    by Susan Michals & Reuel Golden
    £11.99 - 28.49

  • Save 20%
     
    £99.99

    The Helmut Newton SUMO was a titanic book that towered above anything previously attempted. Twenty years later, we celebrate the legacy of this publishing venture in an XL edition, the result of a project conceived by Helmut Newton and revised by his wife June. Gathering 464 images and a new booklet that takes us through the making of the SUMO,...

  • Save 20%
    - Wonderful Things
    by Tim Walker
    £23.99

    A journey through the unique creative mind of one of the world's leading photographers, this book includes over 100 new photographs by Tim Walker, inspired by the V&A's enormous and eclectic collection, from Renaissance stained glass to an Alexander McQueen gown.

  • Save 23%
    - The World as You've Never Seen It Before
    by Patricia Schultz
    £36.99

    A photo-driven, deluxe gift-book edition of the bestselling travel book of all time, Patricia Schultz's #1 New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

  • Save 29%
    - Homes and Interiors under the Southern Sun
     
    £28.49

    Warme Erdtöne, handgewebte Teppiche, Rattanmöbel und farbenfrohe Keramik treffen in hellen Räumen auf Sichtbeton und Glas. The New Mediterranean stellt die neue mediterrane Wohnkultur vor, bei der sich sonnige Folklore mit klassischer Moderne verbindet. Das Buch blickt in Wohnungen und Sommerhäuser auf der ganzen Welt und versammelt inspirierende Wohn- und Dekorationsideen. Neben Porträts wegweisender Designer und Architekten stellt The New Mediterranean traditionelle Handwerkskunst vor und zeigt, wie man auch Tausende Kilometer vom Mittelmeerraum entfernt ein mediterranes Wohngefühl erzeugen kann.

  • Save 20%
    - A Visual Exploration
    by Joshua Izzo
    £11.99

    Celebrate the first decade of James Cameron's Avatar and the beginnings of an epic cinematic journey. Delve into the majestic world of Pandora and discover the incredible wealth of creativity that led this story to become the highest-grossing film of all time and the winner of three Academy Awards. The World of Avatar celebrates, explores, and explains the spectacular world of Pandora-its extraordinary geology, flora and fauna, and the customs and beliefs of its people, the mysterious Na'vi. The book uniquely covers key content from all aspects of the burgeoning franchise. It combines original movie stills and artwork with stunning imagery from Cirque du Soleil's Avatar-inspired show Toruk: The First Flight; and Disney World's Pandora-The World of Avatar.With a foreword by Avatar star Zoe Saldana (Neytiri), and an introduction by producer Jon Landau, The World of Avatar concludes with a "sneak peek" of a new Avatar era, fuelling excitement for the long-awaited release of Avatar 2 in December 2022. © 2022 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

  • Save 29%
    - Evocative Style
    by Kelly Wearstler
    £31.99

    For her first book in ten years, Kelly Wearstler, one of the most irreverent and fascinating designers working today, continues to push boundaries with her inventive and opulent interiors, here inviting readers into her latest creations including her newly designed home.

  • Save 23%
    - A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
    by Julia Cameron
    £15.49 - 18.99

    'I love it. A practical, spiritual, nurturing book.' - Russell BrandTHE MULTI-MILLION-COPY WORLDWIDE BESTSELLERSince its first publication, The Artist's Way has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert, Tim Ferriss, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron guides readers in uncovering problems and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to open up opportunities for growth and self-discovery.A revolutionary programme for personal renewal, The Artist's Way will help get you back on track, rediscover your passions, and take the steps you need to change your life. 'Each time I've learned something important and surprising about myself and my work ... Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love' ELIZABETH GILBERT

  • Save 24%
    by Julia Tremaine
    £18.99

    Filled with delicious recipes inspired by the hit television series, this cookbook allows fans to experience the world of Supernatural like never before.

  • Save 27%
    - Early Songs and Drawings
    by Joni Mitchell
    £21.99

    Originally handcrafted in 1971 as a gift for friends, this edition of Joni Mitchell's best-loved poems, illustrations, watercolours and hand-lettered song lyrics is now publicly available for the first time. The perfect Christmas present for any Joni Mitchell fan

  • Save 29%
    by Ramin Zahed
    £28.49

    A stunning book exploring the art of Sergio Pablos' animated Christmas original, Klaus.

  • Save 24%
    by Sarah Simblet
    £18.99

    Sarah Simblet unveils the extraordinary construction of the human body and celebrates its continuing prominence in Western Art today.

  • Save 25%
    - A Retrospective
     
    £48.99

    First comprehensive monograph on contemporary Danish artist Michael Kvium, mapping-out his entire career in painting, drawing, and sculpture.

  • Save 32%
    by Architectural Digest
    £61.49

    Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is an incredible book written by none other than Architectural Digest. This book, published in 2019, is a true testament to the enduring style and substance of Architectural Digest. It is a comprehensive and deeply researched book that takes you through a century of style and design. The book is a compilation of the most beautiful homes in the world, all beautifully photographed and presented. The genre of this book is Architecture and Design. Published by Abrams, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in design, architecture, or simply beautiful homes. It's a book that will inspire you and make you appreciate the beauty of design even more. In this book, you'll find a century's worth of innovative and inspiring designs, all brought to you by the trusted experts at Architectural Digest. This book is a testament to their expertise and dedication to the world of design. So, if you're looking for a book that will inspire, educate, and entertain, Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style is the book for you.

  • Save 18%
    by Karen Homer
    £11.49

    The illustrated story of Christian Dior's early life, the brand's inception, the triumphs of the couture collections on the catwalk and the red carpet, and the brand's journey after the death of its founder.

  • Save 24%
    by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel
    £18.99

    The Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Cookbook is the ultimate source for creating out-of-this-world meals and treats all the way from Black Spire Outpost.

  • by Dan Hawkins & Joseph Alexander
    £15.99

    Creative Bass Technique Exercises is much more than a cold set of drills. It gets into the detail of great technique without losing sight of the music. It will help you play without pain or strain and avoid problems in the future. It also gives great insights into effective practice methods.

  • by Simon Pratt & Joseph Alexander
    £15.99

    Whether you play rock, jazz, blues or funk, all bassists come up against the same pain points. The Bass Technique Finger Gym will build your skills and develop your finesse in an organic and musical way. Over 130 essential bass technique exercises are included to help you build speed and fluency along with exciting musical studies to consolidate your skills.

  • Save 27%
    - The Slow Home
    by Natalie Walton
    £23.49

    A stunning visual journey through the homes of people from around the world who have taken steps to simplify their lives and embrace the principles of slow living

  • Save 29%
    by Julian Watson
    £28.49

    In an era of high-tech and climate extremes, we are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. Enter Lo-TEK, a design movement building on indigenous philosophy and vernacular infrastructure to generate sustainable, resilient, nature-based technology. With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and spanning 18 countries from Peru and...

  • Save 29%
    by Naughty Dog Naughty Dog
    £33.99

    The Art of The Last of Us Part II, penned by the creative minds at Naughty Dog Naughty Dog, is a mesmerizing journey into the world of one of the most critically acclaimed video games. This book, published by Dark Horse Comics, U.S., in 2020, offers an exclusive look into the immersive art and design that brought the game to life. As a reader, you're invited to witness the development of the game from the earliest concept art stages to the final, detailed production pieces. This book is a must-have for fans of the genre and a testament to the game's artistry. Dive into the captivating post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us Part II, and appreciate the depth of detail and creative vision that Naughty Dog has brought to the gaming industry.

  • by Linda Bloomfield
    £18.99

  • Save 21%
    - Find Inspiration Every Day in the Natural World
    by Lorna Scobie
    £13.49

    Nature-inspired art activities and creative prompts for every day of the year

  • Save 29%
    by Nick Cave
    £28.49

    A Sunday Times top ten bestseller. A journey in images and words into the creative world of musician, storyteller and cultural icon Nick Cave

  • Save 27%
    - With exclusive LEGO spaceman minifigure!
    by Gregory Farshtey
    £21.99

    Celebrate the epic journey of the LEGO® minifigure. Features an exclusive orange spaceman!Enter the world of minifigures with this fully updated edition. The first minifigure was created in 1978, and today the entire minifigure population could circle the globe more than five times! Starring more than 2,000 of the most popular and rarest minifigures from the LEGO® Minifigure Series and themes including LEGO® NINJAGO®, THE LEGO® MOVIE¿, LEGO® Star Wars¿, LEGO® City, LEGO® Harry Potter¿, and many more. From astronauts and vampires to Super Heroes and movie characters, feast your eyes on the most awesome minifigures of every decade!©2020 The LEGO Group.

Culture
What defines culture you might ask? The answer is culture is what defines you. It is what makes us humans human and differentiate us from all other species on the planet. Art and culture is what we share with others, whether it is so called high culture or pop culture. High culture is typically associated with the ‘finer’, classical art forms such as opera, classical music, visual art, ballet and plays. Works that often have a certain age and artistic acknowledgement begin it, but fine culture is also sometimes seen as “high-brow” and not something everyone can understand and that’s sad, because culture and cultural books are for everyone no matter the kind. On the other end of the spectrum we have pop culture that typically is associated with more modern, popular and mainstream forms of culture. It can be pop music, cartoons or big blockbuster movies. We have cultural books from each side of the spectrum, but the best thing is that a change between the two concepts is coming and people are more open about mixing high culture and pop culture, because they are not that different at all. The most important thing about culture is that it connects us and is part of who we are. It can create communities and friendships, but also let us reflect upon ourselves. You can get wiser on that topic in some of our selection’s culture books. 

Art
In our selection you find some of the finest art books featuring some of the greatest artists in history and now. Art is a very important part of our culture. In art you have the possibility of getting engrossed in a wonderful painting, a provocative sculpture, a brilliant play or a beautiful ballet. 
In art you can get lost in the most wonderful stories and themes and identify yourself with someone who doesn’t necessarily look and act like you. By experiencing that you improve your ability of empathy. At the same time you can learn about yourself through art and art books especially when it comes to feelings that can be difficult to describe. In art the themes and problematics are universal and that’s why we feel recognized when experiencing a play, listening to a symphony, studying a great painting or reading a good art book. The art books are best enjoyed in a relaxed setting giving the art room to speak. 
Another beautiful thing about art is that it needs interpretation. When a person meets a well painted painting, a classical sculpture, or a provocative installation it makes us reflect about what it means, and what the art will tell us about society, life or yourself. Everyone can get something different out of a good artwork, because it speaks directly to you and functions as a dialog, where you will have to finish the sentence with your interpretation taking our own life and experiences into the artwork.
We also have a lot of artist books. One of the most talented and popular artists right now are the world famous Dane Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi has a very significant way of painting giving voice to the melankolic side of the world and of us humans. The painter is famous for his artworks of especially white doors in his apartment in Copenhagen. In the paintings Hammershøi plays with light and shadow in a brilliant way giving room to both sides, which also could be seen as a reflection of life that contains both. The motive also makes the art watcher wonder what is on the other side of the doors or corridors making them compose a continuation of the painting. You can read about Hammershøi in an European context in the artist book Hammershoi and Europe

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