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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 11%
    - The Throne of Glass Novellas
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £7.99

  • Save 25%
    by Magdalena Droste
    £14.99

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 32%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £101.49

  • Save 27%
    by Shea McGee
    £21.99

    The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home is an inspiring masterpiece by the renowned author, Shea McGee. Published by HARPER HORIZON in 2023, this book delves into the world of interior design like never before. Shea McGee, a celebrated figure in the genre, provides a comprehensive guide on how to transform your living space into an elevated yet approachable home. This book is a testament to her expertise and unique design philosophy. It's a must-read for anyone looking to infuse a sense of sophistication and warmth into their living spaces. Don't miss out on this chance to learn from one of the best in the industry. Published by HARPER HORIZON, this book is a testament to their commitment to delivering quality content that enlightens and inspires.

  • Save 15%
    by Ed Yong
    £10.99

  • Save 27%
    by Bob Dylan
    £25.49

    The Philosophy of Modern Song is Bob Dylan’s first book of new writing since 2004’s Chronicles: Volume One — and since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016.   Dylan, who began working on the book in 2010, offers his extraordinary insight into the nature of popular music. He writes over 60 essays focusing on songs by other artists, spanning from Stephen Foster to Elvis Costello, and in between ranging from Hank Williams to Nina Simone. He analyses what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal. These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition. Running throughout the book are nearly 150 carefully curated photos as well as a series of dream-like riffs that, taken together, resemble an epic poem and add to the work’s transcendence.   In 2020, with the release of his outstanding album Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan became the first artist to have an album hit the Billboard Top 40 in each decade since the 1960s. The Philosophy of Modern Song contains much of what he has learned about his craft in all those years and, like everything that Dylan does, it is a momentous artistic achievement.

  • Save 15%
    by Tom Felton
    £10.99

  • Save 23%
    by Birgitta Helmersson
    £16.99

    Zero Waste Patterns is an enlightening book by the renowned author Birgitta Helmersson. Published in 2023, this book falls under a genre that combines lifestyle, environment, and fashion in an interesting and unique manner. The book provides valuable insights into sustainable living and encourages readers to make conscious choices in their daily lives. It offers practical and innovative solutions to reduce waste, particularly in the fashion industry. The book is filled with easy-to-follow patterns and designs that can help you create zero waste garments and accessories. The author, Birgitta Helmersson, has expertly combined her knowledge and experience to present a book that is not only informative but also engaging and inspiring. Zero Waste Patterns is published by Quadrille Publishing Ltd, a publisher known for its commitment to high-quality and impactful books. Reading this book will surely change your perspective on waste and inspire you to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

  • Save 23%
    by Klaus Klemp
    £34.49 - 45.49

    Made in close collaboration with Dieter Rams himself, this catalogue raisonne is the ultimate reference on one of the most influential product designers of all time

  • Save 32%
    by Luigi Serafini
    £84.99

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

    "The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world"--

  • by Teresa Torres
    £15.99

  • Save 17%
    by Willard A Palmer
    £18.99

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 18%
    by Carleigh Bodrug
    £20.49

    "PlantYou laid the foundation for eating a healthy and simple whole foods, plant based diet. PlantYou Scrappy Cooking takes this one step further. As people are looking more and more to reducing meat consumption as a way to curb environmental impact, the need for easy, delicious recipes only grows. Add to that equation Carleigh Bodrug's emphasis on reducing food waste, and you have the recipe for a delicious and ridiculously easy way to make tater tots from broccoli stalks, turn banana peels into plant based bacon, and use every bit of your food for amazing meals. With sections on how to stop wasting food (and money), outfitting your kitchen, as well as "Got This? Make That!" pantry sweeps and Kitchen Raid recipes (where you can cross-reference just about any vegetable, grain or bean going bad in your fridge or pantry and find a recipe to use it in), Scrappy Cooking is a go-to for anyone who wants to eat the diet that's healthiest for you, your wallet, the animals, and the planet. Includes recipes for: The Whole Darn Squash (Pasta), Skillet Lasagna, One Pan Orzo Casserole, Vodka Penne With Broccolini, Cauliflower Wedges With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Chickpea Pot Pie, Orange Peel Chickn', Use Up Your Cabbage Dumplings, Loaded Tortilla Bowls, Sheet Pan Tacos With Carrot Top Chimichurri, Lord of the Fries, Rebel "Ribs", Veggie Masala Burgers, Palak "Paneer", Vegan Meaty Hand Pies, We-Got-the-Beet Chips, Pickle-Mania Chips, The Knead for Flatbread, It's a (Flax) Wrap, Cornmeal Biscuits, Bang Bang Broccoli-cious Steaks...and more!"--

  • Save 14%
    by Abraham Verghese
    £9.49

    From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cutting for Stone comes a stunning and magisterial new epic of love, faith and medicine, set in Kerala, South India.

  • Save 27%
    by Michael Johnson
    £25.49

    Michael Johnson is one of the world¿s leading graphic designers and brand consultants. His studio, johnson banks, is responsible for the rebranding of many notable clients, including Virgin Atlantic, Think London, BFI, Christian Aid and MORE TH>N, and he has garnered a plethora of awards in the process. In Branding , Johnson strips the most famous, everyday brands down to their basic components, enabling us to understand why we select one product or service over another and allowing us to comprehend how seemingly subtle influences can affect our key life decisions. The first part of the book shows how the birth of a brand begins not with finding a solution, but rather with identifying the correct question ¿ the missing gap in the market ¿ to which an answer is needed. Johnson proceeds to unveil all the secret elements involved in creating a successful brand ¿ from the strapline that gives the brand a narrative and a purpose, to clever uses of typography that unite design and language to reinforce a fundamental message. With more than 1,000 vibrant illustrations showcasing the world¿s most successful corporate identities, as well as generic templates that enable readers to create their own brand or piece of advertising with ease, Branding is an authoritative guide through every step of the lengthy development process required to create the simplest and most immediately compelling brands.

  • Save 14%
    by Jessica Baum
    £9.49

  • Save 14%
    by Billy Connolly
    £9.49

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 10%
    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 29%
    - 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
    by National Geographic
    £28.49

    NatGeo takes you on a photographic tour of the world's most spectacular destinations, inspiring tangible ideas for your next trip. Travel to hundreds of the most breathtaking localesboth natural and man-madeillustrated with vivid images taken by the organization's world-class photographers. These images, coupled with evocative text, feature a plethora of visual wonders: ancient monoliths, scenic islands, stunning artwork, electric cityscapes, white-sand seashores, rain forests, ancient cobbled streets, and both classic and innovative architecture. Loaded with hard service information for each location, Destinations of a Lifetime has it all: when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do to ensure the most enriching and authentic experience.

  • Save 11%
    by Mark Oshiro & Rick Riordan
    £7.99

    From New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan and award-winning author Mark Oshiro comes a new standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters from the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.ONE PROPHECY. TWO DEMIGODS. A HEROIC QUEST.Nico di Angelo is pretty familiar with the realms of death, being the son of Hades and all. So when a desperate voice starts plaguing his dreams, Nico is convinced it's coming from the Underworld and belongs to an old friend - a reformed Titan called Bob. Then an ominous prophecy leaves Nico in no doubt - Bob needs his help and Nico must rescue him.Of course Nico's boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo (the god of light) insists on joining the quest too. But can will even survive in the darkest part of the world? And what does the prophecy mean when it says that Nico will have to leave something of equal value behind?As Nico faces demons both internal and external, his relationship with Will is tested to its very core. Can love find its way, even through the depths of hell?COMING SEPTEMBER 2023 - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods. Join the original heroes from The Lightning Thief in a brand-new adventure!

  • Save 23%
    by James Islington
    £15.49

    At the elite Catenan Academy, where students are prepared as the future leaders of the Hierarchy empire, the curriculum reveals a layered set of mysteries which turn murderous in this new fantasy by bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington

  • Save 10%
    by Ana Huang
    £8.99

    Dive into the captivating world of 'King of Pride' by Ana Huang, a masterfully crafted piece of literature that will leave you yearning for more. Published in 2023 by the esteemed Little, Brown Book Group, this book is a testament to Huang's prowess as a storyteller. 'King of Pride' is more than just a book; it's a journey that takes readers through a roller coaster of emotions. The genre of the book, although difficult to pin down to just one, is a fusion of mystery, romance, and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Ana Huang's knack for creating vivid, relatable characters and intricate plotlines is evident in this masterpiece. 'King of Pride' is a book that will undoubtedly remain etched in the minds of its readers long after they've turned the last page. Don't miss out on this incredible literary journey. Grab your copy today from the Little, Brown Book Group.

  • Save 15%
    - How I Became Nikki Sixx
    by Nikki Sixx
    £10.99

  • Save 25%
    by Rainer Metzger
    £14.99 - 35.49

    Meet Vincent van Gogh, the tortured genius of 19th-century art. This lush tome collects all his 871 paintings, alongside writings and essays, charting the life and work which continues to tower over art to this day. From Sunflowers, The Starry Night, to Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear: celebrate an artist uniquely dexterous in the...

  • Save 15%
    by Katy Hessel
    £10.99 - 21.99

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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