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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%
    by Jessica Baum
    £9.49

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    by Billy Connolly
    £9.49

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    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

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    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.

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    - The funniest man in the UK's genuinely useful guide to life
    by Jimmy Carr
    £9.49

    Self-help meets memoir in this deeply insightful, fascinating and entertaining book about happiness by one of the country's most treasured comedians.

  • Save 23%
    by Rainer Metzger
    £15.49 - 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...

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    by Katy Hessel
    £10.99 - 21.99

  • Save 11%
    by Jessa Hastings
    £7.99 - 11.99

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    by Edmund de Waal
    £8.99

  • Save 15%
    by Bobby Gillespie
    £10.99

    The story, in his own words, of one of the most popular and influential British popstars of the past 30 years

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    by Ian Nathan
    £20.99

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    by Sarah J. Maas
    £8.99

  • Save 29%
    - The Definitive Visual Guide
    by Andrew Graham-Dixon
    £28.49

    A guide to paintings and sculpture from around the world. It helps you to bring a gallery of more than 2,500 of the world's most influential paintings and sculptures and learn what you need to know about art history. It enables you to learn how to 'read' composition, subject matter, technique and style as key paintings are examined.

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    by Dan Charnas
    £10.99

  • Save 27%
    by Antony Penrose
    £21.99

    One hundred of the most outstanding photographs taken by photographer, model and Surrealist muse Lee Miller, published in anticipation of the November 2023 release of the film Lee, starring Kate Winslet as Lee Miller Photojournalist, war correspondent, model and Surrealist muse, Lee Miller was one of the most important women photographers of the twentieth century, working in the fields of photojournalism, fashion, portraiture and advertising. This book presents 100 of Miller?s finest works in a single volume. Introduced to photography at an early age, Lee Miller honed her craft in Paris, where she associated with the Surrealists and avant-garde artists including Jean Cocteau and Picasso. Together with Man Ray she accidentally discovered the distinctive technique of solarization to create mesmerizing halo effects. After establishing her own photographic studio in New York, where she became a prominent commercial photographer, she then moved to the Middle East and Europe before becoming the official war photographer for Vogue, a period during which she took many of her most iconic photographs. This evocative book collects Lee Miller?s most famous documentary, fashion, and war works, as well as photographs of Miller, all carefully compiled by her son the photographer Antony Penrose, with a foreword by actress Kate Winslet, who will star as Miller in the film Lee.

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    by Sinead O'Connor
    £9.49

    An intimate and revelatory memoir from the iconic, acclaimed singer-songwriter

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    - Nature's Secrets to Longevity
    by Nicklas Brendborg
    £10.99

    THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: a deep dive into the science and nature of aging

  • Save 23%
    by Lars Svensson
    £15.49 - 21.99

    Following on from its hugely successful launch in 1999, Collins Bird Guide - the ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts - now enters its second edition.

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    - The Sunday Times Bestseller
    by Andrew Ridgeley
    £10.99

  • Save 11%
    by Alex Aster
    £7.99 - 10.99

  • Save 24%
    by Alan Rickman
    £18.99

  • Save 10%
    by Barbara Kingsolver
    £8.99

    Demon Copperhead is an intriguing masterpiece by the renowned author Barbara Kingsolver. Published in 2023 by Faber And Faber Ltd., this book offers a captivating journey that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Kingsolver, well-known for her ability to weave complex narratives with compelling characters, does not disappoint in this latest offering. The genre of the book is not explicitly mentioned, but knowing Kingsolver's previous works, readers can expect a mix of drama, suspense, and insightful social commentary. Set in the backdrop of contemporary society, Demon Copperhead is a reflection of our times, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and engaging read. The book is available in English, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. So, if you are in search of your next great read, look no further than Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, a book that promises to be as enriching as it is entertaining.

  • Save 12%
    by Kendra Norton
    £11.49

    The third book in the new and exciting Reverse Coloring Book series, where the book has the colors and you draw the lines, finding your creativity and mindful relaxation as you go. This book will focus on the shapes, colors, and inspirations that bring up mindfulness and meditation, including mandalas and nature images.

  • Save 19%
    by Ellen Lupton
    £12.99

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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