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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 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

  • Save 11%
    by Jessa Hastings
    £7.99 - 11.99

  • Save 10%
    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

  • Save 10%
    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.

  • Save 15%
    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.

  • Save 14%
    by Sinead O'Connor
    £9.49

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

  • Save 15%
    - 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.

  • Save 15%
    - 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 29%
    by Unknown
    £35.49

    Ever heard of surrealist fine dining? This must-have reprint of Les diners de Gala reveals the exotic flavors and elaborate imaginings behind the legendary dinner parties of Salvador and Gala Dali. With recipes from such leading Paris restaurants as La Tour d'Argent and Maxim's, a special section on aphrodisia, and bespoke illustrations from...

  • Save 23%
    by G.R.A.M (Collective)
    £34.49

  • Save 10%
    by Brandon Sanderson
    £8.99

  • Save 21%
    by PENELOPE DOUGLAS
    £13.49

    "Tiernan de Haas doesn't care about anything anymore. The only child of a film producer and his starlet wife, she's grown up with wealth and privilege but not love or guidance. Shipped off to boarding schools from an early age, it was impossible to escape the loneliness and carve out a life of her own. And when they suddenly pass away, she knows she should be devastated. But has anything really changed? She's always been alone, hasn't she? Jake Van der Berg, her father's stepbrother and her only living relative, assumes guardianship of Tiernan. Sent to live with Jake and his two sons, Noah and Kaleb, in the mountains of Colorado, Tiernan quickly learns that these men now have a say in what she chooses to care and not care about anymore. As the three men take Tiernan under their wing, she slowly finds her place among them...and as a part of them. Because lines blur and rules become easy to break when no one else is watching. One of them has her. The other one wants her. But he's going to keep her."--

  • Save 14%
    by Satoshi Yagisawa
    £9.49

    From the beginning of summer to early spring, I lived at the Morisaki Bookshop. I spent that period of my life in the spare room on the second floor of the store, trying to bury myself in books. The cramped room barely got any light, and everything felt damp. It smelled constantly of musty old books. But I will always remember the days I spent there. Because that's where my real life began. And I know, without a doubt, that if not for those days the rest of my life would have been bland, monotonous, and lonely. The Morisaki Bookshop is precious to me. It's a place I know I'll never forget.

  • by Bobby Owsinski
    £33.99

    Learning the art of mixing has never been easier.For more than two decades, The Mixing Engineer's Handbook has been the best selling and most respected resource on the art of music mixing for seasoned professionals and enthusiastic beginners alike. Today's home studio is just as powerful as any commercial studio, but it's the techniques that the top mixers use that separates their work from what most musicians, songwriters, producers or artists can produce without that knowledge. In this fully updated 5th edition of the Handbook, you'll find all the proven fundamental and advanced techniques that the pros use to help you take your music to another level.Guaranteed to help you get a great mix regardless of your gear, playback environment or the kind of music you work on, you'll find your mixing chops getting better with each chapter.Here are just a few things you'll learn:The mix balance technique that sets levels so fast on even the most complicated mix that you won't believe itThe EQ techniques of the pros that will both separate your tracks and provide the utmost in clarityThe "Magic Frequencies" that make every mix element singThe secret to processing and enhancing loops, samples and virtual instruments so they leap out a mixThe way to set up a master mix buss to add more power and polish to your mixThe secret to pitch correcting vocals so they sound so natural that you'll never know they're pitch correctedDrum replacement and enhancement techniques for instant great sounding kick and snareThe ultimate punchy drums secret that gives you the right compressor settings every timeThe best way to use automation and sidechaining, the secret sauce behind modern mixesThe secret to clean sibilance-free vocals that sit perfectly in the mix without sounding shrill or stridentThe editing tricks of the pros that include track cleanup, adjusting track timing, and the secret to smooth endingsEasy-to-grasp methods for adding effects like reverb and delay that always work in any trackAnd so much more!Brand new additions to the 5th edition include:Three new mix build techniques for better balances and faster mixesA new method for setting compressors to breathe with the pulse of the song for more punchy and powerful mixesA look at the latest intelligent processor plugins designed to make the difficult tasks of mixing far easierEditing techniques with playlists in mind to make your mixes more streaming-readyA totally new chapter on immersive audio, including a primer for mixing in Dolby AtmosBusting the myths to using LUFS for mixing musicTechniques for self-mastering your musicHeadphone mixing and room calibration technology tips, and even more!The book still contains one of its best-loved features from previous versions - 18 interviews with some of the music industry's most successful and celebrated audio mixers from all different music genres. The new edition contains four brand new interviews with some of the industry's biggest hit makers, along with access to a bonus website with 13 additional interviews not found in the book.Learn the art of mixing from start to finish by using the tips and techniques from the pros, with The Mixing Engineer's Handbook, 5th Edition. Pick up your copy today by clicking the BUY NOW button on this page.

  • Save 24%
    - The official Harry Potter knitting pattern book
    by Tanis Gray
    £17.49

    Introducing the first official Harry Potter knitting book - a deluxe guide to creating over 25 authentic Harry Potter knits based on the iconic films.

  • Save 15%
    by Antony Penrose
    £10.99

    Lee Miller's career encompassed several different careers: she was a successful model, then a leading Surrealist photographer; and then a war correspondent during World War II. Compiled by her son, this book offers a record of Miller's life and work.

  • Save 29%
    - The Story Behind Every Track
    by Philippe Margotin
    £35.49

    A new, definitive look at one of music's greatest songbooks, by two expert authors.

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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