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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 33%
    - 14th Edition
    by Times Atlases
    £117.99

    The latest edition of the world's most prestigious and authoritative world atlas, containing up-to-date world maps and thematic information curated by experts in geography and cartography.

  • Save 29%
    - Techniques to Flatter Everyone
    by Lindsay Adler
    £29.99

    When photographing people, you can have a great composition, perfect light, and the right camera settings, but if your subject doesn't look right-if the pose is off-the shot will not be a keeper. Posing is truly a crucial skill that photographers need to have in order to create great photographs. If you're looking to improve your ability to pose your subjects-whether they're men, women, couples, or groups-best-selling author and photographer Lindsay Adler's The Photographer's Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone is the perfect resource for you.In the first half of The Photographer's Guide to Posing, Lindsay discusses how the camera sees, and thus how camera angle, lens choice, and perspective all affect the appearance of your subject. Lindsay then covers the five most important things that ruin a pose-such as placement of the hands, and your subject's expression and posture. If you can look out for and avoid these five things, your skills (and your images) will quickly improve. Next, Lindsay dives into "e;posing essentials,"e; outlining her approach to start with a "e;base pose,"e; then build on that to create endless posing opportunities. She also discusses posing the face-with specific sections dedicated to the chin, jaw, eyes, and forehead-as well as posing hands.In the second half of the book, Lindsay dedicates entire chapters to posing specific subject matter: women, men, couples, curvy women, families and small groups, and large groups. In each chapter, Lindsay addresses that subject matter's specific challenges, provides five "e;go-to poses"e; you can always use, and covers how to train the eye to determine the best pose for your subject(s). In the final chapter of the book, Lindsay brings it all together as she teaches you how to analyze a pose so that you can create endless posing opportunities and continuously improve your work

  • Save 24%
    by Edward Steichen
    £18.99

    Features photographs of lovers and marriage and child-bearing; photographs concerned with man's dreams and aspirations and photographs of the flaming creative forces of love and truth and the corrosive evil inherent in the lie.

  • Save 10%
    by Sue Radford
    £8.99 - 15.49

  • Save 10%
    by Sophie Lark
    £8.99

    They're a match made in Hell.The Griffins and the Gallos have been battling for control of Chicago's underworld for generations. Their rivalry has always been flammable, but it reignites with a fury when Aida, the youngest and wildest Gallo sibling, crashes a party at the Griffin mansion and accidentally sets fire to the library. To stave off all-out war, her father quickly arranges a marriage between her and Callum Griffin, eldest son and heir to the Irish mafia.Cold, ambitious, and brutal, Callum is determined to tame his headstrong new bride. But Aida is more than capable of giving as good as she gets-starting with poisoning Callum on their wedding night. The problem is, murdering him would be a lot easier if he didn't look so good while she was trying to do it.She's got a lockbox around her heart. He's got something to prove.In their struggle for dominance, who will go up in flames first?

  • Save 21%
    by Mary Claire Haver
    £13.49

    **From the New York Times Bestselling author**The UK edition of the menopause health plan that is taking the US by storm and already helped 100,000 women lose stubborn weight and tame their symptoms.When Dr Mary Claire Haver hit the perimenopause, she was shocked at the severity of her symptoms. She had always lived a very healthy lifestyle, but the weight seemed to be piling on and no diet or fitness regime could shift it.Exhausted and miserable, she decided to research her own solutions and was able to transform her health with three principles which are now central to The Galveston Diet:Fuel Refocus - Alter the ratio of healthy fats, lean protein, and quality carbohydrates to efficiently burn fat.Intermittent Fasting - Eat within a flexible 8-hour eating window to draw energy from stored fat.Anti-inflammatory Food - Eat more foods like leafy greens, olive oil, berries, nuts, and tomatoes.By combining these key principles Dr Haver has created a nutritional plan that finally makes it possible to lose stubborn weight and tame everyday symptoms from brain fog to insomnia.The first menopause diet designed by a woman for women, this is a kind, honest and science-backed plan with recipes, practical tips and shopping lists so that, no matter your lifestyle, you can finally regain control of your health and feel like YOU again.Reviews from women who have tried The Galveston Diet: 'When I found The Galveston Diet, I wasn't eating unhealthy food; I was just not eating the right foods. I have now lost 42+ pounds! Thank you, Dr. Haver, for helping me find me' Janice S'I cannot believe the changes I've seen since doing The Galveston Diet. I have lost 55lbs and feel amazing. I'm sleeping better. I no longer have any back pain and have more energy now than I did in my 30's' Sandra S'In two months, I have lost 13 pounds. My husband has lost 14 pounds. We feel so much better, and our clothes fit like they haven't fit in many, many months! That stubborn "middle expansion" is finally reversing' Suzanne J'I've never been obese but just could not get off the extra belly weight after my hysterectomy at 32 years old. I'm now 62 and feel better than I've ever felt about my body' Lesia M

  • - The Ultimate Guide to Writing and Performing Stand-Up Comedy
    by Judy Carter
    £15.49

  • Save 28%
    - Photographs from the Edge
    by Jimmy Chin
    £27.49

    The Academy Award-winning director of Free Solo and National Geographic photographer presents the first collection of his iconic adventure photography, featuring some of the greatest moments of the most accomplished climbers and outdoor athletes in the world, and including more than 200 extraordinary photographs. "An extraordinary work of art."-Jon KrakauerFilmmaker, photographer, and world-class mountaineer Jimmy Chin goes where few can follow to capture stunning images in death-defying situations. There and Back draws from his breathtaking portfolio of photographs, captured over twenty years during cutting-edge expeditions on all seven continents-from skiing Mount Everest, to an unsupported traverse of Tibet's Chang Tang Plateau on foot, to first ascents in Chad's Ennedi Desert and Antarctica's Queen Maud Land.Along the way, Chin shares behind-the-scenes details about how he captured such astounding images in impossible conditions, and tells the stories of the legendary adventurers and remarkable athletes he has photographed, including Alex Honnold, the star of his Academy Award-winning documentary film Free Solo; ski mountaineer Kit DesLauriers; snowboarder Travis Rice; and mountaineers Conrad Anker and Yvon Chouinard. These larger-than-life images, coupled with stories of outsized drive and passion, of impossible goals with life or death stakes, of partnerships forged through incredible hardship, are sure to inspire wonder and awe.

  • Save 10%
    by Schuster & To Be Confirmed Simon
    £8.99

  • Save 11%
    - The Unauthorized Biography
    by Danny White
    £7.99

    An in-depth biography of Harry Styles, member of one of the world's biggest boybands, One Direction, and huge solo star.

  • Save 20%
    by Seth Godin
    £11.99

  • Save 29%
    - The Complete Course
    by Karolyn Kiisel
    £35.49

  • Save 29%
    by Ball, Farrow, Joa Studholme & et al.
    £28.49

    The second edition of Farrow & Ball: How to Decorate, now titled How to Redecorate, brings the invaluable advice from the first edition right up to date in line with current trends, including catering for the home-working age. The book reflects the seismic shift in the way we decorate our homes that has taken place over the last decade, showcasing a wide range of living spaces, featuring everything from compact city apartments to roomier country residences.Packed with stylish and easy-to-follow decorating advice, How to Redecorate answers common questions, including which white to use with which colour, how to select a neutral group and what exactly are the three different ways to decorate? Accompanied by a wealth of inspirational new images, the book also features an expanded section on colour names and inspirations, as well as guidance on how to create a beautiful working space within the home.With more than 80% new material, this new edition of the bestselling How to Decorate takes decorating to a whole new level, demystifying the process with ease and equipping you to transform your home.

  • Save 21%
    by Stacy Sims
    £14.99

    "Originally published in different form in the United States by Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, in 2016"--Title page verso.

  • Save 21%
  • Save 23%
    by William Li
    £15.49

    Eat to Beat Your Diet is an enlightening book penned by the brilliant author, William Li. Published recently on March 21, 2023, this work is a must-read for anyone seeking to revolutionize their eating habits. The genre of this book can be best described as a blend of health, wellness, and self-help. Li, with his profound knowledge and experience, offers a unique perspective on diet and nutrition. He challenges conventional dieting wisdom and introduces a fresh approach to eating healthily and sustainably. The book is a treasure trove of insights, practical tips, and innovative dietary strategies aimed at empowering readers to beat their diet. Published by Random House UK Ltd, a renowned name in the publishing industry, the book promises impeccable quality and an enriching reading experience. The book is written in English, making it accessible to a global audience. Don't miss out on the chance to transform your life with 'Eat to Beat Your Diet'!

  • Save 24%
    by Piet Oudolf
    £45.49

    A major monograph on the Dutch garden designer, featuring his gardens and the largest collection of his drawings ever published Step into a Piet Oudolf garden and you are transported into a dreamlike meadowscape, filled with perennials, seasonal color, and texture. Made in close collaboration with Oudolf, this book showcases gardens throughout his career and across the globe - from New York's acclaimed High Line to the newly planted Vitra Campus in Germany. The book offers fresh insight into the work and creative practice of Oudolf, both from a horticultural and artistic perspective, showcasing high-profile and lesser-known gardens, including Chicago's Lurie Garden, Hauser & Wirth Somerset and Menorca, Venice Biennale, Singer Museum, Belle Isle in Detroit, Noma, and others. It offers unprecedented insight into his design process, working methods, and inspirations, and features original sketches and drawings - many of which are published here for the first time. This major new monograph is significant not only for its breadth and the largest collection of Oudolf's drawings ever published, but also for its inclusion of brand-new work, together with newly commissioned essays that place his work in context and offer fresh perspective on his career and significance. The book also includes gatefolds and tip-ins to explain key designs.

  • Save 10%
    by Gabrielle Zevin
    £8.99

  • Save 27%
    by Tara Bennett
    £21.99

    Take an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water. Packed with hundreds of stunning images and written in collaboration with the filmmakers themselves, uncover the incredible creative and technical skill that went into the making of Avatar: The Way of Water. Featuring stunning concept art and intricate character, creature, and costume designs, uncover the details of Pandora in striking detail.Art of Avatar: The Way of Water is produced in collaboration with James Cameron's production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, and Twentieth Century Film.With a foreword by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.(c) 2022 20th Century Studios.

  • Save 28%
    by Lisa Bryan
    £23.49

    "When Lisa Bryan began meal prepping several years ago, she quickly became bored eating leftovers and was wasting food. At the same time, she realized she needed to "downshift" the accelerated pace of her life. Seeking balance, she made dietary changes, eating more vegetables and simple proteins, while eliminating gluten (she has celiac disease), processed foods, and reducing refined sugar. Then she flipped the script on meal prep by focusing on individual ingredients. On a whim, she posted a video to YouTube which went viral and she realized how many people were out there, just like her, who wanted a fresh approach to meal planning. By prepping a handful of ingredients at the start of the week--such as flaked salmon, zucchini noodles, peas, proscuitto, soft-boiled eggs, and roasted veggies--and then mixing and matching them throughout the week, she found that she could enjoy a variety of meals and snacks (Creamy Salmon Zoodles, Peas and Proscuitto with Jammy Eggs, and Strawberries, Avocado, and Arugula Salad) without getting fatigued. Lisa's debut cookbook is packed with 100 simple and ingenious, big-batch recipes that can either be frozen or repurposed into delicious meals without resembling leftovers. A dinner of light coconut chickpea curry with rice can be enjoyed the next day atop a tortilla for a crispy tostada at lunch, or as a chickpea shakshuka for breakfast. All of the recipes are gluten-free, low in refined sugar; many are naturally anti-inflammatory, and dairy is minimal and optional. Lisa's approachable method for eating well and preparing meals with ease will inspire home cooks to downshift, too--at least when it comes to making healthy meals without a fuss."--

  • Save 10%
    by Mariah Carey
    £8.99

    For the first time, in her own words, international superstar Mariah Carey tells her story.

  • Save 14%
    - A Memoir of My Hollywood Years
    by Julie Andrews
    £9.49

    The second volume of beloved actress Julie Andrews' memoirs: Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and her enduring career in Hollywood. 'An intimate and heart-warming memoir' WOMAN & HOME

  • Save 25%
    - Anatomy for Artists
    by Michel Lauricella
    £20.49

    In this book, Michel Lauricella presents both his artistic and systematic methods for drawing the human body-with drawing techniques from the ecorche (showing the musculature underneath the skin) to sketches of models in action. In more than 1000 illustrations, the human body is shown from a new perspective-from bone structure to musculature, from anatomical detail to the body in motion. Morpho is a rich, fascinating, and helpful book that can go with you everywhere on your sketching journey.

  • Save 14%
    - Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization?
    by Aaron Dignan
    £9.49

  • Save 23%
    by Philip Jodidio
    £15.49 - 41.99

    Travel the world to investigate one of the greatest renaissances in architecture: wood. How has this elemental material come to steal the show at luxury hot spring structures and cutting-edge urban renewal schemes?

  • Save 14%
    by Demi Moore
    £9.49

    A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFamed American actress Demi Moore at last tells her own story in a surprisingly intimate and emotionally charged memoir.

  • Save 20%
    by Elizabeth A. T. Smith
    £11.99 - 51.99

    An unprecedented event in architecture history, the Case Study Houses program gave America new models for residential living. This comprehensive account of the project presents each of the 36 prototype homes through floor plans, sketches, and photographs, and explores how architects like Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen...

  • Save 31%
    by Slim Aarons
    £48.49

    This lavish fourth volume in Abrams' Slim Aarons collection revels in this photographer's decades-long love affair with Italy. From breathtaking aerials of the Sicilian countryside to intimate portraits of celebrities and high society taken in magnificent villas, Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita captures the essence of ';the good life.' Slim Aarons first visited Italy as a combat photographer during World War II and later moved to Rome to shoot for Life magazine, yet even after relocating to New York, he would return to Italy almost every year for the rest of his life. The images collected here document the aristocracy, cultural elite, and beautiful people, such as Marcello Mastroianni, Ursula Andress, Joan Fontaine, and Tyrone Power, who lived la dolce vita in Italy's most fabulous places during the last 50 years. The introduction by Christopher Sweet shares stories from Aarons's years in Italy and new insights about his life and career. Also available from Slim Aarons: Slim Aarons: Women, Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time, Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun, and Poolside with Slim Aarons. Praise for Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita: ';Nostalgia-soaked images.' Harper's Bazaar ';Sumptuous images.' Publishers Weekly ';It's the next best thing to time travel.' DuJour magazine

  • Save 29%
    by Sandy Bodecker
    £35.49

    The first book on Nike s iconic DUNK SB, a mid-rise basketball court staple that has in the last two decades become a colourful (and often irreverent) icon of skate and street wear.

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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