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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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  • by Dylan Jones & Terry O'Neill
    £41.99 - 332.49

    Capturing the iconic, candid, and unguarded moments of the famous and the notorious.

  • - The Creative Use of Fabrics in Design
    by Gail Baugh
    £18.99

    A fabric and textile directory. It is suitable for the designers wanting to communicate their final vision through the appropriate use of fabric.

  • - Ambient sound and radical listening in the age of communication
    by David Toop
    £10.99

    A work of sonic history that covers the rainforests of amazonas to virtual Las Vegas, from David Lynch's dream house, high in the Hollywood hills to the megalopolis of Tokyo. It begins in 1889 at the Paris Exposition when Debussy first heard Javanese music performed. It comprehensively maps a century of ambient music and its legacy.

  • - From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between
    by Lauren Graham
    £9.49

    A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: with a new bonus chapterWINNER of the GoodReads Choice Awards 2017 for HumourIn this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood-along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls, where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.In Talking As Fast As I Can, Lauren Graham hits pause for a moment and looks back on her life, sharing laugh-out-loud stories about growing up, starting out as an actress, and, years later, sitting in her trailer on the Parenthood set and asking herself, "e;Did you, um, make it?"e; She opens up about the challenges of being single in Hollywood ("e;Strangers were worried about me; that's how long I was single!"e;), the time she was asked to audition her butt for a role, and her experience being a judge onProject Runway ("e;It's like I had a fashion-induced blackout"e;).In "e;What It Was Like, Part One,"e; Graham sits down for an epic Gilmore Girls marathon and reflects on being cast as the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore. The essay "e;What It Was Like, Part Two"e; reveals how it felt to pick up the role again nine years later, and what doing so has meant to her.Some more things you will learn about Lauren: She once tried to go vegan just to bond with Ellen DeGeneres, she's aware that meeting guys at awards shows has its pitfalls ("e;If you're meeting someone for the first time after three hours of hair, makeup, and styling, you've already set the bar too high"e;), and she's a card-carrying REI shopper ("e;My bungee cords now earn points!"e;).Including photos and excerpts from the diary Graham kept during the filming of the recent Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, this book is like a cozy night in, catching up with your best friend, laughing and swapping stories, and-of course-talking as fast as you can.

  • by Teresa Goodridge
    £6.99

    Colorists can relax and unwind with this beautiful book illustrating life on the farm. Thirty-one detailed scenes feature cows in the meadow, chickens in the hen house, fields of flowers, more.

  • - 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.

  • - Manga-inspired Art and Tutorials by Asia Ladowska
    by Asia Ladowska
    £19.49

    Following on from Asia Ladowska's hugely popular online and weekly #SketchwithAsia challenge, is a book filled with Manga-inspired art, tips, and tutorials.

  • - An illustrated guide to their origins and meanings
    by Miranda Bruce-Mitford
    £15.49

    An illustrated guide to the origins and meanings of more than two-thousand signs and symbols, and how they have been interpreted in mythology, religion, art and folklore.

  • - The Wand Collection
    by Titan Books
    £21.49

    Discover the wands of your favourite Harry Potter characters with this deluxe gift book. In the world of the Harry Potter films, characters' wands are a sheer expression of their personality-the wand chooses the wizard, after all.

  • by Hugh M. Hefner
    £44.99

    This gorgeous and giant volume collects every single nude centrefold ever featured in Playboy.

  • by Dodie Kazanjian
    £35.49

    Vogue: The Covers (updated edition) is a stunning masterpiece by Dodie Kazanjian, released in 2017. This book is a tribute to the magazine's 125th anniversary, showcasing its remarkable cover collection that has been updated and refreshed for this edition. Published by Abrams, this coffee-table book is a must-have for every fashion enthusiast. It gives the reader an exclusive look into the world of Vogue, featuring iconic covers from its 125-year history. The book is a testament to the exceptional talent of the artists who have contributed to the magazine over the years. This book is a journey through time, presenting a visual record of the cultural and aesthetic revolutions that have taken place since the magazine's inception. Vogue: The Covers (updated edition) is not just a book, it's a piece of fashion history.

  • - Expert Color Information for Professional Results
    by Leatrice Eiseman
    £14.99

    The only color guide a designer will ever need; The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition has been completely updated with Pantone colors and new text.

  • - The Book of the Exhibition
    by British Library
    £21.99

    Harry Potter: A History of Magic is the official book of the exhibition, a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between Bloomsbury, J.K. Rowling and the brilliant curators of the British Library. It promises to take readers on a fascinating journey through the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - from Alchemy and Potions classes through to Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures.Each chapter showcases a treasure trove of artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world, beside exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. There's also a specially commissioned essay for each subject area by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, inspired by the contents of the exhibition - absorbing, insightful and unexpected contributions from Steve Backshall, the Reverend Richard Coles, Owen Davies, Julia Eccleshare, Roger Highfield, Steve Kloves, Lucy Mangan, Anna Pavord and Tim Peake, who offer a personal perspective on their magical theme.Readers will be able to pore over ancient spell books, amazing illuminated scrolls that reveal the secret of the Elixir of Life, vials of dragon's blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a genuine witch's broomstick, in a book that shows J.K. Rowling's magical inventions alongside their cultural and historical forebears.This is the ultimate gift for Harry Potter fans, curious minds, big imaginations, bibliophiles and readers around the world who missed out on the chance to see the exhibition in person.

  • by John Derian
    £45.49

    For the first time ever, comes the book John Derian fans have been waiting for. Culled from the thousands of images that have appeared in his biannual collections, here is an astoundingly beautiful assortment of more than 400 full-bleed images in their original form.

  • - Glazing and Firing at Cones 4-7
    by John Britt
    £18.99

    According to Ceramics Monthly, approximately 75 per cent of potters glaze their pieces at mid-range temperatures. This is a complete studio guide to successful glazing at mid-range temperature. It explores all the fundamental techniques, as well as offering artisan tips for specialist glazing.

  • by Lelia Wanick Salgado
    £54.99

    Sebastiao Salgado's haunting black-and-white photographs from the GENESIS project record landscapes and people unchanged in the devastating onslaught of modern society and development. Taken over the course of an epic eight-year expedition, the images are divided into five broad geographic chapters: Planet South, Sanctuaries, Africa, Northern...

  • by FUEL
    £18.99

    Working as a prison guard in St Petersburgs notorious Kresty Prison, the author diligently recorded over 3,000 criminal tattoos, documenting their meanings within this closed society. This title explores the extremes of this collection.

  • by Charlotte Fiell
    £15.49

    Explore the modern age of design in this Bibliotheca Universalis edition of the 20th century's key movements and trends. Featuring countless works from around the world, this is an essential compendium for design aficionados everywhere, with star turns including De Stijl, Dieter Rams, Charles and Ray Eames, and Philippe Starck.

  • by Liz Tomforde
    £8.99

    RYANShe's a distraction, that's what she is.I'm the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago's NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister's best friend, to move into my apartment. She's messy, emotional, and way too tempting.But when the team's General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can't think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate.The only problem? Faking it feels far too natural.Having a fake girlfriend wasn't supposed to be messy but having Indy under my roof and in my bed is complicated, especially when she wants all the romantic parts of life that I could never give her.INDYI never imagined I'd be living with my best friend's brother, NBA superstar Ryan Shay. Even more unbelievable? He needs me to act as his loving girlfriend who's suddenly changed him into a friendly and approachable guy.Because, well . . . he's not. He's controlling of his space and untrusting of others.Our arrangement isn't one-sided, though. I'm in a wedding coming up, one where every one of my childhood friends, including my ex-boyfriend, will be in attendance, and there's no better date than my ex's celebrity hero.Blurred lines make it almost impossible to separate real from fake. Falling for my roommate was never part of the deal, especially when Ryan is quick to remind me that he doesn't believe in love.I'm a romantic and can't help fantasizing that he'll change, but soon enough, I find myself questioning if sharing a roof with my best friend's brother was the right move after all . . . REAL READERS LOVE THE WINDY CITY SERIES: 'SWEET MOTHER this is my new favourite book . . . literally left a mark on my soul'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Read it!! I promise you, you won't regret it!!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I laughed and cried and swooned'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Someone please slap me for putting this off for so long!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I can't believe it's over. I want to turn back to page 1 and start all over again!!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • by Anonymous
    £8.99 - 14.99

  • by Jessica McCabe
    £18.99

    "The creator of the YouTube channel How to ADHD shares the insights and strategies that help her thrive in this accessible and shame-free guide to working with, understanding, and celebrating the ADHD brain"--

  • by James Hetfield
    £38.49

    James Hetfield shares his personal collection of treasured guitars and reveals the story and significance of each within his life and career as the front man, guitarist, and songwriter for Metallica. “From penning influential albums Kill ’Em All and Ride the Lightning on his original white OGV to resolutely reflecting on his harrowing pyrotechnics accident that left handprints burned into his double-neck Montreal, Hetfield masterfully chronicles over forty different guitars and the respective gear from Metallica's forty-year history and all of the memories, mishaps, and eccentricities that come with them. The end result, to put it simply, rocks.” —Entertainment Weekly

  • by Geezer Butler
    £9.49 - 23.49

  • by Hayao Miyazaki
    £20.99

  • by Emily McIntire
    £8.99

    A dark contemporary romance from viral BookTok and USA Today bestselling author Emily McIntire, featuring reimagined characters from popular fairy tales and other stories.***A woman can be great, and terrible too.Evelina Westerly has always been "the bad guy". As the brains, brawn, and botanist behind her family's drug empire, she's her father's ruthless secret weapon. With her days divided between perfecting her greenhouse, seeking revenge for her sister's murder, and putting a gun to the head of anyone in her way, Evelina doesn't have time for anything else. Especially not for love.After a one-night stand with a gorgeous man at a nightclub, she's sated her urges and is back to her criminal ways. Until that same man shows up as the new Westerly lackey...under a totally different name.But Nicholas Woodsworth's real secret is much more dangerous than an alias. He's an undercover DEA agent, and he's hell-bent on destroying the drug trade that devastated his family. When he realises the youngest daughter of the Westerly empire is the same woman he's been fantasising about since that night at the club, attraction wars violently with disgust within him.Evelina embodies everything he's against, and he's been sent here to be her downfall. Yet the more they learn about the darkness in each other's hearts, the more alike they seem-and when hatred turns to something more, Nicholas will have to decide whether he can love a wretched woman...even if it means bringing both of their lives to ruin.Wretched joins the Never After series as a dark and sexy reimagining of a classic tale, twisting it into an enticing new shape for mature readers.TropesFractured Fairy TaleEnemies to LoversMafia RomanceForbidden LoveDark RomanceSpicy RomanceLove/HateBad Girl/Good GuyTouch Her and DieThe Never After Series:HookedScarredWretchedTwistedCrossedHexed

  • by Kiki Nelson
    £18.99

    "Sharing more than 125 wide-ranging, simple recipes and the four-week meal plan that helped her lose weight and reverse her risk for diabetes and heart disease, the author presents this updated edition of her plant-based, low-fat cookbook that has been expanded with new information, inspiration, and photos."--

  • by Malene Birger
    £51.99

    GROSSFORMAT: 28 x 36 cm , 256 Seiten Sprachen: Deutsch, Spanisch, Englisch, Französisch Dritter Band der Bestseller-Reihe mit je mehr als 10.000 verkauften Exemplaren Inspirierende neue Einrichtungsideen von der mehrfach preisgekrönten Designerin Handwerk und Hightech, Kunst und Mitbringsel, kuratierte Dinge und objets trouvés - Malene Birger verbindet sie gekonnt Malene Birger hat viele kreative Talente. Sie arbeitet als Inneneinrichterin und Künstlerin. Sie lässt ihre grafisch-monochrome Malerei für sich sprechen, gestaltet sehr persönliche Objekte und Skulpturen aus Ton und Marmor und hat kürzlich eine Edelschmuckkollektion entworfen. Ursprünglich kommt Malene Birger aus der Mode. Seit ihrem Abschluss an der Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Kopenhagen in den späten 80er-Jahren ist sie beruflich immer ihrem Herzen gefolgt. Und da sie als Nomadin bekannt ist, war dieser Weg schon immer vielfältig und inspirierend. Malene Birgers Gespür für Materialien, Texturen, Kompositionen und ihre eklektischen Kombinationen von Möbeln, Kunst und Objekten sind unverwechselbar. Ihr charakteristischer Einrichtungsstil wurde bereits in zwei erfolgreichen Bildbänden präsentiert. Der dritte Band widmet sich nun besonders der Kunst in ihren Häusern und bietet einzigartige Einblicke in ihre Interior-Projekte in London, Italien, Griechenland und Mallorca. Sprachen: Deutsch, Spanisch, Englisch, Französisch

  • by Sylvia Plath
    £11.99

    Bell Jar, a captivating novel penned by the iconic Sylvia Plath, is a title that warrants your attention. This engrossing piece of literature, which was published in 2022, is a testament to Plath's profound understanding of the human condition. The genre of the book, which is a blend of autobiographical and psychological elements, is a testament to the author's ability to weave a complex narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging. The Bell Jar is a testament to Plath's ability to capture the complexities of the human psyche with an unparalleled level of depth and sensitivity. Published by the renowned Faber And Faber Ltd., this book is a must-have for any literature enthusiast. If you're a fan of deeply introspective and emotionally charged literature, then Bell Jar is a title that you simply cannot afford to miss.

  • by Hannah Gadsby
    £9.49 - 15.49

    'There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.' Hannah Gadsby, NanetteHannah Gadsby's unique stand-up special Nanette was a viral success that left audiences captivated by her blistering honesty and her ability to create both tension and laughter in a single moment. But while her worldwide fame might have looked like an overnight sensation, her path from open mic to the global stage was hard-fought and anything but linear. Ten Steps to Nanette traces Gadsby's growth as a queer person from Tasmania - where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 - to her ever-evolving relationship with comedy, to her struggle with late-in-life diagnoses of autism and ADHD, and finally to the backbone of Nanette - the renouncement of self-deprecation, the rejection of misogyny and the moral significance of truth-telling. Equal parts harrowing and hilarious, Ten Steps to Nanette continues Gadsby's tradition of confounding expectations and norms, properly introducing us to one of the most explosive, formative voices of our time.

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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