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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%
    - The Best of Billy Connolly
    by Billy Connolly
    £9.49

    Outrageously funny story-telling from the nation's favourite comedian. Tall Tales and Wee Stories brings together the 'Best of Billy Connolly'. 'One of stand-up's great naturals. No one told a story better.' Guardian

  • by Neil Gaiman
    £7.99

    A creative call to arms from the mind of Neil Gaiman, combining his extraordinary words with striking illustrations by Chris Riddell.

  • Save 17%
    by Brett Anderson
    £9.99

    A brilliant, beautifully written memoir from Suede founder and lead singer Brett Anderson.

  • - collecting and making
    by Miranda Forrest
    £18.99

    This book explains how to collect materials to make your own glazes. It gives practical instructions about sourcing and harvesting material from your local environment, mixing a glaze, testing samples, applying the glaze, and firing the work.

  • Save 20%
    by Ansel Adams
    £23.99 - 28.49

    An unprecedented showcase of four hundred essential photographs taken by Ansel Adams, documenting his growth as an artist from 1916 to 1968.

  • Save 23%
    by Jane Jacobs
    £15.49

    In this classic text, Jane Jacobs set out to produce an attack on current city planning and rebuilding and to introduce new principles by which these should be governed.

  • Save 26%
    - Quilts and Other Works Celebrating Flowers
    by Liza Prior Lucy & Kaffe Fassett
    £21.49

    A stunning guide and vibrant pattern collection of 25 new patchwork and needlepoint projects, from renowned color expert and quilt and fabric designer Kaffe Fassett. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of flowers, Kaffe Fassett's Bold Blooms invites crafters to explore the behind-the-scenes process and fascinating design methods used to create Kaffe's bold fabrics and modern color palettesfrom ';sketching' with fabric swatches to creating mood boards and renderings to sewing visually striking quilts. Featured throughout are 18 new quilt patterns and seven new needlepoints. Ideas bloom on each page as eye-catching artwork, inventive quilt designs, needlepoint canvases, and bold ribbon patterns grow from concept to completion.Renowned for his use of color, Kaffe creates unique palettes from nature and his surroundings to create color ';moods'from neutrals and soft pastels to rich, dark tonesand he shares his design ideas, practical quilting advice, and needlepoint techniques useful to both novice and seasoned crafters throughout these colorful projects. With an emphasis on patchwork and needlework, the inventive designs and fresh color palettes translate to many creative disciplines ranging from mosaic, beading, fiber arts, embroidery, floral arrangements, and home decor. Accessible to quilting and sewing beginners and experts alike, the lively floral designs on each page are sure to inspire and send readers off on a color-filled creative journey, offering something for makers of all skill levels. Also available from Kaffe Fassett: Kaffe Fassetts Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts, Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Color, and Kaffe Fassett Quilts Shots and Stripes.

  • Save 21%
    - 1978-2013
    by Nick Cave
    £13.49

    The complete collection of Nick Cave lyrics spanning his entire career, from 1978 until 2013, revised and updated by the cult rock star'He is an Australian artist like Sidney Nolan is an Australian artist - beyond comparison, beyond genre, beyond dispute' - from Nick Cave's induction into the Australian Hall of FameThis complete collection of Nick Cave's lyrics spans his entire career, from his writing for The Birthday Party through the highly acclaimed Murder Ballads and The Boatman's Call to recent work with Grinderman and his 2013 album, Push the Sky Away. Brought together in one volume, these lyrics make up one of the most outstanding achievements of contemporary music.Switching between the cynical and the sanguine, the defeated and the defiant, Nick Cave deals in love, war, beauty, children, romance, rejection, Pethedine, poetry, pants, money, flowers and so much more ...From the bestselling author of And the Ass Saw the Angel and The Death of Bunny Munroe this definitive collection will be adored by Nick Cave fans everywhere.'His lyrics deal with passion on the edge, and are peopled with mad bayou preachers, black-hearted lovers and killers. His language is rich, poetic, apocalyptic' Guardian'Richly poetic creations which live a second life on the page ... Essential reading' VoxNick Cave was born in Australia in 1957. He moved to London with his band The Birthday Party in 1990 and four years later he formed The Bad Seeds, with whom he has made 15 studio albums. In recent years he has made two albums with his other band, Grinderman. In 1999 he curated and directed the Meltdown Festival at London's South Bank Centre. He has also written the soundtrack for a number of successful films including The Assassination of Jesse James, Lawless and The Proposition. His novel And the Ass Saw the Angel was an international bestseller, Time Out's Book of the Year, and was reissued in the Penguin Essential series. His second novel The Death of Bunny Monroe was published in 2009. He lives in Brighton with his wife and two children.

  • - How to sketch yoga postures & sequences
    by Eva-Lotta Lamm
    £27.49

  • Save 24%
    by Philip Jodidio
    £18.99

    Enter the world's finest homes in this dependable global digest featuring talents like Shigeru Ban and Marcio Kogan alongside up-and-comers like Xu Fu-Min, Vo Trong Nghia, Desai Chia, and Shunri Nishizawa. Organized by architect and brimming with crisp photography and plans, the result is a sweeping survey of the contemporary house.

  • Save 29%
    by Sucker Punch Productions
    £33.99

  • Save 25%
    by Junji Ito
    £20.99

    Enter the world of Junji Ito's art--an abyss of horror and sublime beauty.

  • Save 15%
    - The Most Stylish Hotels in the World
    by Sarah Miller
    £14.49

    In the tradition of the bestselling Where Chefs Eat: the definitive global hotel guide by the real experts who know - architects

  • Save 21%
    - Repair Make Mend
    by Hikaru Noguchi
    £14.99

    As mending clothes becomes more popular in relation to the upsurge in environmentally sustainable fashion practices, Hikaru Noguchi's cult darning guide arrives in its first ever UK edition, making the basic techniques easy to grasp for crafters and non-crafters.

  • Save 29%
    - Explore the World's Most Exquisite Timepieces
    by Paul Miquel
    £35.49

    A beautifully packaged look at the world's most sought-after timepieces, with detailed photography of every example.

  • Save 29%
    - The Official Guide to the First 30 Years
    by Nintendo
    £31.99

    Power Up!Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: The Official Guide to the First 30 Years is jam-packed with content from all seventeen Super Mario games--from the original Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario 3D World. Track the evolution of the Goomba, witness the introduction of Yoshi, and relive your favorite levels. This tome also contains an interview with producer Takashi Tezuka, tips to help you find every coin, star, sun, and mushroom--even explanations of glitches! With information on enemies, items, obstacles, and worlds from over thirty years of Mario, Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia is the definitive resource for everything Super Mario!

  • Save 27%
    by Dominic Bradbury
    £25.49

    In a climate that ranges from cold, dark and unforgiving to endless sun and crystalline skies, the homes of the Nordic countries are lifted by ever-changing and dramatic natural light balanced by an intrinsic sense of warmth. Nordic architects today are as much informed by vernacular traditions and natural materials as their forebears, but the most recent generation of practitioners reflects a new appetite for spatial exploration and changing lifestyles. Divided into four chapters - rural cabins, coastal retreats, town houses and country homes - this survey of over forty of Scandinavia's finest and most innovative houses features work by a broad spectrum of leading architects, such as Jon Danielsen Aarhus, Tham & Videgård, Snorre Stinessen, Reiulf Ramstad and Todd Saunders. Structured by terrain to reveal the full diversity of the landscape and its architectural challenges, the book is full of fresh thinking about living spaces that are at once universal and distinctively Nordic. From country houses complete with traditional Nordic fireplaces, saunas, window seats and verandas, to remote cabin hideaways and artist's studios, there are details and grand ideas that can be applied to residential design anywhere. A reference section includes an appendix of architectural plans.

  • Save 20%
    by Daniel Wallace
    £11.99

    What started as a simple logbook has been stolen, traded, and smuggled around the Galaxy to become the Smuggler's Guide - a collection of hidden treasure locations, advice, and hard-earned data.

  • Save 14%
    - 10 Print Projects with Top Techniques to Get You Started
    by Susan Yeates
    £9.49

    Beginner's Guide to Linocut is an informative and engaging book written by Susan Yeates. Published in 2018 by Search Press Ltd, this book belongs to the genre of educational literature. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the art of linocut, a printmaking technique that uses a sheet of linoleum as the relief surface. The author, Susan Yeates, is an acclaimed artist and educator who has a knack for making complex techniques accessible to beginners. With this guide, you'll be able to start your journey into the world of linocut, learning the basics and gradually progressing towards more intricate designs. Whether you're a complete novice in printmaking or an artist looking to expand your skills, this book is a valuable resource. Published by Search Press Ltd, known for their high-quality educational books, you can be assured of the book's content and print quality.

  •  
    £7.99

    The wisdom of Arnold Schwarzenegger's own persona along with advice from the iconic characters he has portrayed is brought together here, with illustrations on every page and light-hearted observations about body-building.

  • Save 24%
    - The Official Behind-The-Scenes Companion
    by Gina McIntyre
    £18.99

    Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down is an intriguing book written by Gina McIntyre. Published in 2018 by Cornerstone, this book falls under the genre of behind-the-scenes guides to popular television series. This book offers fans a detailed look into the making of the hit television series 'Stranger Things'. McIntyre, an accomplished author, provides an in-depth exploration of the show, its inspirations, and the secrets behind its success. This book is a must-have for all 'Stranger Things' enthusiasts. Cornerstone, known for its wide range of popular titles, has once again proven its knack for selecting engaging and relevant content. Reading this book will undoubtedly provide you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the show.

  • Save 27%
    - The Definitive Illustrated Story
    by DK
    £21.99

    Viviana Durante is considered to be one of the greatest, most dramatic ballerinas of her generation. Born in Rome, she became The Royal Ballet's youngest principal dancer at 21 and was also principal ballerina with American Ballet Theatre, Teatro alla Scala, and Japan's K-Ballet. Viviana holds a Diploma of Dance Teaching from The Royal Ballet School and a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning from Trinity College, London. She coaches and teaches internationally.

  • Save 21%
     
    £27.49

    Frida Kahlo's Wardrobe presents a fresh view of Kahlo's compelling life story. The book expands upon the narrative of discovery, presenting highlights from Kahlo's collection alongside her self-portraits. This pairing is unprecedented, and it will be enriched by specially commissioned photography of her belongings.

  • Save 16%
    - An Instructional Sketchbook
    by Juliette Aristides
    £14.99

  • Save 27%
    by Dane Hallett
    £25.49

    Delve into this exclusive Alien Covenant collection, containing two books, to gain an insight into David's descent into madness. Packed over two hundred illustrations and an interview with Dane Hallett and Matt Hatton, the artists from the set.

  • Save 14%
    - Journals, 1989 - 1990
    by Derek Jarman
    £9.49

    *****AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4*****A meditative and inspiring diary of Derek Jarman''s famous garden at Dungeness.In 1986 Derek Jarman discovered he was HIV positive and decided to make a garden at his cottage on the barren coast of Dungeness. Facing an uncertain future, he nevertheless found solace in nature, growing all manner of plants. While some perished beneath wind and sea-spray others flourished, creating brilliant, unexpected beauty in the wilderness. Modern Nature is both a diary of the garden and a meditation by Jarman on his own life: his childhood, his time as a young gay man in the 1960s, his renowned career as an artist, writer and film-maker. It is at once a lament for a lost generation, an unabashed celebration of gay sexuality, and a devotion to all that is living.''An essential – urgent – book for the 21st Century'' Hans Ulrich ObristThis new edition features an introduction from Olivia Laing, the author of Crudo

  • Save 27%
    - "Past, Present and Future"
    by King Adz
    £21.99

    The definitive history of the world's most influential fashion trend from the people who wore it best

  • Save 29%
    by Sony
    £28.49

    In the terrifying video game Bloodborne, deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner of a horror-filled gothic city. Bloodborne: Official Artworks collects the hair-raising artwork behind this modern action role-playing classic. Included are character concepts, creature designs, location illustrations, weapons, items, and more!

  • Save 21%
    - A Personal History of Pink Floyd - New Edition
    by Nick Mason
    £13.49

    The definitive history of Pink Floyd, one of the world's great bands, by founder member Nick Mason

  • Save 23%
    - Fun and Easy Guide to Drawing Cartoons and Comics
    by Josiah Brooks
    £16.99

    Imagine, Design and Draw Your Own Characters!

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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