When a there is a magazine stand that you can browse through, while sitting in the comfy chair with a steaming hot, cup of Chai tea it will feel like you are at home.

There are bookstores like that? Yes, I have been there. A few times.

If you can sit in a comfy chair, with a steaming hot cup of Chai tea – in a bookstore – why do you even bother going to the bookstore? Stay at home. It is different, but if I had to stay at home, I would like to have these books, please.

Wishlist alert.

Earth to Table by Jeff Crump & Bettina Schormann

Do not worry, the chicken is only used for eggs.

“… not only does it educate readers regarding the concept of Slow Food and the importance of supporting local farmers, it gives them a wealth of recipes to make the most of their bounty. Not only does it educate readers regarding the concept of Slow Food and the importance of supporting local farmers, it gives them a wealth of recipes to make the most of their bounty. Recipes are grouped by season, highlighting ingredients at their peak in concoctions. Peppered with tips on planning an herb garden, composting and getting the most out of a visit to the local farmers market, this is a true stand-out among a growing crowd of books for novice locavores.”

Spilling The Beans by Julie Van Rosendaal & Sue Duncan

Right, now I feel bad about posting the picture of the chicken. If it makes you feel bad too, then I will suggest beans.

“Spilling the Beans covers it all, from how to cook up beans and grains, to how to add healthy fibre to your favourite desserts. An entire section on baking delicious desserts with beans amps up cakes, bars, and cookies with flavour and fibre. With so many delicious desserts with beans as the hidden ingredient, this book is sure to be the talk of many a dinner party. And it’s a surefire way to get more healthful foods into children’s diets, as well.”

Beans and dessert. I might have to be convinced, but that is another good reason to buy this book.

Gordon Ramsay’s Family Fare by, you have guessed it, Gordon Ramsay.

You have heard all about him, you have watched his shows and maybe even ate at one of his restaurants. I have not been to his restaurants, but have watched his shows and at times I have been left feeling very hungry and always wondering what the food tastes like.

“Drawing on different traditions he features home cooked dishes that range from traditional roasts to lighter summer fare, from easy 30-minute meals to Italian, Indian, and Moroccan-influenced family feasts. As always, Ramsay is there to help the home cook at every stage, buying the right ingredients, preparation and serving, and helping coordinate the cooking of several dishes to arrive on the table simultaneously.”

With this book you will definitely get to know Mr Ramsay’s taste buds. Scallops anyone?

Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit

A what?

“Ever wondered why one flavour works with another? Or lacked inspiration for what to do with a bundle of beetroot? The Flavour Thesaurus is the first book to examine what goes with what, pair by pair. Beautifully packaged, The Flavour Thesaurus is not only a highly useful, and covetable, reference book that will immeasurably improve your cooking – it’s the sort of book that might keep you up at night reading.”

Beautiful indeed. Look.

Paper + Craft by Minhee Cho & Truman Cho

“Minhee and Truman Cho founders of popular stationery company PAPER + CUP offer 25 unique paper projects: vintage-inspired frames, hanging bird mobiles, pretty flower hair clips, personalized place cards, and many more. With simple instructions, lovely color photographs, and downloadable templates, Paper + Craft makes it a cinch to turn a blank sheet into a pretty paper treat.”

Yesss, creative therapy. Also, there is a dog on the cover.

Tina and I seem to share a love for the same children’s books. Oh, and believe me – my children’s book collection is quite special (and growing).

Christoph Niemann‘s ‘That’s How!‘ have been added to my to-buy list and I cannot wait to see the rest.

Cute, huh? You can buy it here.

We all love DIY. Erica Domesek loves it so much, that she decided to publish a book.

P.S. I made this… “is a movement. It’s a call to action to reimagine, reuse & reinvent.”

Her motto is simple: I see it. I like it. I make it. (In my case, I buy it.)

“P.S.- I made this… features more than 25 projects inspired by iconic fashion looks, runway trends, and celebrated style mavens for readers to create themselves. The user-friendly “Designer DIY” projects range from lucite necklaces and faux-fur vests, to embellished heels and chic handbags. Each project is featured alongside inspirational, vivid fashion mood boards and clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Domesek’s collection of unique projects will tempt any style-maven who’s ready to dive into DIY.”

The blog is worth it. Click click.

Words like…
“True happiness is found in simple, seemingly unremarkable things.”

Pictures like…

You want this. It is too adorable to put down.

Well, I do!

You can order your copy here.

P.S. Dear David and Andy, why did you make it yellow and red? Are these 2 colors supposed to make the doer do things faster?

The type of book that will keep you busy for hours.
Sad, that some of these stores are not there anymore.

Wishlist.

Yup, my children’s book collection is growing rapidly. There is another book that I would love to add to my collection – even though it is a bit more grownup – Jay-Z’s autobiography. Decoded.

Oh, just another book by some rapper. Boring? No.
Jay-Z knows how to do it. How to do what, you might ask? Everything.

This time he has teamed up with Bing and creative agency, Droga5. They hid all 320 pages of Decoded in 13 cities and fans who found these pages “got a chance at two tickets to any Jay-Z concert anywhere, for life!” Please do not stop touring Jay.

I thought he retired anyway?

I would jump up and down if I see one of these. Not only because of the tickets, but because of this great campaign.

Yay Jay, you did it (yet) again.

Oh, and if you are interested there is a black leather Gucci jacket (for Decoded) and if you have a few extra pennies, there is a custom Nets jersey with page 86 on it. Although I do not think this one is for sale.

Most of these shelves will only have space for a small selection of your books, so it might be an ideal spot for your favorites, or the ones that you are currently reading.

Okay, I have to admit – I only posted these because of the little Spiderman. Did you see him? Scroll up.

“Ve” is the Hebrew word for “and”.

You might want to have a look at their other designs too, including the Toast-ER. Adding it to my wishlist.

Tee hee.

Elle Magazine calls her “the world’s most stylish bunny” and she now has a book – dedicated to style. Fifi’s style.

I think I need this. Free shipping even – anywhere in the world, because the world needs Fifi. I mean come on, what were you thinking? Pfft.

There are more pictures on her blog that you have to see. And you will have to order your copy as soon as possible, before they are all gone.

What? You do not know who Fifi Lapin is? Oh my.

“Hi, I’m Fifi Lapin… I was born one of 257 brothers and sisters but sadly there was an outbreak of myxomatosis when I was just one year old… I was the only one that survived. My parents are therefore incredibly protective of me and spoil me rotten. I’m an hare-ss to my fathers fortune which he made playing fast and loose with carrot and lettuce shares on the international stock market. There are a lot of rabbits out there eating carrots and lettuce so I guess he just struck gold (or orange you might say). Some people think I’m just a socialite but I think there is more to me than just an extremely stylish clotheshorse!”

And my favorite little doodle. The cute, little shoes.

You might want to order that book now.

IDEO creates impact through design.

As usual the colors made me look at this. Then I clicked on the play button and now I am lost at IDEO’s website.

Boy, am I loving this? Uh huh, but I still love paging through my books though. It makes me a little sad to think that one day we might not have real books?

If you want, you can share your vision for The Future of the Book.

P.S. All the other IDEO clips are worth the watch.