There are some subjects that inevitably remind us of summer. Hotels facing the sea, sunny beaches, blue skies, tasty pizzas on the terrace… Luxus Magazine has selected 10 books for you to browse through all year round, full of prestigious destinations and iconic stories.
Life Hollywood by Taschen
Experience Hollywood’s most glamorous decades through the sublime pages of Taschen: that’s what the publishing house is offering in its new book, Life Hollywood, published in two 708-page parts. The 600 photographs, featuring international stars (Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Alfred Hitchcock, Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Brigitte Bardot…), sumptuous parties, Oscar ceremonies, iconic houses and legendary shoots, are taken from the archives of the American magazine Life. More than half of them are exclusive. The first volume, from 1936 to 1950, focuses on Hollywood’s Golden Age, while the second, from the 1950s to 1972, covers the era of New Hollywood.
Biarritz Basque by Assouline
Assouline never disappoints. The upmarket publishing house has put the spotlight on the legendary Basque town of Biarritz. This jewel on the coast of south-western France is known for its breathtaking scenery, surfer-friendly beaches, traditional architecture and sun-drenched, delicious cuisine. Between land and sea, this nugget of the Atlantic is packed with prestigious, typically local addresses, visited by the world’s greatest celebrities, from Napoleon III to Coco Chanel.
Beach Life by teNeueus
Published by teNeues, Beach Life illustrates the beach lifestyle. On 224 pages, adorned with 150 photographs and text by Stefan Maiwald, the coastline is captured in a variety of ways, with vivid images. There’s Coco Chanel at the beach and her relationship with tanning, how the light of the coast inspired artists like Pablo Picasso, working surfers battling the waves, dream homes facing the sea, deserted beaches and, quite simply, visitors lazing on the sand. A book that makes you want to put on your swimming costume and enjoy the most beautiful destinations.
Camels of Saudi Arabia by Assouline
In Assouline’s Kingdom of Saudi Arabia series, this book focuses on the mythical desert animal: the camel. On the sand dunes, camels and dromedaries reign supreme under the rays of the Arabian sun. This book tells the story, past and present, of a mythical creature of the region, in all its poetry and legends, with more than 100 photographs on 200 pages and narrated by Ghada Al-Muhanna Abalkhail.
The sky painters at Citadelles & Mazenod
Painting the sky has been at the heart of many artistic projects. Starting with the Impressionist movement, which valued outdoor painting and everyday landscapes, Citadelles et Mazenod retraces, over 208 pages and 180 illustrations, the way painters appropriated the sky with their brushes. The vision is as artistic as it is aesthetic, deciphering the techniques used to capture the sky on canvas, from light to texture to colour.
Pizza Mania from La Martinière
It’s a book whose title alone makes your mouth water. Pizza Mania, by La Martinière, is a 368-page documentary about a universal delicacy that is loved by everyone: pizza. With 400 tasty photos by Roberto Salomone and the delicious words of Alba Pezone, the story of pizza is told through dozens of recipes, its various ingredients and 25 pizzaioli from Naples, Marseille and Paris.
Amalfi homes: architectural gems on the Italian coast by Rizzoli
At the heart of a unique and idyllic landscape, the Amalfi Coast is home to dream villas. From Sorrento to Positano via Vietri sul Mare, these exclusive and confidential residences, captured by Matthieu Salvaing, are to be discovered on 224 pages, published by Rizzoli. Architecture, furnishings, lush gardens, cleverly thought-out decorative details… The houses are highlighted in the most beautiful of ways and are sure to be a source of inspiration for your own interior.
Fontainebleau by Assouline
Head to Miami Beach to enjoy the Fontainebleau hotel, designed by architect Morris Lapidus and opened in 1954. A veritable treasure trove on the American east coast, this 14-storey, 550-room establishment, which has played host to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, is a symbol of the luxury hotel industry. Assouline’s 220 pages of history reveal all the secrets of this jewel case, which is now being extended to Las Vegas in a charming new address.
Histoires de Pirates by Taschen
Histoires de Pirates, by Taschen, traces the Golden Age of Piracy, appealing to young and old alike. Combining classic adventure stories, from Robinson Crusoe to The Mysterious Island, with captivating illustrations by artists such as Howard Pyle and N. C. Wyeth, the 392-page book evokes the legends of the high seas and the cult adventures of piracy, from shipwrecks to sword fights to islands harbouring treasure.
Marseille of yesteryear by HC Editions
Travel to the heart of Marseille in the Belle Epoque. More than 400 postcards have been brought together in this book by HC Editions to relive the bygone days of the mythical city on the Côte d’Azur. From the historic centre to the adjacent districts, including the seafront and outlying districts, Marseille d’Antan offers a nostalgic photographic account of this jewel of the French Riviera. A final chapter is devoted to the daily life of the Marseillais and the art of living at the beginning of the last century, for an even deeper insight into the city of Marseille. The book is currently on pre-order and will be published in October!
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Featured photo: © teNeueus
