I have already read more this year than any previous year, mostly thanks to audio books while I do embroidery or other crafts. But since fall is coming on strong, why not ponder what to read next already? It is always fun to look at books newly published, and dream about tea, candle light and reading days to come.
I really wish I could have all these by my nightstand already, but here’s my to-be-read-list for fall in case you too need some inspiration!
1. Words of Inspiration
From the Book blurb:
In this illustrated guide to life—perfect for graduates and other seekers—acclaimed artist and educator Lisa Congdon offers up wisdom and insights for living. Each inspirational quote, lesson, and piece of advice is brought to life by Congdon’s signature illustration style, making the book a beautiful gift or keepsake. Whether you’re starting a new chapter of your own story, or simply searching for ways to live with more intention, curiosity, and joy, this book will inspire you to connect with yourself and prepare for any adventure life might have in store.
2. Layers of Meaning
From the Book Blurb:
Visual Journey Journaling” is an innovative artistic method taught by Rakefet Hadar and made up of seven elements: Intention, Magical Coincidence, Background, Images, Lines, Color, and Text. Visual Journey Journaling invites you to a fascinating world where you connect with your hidden inner artist to create “soul pages” using simple techniques and subtle guidelines to take a look inside yourself. Rakefet has taught these methods for many years, guiding even inexperienced artists to find and express the stories within themselves.
3. Mixed Media Color Studio
From the Book Blurb:
You’ll learn how to develop your own unique style using acrylic paint, pastels, graphite, ink, and more. See how to mix colors to make signature palettes and get inspired to try new, exciting combinations of colors, materials, and methods that will take your artwork and imagination further.
The imaginative projects include expert information on how to work with colors to evoke moods, emotions, and energy for dynamic landscapes, calming seascapes, vibrant abstract florals, layered architectural pieces, and much more. Discover easy techniques that add texture, details, and interest to your artwork.
4. The Self-Care Year
From the book blurb:
Offering tips and rituals for better sleep, yoga positions, breathing and meditation exercises, as well as simple craft projects and seasonal affirmations, this book is for those who are seeking a slower pace and want to carve out quiet, mindful moments in their lives. Whether you’re a lover of the first buds of spring, a summer sun worshipper, a fan of the crisp burnt offerings as the year turns or a winter wonderland devotee, there is something for everyone.
5. Inner Calm
From the Book Blurb:
Gretchen Rubin knows firsthand that creating order can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. But for most of us, a rigid, one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work. When we tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits, we can find inner calm.
With a sense of fun, and a clear idea of what’s realistic for most people, Rubin suggests dozens of manageable tips and tricks for creating a more serene, orderly environment.
I loved her book The Happiness Project, and will keep reading any books she publishes.
6. A peek into some Remarkable Diaries
From the Book Blurb:
Arranged chronologically, Remarkable Diaries takes you into the pages of the world’s greatest diaries, notebooks, and letters, including those of Samuel Pepys, Henry-David Thoreau, the Goncourt brothers, Virginia Woolf, and Anne Frank. Stunning reproductions of the original notebooks and manuscripts are complemented by extracts and quotations, and illustrated features set the diaries in their cultural and historical context.
Essential reading for everyone who is passionate about history and literature, Remarkable Diaries provides a fascinating insight into the everyday lives, thoughts, and feelings of men and women through the centuries.
Yum!
7. Expressive Sketchbooks
This book came out last year, but looking at it online I know I’d enjoy it: Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage, and Confidence by Helen Wells. Her definition of a sketchbook is similar to mine about what an art journal is, and it looks a lot like mixed media on her pages.
From the book blurb:
An expressive sketchbook is a place for you to explore, express, and enjoy your own innate creativity on your own terms. It is a safe playground for the imagination—a place to mess about, play, and experiment—and to gain confidence in your abilities as you develop your skills.
Expressive Sketchbooks offers techniques and creative exercises that incorporate mark making, watercolor, mixed media, collage, words and text, and more. It unpacks some of the obstacles and barriers that you may face along the way and offers wisdom and encouragement to help you decide why and how to start your sketchbook and how to develop and expand your artistic practice.
Time for some craft books to end the list of books I want to read as soon as possible this fall.
8. Craft time with Papier Mache
From the book blurb:
The perfect tactile and environmentally conscious art form, papier mache uses simple, affordable, and recyclable tools and can be made easily at home. This accessible guide covers the tools, materials, and techniques for making papier mache, followed by step-by-step projects for making quirky, whimsical, folk art–inspired: home decor, gifts, jewelry, dolls, animal figurines and much more.
Now for some books on textile art, because that’s another of my passions.
9. Fragmentation
From the book blurb:
Fragmentation and repair are two of the biggest buzzwords in textile and mixed-media art. In this fascinating book, renowned artist Shelley Rhodes explores both concepts, with a wealth of fresh ideas and practical advice.
Drawing on her own practice, Shelley explains how she reconstructs and reassembles cloth, paper and other materials to create new pieces, often incorporating found objects and items she has collected over the years to add depth and emotional resonance. From piercing and devoré to patching and darning, techniques…
And lastly a book that is actually waiting for me right now:
10. Textiles Transformed
It is called Textiles Transformed: Thread and thrift with reclaimed textiles by Mandy Pattullo, who also wrote the very inspiring book Textile Collage that I love.
From the Book Blurb:
Following the make-do-and-mend and folk art traditions of previous generations, Mandy provides simple instructions for working with a variety of vintage textiles and precious fragments. There are projects for working with quilts, patchworks, linen, lace, wool and even deconstructing pre-loved garments.
Each project beautifully demonstrates how fabrics and textiles can find a new and repurposed life and will inspire textile artists to incorporate these past beauties into their own work.
Let’s get to sewing, I mean reading!
Have you read any of these books yet? Let me know which one you’d want to read first, or feel inspired to check out – in the comments below.
I want to talk books with you!
This blog post is part of That Artsy Reader Girl Blog and Jana’s weekly book list challenge, Top Ten Tuesday, where we’re invited to make a top ten list on a specific topic.
I’ve been wanting to jump in for a while, and today was the day, since it’s fall in the air here in Sweden too. Hope you liked my list! You can visit Jana’s Top Ten Books on my fall to-read-list and find all the other participants at the end of that blog post. Maybe you’ll fatten up your own TBR-list to last all winter?!
** Previous Book Reviews by iHanna here
** Follow iHanna on GoodReads – I don’t update that often but would love to connect there as well as on other places (instagram, facebook, twitter, youtube to mention a few)
Outer Order, Inner Calm is one that I still need to read. I do like Rubin’s books.
I definitely need to read You Will Leave a Trail of Stars!
My post.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I would love to read Remarkabel Dairies!
I’ve bought “Fragmentation and Repair” and “Textiles Transformed”. Both books sent me to my stash of old family fabricscraps and now I combining them with a lot of slow stitching. Very relaxing. Both books gave me a new way of looking at my stash. Old damask tablecloths with lots of wear and tear are used as a starting point for new ideas. Very inspiring!
Yes, agreed. It is so much fun to re-purpose old textiles and make new things, it is one of my favorite things to do too! Your remnants looks lovely (took a quick peek now). xo
Love the reviews. I already had some of these on my own list so will investigate others you’ve highlighted :-)
Happy Autumn. Waving from NZ and Spring here xo
Thank you Lynette. I love books so much and there are always too many left to check out, right?
Waving from a autumny Sweden!
Expressive Sketchbooks by Helen Wells is a must! It’s a dip into type of book, not one where you have to go from A -Z.
Thanks Annick, now I KNOW I need to source it out somehow and read it! :-)
Helen Wells is on Instagram with a link to her website. I bought the book from her website.
I have not read any of these but Remarkable Diaries sounds good.
Thank you Cindy, I agree. It is the book I want most on this list, and one I would want to keep I’m sure. :-)