Title Search Best new books.
We flicked through hundreds of new releases to come up with our selection of the best design, lifestyle, cooking and gardening books out now – all the inspiration you’ll need this summer.
DESIGN & LIFESTYLE SMALL HOUSE LIVING AUSTRALIA ($39.99, VIKING)
A thought-provoking book showcasing 21 homes from around Australia, all of which are 90m² or less. From self-designed, budget-conscious pads to architect-designed pavilions, they prove that beautiful design and sustainable, comfortable living can be achieved within a small footprint.
MINIMALISM ( $ 22.99, HACHETTE AUSTRALIA)
This is not a decorating book, but you can certainly apply Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus’ wise counsel to matters of the home. Addressing key aspects of life – health, relationships, cultivating passions and contributing to the world – it’s a little book that challenges you to live life with less things and more meaning.
YOUR BEST HOME ($39.99, MURDOCH BOOKS)
To make your home happy and healthy it’s important to get the basic elements right. That’s the key tenet in this book by Sydney architect Joe Snell, who outlines the five key design elements – space, light, air, sound and view – and explains how to use them to best advantage in the key living spaces of the home. There’s no judgement or pretension, just good solid advice.
THE MAVERICK SOUL ($39.99, VIKING)
From its textured cover stock to the sumptuous, moody interiors within, this book celebrates creative, characterful homes. Author and interior stylist Miv Watts (actor Naomi’s mum) visits the homes of 24 bohemians around the world – including Wendy Whiteley in Sydney and Marianne Faithfull in Paris – for a peek into their private domains. As you might expect, they’re a bit cluttered and chaotic, and all are totally fascinating.
INTIMATE ($80, THAMES & HUDSON)
Admired for his luxurious, graceful interiors that combine Modernist principles and international influences, Melbourne interior designer David Hicks is credited with helping to put Australian style on the map. This beautiful book showcases 40 of his favourite residential projects.
THE LAG OM LIFE ($19.99, VIKING)
The Swedish secret to happiness lies in lagom, which roughly translates as ‘not too much, not too little; just enough’. In this pocket-sized tome, author Elisabeth Carlsson looks at how to use lagom to attain contentment in all spheres of life.
THE ART MUSEUM ($79.95, PH AID ON)
A comprehensive illustrated overview of the history of art, this compendium contains 1600 images of works spanning from the stone age through to today. Accompanying the images is expert commentary by museum curators and art scholars, offering an authoritative but thoroughly accessible guided tour through the art epoques.
THE APARTMENT HOUSE ($70, THAMES & HUDSON)
With Australian cities grappling with unsustainable urban sprawl and a crisis in housing affordability, the arrival of this book is timely. Eschewing the outdated notion of the Great Australian Dream, authors Katelin Butler and Cameron Bruhn showcase some of the best multi-residential projects in the country, presenting a compelling alternative future for our metropolitan regions.
COOKBOOKS LE PICNIC: CHIC FOOD FOR ON-THE-GO
($29.99, SMITH STREET BOOKS) A collection of delicious French recipes for easily transported food, this book is the perfect gift for the Francophile in your life. From the classic baguette to roast chicken and galettes, author Suzy Ashford has constructed the perfect companion for summer picnics.
THE BLUE DUCK SIN THE COUNTRY ($39.99, PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA)
The boys behind Sydney and Byron Bay’s Three Blue Ducks restaurants have pulled together a collection of hearty, healthy and mindful meals that are accessible and achievable for everyone. The best part? Most of the recipes are open to interpretation, so you can customise dishes to suit your family’s or friends’ tastes.
MAGGIE’ S RECIPE FOR LIFE ($39.99, SIMON& SCHUSTER)
Maggie Beer has teamed up with Professor of Neurobiology Ralph Martins to identify foods that will not only keep you and your family healthy, but assist in the battle against Alzheimer’s. The 200 recipes are good for mind, body and soul.
P OH BAKES 100 GREAT S ($39.99, MURDOCH BOOKS)
Former MasterChef Australia contestant Poh Ling Yeow’s book caters to both new and experienced bakers, with dedicated sections to bake-sale beauties, oldies but goodies and other family favourites.
SIMPLY GOOD FOOD ($39.99, MURDOCH BOOKS)
Celebrity chef Neil Perry says he wrote this book for those interested in cooking fresh, healthy food for their friends and family, regardless of culinary ability. It’s inspiring and unpretentious, filled with easy-tomake, crowd-pleasing recipes.
CHIN CHIN: FEED ME ($49.95, THE LUCAS GROUP)
In this cool new book, based on Chin Chin restaurant’s ‘feed me’ menu option, chef Benjamin Cooper provides home cooks with all they need to achieve the fresh and delicious dishes served at this Melbourne institution, now making waves in Sydney.
GARDENING THEM ID-CENTURY MODERN GARDEN ($69.99, FRANCES LINCOLN)
Landscaping was an integral element in mid-century home design, with a focus on orderly, geometric garden beds. This book presents a global survey of iconic mid-century gardens from Scandinavia, Europe and the US West Coast, exploring how the style can be reinterpreted for the modern home.
PLANT SOCIETY ($29.99, HA R DIE GRANT BOOKS)
Melbourne architect and interior designer Jason Chongue, who’s also the green-life obsessed co-founder of
The Plant Society, is on a mission to encourage indoor gardening adventures. This is an informative book with tips on plant care plus a survey of all the species that thrive indoors.
NATIVE ($49.99, THAMES & HUDSON)
This book celebrates the versatility, texture and potential of Australian plants for gardens and display. By profiling a range of creative people who champion the use of natives – architects, garden designers, horticulturists and artists – it’s a compelling case for seeing Australian plants in new ways.
GRAND MELBOURNE GARDENS ($70, THAMES & HUDSON)
It’s always lovely to stroll around the neighbourhood peeking at pretty gardens. This book allows you to do just that, taking in some of Melbourne’s finest private gardens while meeting the homeowners who’ve created them.
MORE GREAT PROPERTIES OF COUNTRY VICTORIA ($59, MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING)
This title is a sequel, continuing the tour of grand properties in Victoria’s Western District, where early colonials employed the best landscape architects of the day to create a slice of England in the Antipodes. It’s a virtual tour of some of the region’s richest properties.
GROW YOUR OWN ($45, MURDOCH BOOKS)
Whatever size your garden – sprawling block or apartment balcony – there’s potential for a productive garden.
This book is a how-to guide on growing nutritious food in the space you have. It covers propagation, planting and maintenance plus urban-farming issues such as keeping bees and poultry.