Delightful stocking stuffers
Atlas Obscura: The Travel Posters Atlas Obscura
Fans of the Atlas Obscura guidebook and online magazine, which chronicle curious travel destinations, can add that sense of wanderlust to their wall. Each month’s striking, graphic illustration features a new unique location to discover. (Workman)
Lagom (Not Too Little, Not Too Much): The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life Niki Brantmark
An illustrated guide to living the Swedish way that touches on decor, diet, child-rearing and engaging with the natural world. (Harper Design)
Stephen Colbert’s Midnight Confessions Stephen Colbert
These illustrated jokes from the segment on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” confessions are quick hits for the wicked. “When I’m at karaoke and someone starts singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’… I stop believin’.” (Simon & Schuster)
Chuck D Presents This Day in Rap and Hip-Hop History Chuck D
This chronological survey of rap compiles landmark events in hip-hop history — the debut of “Yo! MTV Raps,” Tupac Shakur’s “hologram” at Coachella — from 1973 to the present. Written by Chuck D of Public Enemy, with Duke Eatmon, Ron Maskell, Lorrie Boula and Jonathan
Bernstein. Forward by street artist Shepard Fairey. (Black Dog & Leventhal)
Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays Joan Didion
This pocket-size hardcover bound in opalescent cloth, featuring a watercolor-like illustration of the young Joan Didion looking out at the reader, may be the loveliest edition of this book ever printed. (Picador Modern Classics)
Courage Is Contagious: And Other Reasons to Be Grateful for Michelle Obama Nick Haramas, editor
Short essays by writers, entertainers and activists praising the former first lady and her inspiration by Issa Rae, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Janet Mock, Rashida Jones, Patton Oswalt and more. (Lenny)
Ultimate Slime Alyssa Jagan
Homemade slime is huge with kids who’ve been entranced by a fleet of Instagram and YouTube slime masters. This recipe and DIY tutorial book comes from Jagan, a.k.a. @craftyslimecreator, who has more than 720,000 Instagram followers. (Quarry)
The Best American Emails Amanda Meadows, editor
A riff on both the “Best American” book series and a satire of one thing we all have in common, terrible emails. (The Devastator)
Made to Last: A Compendium of Artisans, Trades & Projects Vanessa Murray
A manly how-to that features artisans who are serious but not precious, experts in one specific field. Projects include distilling bathtub gin like the Prohibition liquor guys, making a tube garden trowel like a coppersmith and creating a wooden chest with dovetail joints like a Virginia woodsmith. (Hardie Grant Books)
Paper Sculpture Seasons Shobhna Patel
Swap out this year’s jigsaw puzzle in favor of something new: a DIY paper-cutting craft. Beginner templates include a bas relief kingfisher, while an expert level project produces a standalone paper carousel. (Atria Books)
Addicted to Americana: Celebrating Classic and Kitschy American Life & Style Charles Phoenix
Phoenix celebrates midcentury excess — cars with big fins, Googie architecture, roadside kitsch and technicolor everything — with the enthusiasm of a man brought up on a used car lot (he really was). Includes images from his famous collection of found Kodachrome slides. (Prospect Park Books)
The Off icial Bob Ross Coloring Book Bob Ross
The enduring calm of the cult icon comes to a coloring book. Pages are based on Ross’ own work and interspersed with uplifting quotes and catchphrases from his beloved public television show “The Joy of Painting.” (Universe)
Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Ants of California Eleanor Spice Rice and Rob Dunn, photos by Alex Wild
Entomologist Dr. Eleanor doesn’t make the mistake of humanizing ants, but she does elevate the tiny insects into a realm of fascination. Despite what the stream of ants in your back yard might indicate, the Argentine ant is not the only species in town. (Chicago University Press)
My Miniature Library: 30 Tiny Books to Make, Read and Treasure Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini
The most precious gift set of the year, this craft kit contains 30 tiny books to hand-assemble. Once made, abbreviated (and adorable) versions of stories like “Thumbelina” are housed in a box that converts into a lilliputian library. (Laurence King Publishing)