7 New Art and Design Books to Indulge in This Summer

Whether it’s relaxing at the beach, spending days in the garden, or traveling to a family vacation spot, everyone has a favorite summer routine they’re looking forward to. Thankfully, a stellar crop of new books allows you to capture the laid-back, care-free spirit of the season and enjoy it year-round. From a chronicle of the culture and society on the Greek island of Mykonos to a vintage collection of surfer photographs by LeRoy Grannis, these titles are sure to add some summer soul to your collection.

Mykonos Muse straw bag and book set.   Photo: Assouline

Mykonos Muse Straw Bag and Book Set by Lizy Manola | $150
Assouline

This lush 300-page book showcases the society, culture, and breathtaking beauty that have elevated the Greek island of Mykonos, which is sometimes referred to as the “Ibiza of Greece,” to mythical status. Set against the turquoise Aegean Sea, the 40-square-mile island has turned legions of artists and tastemakers into return visitors thanks to its picture-perfect beaches and legendary party scene. The nine-pound volume also comes with a hand-made straw bag, the perfect summer accessory. 

Gardens of Style: Private Hideaways of the Design World.  Photo: Rizzoli

Gardens of Style: Private Hideaways of the Design World by Janelle McCulloch | $55 
Rizzoli

Respected author Janelle McCulloch’s latest title takes a peek at the private gardens belonging to 15 design-world insiders, including Christian Dior, David Hicks, Celerie Kemble, and Bunny Williams. The account details how these tastemakers have found inspiration and solace in the peaceful horticultural sanctums of their homes from the Dominican Republic to Provence. 

Recommended: A New Book Captures the Wirtz Family’s Lyrical Landscapes

LeRoy Grannis. Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s.  Photo: Taschen

LeRoy Grannis. Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s by Steve Barilotti | $35 
Taschen

Credited with being among the first to visually capture the rise of surfing and the free-spirited lifestyle that went with it, photographer LeRoy Grannis (1917–2011) released a 2006 Collector’s Edition of iconic images curated from his personal archives. The sold-out release is now being reissued by Taschen and features Grannis’s most compelling shots taken from surfing meccas in Hawaii and California. 

Hudson Modern: Residential Landscapes. Photo: Paul Warchol

Hudson Modern: Residential Landscapes by David Sokol | $60
Monacelli Press

New York’s verdant Hudson Valley has long been known to cast a spell over artists, especially the painters belonging to the Hudson River School of the mid-19th century. A new book offers a peek into the most beautiful modernist residences that dot the region—proof that architects like Steven Holl, Kiernan Timberlake, and Joel Sanders are just as likely as the artists to fall prey to the charms of this unique region.

Château Life.  Photo: Robyn Lea

Château Life by Jane Webster | $85
Assouline

The setting for this richly illustrated cookbook is Normandy’s Château Bosgouet, the home of writer Jane Webster and her Australian family since 2005. Inspired by French traditions around food and cooking, which emphasize fresh ingredients shared among family and friends, Webster neatly catalogs some 60 recipes she’s honed while living abroad. It’s a feast for the eyes, and the stomach.

Chris-Craft Boats: An American Classic.  Photo: Rizzoli

Chris-Craft Boats: An American Classic by Nick Voulgaris III, Foreword by Ralph Lauren | $65 
Rizzoli

Luxury boat-maker Chris-Craft has been creating state-of-the-art vessels since 1874, when it was founded in Algonac, Michigan. Films such as Mission Impossible and On Golden Pond have immortalized its boats as the embodiment of elegance. This new title chronicles all 144 years of the company’s history, showcasing some 200 ships, cruisers, and runabouts, in stunning archival images, many of which have never been published before.

Beatriz Milhazes.  Photo: Taschen

Beatriz Milhazes—Signed Collector’s Edition | $1000
Taschen

The vibrant, abstract paintings of Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes—whose work has been featured on the cover of Galerie—are rooted in the rhythms, traditions and history of her home country, and filled with references to everyday life in Brazil from carnival to folk art. This limited-edition monograph, which weighs in at a whopping 22 pounds, includes 280 paintings, a conversation with editor Hans Werner Holzwarth, an art-historical essay by David Ebony, and a “poetic dictionary of key motifs.” The release of this Collector’s Edition coincides with Milhaze’s show at London’s White Cube gallery, which is on view through July 1.