Arts Design

10 NEW BOOKS ON BEAUTIFUL MAGIC NOW

Magic and beauty are often related in some way. They are either on the same side -- in mutual celebration, or they are opposed -- with black magic as a threat. This week is dedicated to Beautiful Magic.

We begin with 10 gorgeous new books with magical themes, including fairies, alchemy, inner magic, and art.

1. FAERIES, ELVES, AND GOBLINS: THE OLD STORIES

Fairytales never go out of style. “Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Stories,” by Rosalind Kerven, beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackman, features 25 tales from around the British Isles that have been passed down through many generations..

National Trust (2013)

2. THAI MAGIC TATTOOS: THE ART AND INFLUENCE OF SAK YANT

Spiritual tattoos, known in Thailand as Sak Yant, have been utilized for centuries by certain Buddhists who believe that they can bring luck, ensure success, and ward off evil.

More recently, this ancient art has been embraced on an international scale. “Thai Magic Tattoos: The Art and Influence of Sak Yant,” by Isabel Azevedo Drouyer explores the contemporary expression of this tradition.

Drouyer also looks at the anthropology, religion, history, medicine and psychology, of these tattoos. She offers insights into the ways in which a tattoo can, as if by magic, “change the life of the bearer.”

The book is full of beautiful photographs and magical possibilities.

River Books Press Dist A C (2013)

3. ART AND ALCHEMY: THE MYSTERY OF TRANSFORMATION

“Art and Alchemy: The Mystery of Transformation,” edited by Sven Dupré, Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk, and Beat Wismer, is a lavishly illustrated book that presents historicals texts and artworks that are inspired by alchemy.

From Brueghel to Kiefer to Kapoor, artists and their collaborators created magical colors by transforming ordinary ingredients into brilliance.

Hirmer Publishers (2014)

4. ALCHEMY & MYSTICISM (HERMETIC MUSEUM)

“Alchemy & Mysticism (Hermetic Museum),” by Alexander Roob, is a fantastic look at the history of the magical art of transformation as it has been expressed through art for millennia. The mediaeval cosmogram, paintings depicting Christian mysticism, and kabbalistic hieroglyphs are a few examples in this richly illustrated book

Taschen (2014)

5. ALCHEMY IN A GLASS: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS

“Alchemy in a Glass: The Essential Guide to Handcrafted Cocktails,” by expert mixologist Greg Seider, makes liquid magic happen. It’s all about a balance of flavors and combinations that elevate each cocktail to the level of cosmic vibration.

The book is full of clever recipes for cocktails, mixers, garnishes, and bitters, that Seider has developed for master chefs such as Thomas Keller and Eric Ripert, as well as for restaurants and bars including Le Bernadin, The Mercer Kitchen, Asia de Cuba, The Box, Minetta Tavern, and The Standard Hotel in Miami.

Rizzoli (2014)

6. MAGICAL JOURNEY: AN APPRENTICESHIP IN CONTENTMENT

It is often the case that the magic we experience in our lives occurs when the outlook seems bleakest. Katrina Kenison shares her experience in the beautiful 2013 memoir, “Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment.”

Inner, spiritual magic, is awe-inspiring. This book gives us a taste and a gently nudge.

"MAGICAL JOURNEY is a book that lives up to its ambitious title. Katrina Kenison shows us a path into the future that is generous, brave, and open-hearted. I've given this book to so many people and the response has been unanimous - love."

--Ann Patchett, best selling author of This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

Grand Central Publishing (2013)

7. LEONARDO AND THE MAGIC ART CART

Everyone’s had moments when they ponder what they would say if they could somehow speak to their favorite artist from the past. What would one ask of Raphael? Would they compliment Seurat’s understanding of light, or invite Braque to explain a few of his more abstract compositions?

Thanks to an eccentric art teacher and a little bit of magic, 5th Grader Kala Milerano is afforded just this opportunity in Marianne Bickett’s charming “Leonardo and the Magic Art Cart: Art a la Cart,” the first installment to her “Art a la Cart” series of children’s books.

Using a magical art cart capable of transcending normal temporal bounds, Mrs. Fitt leads Kala and her classmates into a rendezvous with Leonardo da Vinci.

Trafford Publishing (2013)

8. HAROUN AND THE SEA OF STORIES (PENGUIN DROP CAPS)

It’s a reigning truism to say that stories are imbued with a magic all their own. Narratives can transport, transform, and teach, but most importantly, they can grant direction and purpose.

It is this profound potency that is colorfully celebrated in Salman Rushdie’s 1990 children’s book, “Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Penguin Drop Caps).” The fable relates the adventures of 12-year-old Haroun as he sets off to rescue and restore the Sea after it was poisoned. He fights foes who aim to drain the Sea of its stories and leave the world darker for it.

This new edition of Haroun is part of Penguin Drop Caps, a new series of twenty-six collectible and hardcover editions, each with a type cover showcasing a gorgeously illustrated letter of the alphabet.

Penguin Books (2014)

9. THE ART OF POP-UP: THE MAGICAL WORLD OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL BOOKS

“The Art of Pop Up: The Magical World of Three-Dimensional Books,” by Jean-Charles Trebbi, explores the artistry and history behind these unique, 3D literary works.

The pages are paper architecture, with each fold functional, and each shape magically collapsable.

With examples, descriptions, instructions, and images galore, you might even be moved to try your own hand at this magical art form.

Promopress (2013)

10. FAERY REALMS: TEN MAGICAL TITLES: MULTI-AUTHOR BUNDLE OF NOVELS & NOVELLAS

If you’re pining for dangerous fantasy with a dash of real-world tribulation, look no further than “Faery Realms: Ten Magical Titles: Multi-Author Bundle of Novels & Novellas.”

This 10-book collection marries magical conflict with contemporary hardship for a delightful story-fest.

From the Author

Ten authors, ten tales of urban fantasy, love, and adventure in the magical Realm of the Fae. Each story is a gateway into a new exploration of Faery, with several follow-on series connected to the titles in this collection.

Begin the journey, and see where it leads...

Fiddlehead Press (2014)

Read more about Beautiful Magic and how it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact.

Enter this week’s BN Creative Photo Competition. Our theme this week is Beautiful Embellishments. Deadline is 05.04.14.

Photo Credits:

Illustration: By Arthur Rackham.
Image: Courtesy of National Trust. Faeries, Elves, and Goblins.
Image Courtesy of River Books Press Dist A C. Thai Magic Tattoos.Image: Courtesy of Hirmer Publishers. Art and Alchemy.
Image: Courtesy of Taschen. Alchemy & Mysticism.
Image: Courtesy of Rizzoli. Alchemy in a Glass.
Image: Courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. Magical Journey.
Image: Courtesy of Trafford Publishing. Leonardo and the Magic Art Cart.
Image: Courtesy of Penguin Books. Haroun and the Sea of Stories.
Image: Courtesy of Promopress. The Art of Pop-Up.
Photo: Courtesy of Fiddlehead Press. “Faery Realms: Ten Magical Titles: Multi-Author Bundle of Novels & Novellas” by Multiple Authors.