Tis the Season for Great Books and Games from Smith Street Books

 

It’s the season for great books and games for entertaining and gift giving.  Check out this awesome list below for your gift giving ideas from Smith Street Books.

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The Book of Taylor: 50 reasons Taylor Swift rules the world is filled with colorful collages of our favorite cat-loving, Grammy-winning country pop queen, alongside 50 T-Swiz facts, including her biggest fears, her unpublished manuscript, her go-to drive-through order, and more. From her signature red lip to her endless list of chart-topping hits, Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with.

Clayful: The big world of tiny ceramics by Sophia Cai showcases 32 international ceramicists whose miniature vessels invite you to lean in and marvel. Perfectly formed, these minuscule pottery pieces can only hold a small sprig of tiny flowers at most, but they contain all the talent of larger works. With precise craftsmanship, these artists transform clay into joyful interpretations of classic forms and techniques, shrunk down to fit in the palm of your hand. 

A Monkey Eating a Lemon: A funny charade game for the whole family by Leon Edler is a simple game—players choose two cards, one “Thing” card and one “Doing” card, to determine what they must act out without speaking. Will it be a mermaid playing tennis, a ghost eating yogurt, or a monkey eating a lemon—the combinations are endless! Players can make sounds, but no words are allowed. The player who correctly guesses the answer wins the cards. The winner is the person with the most cards at the end of the game. Featuring 100 bright and fun illustrations and easy-to-learn gameplay, and suitable for 2+ players, this engaging new card game will be a hit with the whole family. For ages 6+.

The Cocktail Cabinet: Gin by Kara Newman distills the best of the spirit with 50 cards that feature recipes for any mood, whether you’d like to get effervescent with a fizz or fly away on an aviation. With something for every palette, get ready to shake, mix, and stir your way through the world of juniper. Whether you prefer a simple gin and tonic, a bubbly French 75, or more modern creations like the bramble, gin is the foundation of some truly great cocktails. Without it, we wouldn’t have the Martini, the Tom Collins, or the Negroni. With mid-century–inspired illustrations and easy-to-follow recipes, this deck is the ideal pick for budding mixologists and bartending experts.

The Cocktail Cabinet: Whiskey by Kara Newman distills the best of the spirits with 50 cards that feature recipes for any mood, whether you’d like to get serious with a Sazerac or enjoy a simple Rusty Nail. With something for every palette, get ready to shake, mix, and stir your way through some whiskey classics. Whether you lean more toward an Old Fashioned or a fruitier classic like a Whiskey Sour, there is no doubt whiskey is the foundation of some truly great cocktails. Without it, we wouldn’t have the Manhattan, the Boulevardier, or the Rob Roy. With mid-century–inspired illustrations and easy-to-follow recipes, this deck is the ideal pick for budding mixologists and bartending experts.

The Art of Japanese Woodblock Painting: 100 postcards from the masters by Smith Street Books is a beautifully illustrated set of 100 postcards that showcases the timeless beauty of Japanese woodblock art. From serene landscapes to captivating portraits, immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Japanese artistry. These are not just postcards, but miniature masterpieces that are perfect for sending across the seas or pinning to your wall.

The Golden Art of Poster Art: 100 postcards from the masters by Smith Street Books contains 100 postcards that showcase the timeless beauty of the twentieth-century masters. From Art Deco glamour to Art Nouveau elegance, these nostalgic artworks capture the visual splendor of a bygone era. These are not just postcards, but miniature masterpieces that are perfect for sending across the seas or pinning to your wall.

Dress Up Taylor: A Taylor Swift paper doll book featuring her iconic eras by Julia Murray features 12 show-stopping looks — from the “Love Story” music video to the Eras Tour bodysuits — Dress Up Taylor takes you through the very best of Tay-Tay’s fashion moments. With beautifully illustrated, press-out outfits and a sturdy Taylor mannequin, this paper doll book is the ultimate collector’s item for Swifties and fashionistas alike.

Claude Monet: 50 Masterpieces Explored by Sally Grant is a dazzling collection of 50 cards exploring the masterpieces of one of the most celebrated artists of all time. From the ethereal brushstrokes of Water Lilies and the windswept Woman with a Parasol—Madame Monet and Her Son to the red sun peeking through the haze of Impression, Sunrise, each card showcases the beauty and complexity of Monet’s style. Through detailed analyses of each artwork, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Monet’s techniques, symbolism, and life story, and how they influenced his art. Whether you’re an art lover, a Monet aficionado, or simply looking for a beautiful and informative deck of cards, Claude Monet: 50 Masterpieces Explored is sure to captivate and inspire.

Katsushika Hokusai: 50 Masterpieces Explored by Sally Grant is a dazzling collection of 50 cards exploring the masterpieces of one of the most celebrated artists of all time. From the majesty of The Great Wave off Kanagawa to the fiery reds of Fire Wind, Clear Morning, and the delicate simplicity of Cranes from Lessons in Simplified Drawing, each card showcases the beauty and complexity of Hokusai’s style. Through detailed analyses of each artwork, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Hokusai’s techniques, symbolism, and life story, and how they influenced his art. Whether you’re an art lover, a Hokusai aficionado, or simply looking for a beautiful and informative deck of cards, Katsushika Hokusai: 50 Masterpieces Explored is sure to captivate and inspire.

Contrarium: A party game of brain-twisting debates by Miranda Dumas is a combination of a riddle, a debate and a conversation, and a fun and humorous activity. Players are asked for the opposite of various things. What is the opposite of toast? What is the opposite of ice cream? What is the opposite of a premonition? There are no right or wrong answers. Players try to beat each other by matching their answers to the most common answers listed on the back of the cards. It takes only a minute to learn and 10 to 30 minutes to play, no complicated rules or set-up—just jump straight in and play! Perfect for 2 to 6 players or in teams with a big group.

Biblioflora: A celebration of floral beauty in botanical art by Jeanne Batiste is a captivating compendium that combines an exquisite collection of floral masterpieces from botanical artists.This anthology celebrates the universal language of blossoms that has inspired and captivated the human spirit throughout history. Biblioflora is a visual feast that not only showcases the incredible diversity of flora but also pays homage to the enduring power of art to evoke joy, contemplation, and wonder. Let this enchanting volume adorn your living space and transport you to a world where petals tell stories and beauty transcends time.

Feathered Freaks: A Compendium of the World’s Weirdest Birds by Declan Peckman captures the most bizarre and beautiful feathered friends from across the globe. From the jaw-dropping red throat of the magnificent frigatebird to the peculiar plumage of the flightless southern cassowary, this book is sure to bring a smile to your face.

New Women’s Work: Reimaging Feminine Craft in Contemporary Art by Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy explores these art forms, focusing on ten areas traditionally labelled as “feminine.” Featuring 38 contemporary artists from around the world, Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy examines the traditions these artists work with and the boundaries they’re breaking. Through stories of family, migration, gender, and what it means to be a craftsperson, this book explores the future of the feminine in the arts.

This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Cats Plotting to Kill You by Smith Street Books knows that the only thing cuter than a fluffy animal is a fluffy animal that looks as though it might want to murder you. This book of fabulous plotting kitties will have you feeling simultaneously judged and loved—a mighty combination that can propel you out of any rut. So next time you need a boost, these devious cats are here to the rescue.

TV Buff: The Ultimate TV Quiz by Cliodhna Parker will test your knowledge with 1,200 questions. You might be able to list the six Friends, but who created the show? Who composed the dramatic theme tune for Succession? And a small-time drug dealer and a high school chemistry teacher teaming up is the plot of which series. TV Buff will make even the most devoted binge-watcher sweat. Divided into six categories, this game will quiz you on Quotes, Characters and Actors, Plot Lines, Behind the Scenes, TV Music, and TV Connections. So park the remote, roll the dice to pick a category, and get your game night started.

Game On!: 50 Hilarious Party Games by Toby Fehily will keep the party going all night. This deck has 50 simple games that don’t require much more than a pen, some paper, and a pair of friends willing to do the Ostrich Dance. Shuffle and pick from the top or select your favorites, with classics like Celebrity Heads and Never Have I Ever, and soon-to-be-favorites like Balloon Centipede, Press Conference, Blow My Deck, and Flip It Over. Shuffle the deck, pick a card, and get ready to avoid being clothes pinned.

Art Search: Seek & find great artists and their masterpieces by Toby Fehily is a captivating search-and-find book that invites you to explore the brilliant worlds of iconic artists and their timeless masterpieces. From the Renaissance brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci to the enchanting scenes of Vermeer, each page unfolds into an intricately illustrated scene, teeming with hidden treasures. Search for the beauty of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, the tranquility of Hokusai’s Great Wave, and the vibrant landscapes of Monet’s Water Lilies. Accompanied by fascinating facts, this immersive journey through art history is a perfect blend of education and entertainment. Sharpen your observation skills and discover the magic within each masterpiece!

Outside In: Thoughtful Design Inspired by the Natural World by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan is a beautifully photographed homage to the connection between thoughtful design and the natural world. Exploring 20 remarkable homes from across the globe that incorporate nature into their very design, this serves as both an inspirational book and a practical guide to bringing the outside into your home.

So You Think You’re a Millennial?: The Ultimate Millennial Quizby Avery Hayes is a trivia book. You may have been born between 1981 and 1996, but what is Daria’s last name? What messenger chatbot could become your bestie on AOL and MSN? What was the MTV show to watch music videos on? Which audio player lets you listen to a single minute of a song? And just how many candy canes did Glenn Coco get? It has 450+ questions that will determine if you even go here. Dust off your Von Dutch hat, chuck on Gilmore Girls, and get ready for the hardest test since you had to decide if you were team Backstreet Boys or NSYNC.

So You Think You’re Gen Z?: The Ultimate Gen Z Quiz by Lucy Grant is a trivia book. You may have been born between 1997 and 2012 but who is Hannah Montana’s best friend? What is the meaning of “no cap”? In what year did we start watching six-second videos on Vine? What album was automatically downloaded to our iTunes library? And in the words of Eric Effiong, what makes us “a dirty pig”? From world events to fashion and social media, this trivia book has 450+ questions to challenge any Zoomer. Grab your comfort water bottle, stop doom-scrolling, and get ready for the hardest test since deciding if you saw white and gold or blue and black.