Books
New York’s 10 best lesser-known bookshops
From West Village stalwarts to hidden living-room selections, this Monocle guide celebrates New York’s independent booksellers, specialist collections and the city’s enduring literary culture beyond the more obvious big names.
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15 brilliant books to gift your friend who has ‘read everything’
A selection of beautifully written and lovingly designed books released or reissued this year that we would gladly find under our tree.
How Solvej Balle turned 18 November into one of literature’s most arresting time loops
The Booker-shortlisted novelist explains how a single day evolved into a seven-book epic, and what it teaches us about ageing, relationships and our sense of time in the real world.
How Helen Garner turned her personal diaries into prize-winning literature
Baillie Gifford prize winning writer Helen Garner reflects on how decades of journal-keeping shaped her writing, transforming moments of love, anger and everyday life into honest, unsparing reflections on truth, ageing and what it…
Three independent publishers getting book design just right
These bookmakers have caught our eye with their distinctive designs and unique offerings hidden between covers.
Calonge: The Spanish village given a fairytale ending by bookshops
A bold idea, a €10,000 offer and hundreds of hopefuls. A once overlooked town near Barcelona sparked an unexpected cultural revival, and other towns are now watching closely.
Five beautiful travel books from Monocle to guarantee a well-spent summer
Whether you’re bound for breezy coastlines, vibrant cities or serene countryside, Monocle’s travel guides are your passport to a smarter season.
How one fax led to Jaime Daez building the Philippines’ fastest-growing bookstore
He became a print distributor almost by chance. Now he runs one of Philippine’s leading bookshop chains.
Hot tickets: The best of this month’s cultural releases
On our round-up is everything from a steamy Brazilian thriller and an art installation’s debut in Iceland to a small-screen exploration of humans and machines.
Interview: Canadian author Éric Chacour, a rising star on Québec’s literary scene
How growing up between cultures informed his award-winning debut novel.
The art of a narrative: How Louise Courvoisier and Natasha Brown bring stories to life
Slice of lifeLouise Courvoisier, director The process of making comté cheese isn’t something that has had much cinematic airtime. But director Louise Courvoisier puts the arduous task centre stage in Holy Cow. The new…
