Book of the Day Posted Jan 11, 2026

Book of the Day: Patti Smith Horses, Paris 1976 by Claude Gassian

From the publisher: "Patti Smith: Horses, Paris 1976 is a gorgeous collection of never-before-published photographs of music legend Patti Smith, taken by rock-n-roll photographer Claude Gassian during the release of her iconic album Horses. In 1975, Patti Smith released Horses, a seminal album in punk and rock music history. Lauded by critics, and often cited as the first punk rock album, Horses has influenced artists like U2, Madonna, and R.E.M. Over the following year, she and her band visited Paris multiple times to perform, to accept awards, and to absorb the city's culture. Gassian beautifully captures this moment in time. As Patti writes, Claude Gassian's photography is 'a glimpse of the highly charged atmosphere of 1976 and the joyful hubris of a rock n' roll band.' These are previously unpublished images that show a young artist on the cusp of world stardom, and they will be catnip for her fans and for music historians." Book of the day, and bonus, we have Patti Smith's excellent new memoir Bread of Angels in-store now as well! 
Book of the Day Posted Jan 10, 2026

Book of the Day: Snack Sakura by Greg Girard

From the photographer: If you know Japan you’ll know a certain kind of drinking place called a snack. They are found all over the country, in large cities and small towns. Typically they consist of a counter and a few stools, perhaps a booth or two, usually presided over by a middle-aged woman, the mama, or less often, by a man, the master. The customers tend to be regulars. Unlike a regular bar where a first time customer simply walks in and sits down, the etiquette in a snack for a newcomer is to first ask the mama if it’s ok to come in. The entertainment, if one can call it that, apart from a simple drink menu, is conversation with the mama, conversation with other customers, and karaoke. At the time of writing they are considered the least fashionable places in the country to have a drink. Some years ago while travelling in Japan I noticed that every town seemed to have a snack named Sakura. Sakura, or cherry blossom, is so common a name for a business as to be a bit unimaginative perhaps. Though in a way that seemed in keeping with how unfashionable these places were. It really did seem like every town had one and, upon checking with the All Japan Snack Owners Association, they confirmed that indeed, among their members, Snack Sakura was the most common name. And so I decided to try and visit and photograph as many as I could, across the country from Okinawa to Hokkaido. In the beginning I had simply stumbled across Snack Sakuras, without looking for them. Once I decided to actually try to find them, things got rather more difficult. Many of them have no phone numbers or web presence. For others that do, by the time you get there you discover they have changed their names, or the building was torn down, or they closed and never re-opened. But little by little I started to make headway. Until after six years of travelling the country I’ve now photographed snacks named Sakura in more than half of Japan’s forty-seven prefectures. [My book of photos] Snack Sakura introduces this not exactly 'hidden' world of snacks but one that only comes into view when you look at it from a certain angle." Book of the day. Signed copies in-store now. (Kominek, 2025)
Book of the Day Posted Jan 09, 2026

Book of the Day: The Making of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

(Hyperbolic) description from the publisher: "Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino personally introduces the definitive and official examination of his entire oeuvre with the Quentin Tarantino Library written by Jay Glennie. In the first book in the series, The Making of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, writer Jay Glennie pulls back the curtain on the visionary writer/director/producer’s ninth film, with unprecedented access to the filmmaker, cast, and crew. This epic tome is a stunning and faithful deep dive into the mind of a masterful auteur and a must-have book for all film lovers and Quentin Tarantino fans. For the first time ever Academy Award winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has granted respected journalist and author Jay Glennie unique access revealing the never-before-told behind-the-scenes making of one of the most iconic films of all time, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino personally introduces the volume, as well as providing hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs, along with production memos, concept art, and costume and production design sketches. There are also exclusive reproductions of letters, studio documents and film ephemera. The result is an account of the monumental effort undertaken to produce Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and is the official record of how it was achieved, from inception to the world premiere and on to ten Academy Award nominations, resulting in two Oscars. The book includes new and exclusive interviews undertaken by Jay Glennie with key cast and crew members, including Oscar winning actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, and the brilliant supporting cast including Oscar winner Mikey Madison, Margaret Qualley, Oscar nominee Austin Butler, Lena Dunham, Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Maya Hawke, and Sydney Sweeney."
Book of the Day Posted Jan 08, 2026

Book of the Day: Billions Served by Richard Renaldi

From the publisher: "In Billions Served, Richard Renaldi once again offers his large format portraiture as an invitation to slow down and see familiar sights in new light. The title, taken directly from the boastful catchphrase 'Billions and billions served, at once acknowledges the economics of American fast food while simultaneously signaling that those billions of burgers have been served both to and by billions of people. Contrary to the nature of fast food environs where subtle cues direct us through choreographed movements toward ever swifter commerce & consumption, Renaldi invites the viewer to pause and actively participate in each moment. His black & white photos neutralize the riot of color otherwise drawing our eyes; color portraits place fellow patrons center stage, from out of the recesses where corporations would let them fade. The result is a new way of actively engaging these often frequented but seldom-considered scenes with a spotlight on humanity." Book of the day. (Deadbeat Club, 2025)
Book of the Day Posted Jan 07, 2026

Book of the Day: Rocky Horror - A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Cult Classic

From the publisher: "Step behind the curtain of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with photographer Mick Rock in this one-of-a-kind slipcased collection of rarely seen photographs and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Known as 'the man who shot the seventies,' Mick Rock had exclusive access to the set during the original filming of the now-iconic 1975 movie—and now, in honor of its 50th anniversary, his personal archive is wide open. This stunning volume captures the raw, behind-the-scenes magic of a film that would go on to become a cultural phenomenon. From candid moments with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Richard O’Brien to intimate shots of the cast between takes, every page offers a glimpse into the bold, bizarre, and beautiful world of Rocky Horror as it was being brought to life. Featuring a foreword by creator Richard O’Brien and hundreds of rare photographs, this stunning gift book is a visual love letter to the wild energy, fearless creativity, and sheer chaos that turned a low-budget musical into a beloved masterpiece. Alongside these vivid behind-the-scenes snapshots and anecdotes, readers also gain VIP access to interviews with members of the original cast and crew, as well as famous performers and creatives who are among the film’s most fervent fans, including Joan Jett, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, Juliette Lewis, Jinkx Monsoon, Duff McKagan, Anna Sui, Karen O, Trixie Mattel, Peaches, Norman Reedus, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), and many, many more. Whether you’re a devoted fan or just discovering the Time Warp, Mick Rock’s Rocky Horror is dripping with the glam, grit, and rebellious spirit that made the movie a revolution in platform heels. Don’t just shiver with antici—pation; dive into this timeless tribute and celebrate the global phenomenon that continues to resonate with audiences, generation after generation." Book of the day!
Book of the Day Posted Dec 28, 2025

Book of the Day: The Complete C Comics by Joe Brainard

From the publisher: “PEOPLE OF THE WORLD… RELAX!” In the creative hotbed of 1960s New York, Joe Brainard was a whirlwind. He was a maker of paintings, assemblages, collages, book covers, poetry-reading flyers, and more. But some of his most exciting work was done with his friends. In 1964, the twenty-two-year-old Brainard turned his talents to rewiring the lowly comic book form into something new and surprising. He invited his friends Frank O’Hara, Ted Berrigan, John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, Peter Schjeldahl, Barbara Guest, Ron Padgett, and others—all of them New York School poets—to collaborate with him on comics that they would write and he would draw. The results were unlike any comics seen before. Previously available only on the rare-book market (at very high prices) but available here under one cover for the first time, the two issues of C Comics still feel as fresh as when the first page rolled off the mimeograph machine more than sixty years ago. Brainard’s energetic line and joyful humor charge across every page, illustrating O’Hara's recasting of a cowboy as a mash-note-writing lover, Padgett’s experiments with traditional cartoon sound effects (ROAR! GRRR! SKREE!), cameos by Ernie Bushmiller’s Nancy, and heaps of Dadaesque delights. This edition includes a foreword from Padgett and an essay by comics historian Bill Kartalopolous, who details the creation (and creators) of C Comics. A masterpiece of collaboration and spontaneity, C Comics is a testament to the vastness of Brainard’s creativity and his ability to push any artistic form in a new and powerful direction." New York Review Books, 2025. Book of the day!
Book of the Day Posted Dec 20, 2025

Book of the Day: Bruce Weber All-American XXV - Let in the Light

“As a welcome counterpoint to the anxious state of our world, the theme of healing unites the stories in this, the final edition of Bruce Weber’s All-American series. Catherine Fairweather offers a personal essay about her life with the acclaimed war photographer Don McCullin, whose unflinching images open the volume. The extraordinary story of a renowned surgeon and his patient over time - and how their narratives intersect with Bruce’s own - highlights compassion and serendipity in equal measure. The life pursuits of three exceptional athletes: mountaineer Cory Richards, cyclist Richard Lima and jiu-jitsu champion Rickson Gracie, exemplify the interconnection of physical and mental well-being. The truly uncommon life of the Israeli-Ukrainian artist Zoya Cherkassky - and the artwork it inspires - is illuminated through a candid interview from her Long Island studio. Photographer and editor Natalia Ortega documents a teen-led pallbearer ministry dedicated to the needy of Cleveland, Ohio. And Bruce Weber shares two photo tributes of deep personal significance: one to his friend, the revered conservationist Jane Goodall, and the other to Dennis and Nancy Deveaugh, owners of a ranch that has inspired him for decades as a favorite location for editorial and portrait sittings” Available in-store and online here!
Book of the Day Posted Dec 17, 2025

Book of the Day: Graciela Iturbide

From the publisher: "Graciela Iturbide (b. 1942, Mexico City) is one of Latin America’s most acclaimed photographers and the only Latin American woman to have received the prestigious Hasselblad Award. More recently, she was also honored with the renowned Princess of Asturias Award. With 200 photographs, this book presents one of the most comprehensive explorations of Iturbide’s career. This monograph, edited by Fundación Mapfre and RM, brings together an impressive selection of Iturbide’s photographs, including many lesser-known works, in a visual celebration. She pays special attention to her most iconic images and offers a cross-sectional journey from her earliest projects to her most recent creations. Featuring essays by Marta Dahó and Juan Villoro, and a chronology compiled by Carlos Martín." Book of the day!
Events Posted Dec 12, 2025

Book Signing with SENON WILLIAMS for SCRAPYARD 12/13, 4-6!

Please join us this Saturday, December 13th between 4:00 and 6:00 PM as we welcome esteemed Los Angeles-based artist, musician, and author Senon Williams to celebrate the release of his new Hat & Beard Press publication, Scrapyard.
 
"The book forms a graveyard or a scrapyard of items one might typically discard. In our time of extreme wastefulness, assembling the detritus from his art-making into a scrapbook gives each of these items a collective home and value. Gathered from Williams' day-to-day studio practice, they are thoughts jotted down, remnants of materials used, random receipts, which suggest a sense of care, like acts of preservation, mending and repurposing. Each piece is held, suspended from its final dissolution, forming a new place in which to exist. Interspersed within the pages are vignettes looking at the histories of scrapbooking and ephemeral collection over time by Richelle Munkhoff and Beth Ann Whittaker of Plain Sight Archive. There is a long legacy and history of this artistic action and this publication represents now another documentation of time and place." Designed by Arcana Alum Russell Etchen!
 
We look forward to seeing you Saturday for the opportunity to meet and greet Senon, pick up his engaging new book, and perhaps indulge in a bit of Holiday shopping!
 
If you cannot attend and would like to purchase a signed copy of Scrapyard, his hot-off-the-press limited edition etching Everything Must Go, or a selection of older titles, please place your order here!
Book of the Day Posted Dec 11, 2025

Book of the Day: Squeeze Me - Lemon Recipes & Art

From the publisher: "In the hands of Rogers and Ruscha, the humble lemon is transformed into the ultimate kitchen hero. Packed with fifty inventive recipes, the book casts the lemon as the star of sweet and savory dishes alike. Whether you are whipping up a creamy risotto al limone, baking a showstopping lemon tart, or brightening a salad with a burst of citrus, Rogers’s signature style makes every recipe, from appetizers to mains, approachable and unforgettable. Elevating this journey is the singular artistry of Ed Ruscha, whose images, created specifically for this project, transform this book into a visual delight. Ruscha’s style is both visually accessible and intellectually layered and invites viewers to appreciate the beauty in the very ordinary and mundane. Known for documenting a single subject in intensive detail, a Ruscha book is an instant collectible."
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