Coffee Table Tomes

For Mid-Century Mod Fans

Valley natives Dan Chavkin and Lisa Thackaberry (photographer and photo editor, respectively) team up for Hand-in-Hand, the first monograph of the artists Evelyn Ackerman and Jerome Ackerman. The couple’s body of work is now seen as the epitome of California mid-century modernism. $58 on amazon.com

For Minimalists

For the past decade Jennifer Post has been included among Architectural Digest’s list of the world’s Top 100 architects and designers. Jennifer Post: Pure Space, Elegant Minimalism showcases her signature aesthetic: serene, meticulously organized, light-filled spaces that offer a peaceful break from a busy world—from New York City lofts to Miami high-rises to Palm Beach villas. $50 at Oaks & Meadows, 3951 Laurelgrove Avenue, Studio City

For Outdoorsy types

Flipping through the gorgeous photos in Bringing Nature Home, you’ll be inspired by all the ways of incorporating nature’s seasonal bounty into an arrangement. Sources range from farmers market offerings to the backyard garden. Lush photography showcases beautiful interiors. $54 at Presence, 13812 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks

For Flea Market Aficionados

Whether you are a bona fide hoarder or an estate sale connoisseur, Collected: Living with the Things You Love is an entertaining experience, offering insight on everything from how to hunt around the world to how to showcase items—whether it be colorful knitting needles or pretty Pyrex. Vignettes show how the objects are displayed, accompanied by a lesson. $27 on amazon.com

For behind-the-camera Pros

Valley-based model and real-life chameleon Mitzi Martin was photographed over the course of 20 years for One Woman: 100 Faces, a spellbinding book of bold, artistic photos. But the book is mostly a showcase of the supreme talents of makeup artist Francesca Tolot and photographer Alberto Tolot (not to mention some of LA’s most sought after hairstylists, including Enzo Angileri). $38.50 on amazon.com

For Industry Insiders (and Wannabes)

Award-winning photojournalist Rose Eichenbaum sits down with 35 well-known directors of theatre, film and TV in The Director Within: Storytellers of Stage and Screen. In an intimate Q&A format, the Encino resident elicits genuine musings, opinions and reflections from her subjects—from Peter Bogdanovich to Julie Taymor. The conversation, very “inside” in tone, focuses on the art of storytelling. Rose’s evocative portraits are equally as compelling. $24 on amazon.com