“I love you with every atom. You are the tranquility of a calm stream and the excitement of a waterfall. You bring me all my favorite feelings. Forever isn’t long enough with you.” Hope (she / her / he / him), 16, and Kurt (he / him), 17 Homer, Alaska.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Photographer Barbara Peacock has spent the last seven years traveling across the United States to get a glimpse inside our most intimate space—the bedroom. By photographing people from all walks of life in a room where they are their most vulnerable, Peacock paints a picture of modern America. Her forthcoming book, American Bedroom, is the culmination of this project.

My Modern Met first covered Peacock's series in 2017, just one year after she started her adventure. At the time, she was discovering the importance of listening to people and being let into their homes, and hoped to expand her work to the entire nation. Nearly a decade later, she accomplished her goal.

“I am learning that there are a lot of lonely people. I am learning that people have stories they want to share if someone will listen,” she shared at the time. “I am learning that people are fragile and conversely very strong.”

Published by Kehrer Verlag, American Bedroom incorporates quotes by the people Peacock photographed. This is a testament to the strong collaboration and bond between Peacock and the participants and to the photographer's belief in the power of their stories. Broken into five sections, the book shows the wide variety of people Peacock photographed. Americans of all ages, genders, races, and sexual orientations sat for Peacock and, in doing so, opened themselves up to demonstrate the many faces of the country.

Peacock's work also shows that home means different things to many people. A school bus and the great outdoors are just some of the spaces where people have carved out their bedrooms. But regardless of where people's bedrooms are located, Peacock's work shows that we aren't so different from one another. Many of us carry the same hopes, dreams, and struggles and use the bedroom as a sanctuary to rest and recharge.

“I believe the bedroom is not just a private place, but a sacred place,” Peacock shares. “We build it as a shrine to our lives (even if houseless) and spend nearly one-third of our lives in it. It exemplifies our being; it is a place to rest, to love, to comfort, to be, to give life, to restore, to recover, to grieve, to lay sick, and to die. The one thing I know for certain is that all lives are important, and everyone has a story to tell.”

American Bedroom by Barbara Peacock will be released on May 14, 2024, and is now available for pre-sale.

For seven years, photographer Barbara Peacock traveled across the U.S. to photograph people in their bedrooms.

“Endless possibilities and adventure! We sold our home and just about everything we owned three years ago. Little did we know what awaited us on the open road … freedom unlike anything we had ever had while on a quest to find a new place and community to call home.” Stephanie, 37. The Mathews Family Saratoga Springs, Utah.

“With the world moving ever so fast, these apples of my eye remind me to slow down and see the beauty in all things. They are the light.” Jamie, 44. The Seh-Nielsen Family Victor, Idaho.

American Bedroom is an unguarded look at people from all walks of life in their most intimate space.

“Our world revolves around autism and the whole family struggles to keep up. But it’s our hearts that keep us together and our large family bed where every night we reconnect. Nobody can love our family like we do.” Jordan, 35

“Love is accrescent. If you choose to love, there is no end to how big and all-encompassing it can grow. We choose to love each other daily and will keep choosing to love as we push on into the future. Micah, 35, and Kody, 40. Omaha, Nebraska.

“I believe the bedroom is not just a private place, but a sacred place,” Peacock shares.

“In the end, it’s all about love of family and one another.” Francisca, 42, and Lupe, 52, Guadalupe, Arizona.

“Finding love late in life has taught me many lessons, including not to be shy or embarrassed by my body. It is freeing to say I am big, bold, and beautiful. Laverne, 72, and James, 74 Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

Peacock photographed people of all ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations for the series.

“I have buried all seven of my children (sons) from alcoholism or heat stroke. I now live for my grandchildren.” Arlene, 81. Gila River Reservation, Arizona.

“While my physical parts feel safe among my living space, rested against a pillow, my heart yearns for my home, my community, our land. ‘Nunamnni – on our land (Siberian Yupik)'.” Mek, 29 Anchorage, Alaska

By telling their stories, she reminds us that many of us face the same struggles or share the same dreams.

“I’ve been sleeping in the grass between the trees, sky, and by the ocean for six years now. My body and soul are clean. When I go I leave no trace.” Jeremiah, 45. Kauai, Hawaii.

“When I wake in the morning, I try to be quiet so I don’t wake her. Then I remember she is no longer here.” Pepere, 88, Jay, Maine.

American Bedroom by Barbara Peacock is now available for pre-order.

Barbara Peacock: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use images by Barbara Peacock.

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READ: Intimate Photos Reveal What Different Bedrooms Across America Look Like

An elementary school teacher teaching, 1877. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

What did your school textbooks look like? Chances are they were old, ripped, and written in. Their computer-printed images were certainly not fine art, especially with other students' layering doodles over the years. However, textbooks do not always have to be boring; they can be works of art. An online archive of historic Japanese textbooks from the 19th and 20th centuries—hosted by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research—exemplifies the textbook as an art form. Decorated in everything from hand painting and calligraphy to traditional block printing, the books are explorable in PDF format for free.

The collection includes artwork such as hanging drawings, elementary primers, and brushwork guides for calligraphy. These works span a broad period, from the 19th century till after World War II—a time of immense change for Japan. Some texts are many pages long, combining elegant writing with detailed illustrations. Horses dance across a page beneath simple characters; whereas in another book, plants found in the garden are illustrated. Others depict teachers and small pupils cross-legged in front of their lecturers. It's fascinating even for those who cannot read Japanese.

Chiefly on display is the artistry of the books' many makers. Woodblock printing is an ancient art, dating back to the 8th century in Japan. These abilities to create books long pre-dated the European invention of the printing press during the Renaissance. Sometimes a block print might create the lines of a drawing, which was then colored in by hand. Other times, artists utilized the “brocade” method, nishiki-e, of using multiple blocks in multiple inks to create an image. It was not until the 20th century that modern print technology began to replace these methods. While modern textbooks might be more conducive to mass production or regular updating, they surely cannot match the charm, elegance, and beauty of these historic tomes.

An archive of centuries’ worth of Japanese textbooks hosted by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research is available online.

A 19th-century elementary school text. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

Many are incredible examples of block printing and illustration.

“Garden Lessons” picture book, 1828. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

An elementary reading book, late 19th century. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

An elementary reading book, late 19th century. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

h/t: [Colossal]

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READ: Vast Archive of Rare Japanese Textbooks Now Online To Explore for Free

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Self-taught artist and illustrator Demi Lang teaches the most popular class at My Modern Met Academy, Architectural Illustration for Everyone. In it, she takes students along with her as she completes an illustration using colored pencils and ink. Now, she's revealing even more of her tips and tricks in her book, Drawing and Illustrating Architecture.

This step-by-step guide includes over 200 pages of instruction that will allow anyone to learn architectural illustration. Filled with informative illustrations and encouraging words, readers will discover how to organize their workspace, select the correct materials, and build a photo reference library.

From there, Lang dives into techniques for achieving realistic tone, value, texture, shadow, and light in drawings and how to add layer upon layer of color, lines, details, and highlights to create works that leap off the paper with exciting dimensionality and life. The second half of the book is dedicated to projects, with Lang demonstrating how to render textures and architectural elements like windows, doors, and chimneys. Everything then culminates in the final chapter, where Lang details her creative process for a full-color drawing with gold details.

This book is sure to become an important reference for anyone who is interested in drawing architecture and it's a wonderful complement to Lang's online course on My Modern Met Academy, which contains over three hours of lessons. Drawing and Illustrating Architecture is now available for pre-order and will be released on March 19, 2024.

Illustrator Demi Lang has written a step-by-step guide to architectural illustration.

Across more than 200 pages, she demonstrates how to create realistic architectural elements using colored pencil and ink.

The book is an excellent complement to her online architecture drawing class on My Modern Met Academy.

Drawing and Illustrating Architecture is now available for pre-sale.

Demi Lang: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Rocky Nook.

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READ: This Book Is a Step-By-Step Guide To Creating Stunning Architectural Illustrations Like a Pro

Magnum photographers. New York City, USA, 1989
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French-American photographer Elliott Erwitt is known for his whimsical images of life in New York City. Now, some of his best work featuring the city has been pulled together in a revised edition of Elliott Erwitt's New York. The publication is a fitting tribute to the photographer, who died on November, 2023 at age 95.

From the moment he landed in New York in 1948, his camera was his constant companion. And his black-and-white photography showcases the beauty he found in everyday life. From people passing the time while waiting for the subway to portraits of iconic celebrities, he never missed an opportunity to create a work of art with his camera.

In this revised edition of the book, which was originally published in 2008, there are 16 pages of previously unpublished photographs from the 1950s and 1960s. This makes the coffee table book a precious resource for lovers of Erwitt's street photography. While there are plenty of incredible images from the past, the book explores the full timeline of Erwitt's career.

There are many clever and ironic photographs from more recent times, including a crowd of Magnum photographers in the late 1980s. In it, we see the professionals jockeying for the best view high up on a roof. Rather than get involved in the war for a vantage point, Erwitt was able to step back and see the amusement in the chaos.

Elliott Erwitt's New York, published by teNeues, is now available via Amazon or Bookshop. The German publisher worked closely with Erwitt and has published many volumes of his work, including one that brings together his hilarious dog photographs.

A new coffee table book celebrates Elliott Erwitt's iconic New York City street photography.

New York City, USA, 1949.

New York City, USA, 2001.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York City, USA, 1988.

His black-and-white photography celebrates the beauty of everyday life.

New York City, USA, 1950.

New York City, USA, 1949.

New York City, USA, 1954.

This revised edition of Elliott Erwitt's New York includes 16 pages of previously unpublished photos from the 1950s and 1960s.

New York City, USA, 1953.

Marilyn Monroe. New York City, USA, 1956.

New York City, USA, 1953.

This volume, which is a wonderful celebration of the photographer's career, is now on sale.

Elliott Erwitt: Website | Instagram

All images © Elliott Erwitt. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by teNeues.

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READ: Six Decades of Elliott Erwitt’s Iconic New York Street Photography

Color chart of silk velvet ribbons, G.G. & Cie, France, leporello, 24 x 13 cm, 31 panels, late nineteenth century, Bibliothèque Forney, Paris (Credit: Bibliothèque Forney, Paris)
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We all know how important color is to our world. And a new book pays homage to the different ways that it can be arranged, presented, and preserved. Color Charts is an incredible journey through the different devices that have been developed since the 15th century to help us organize and catalog color. Color theory enthusiasts will marvel at the opportunity to view nearly 200 diverse color charts, many of which were previously unpublished.

Author Anne Varichon, who is a cultural materials anthropologist, has pulled together everything from 19th-century silk ribbon swatches to a collection of linoleum colors from the 1960s. She even references favorites like Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, which shows color blends for different tints and hues that also occur in nature.

“For centuries, people have preserved documents containing color samples, creating a treasure trove for future generations of researchers,” she writes in the book's introduction. “This book is a tribute to them, and to those who, by studying and publishing color charts, began to trace the rich history of these documents.”

Throughout the book, Varichon's text accompanies the charts and explores the way in which painters, naturalists, doctors, and industrial designers have used them throughout history. She also explores the historical context for these color charts, including the explosion of vibrant color charts in the post-World War II era, when sewing became a hobby more than a necessity.

A necessity for any color lover, you can order the book, which was published by Princeton University Press, online from Bookshop.

A new book from the Princeton University Press explores the vibrant history of color charts.

Astrolin Color Card, Établissement Georget Fils Peintures Laquées et Vernis, Chantenay-Lès-Nantes, c. 1906, pamphlet, 16 x 9.5 cm, 2 folds, Bibliothèque Forney, Paris (Credit: Bibliothèque Forney, Paris)

Linoleum Collection 1966-1967, Sarlino, Reims, France, 1966, binder, 36 × 30 cm, 14 pages, Bibliothèque Forney, Paris (Credit: Bibliothèque Forney, Paris)

The Chemistry of Dyers, New Theoretical and Practical Treatise on the Art of Dyeing and Printing Fabrics, Oscar Piéquet, Paris, 1892, Bernard Guineau collection, Ôkhra-Ecomuseum of Ocher, Roussillon (Credit: Ôkhra-Ecomuseum of Ocher, Roussillon)

Nearly 200 colors charts shows how tints and hues have been cataloged and organized for all sorts of industries.

Acid Dyes for Felt Pile, Base Colors, Société Anonyme des Matières Colorantes et Produits Chimiques de Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, November 1930, leporella, 22 x 15 cm, 7 panels, Albi Couleurs, Association Mémoire, des Industries de la Couleur, Albi (Credit: Anne Varichon collection, Sète)

Art of Dyeing Wools in Fleece, Yarn, and Fabrics, M. D. Gonfreville, Librairie Scientifique, Industrielle et Agricole Lacroix et Baudry, Paris, 1848, 873 pages, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris (Credit: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris)

Anthropologist Anne Varichon explains the history and cultural context of these colorful materials in Color Charts.

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Princeton University Press.

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READ: Massive Book Explores the Vibrant History of How We Catalog Color

Art by William Wegman (Photo: Patrick J. Cashin)
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With a daily ridership of nearly 4 million people, New York City's subway system sees a lot of traffic. That's part of why the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has made an effort to transform the city's subway stations into public art galleries. Over the past four decades, the MTA has commissioned more than 400 permanent artworks to adorn the stations. A celebration of these ground-breaking projects, Contemporary Art Underground: New York MTA Arts & Design highlights more than 100 artworks completed between 2015 and 2023 that embody the spirit, vibrancy, and diversity of New York.

Broken down into 10 chapters that bring readers across the city's boroughs, the book is a fascinating look at the artwork that brightens up riders' daily commute. Several chapters are dedicated to major stations—the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Times Square, and Grand Central Madison—and focus on how the art engages with and informs its surroundings.

Three chapters focus on the materials that inform these installations—mosaic, glass, and metal—and give an unprecedented look at the details and fabrication of each piece. Through vivid descriptions, intricate close-up photographs, and behind-the-scenes studio images, the book shares the stories behind these permanent works, from artist selection through the translation of an artwork into a large-scale, site-specific installation.

Authored by Sandra Bloodworth, who has directed MTA Arts & Design for over 30 years, and Cheryl Hageman, deputy director, the book is a wonderful journey into the possibilities of public art. With work by artists like William Wegman, Kiki Smith, Nancy Blum, and Rico Gatson, contemporary art lovers will enjoy this tour through New York's underground subway art.

Contemporary Art Underground: New York MTA Arts & Design, published by Monacelli, comes out in April 2024 and is now available for pre-sale.

A new book celebrates the more than 100 artworks commissioned by the MTA for the NYC subway system since 2015.

Art by Nancy Blum (Photo: Cathy Carver)

Art by Katherine Bradford (Photo: Jason Mandella)

Art by Rico Gatson (Photo: Seong Kwon)

Art by Alex Katz (Photo: Etienne Frossard)

Art by Marcel Dzama (Photo: Kris Graves)

Through mosaics, glasswork, and metal sculpture, these contemporary artists transformed New York's subway into an art gallery.

Art by Jim Hodges (Photo: Felipe Fontecilla)

Art by Kiki Smith (Photo: Anthony Verde)

Art by Jeffrey Gibson (Photo: Etienne Frossard)

Art by Damien Davis (Photo: Etienne Frossard)

Contemporary Art Underground: New York MTA Arts & Design, published by Monacelli, is now available for pre-sale.

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Monacelli – Phaidon.

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Decorating the edges of book pages is a tradition spanning hundreds of years. Although it is rumored to have gotten its start as a way for British royals to identify their books, it transformed into an intricate art form that includes portraits, landscapes, and scenes from novels. Despite its beauty, this craft is considered critically endangered, with few people still practicing it around the world. UK-based artist Maisie Matilda carries on the tradition of fore-edge book painting by upcycling used books into treasured possessions.

Matilda shares videos of her process on Instagram and TikTok to not only show how this craft is done, but also to inspire a new generation of artists to learn about fore-edge book painting. She begins each piece by showing viewers which book—or in some cases, multiple books—she will be working on before inserting it into a press. This keeps the pages in line so she can begin sketching and painting a design on the edges. The artwork that she creates usually correlates to the story in some way, such as the sweeping landscapes from the Lord of the Rings series, main characters from Harry Potter, and significant scenes from the Twilight books.

“I have always loved art and fantasy literature, so I decided to turn my passions into a career,” Matilda tells My Modern Met. “A few years ago I began my craft, fore-edge painting, and I have been doing it almost every day since. I mostly work on fantasy novels, but have also tried out some classic literature too.” After she finishes her paintings, Matilda shows off the effect by flipping through the decorated pages, showing how the illustration disappears and comes together again as the sheets fall back into place. While this art form is niche and demanding, it transforms even second-hand books into precious objects. Hopefully more artists as well as book-lovers will find appreciation in these artistic renditions of their favorite stories.

You can purchase available painted books via Matilda's Etsy shop, and keep up to date with her latest projects by following her Instagram.

UK-based artist Maisie Matilda carries on the age-old tradition of fore-edge book painting.

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

Game of Thrones Collection

Harry Potter Collection

This craft is considered critically endangered, with few artists still decorating books in this way.

“The Complete Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” by J.K. Rowling

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J.K. Rowling

“The Great Dune Trilogy” by Frank Herbert

“The Great Dune Trilogy” by Frank Herbert

Matilda shares videos in hopes of inspiring more artists and book-lovers to appreciate the craft.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by maisie (@maisie_matilda_art)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by maisie (@maisie_matilda_art)

She decorates a range of novels like the Lord of the Rings series and Harry Potter with detailed illustrations.

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter Collection

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter Collection

Matilda also uses second-hand books to transform something old into a beautiful work of art.

“The Great Dune Trilogy” by Frank Herbert

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Breaking Dawn” (The Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer

Maisie Matilda: Etsy | Instagram | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Maisie Matilda.

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Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Born in 1940 in South Africa, photographer Ernest Cole is known for his early work detailing the horrors of apartheid. As South Africa's first Black freelance photographer, he was in a unique position to detail what was happening. But in 1966, he was labeled a “banned person” and fled the country.

His work as a photographer continued. He resettled in New York and, in 1967, published his landmark book of apartheid photos, House of Bondage. Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, he traveled North America extensively and turned his lens toward the streets of Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, and New York, among others. It was a critical time in the United States, with the Civil Rights Movement peaking and tensions rising after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Based on his own experiences in South Africa, Cole was uniquely equipped to capture the moment, and now, for the first time, these images are being published. The True America, published by Aperture, features 260 of Cole's images from that period. The work reflects the contradictions between a newfound hope and freedom that Cole experienced in the United States alongside the systemic racism and injustice he witnessed.

As Cole released very few images during his lifetime, these photographs were thought to be lost. Luckily, they were among over 60,000 negatives recovered in Sweden in 2017. Cole had regularly spent time in Sweden collaborating with a photography collective before he eventually ceased the profession sometime after 1972. In the aftermath, his negatives had gone missing until well after his death. Upon their discovery, the work was returned to the Ernest Cole Family Trust.

The first publication sharing this work, The True America, features a preface by film director Raoul Peck, whose documentary on Cole will soon be released, and texts by journalist James Sanders and scholar Leslie M. Wilson. The book is now available via Aperture, Bookshop, and Amazon.

The True America is the first time that photographer Ernest Cole's photographs of America have been published.

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

The South African photographer traveled the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

His street photography shows the hopefulness and heartache that Cole witnessed as a Black man in America at that time.

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

The project was thought to be lost, but the negatives were among the 60,000 discovered in a Swedish bank in 2017.

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Ernest Cole, Untitled, 1968–71; from Ernest Cole: The True America (Aperture, 2023). © 2023 Ernest Cole Family Trust

Now, Aperture has published the work in full, making Cole's legacy available to a wider public.

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Aperture.

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READ: Ernest Cole’s Lost American Photos From the 1960s and 1970s Published for the First Time

Photo: isaac1112/Depositphotos

Each year brings the opportunity to make a New Year's resolution. For many, this often includes the promise to read more, whether it be books, magazines, or other media. If you haven't already made your reading list for 2024, then you may want to see what was popular last year according to U.S. public libraries.

From Cincinnati to New Orleans, public libraries have released their lists of the most borrowed titles from 2023. While some books appear across all of these compilations, there is still plenty of variation in what people pick up depending on the area. “We had Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus as our number one checkout,” says Emily Pullen, who manages reader services at the New York Public Library. The best-selling novel about a female chemist in the 1960s was the most borrowed at other public libraries across the country, including Seattle and Boston. Its numbers were likely bolstered by its television series on Apple TV+ that premiered in 2023.

Rounding out the New York Public Library's top three according to their list is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and Spare by Prince Harry. The latter was actually the most borrowed e-book in 2023 on the app Libby. “What surprised me really was the amount of checkouts in e-format compared to physical format,” says Deb Lambert, who works at the Indianapolis Library as director of collection management. “To see the stark numbers now, it's really drastic. It's like 5 to 1 e-checkouts to physical checkouts. And it looks like we might be heading even more towards ‘e' than physical.” This preference for digital reading applies to not just books, but magazines as well. The Indianapolis Public Library notes that The New Yorker e-magazine was the most checked out title overall, surpassing both Spare and Lessons in Chemistry.

Some libraries break down the most borrowed books of the year into numerous sections, which provide further insight into what people gravitated towards over the year. The Boston Public Library's list of “Top Adult Books” for instance features Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow as well as Lessons in Chemistry, but also Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died. Whereas, the “Top Teen Books” was dominated by The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. “The most borrowed titles of 2023 list is an interesting mix of novels and memoirs, some of which deal with heavy topics of grief and tragedy, combined with some beloved ‘BookTok' authors launching new titles in existing worlds,” said Melissa Andrews, BPL's chief of collection management. “Both scenarios tell a story about the value of reading—whether we choose to read a story of perseverance or survival in difficult times, or a novel that transports us back to a familiar world, populated by characters we know whose story arcs end happily, books can not only be comforting, but can also provide a sense of connection to and understanding of the world.”

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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READ: These Are the Most Borrowed Books From Public Libraries in 2023

Frida painting a portrait of her father Guillermo, 1951 by Giséle Freund. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)
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Frida Kahlo was not only a great painter, but she was also a collector. When she died, much of this collection was placed into storage after certain objects were selected for display in her home-turned-museum, La Casa Azul. This included over 6,000 photographs that show Kahlo's interests, tastes, and the people she held most dear. Now, thanks to a newly reissued publication, the public can gain even more insight into her life.

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos, was originally published by Editorial RM in 2010 and had gone out of print. In the reissue, art lovers can once again enjoy hundreds of black-and-white images, many of which are annotated or contain notes. Given that Kahlo's father, Guillermo, was one of the most important photographers in early 20th-century Mexico, it should come as no surprise that she was meticulous about collecting images.

While many of the photographs were likely taken by Kahlo herself, and some of them are even signed by her, her collection consists of many great names in photography. This not only includes her father, but images by Man Ray, Edward Weston, Giséle Freud, Martin Munkacsi, Pierre Verger, and many others.

From intimate looks at her life with Diego Rivera to photos of her working on her art, Frida Kahlo: Her Photos is an incredible way to get to know the famed Mexican painter in a holistic way. The book is available in both English and Spanish on Bookshop, as well as on the Editorial RM website.

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos is a look at the Mexican painter's vast photographic collection.

Adolfo Best Maugard, María Luisa Cabrera de Block and Frida Kahlo, ca. 1945. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Her personal collection shows her interests and tastes, as well as intimate glimpses of daily life.

General Emiliano Zapata, with written dedication by him to Colonel Felix Rojas. November 1916 by H. J. Gutiérrez (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Revolutionaries (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

The collection of over 6,000 photographs was shut away in storage following Kahlo's death.

Diego Rivera, 1933 by Esther Born (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

The Eye of Diego in 1936. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Diego Rivera with his models Nieves Orozco and Inesita(Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Thanks to a reissue of its 2010 publication, Editorial RM is allowing the public to gain deeper insight into the painter's life.

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Editorial RM.

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READ: Book Reveals Hundreds of Frida Kahlo’s Fascinating Personal Photography Collection