Must-Read Books On Art, Music, Comics, Photography & Literature

Looking for the perfect artsy book to dive into this summer? Whether you’re lounging on the beach or relaxing at home, there’s no shortage of inspiring new releases spanning photography, music, fine art, comics, and literature. From powerful biographies to stunning coffee table editions, these books offer something for every creative mind.

Highlights include Disobedient–Liz Fremantle’s compelling novel based on Renaissance artist Artemisia Gentileschi–and a beautifully illustrated edition of Yann Martel’s modern classic Life of Pi.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate Ahuva Zeloof’s Faith, featuring images of her expressive sculpture, and Remi Rough’s Future Language of the Ikonoklast, a documentation of pioneering British Graffiti movement The Ikonoklasts.

Comic book lovers can revisit Marvel history with The Folio Society’s deluxe edition of Stan Lee’s Fantastic Four–published to coincide with the latest Marvel Movie–while music fans can celebrate the legacy of the Montreux Jazz Festival in 50 Summers of Music.

For photography aficionados, must-have releases include Bruce Weber: My Education from Taschen, along with striking new works from contemporary photographers Scott Offen and Amanda Sauer.

From illustrated literary classics and groundbreaking comic book collections to powerful photography and music retrospectives, these new releases explore the intersections of creativity, identity, and cultural legacy. Here are the most compelling art, music, photography, and design books to add to your summer reading list.

Disobedient by Elizabeth Fremantle (Penguin Books)

Disobedient by Elizabeth Fremantle–the celebrated author behind bestselling historical novels turned Hollywood hits such as Firebrand–is a powerful historical novel based on the early life of Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. Set in the vibrant and patriarchal world of 1611 Rome, the story follows young Artemisia as she strives to become an artist in a society where women are expected to remain silent. Raised in a family of painters, Artemisia knows she possesses exceptional talent, but her future is not her own to shape. When a new tutor, the charismatic Tassi, enters her life, he briefly seems to offer a glimpse of freedom—until a violent betrayal shatters her world.

After accusing Tassi of rape, Artemisia finds herself at the center of a sensational trial that shakes Rome and puts her very character on trial. Fremantle masterfully captures the emotional weight of a young woman forced to fight for her voice, her future, and her dignity in the face of societal condemnation. Disobedient is both a gripping courtroom drama and a stirring portrait of resilience, illuminating the true story of one of art history’s most groundbreaking women.

Also look out for Fremantle’s latest novel Sinners–set in Rome in 1599–based on the tragic tale of Beatrice Cenci.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel – Illustrated Edition (The Folio Society)

Experience Yann Martel’s Life of Pi like never before with The Folio Society’s stunning illustrated edition. Featuring bold new artwork by Violeta Encarnación and an exclusive introduction by the author, this deluxe version of the Booker Prize-winning novel reimagines the beloved tale of survival, spirituality, and storytelling. This new collector’s edition is ideal for fans revisiting the book ahead of its theatrical adaptations or those discovering its themes anew.

Marvel: Fantastic Four Collection (The Folio Society)

Celebrate the origin of Marvel’s first family with this deluxe collector’s edition of Fantastic Four, released ahead of the highly anticipated movie reboot starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and others. Curated by bestselling author Jonathan Lethem, this edition brings together essential 1960s-era issues from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, presented in a beautifully designed hardcover with a slipcase. A must-have for comic book fans, collectors, and Marvel Universe enthusiasts.

Future Language of the Ikonoklast by Remi Rough (Velocity Press)

A visual history of the British graffiti collective that reshaped street art, Future Language of the Ikonoklast by Remi Rough documents the evolution of the Ikonoklast Movement since its founding in 1989. Led by six pioneering artists including Remi Rough, this book features rare imagery and insight into the collaborative ethos that challenged and expanded the boundaries of graffiti. A vital reference for street art historians and contemporary urban culture fans.

50 Summers of Music – Montreux Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Book

50 Summers of Music chronicles five decades of the Montreux Jazz Festival through rare photos and stories from music legends like Nina Simone, Miles Davis, and Quincy Jones. With a foreword by Montreux CEO Mathieu Jaton and text by Arnaud Robert, this retrospective offers an immersive look at one of the world’s most influential music festivals.

Over 175 previously unpublished images bring the festival’s backstage energy and onstage magic vividly to life. This is an ideal publication to peruse as the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival comes to an end and preparations begin for its 60th Anniversary.

Bruce Weber. My Education (TASCHEN)

Celebrated fashion and portrait photographer Bruce Weber presents his most personal work to date with My Education, a richly curated volume published by TASCHEN.

Known for iconic images captured for fashion bibles Vogue, GQ, and Vanity Fair, Weber explores themes of family, identity, and sensuality through never-before-seen photos and signature portraits of cultural icons like Leonardo DiCaprio, Louise Bourgeois, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie and Kim Kardashian. More than 500 images showcasing Weber’s wide artistic range are featured, along with personal anecdotes giving an insight into his most iconic images. A must-have coffee table book for photography lovers and pop culture followers.

Grace by Scott Offen (L’Artiere)

Grace is a poetic and visually striking collaboration between photographer Scott Offen and his partner Grace. This large-format book blends dreamlike imagery with themes of gender, mythology, and nature. Through intimate and symbolic photographs, Grace challenges traditional artistic representation and offers a deeply personal meditation on transformation and freedom.

Teresa Piardii’s design and Laura McPhee’s text elevate Offen’s striking, fairytale images, created through a fruitful creative partnership with Grace.

Ahuva Zeloof Faith (Silvana)

Faith is a striking exploration of the artistic evolution of contemporary sculptor Ahuva Zeloof, best known for her textured stone carvings and expressive bronze figures. Although a latecomer to the art world, Zeloof has risen quickly, exhibiting internationally alongside figures like Tracey Emin and David Hockney, and holding three solo shows in London. This latest collection marks a significant turning point in her career, as she shifts from emphasizing physical manipulation to evoking spiritual resonance through organic forms.

The sculptures in Faith—many cast in bronze from Nubian stones found along Israel’s Mediterranean coast—invite viewers to interpret their shapes intuitively, embodying Zeloof’s belief that art can emerge naturally when guided by instinct. Accompanied by fine art photography from Georgia Metaxas and a thoughtful essay by curator Federico Poletti, the book offers both a visual and intellectual journey through Zeloof’s creative process. Edited by Shelly Verthime, FAITH is not only a showcase of Zeloof’s evolving artistry but also a meditation on the dialogue between nature, form, and human perception.

Giant Willow Oak by Amanda Sauer (L’Artiere)

Amanda Sauer’s Giant Willow Oak is a contemplative visual exploration of one tree across time. Sauer spent years documenting the same willow oak in Washington, D.C., through seasonal cycles, offering a lyrical tribute to nature’s quiet strength and the passage of time.

Sauer’s deeply contemplative images of the ancient Oak offer the opportunity to meditate on the importance of humanity’s relationship with nature, and the legacy of the living world. Ideal for fans of slow photography, environmental art, and meditative visual storytelling.