Claudia Piras

Can't afford a trip to Italy? This book will take you there.

Interesting book about the classic style of dress. There are some irrelevant chapters (english hunting fashion doesn't "do" it in Germany), but all in all a good overview of what a "timeless" wardrobe should contain.
My favourite: The chapter on bridal gowns, underlining the fact that the bride in white is a very recent fashion (brought about by the Victorian British) and proposing alternatives. Complete with a fantastic bridal gown by Oscar de la Renta. In black.

These books LOOK like food porn, but, surprisingly perhaps, are stuffed with history, recipes and other food lore. I waited a long time before getting these. I shouldn't have.

Even as a (sometimes off the wagon) vegetarian, i love this book. It is more than a collection of recipes, you buy it for the reference, the writing and the illustrations. These books are definately gastro-porn.