Books

July 24, 2021

Ornate Renaissance-Era Book Helped Royalty Cast Horoscopes in the 16th Century

It's 1540 and you'd like to cast a horoscope. If you are the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, you might turn to the Astronomicum Caesareum, or the Emperor's Astronomy. This richly illuminated manuscript is a stunning example of early printing and astronomical inquiry. The rich scientific tome was authored by court astronomer Petrus Apianus and published in May 1540.

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June 3, 2021

Coloring Book Combines Math and Art in Illustrations of the Golden Ratio Found in Nature

In 2016, artist Rafael Araujo wowed the world with his Golden Ratio Coloring Book. The adult activity book proved a wonderful way to marry mathematics with art. Containing 25 illustrations inspired by nature and created using the Golden Ratio, it was a bestseller that is since out of print. But now five years later, Araujo is back with a second installment called the Golden Geometry Coloring Book.

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May 28, 2021

10 How-To Embroidery Books Filled With Creative Stitching Projects

Embroidery is a craft that is easy to begin but can be a challenge to master. And while there is a learning curve, the way to get better is through practice; having a set of projects to stitch is key in making that happen. You might buy and download embroidery patterns to work on, but did you know there's another way to get instruction as well as designs to stitch?

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April 23, 2021

18 of the Best Independent Bookstores to Visit Across the United States

In the classic 1990s movie You've Got Mail, the small children's bookstore “Shop Around the Corner” fights to stay afloat when a large bargain bookstore chain opens nearby. The proprietor Kathleen Kelly, played by Meg Ryan, tells the owner of the chain, Joe Fox (aka Tom Hanks), exactly what is so special about her independent, long-standing bookstore. “Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal,” she explains.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.