/

1x

Prettiest books for your bookshelf

Real books are fighting back against their digital counterparts. Publishers are playing to their strengths by creating increasingly covetable tomes

By Madeline Cravit

Updated May 29, 2013

Add as preferred on Google(opens in a new tab)

White bookshelf, Colourful books

Ben Anders/Easy Living/Conde Nast Publications Ltd.

Real books are fighting back against their digital counterparts. Publishers are playing to their strengths by creating increasingly covetable tomes: Covered with cloth, colour coordinated and embellished with art, they look stunning either on your shelves or toted like accessories.

Prettiest books for your bookshelf

Best dressed

A cloth cover and ribbons set this book apart.

The Mystery of Mercy Close, Marian Keyes, $35.

Related Stories

5 Items We Love From The Super Cool Michaels x Jonathan Adler Collab

5 Items We Love From The Super Cool Michaels x Jonathan Adler Collab

These limited-edition pieces make bold, designer statements at budget-friendlier prices.

A First Look At IKEA’s New Collection—Plus Our Favourite Pieces

A First Look At IKEA’s New Collection—Plus Our Favourite Pieces

Including an inflatable chair right out of our ’90s bedroom dreams.

Prettiest books for your bookshelf

Work of art

Fashion illustrator Sarah Singh gives the classics a makeover.

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, $10.

Prettiest books for your bookshelf

A rainbow of reading

Mix and match these Pantone-inspired volumes.

The Books Are Beautiful collection, $17 each, Random House.

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

FILED UNDER:

decorating home books DIY bookshelf

Copy link

More Like This

This Nostalgic Hudson’s Bay Collection Was Made For Summers At The Cottage

This Nostalgic Hudson’s Bay Collection Was Made For Summers At The Cottage

The iconic stripes are making a comeback.

The 7 Best Purchases Our Editors Made In May

The 7 Best Purchases Our Editors Made In May

Including summer beauty essentials and a chic pair of sunglasses.

We Slept On It: Casper Atlas Hybrid Mattress Review

We Slept On It: Casper Atlas Hybrid Mattress Review

Can't decide between a foam or coil mattress? This medium-firm, made-in-Canada hybrid mattress might be for you.

All The IKEA Products We Used To Style Our Dreamy Podcast Studio

All The IKEA Products We Used To Style Our Dreamy Podcast Studio

How our creative director transformed a vacant office into a space that feels like home.

Chatelaine Summer 2026 cover, featuring a woman biting into a burger.

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Sandwiches! Sundaes! Jello shots! Plus the lowdown on the female desire pill, women who hit major life milestones at 50 and guest editor Meredith Shaw's all-Canadian summer lookbook.