My Most Beautiful Books • Gabriela from Buchperlenblog

As you probably already know, I’m always on the lookout for beautiful books and splendid editions. That’s why last year I started a new series called My Most Beautiful Books, in which book bloggers and avid readers present their most beautiful books. In these posts, selected bibliophiles take you by the hand and grant you a peek into their home bookshelves to showcase their most beautiful and magnificent treasures.

This time, I was able to persuade Gabriela from Buchperlenblog to contribute a post. I came across her lovely blog while browsing for comics and graphic novels and ended up staying there for quite a while. She also loves the Splitter publishing house and features some truly worthwhile books, offering a pleasantly broad range. There’s a lot of fantasy, but also all kinds of genres—even up to a gamebook—so there are some real hidden gems, which I always appreciate. Many of her posts are short and to the point, beautifully capturing her impressions, and somehow Gabriela’s blog—and Gabriela herself—exudes a wonderfully positive vibe. I always enjoy visiting her site, and after seeing some truly magnificent books there, it quickly became clear that Gabriela was perfect for this series. But I don’t want to give too much away—read on and follow her through the world of her most beautiful books.

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Books have accompanied me my entire life. That’s not just a worn-out phrase—it’s the simple truth. My mom is a bookseller, and our home has always been filled with wonderful books. Over time, my literary preferences have evolved in different directions, but one thing has always remained: my love for beautiful books. Books that convey a story not only through words but also through their design. I’ve noticed that illustrations especially capture my interest, no matter what style they’re done in. And since Tobi asked me about my most beautiful books, I took a closer look around my reading room for you.

Let’s begin our journey with my childhood. When I think back, I always see a small, thin Christmas tree whose top bends toward the ground under the weight of a single large ornament. Beside it stands a sad-looking boy who seemingly can’t do even this simple task right. This scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” represents all those wonderful childhood days I spent with the Peanuts. All the more I appreciate that all the comic strips by Charles M. Schulz since 1950 have been collected and published in two-volume editions.

Today, my comic collection has grown and evolved significantly. Comic strips have turned into epic stories, historical dramas, or classic adaptations. The world of comics holds an incredible number of stories—with and without superheroes, with humor, with suspense, and above all, with stunningly detailed artwork. Over time, I’ve fallen in love with Splitter Verlag, which publishes select comics and graphic novels in high-quality hardcover editions. Still, my favorite comic series comes from Cross Cult: Monstress. In my opinion, no other comic—no matter how beautiful—can match the visual brilliance of Sana Takeda’s masterpiece. Here we meet Maika Halfwolf, an Arcanic in a world full of witches, monsters, and ancient gods. Maika isn’t your typical heroine—she’s rough around the edges, sometimes foul-mouthed, and, to top it all off, carries a hungry monster inside her.

I still enjoy reading beautifully designed children’s books. What delights me most are nostalgic designs: muted colors and a calm aesthetic rather than kitschy, loud stories. “The Doldrums” and its sequel by Nicholas Gannon are among my favorites. I discovered this duology while visiting a lovely children’s bookstore in Erfurt. Small and large illustrations fill the pages, giving the story of eleven-year-old Archer, who dreams of exploring the world like his ancestors, a sepia-toned charm. What begins as an adventure confined to his home becomes a nostalgic journey across the world.

Anyone who can mix my love for good children’s books with a hearty dose of imagination and captivate me in the process is—no surprise to those who know me—clearly Neil Gaiman! And since, thanks to his popular Sandman comic series, he made early connections with many artists, we now have beautifully illustrated special editions of many of his works. Some are only available in English, like the edition of “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” with the dynamic illustrations by Elise Hurst. Fortunately, “The Sleeper and the Spindle” has also made its way to us. Chris Riddell, who has illustrated several of Gaiman’s works, enhances this retelling of Sleeping Beauty with black-and-white ink drawings accented with gold.

As I continue along my shelves, I often notice books that reimagine old tales. In 2012, Victoria Francés published her reinterpretation of “The Little Mermaid.” In “Lament of the Sea,” we find not only a deeply dramatic love story but also large, full-page illustrations by the artist on every spread. Again, the colors are soft and muted, transporting readers into a time far beyond memory.

That vividly colorful stories can also be impressive is clearly shown by the next books. Benjamin Lacombe is by now a well-known name. His wide-eyed figures adorn many volumes, and his “Alice in Wonderland” editions rank among the most beautiful books I know. But I was equally enchanted by his fresh interpretation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Together with Sébastien Perez, Lacombe retold the adventure in Oz from the Scarecrow’s perspective, breathing new life into L. Frank Baum’s original story.

One of the true treasures in my collection is the illustrated edition of the ancient Chinese ballad about the warrior Hua Mulan. Here you’ll find not only the original verses in Chinese but also the English translation, complemented by full-page illustrations. Did you know that, according to legend, Hua Mulan didn’t just fight in one battle, but in hundreds over many years? A look inside is definitely worthwhile for anyone interested in the legend.

Let’s stay with old stories for a bit longer. Classics are being made accessible to new generations through beautiful interior and exterior designs. Leading the way are the editions from Coppenrath Verlag in collaboration with the design studio MinaLima. Whether “Peter Pan,” “Alice,” or “Beauty and the Beast,” these editions can be flipped, unfolded, and explored, turning the books into a true experience for young and old alike.

Another gem among the classics, this time from Knesebeck Verlag, is the edition of Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” illustrated by William O’Connor. Each page looks like an old journal, filled with pencil sketches and colorful paintings. In style and spirit, we accompany Professor Pierre Aronnax aboard the Nautilus under Captain Nemo’s command. Will we encounter mysterious sea creatures along the way?