You can't get more colorful than the Penguin Drop Caps series designed by illustrator and typographer Jessica Hische and Penguin art director Paul Buckley. So far, 16 books are available, from A (Jane Austen) to P (Marcel Proust). "I can't wait to complete the rainbow of the full alphabet," says Wine, whose custom-collection company is Juniper Books. ($22 each; onekingslane.com)
A book about cover designs for Lolita — the original was published with a plain green cover, but the material is rich with inspiration for designers participating in the Lolita Book Cover project to create new versions from their imagination. ($21; target.com)
One look at the beautiful cover of this book and you'll want to read the rhyming novel, published posthumously — be sure to appreciate the unique illustration and typography. ($19; amazon.com)
The design of this new edition of Tom Clancy's thriller really hits the mark and captures the essence of the book. The leather binding also confers a proper classic status on the groundbreaking thriller. ($64; eastonpress.com)
This one was first published a few years ago but came back into print this year. At 20 x 13 x 3 inches and weighing in at 20 pounds, it's a true heavyweight achievement and a personal favorite on the coffee table. Wine writes, "I never tire of flipping through the book." ($134; amazon.com)
This collection, featuring books repurposed into art, is a great survey of 27 artists in the field who have carved, painted and sculpted books, establishing a new medium. ($19; amazon.com)
Featuring libraries from China to Finland, James W.P. Campbell's beautifully produced photography book features libraries and their architecture from all over the globe. ($50; amazon.com)
This book, from Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi (authors of Jerusalem: A Cookbook), is visually stunning, with plenty of delicious, creative recipes. ($22; amazon.com)
Not only is Native American author Louise Erdrich's modern classic set on the Ojibwe reservation worth a read, but it also offers a neat jacket design. ($19; amazon.com)
John Currence's cookbook is the perfect gift for anyone with an appetite for Southern cooking — plus, it's something different and fun! ($22; amazon.com)
Probably Wine's favorite work from the much-coveted Assouline Ultimate Collection, Kenneth E. Silver's massive book is a hand-bound limited edition with color plates in a linen clamshell case. ($695; assouline.com)
The Great Gatsby, purple books and just about anything from The Folio Society — what's not to love? The only catch is — you have to become a member of The Folio Society to get your hands on one. ($44; foliosociety.com)
The Wizard of Oz, Pippi Longstocking and Peter Pan with cool chalkboard-style soft covers are great, beautiful gifts for kids. Don't these portable editions have eye-catching designs? ($7 each; tanamachistudio.com)
This set of 12 board books is designed to introduce literary classics to the youngest readers and teach various other things along the way. From Alice in Wonderland to Sense & Sensibility, these are super fun for parents and kids to enjoy. ($120; juniperbooks.com)
Taschen published an edition of The Brothers Grimm a few years ago. It was beautiful, but still too scary for kids! The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen is a real delight — a substantial book to hold, a visual treat to browse. With timeless classics such as The Princess and the Pea, it's a fun book for the whole family. ($39; taschen.com)
Uta and Thilo von Debschitz's eye-opening book highlights a lesser-known figure in the field of infographics — Fritz Kahn, a pioneer in the visual expression of ideas. The book is part history, part biography and part art book. ($59; taschen.com)
Sumptuous is the word that comes to mind when handling this definitive Taschen book on Gustav Klimt. You feel transported and enveloped in Klimt's gilded paintings as you flip through Tobias Natter's book. ($200; taschen.com)
Penguin book designer Coralie Bickford-Smith's covers for The Count of Monte Cristo and Vanity Fair are colorful and playful — just like the 32 books in the series before them. ($30 each; penguingroup.com)
