Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World) by Maira Kalman is this illustrator's first monograph, published to coincide with an exhibition of the same name. Kalman considers her work to be a sort of journalism as she records the details of life around her in a whimsical, sometimes touching, way. This book, or catalogue, really, includes drawings, sketches, journal entries, photos and examples of embroidery that depict the world from Kalman's kind, but sharp, point of view. For true Kalman fans, although some will always keep The Principles of Uncertainty at the top of the Kalman list.

Hardcover, 144 pages. Prestel USA, 2010. $23.07 at Amazon.

+ Various Illuminations at Amazon