Jonathan Adler

Interior Designer; Product/Industrial Designer / United States / Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler’s Book List

12 books
Kiera Coffee

This book has only just been released, but I had the privilege of seeing an advance copy and I can honestly say that it’s the most inspiring book I’ve ever seen. Alexander Girard was a genius. Everything he did was beautiful and original and idiosyncratic. I love him. But I don’t love how bloody prolific he was—makes me feel like a total slacker.

David France

I read this book along with Vulgar Favors and Wonder Bread & Ecstasy in one week and I feel like they belong in one entry—kind of a triptych about the sordid underbelly of gay life. Just buy them and read them. You won't be sorry.

Simon Doonan

Best. Book. Ever.

Ashley Hicks

David Hicks was the chic-est decorator ever. But what I really love about his work is that it’s not just chic—it's fun and playful and joyful, all the things I believe good design should be. Love him, love him, love him. Respect.

Fran Lebowitz

Back to my camp childhood. I read it the summer of my Bar Mitzvah and dreamed of clawing my way to the witty Manhattan world of Fran Lebowitz. I should send her a thank-you note for creating my sensibility and my aspirations.

Henry Beard

An inspiring read from my camp youth. Miss Piggy introduced moi to the magic of Franglais. It’s a really brilliant and hilarious book.

Andy Warhol

A camp childhood inspiration. Read it as a teen and knew that Andy Warhol was my hero. I wish he were still alive.

John Irving

Not the biggest John Irving fan, but I love this book. I’m Sam the Skeptic and I hate magical realism, but I was totally able to suspend my disbelief for this book’s fate-based conceit. For a similar freaky-but-utterly-convincing-supernatural sitch try Patrick Süskind’s Perfume. Fab.

Judith Krantz

A glorious paean to the power of style and retail. When I read it as a kid (I was a kinda’ camp kid, I must admit) I knew I wanted to have a groovy store someday.

Dawn Powell

Just found out that Dawn Powell lived in my apartment building in New York. Kinda’ made my heart race. I love her. This 1942 page-turner about social climbing in New York is still relevant today. Sadly, I only discovered Dawn Powell in my camp adulthood.

Maureen Orth

See my comments on Bag of Toys.

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