Miranda July’s ideal bookshelf (top) and Judd Apatow’s ideal bookshelf (below).

A wonderful new book called My Ideal Bookshelf debuts November 13th. Writer and Paris Review editor Thessaly LaForce and artist Jane Mount interviewed their favourite creators about what few books would be on their ideal bookshelf, then Mount made paintings of the selections. The resulting portraits-through-books are witty, revealing and profound; the paintings show how deeply our identities are forged within the imaginations of the writers we have loved. Included are the ideal shelves of Alice Waters, Maira Kalman, George Saunders, Patti Smith and many more. Oh, and Jane Mount also accepts commissions! Perhaps a good Christmas or holiday gift?