Reading is a significant part of my day-to-day life, both personally and professionally. During the summer holidays, one activity I particularly enjoy is curling up with a book and reading leisurely.
While I enjoy a variety of genres, I have a penchant for history and the ancient world, enjoying both historical fiction and non-fiction. Here are four book recommendations for the antiques and history aficionados, spanning different categories for the broad and selective reader:
Non-Fiction
Edmund de Waal’s The White Road
Edmund de Waal’s The White Road is a personal telling of the authors quest to better understand porcelain or ‘White gold’. Working as a potter for over four decades, de Waal was motivated to write this part memoir, part historical book. The account follows his journeys around the world, to sites of importance to porcelain production starting with his travels to the three white hills namely Jingdezhen in China, Meissen in Germany and various locations across England, places where porcelain was created or re-invented.
De Waal’s journey reveals more than he was expecting, I won’t give too much away, but it is certainly an interesting read for lovers of porcelain and history.
Edmund de Waal’s The Hare with the Amber Eyes
Another masterpiece by Edmund de Waal, The Hare with the Amber Eyes, is a deeply evocative family memoir. It tells the story of a collection of 264 Japanese netsuke that were passed down through five generations of the Ephrussi family, de Waal’s ancestors. Through meticulous research, de Waal traces the journey of these netsuke from 1870s Paris to present-day Tokyo. Along the way, the book delves into the socio-political upheavals of the early 20th century, chronicling the rise and fall of the once-prominent Ephrussi family.
This memoir is interesting from a historical perspective but also a great read for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the journey and human story connected to collecting; a perspective that is often not shared.
Fiction
Tracey Chevalier’s The Lady and the Unicorn
Tracy Chevalier weaves fact and fiction into a rich literary tapestry in her 2004 novel The Lady and the Unicorn. Set in the 15th century, the novel imagines the story behind the creation of one of the most famous medieval tapestry series, which now resides at the Musée de Cluny (now the Musée de Moyen Âge) in Paris.
Shrouded in mystery, the Cluny tapestries have sparked much debate since their acquisition by the museum in 1882. They are believed to have been commissioned by the Le Viste family and feature a complex allegorical theme based on the five senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell – with a sixth, enigmatic panel titled À mon seul désir.
Chevalier’s narrative follows the intricate process of creating these works of art, weaving together the voices and perspectives of characters, bringing the world of medieval tapestry to life.
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Author and comedian Stephen Fry is, in my humble opinion, always entertaining – and Mythos is no exception. Told from a third-person perspective, Mythos offers a witty and engaging retelling of Classical Greek mythology, beginning with the birth of the cosmos and continuing through the rise of the Olympian gods. Whether you’re already familiar with these ancient stories or encountering them for the first time, Fry’s narration is clear, informative, and consistently entertaining.
By Chiara Curcio, Head of Decorative Arts, Design & Interiors
Top Image (Detaiil): Mythos by Stephen Fry
December 2025