So by now I guess it’s pretty apparent that I’m addicted to books. No, not just the kind you read…actually, I’m addicted to those less than I am the kind you look at. The kind of book you look at mostly and read only sort of. Comics KIND OF fit that bill, but mostly I’m thinking of the ubiquitous art book. The Coffee Table book, if you will.

So far, my book recommending on this blog has been largely focused on the kind of books one reads because, well, that seems the most worthwhile for all involved. There have been a few exceptions I guess, but for the most part, it’s been about words on a page that make you think in pictures. But!

As I have tons and tons of awesome books that really have no ‘sit down and read it’ value that I think would be right up this blog’s alley, I’m toying with the idea of posting one or two a week here on the Bloglin as part of a new series in the new year. My main fear is that I’m going to say I’m going to do it and then it will be a ‘series’ of posts with exactly one or two posts in it. I hate that. But here’s hoping. Coffee Table Stable. Or something better if I can think of it.

For now, though, check out Taschen’s amazing and affordable Men’s Adventure Magazines. It is very much in the vein of everything I’m looking for from a pretty-to-look-at-and-get-ideas-from art book. Tons of awesome reference from a wide range of pulp magazine covers from the heyday, a little bit of history and essay-writing, and, well, really smart pulls. Good editing and fantastic printing always make for a quick, breezy, and ultimately entertaining flip through a book like this, and not to plug, but Taschen always delivers that sort of experience (for me) and does it insanely cheaply, to boot. Hats off.

More photos after the jump. Happy Holidays to all. Also: Weasels ripped my Flesh; I sailed the undersea patrol.