Summer Reading List
A little over a year ago, well before I decided to pursue woodworking full-time, the chamber of commerce for the neighborhood I was living in had a program where they gave local artisans the opportunity to set up rotating shops in nearby unrented retail spaces. One such artisan was Phillip Keefe, a mindblowingly talented woodworker who designs and builds fantastical, anthropomorphic studio furniture all by hand - no power tools whatsoever. I stopped by to chat with Phillip one day and as I was saying my goodbyes, I asked him where he found the best educational content and if he had any favorite creators on YouTube or Instagram. His response? He mostly avoids advice from the internet; instead, he turns to books.
From then until today, I’ve purposefully and singularly sought out books that speak to topics relevant to woodworking and furniture design. Some are straightforward how-to manuals on woodworking techniques. Some discuss, in great detail, the science behind trees, lumber, and the structural forces that good furniture must navigate without falling apart. Others are more abstract and pertain to artistry and craftsmanship at a broader level. Initially, I was reading books like these to mentally escape from my corporate 9-to-5. Post-layoff, my reading became even more intentional; I viewed it as sort of a “summer reading list” that would hopefully prepare me for the year to come at Waters & Acland. My wife, who admittedly does not share this same passion for woodworking, also benefitted from my reading list; on nights where she struggled to fall asleep, just a few paragraphs read aloud from whichever book I was currently working through would send her right to sleep.
Just as Phillip did with me, I want to share with you some of my favorite books from the past year, along with a short description of each. This list is far from exhaustive, and I know that I’ll have plenty of new favorites to add in the future. If you have any suggestions to share, I’d love to hear them, too.
Understanding Wood: A Craftsman’s Guide to Wood Technology by R. Bruce Hoadley
Not for the faint hearted, this book reads more like a textbook than any other I’ve read this past year. The information presented is dense, highly technical, and frankly much of it went above my head at first. However, Hoadley does an amazing job at encapsulating the vast science of tree biology and stressors such as grain movement and humidity changes - topics that I knew very little of beforehand but now appreciate on a much greater level.
The Why and How of Woodworking: A Simple Approach for Making Meaningful Work by Michael Pekovich
Pekovich is currently the chief editor of Fine Woodworking magazine and a brilliantly methodical maker in his own right. This book reads like many in the broader woodworking genre as it’s primarily presented as a series of step-by-step build guides. That being said, what I liked in particular about this book was how Pekovich slips in both practical tips as well as philosophical musings. He writes in a way that makes a tutorial read almost like a true narrative - you’ll finish this one faster than you think.
The Anarchist’s Design Book by Christopher Schwarz
Schwarz and his Lost Art Press are one of the most influential publishers of woodworking prose in the Western World. The Anarchist’s Design Book was my first real introduction to the idea of vernacular furniture, or “ordinary” furniture that exists to be used by “ordinary” people (though don’t let that make you think his designs are any less sophisticated). Schwarz evangelizes the idea of sturdy, well-proportioned, and practical furniture like no other, and this book is quick to convert its readers to a similar disposition. Also, he’s one hell of a writer and you might even find yourself laughing while reading about stool construction - crazy, I know.
Principles of Design: Furniture, Pottery, and Metalwork by Wiliam H. Varnum
Though dated in terms of publication, much of this text is timeless. The author presents a series of design rules spanning multiple crafts including woodwork, spun pottery, and forged metals. The rules range from ideal ratios when designing proportions to guidance on how the eye should be encouraged to travel when viewing a piece and when it’s best to add flourish to an object versus when to let it stand as-is. I found Varnum’s rules to be both simple and broad-reaching, and I’m looking forward to applying them in my own designs.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
You’d probably assume that a book written by noted music producer Rick Rubin wouldn’t pertain much to the world of woodworking, but this text is designed with all creatives in mind, whether you’re a sculptor, chef, painter, guitarist, or even a furniture designer-maker. Rubin provides a near-infinite well of tips for bolstering one’s creative reservoirs and each chapter left me wanting to get out there and make something new and exciting. Also, I must admit that I listened to this as an audiobook (sue me), which i highly recommend as the author’s narration is so soothing and inspiring.
For those interested, below is a mostly exhaustive list of the other books I’ve read in the past year or so.
With the Grain: A Craftsman’s Guide to Understanding Wood by Christian Becksvoort
The History of Furniture: Twenty Five Centuries of Style and Design in the Western Tradition by John Morley
The Complete Manual of Woodworking by Albert Jackson, David Day, and Simon Jennings
The Essential Woodworker by Robert Wearing
The Woodworker: The Charles H. Hayward Years, Volumes One (Tools) and Two (Techniques) by Charles H. Hayward
The Anarchist’s Tool Chest by Christopher Schwarz
The Intelligent Hand by David Binnington Savage
With Wakened Hands: Furniture by James Krenov and Students by James Krenov
The Impractical Cabinetmaker by James Krenov
A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook by James Krenov
Why We Make Things and Why It Matters: The Education of a Craftsman by Peter Korn
Old Soul, New Creation: Experiencing God Through a Life of Art and Faith by Jake Weidmann
Whether one is designing a bird-house, a chocolate set, or a gold pendant, the article must meet three needs: (1) It must be of service to the community or to the individual; (2) It must be made of some durable material; (3) It must possess beauty of proportion, outline, and color.
- William H. Varnum