The Monocle Shop Turns its Eye to Publishing

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It already boasts everything from swimming trunks to Japanese CDs, but The Monocle Shop is preparing to welcome yet another offering—a series of collectible books. The magazine-turned-boutique teamed up with several popular authors to create souped-up versions of their titles, starting with pop philosopher Alain de Botton's The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work.

The book, which explores why the daily grind is actually a good thing, boasts linen covers, crisp design, a bonus DVD, and a color photography section documenting de Botton's adventures in biscuit manufacturing and rocket science. Each of the 500 copies is signed, but if you'd rather talk cargo ship spotting with de Botton himself, he'll be signing copies at Monocle's Brentwood Country Mart boutique on Thursday from 12:30pm-2pm.
· Now Open: Monocle Focuses on Brentwood [Racked]
· Monocle [Official Site]
· Alain de Botton [Official Site]