From the nostalgic charm of vintage covers to the colour and character of a well-loved bookshelf, books have a visual appeal that extends far beyond the written word. And for artists inspired by their distinctive designs and enduring stories, the possibilities are endless. Here we explore some imaginative ways to bring a little literary inspiration into your home, with artworks that offer stories all of their own.

From the unmistakable colour blocks of Penguin Classics to the gloriously lurid illustrations of mid-century pulp fiction, vintage book covers have style to spare. The Connor Brothers  have taken these icons of literary nostalgia and given them a thoroughly modern makeover and a whole new story to tell. Hang one, hang a dozen. Either way, these gleefully subversive, but effortlessly stylish, artworks bring character, controversy and conversation to any room.

From meticulously colour-coordinated ‘rainbow booking’ to the artfully chaotic collections of ‘bookshelf wealth’, our books and how we display them have become an expression of personal style. But you can count on The Connor Brothers to take bookshelf chic into rather more provocative territory. Their striking compositions of vintage spines are all elegance and style from across the room, but closer inspection reveals a litany of witty asides, inappropriate observations and colourful language lurking amongst the literary greats. A beautifully curated miniature library. (Just don’t expect to find a children’s section.)

The Connor Brothers aren’t the only artists finding inspiration in the literary world. Contemporary colourist Michael Rumsby draws extensively on books and literature across his work, while for others, the books themselves become part of the picture. In Jonjo Elliott’s vibrant interiors for instance, precarious piles of books sit alongside brightly coloured furniture and an eclectic assortment of everyday objects, creating rooms full of character that invite us to imagine the lives unfolding within them. Leo Manelli takes a different approach, putting reading firmly in the spotlight. His playful Reading Lesson gives a classical masterpiece a thoroughly contemporary twist, with street and Pop art influences disrupting the picture-perfect scene. Whether an artwork makes us smile, makes us think, or starts a conversation, there’s something very rewarding about living with a picture you never quite finish reading.