Garage Reinventing the place we park

These two books are fine additions to the literature of architecture and building from Taunton Press, best known for the magazines Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. In an introduction and six chapters, Obolensky, who collaborated with Sarah Susanka on The Not So Large House, presents 52 garages, from basic to elaborate. Various styles and purposes are illustrated, including workshops, hobby shops, living spaces, and parking spaces. The extraordinary photography that accompanies the precise text brings the glory of the "Garage Mahal" to life. The result is whimsical in tone yet serious in design and execution detail. Architect Mulfinger and writer/editor Davis accomplish much the same for the cabin. In four chapters "Rustic," "Transformed," "Traditional," and "Modern" they present 36 cabins from across the United States. In addition to exterior and interior photographs, colored renderings of site plans are included where needed. The authors also emphasize the importance of mood and environment. While this book is a bit more serious than Garage, the joy in the discovery of great design operates strongly here as well. These extraordinarily well-produced books are enthusiastically recommended, particularly in communities strong in second-home construction. Alex Hartmann, Williamsport, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.