Creative writer and photographer extraordinaire Shana Novak curated a collection of family treasures (each accompanied by a captivating story that explores the deep emotional connections associated with the items) in her lovely coffee table edition, “The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell.”

This lovely book features a diverse range of family keepsakes and objects—from old apartment keys to a pair of worn running shoes (Model Christy Turlington’s father’s)—each with its unique narrative.

These stories are not just about the objects but the memories and emotions they evoke in the person who treasures them.

Novak has a singular ability to transform these keepsakes into meaningful works of art. Her photographs capture what makes each item unique, and the accompanying stories allow readers to connect with the objects on an intimate level.

The Heirloomist is more than just a collection of photographs and stories; it’s a celebration of the power of objects to hold and convey our most cherished memories.

It’s a perfect coffee table book that invites readers to reflect on their own treasured items and the stories they hold.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Shana Novak, and Publisher Chronicle Books for this advanced reader's copy for review.

A very interesting book for anyone who likes old things. Great at showing that every item has a story. Not typical but very good!

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is a perfect gift, coffee table book, or book to read with your Mom or garage-sale-loving best friend. It is packed with a variety of material culture and stories to warm your heart, make you cry, and so much more.

I find it fascinating what people cherish and hold on to. As someone that lost my mother relatively young, I totally get this book. I loved seeing all the items and the meaning behind it.

This was a really lovely collection of pictures and photos. It’s fascinating to see what folks cherish and why.

"Things don't have to be valuable to be valuable to you."

As a nosy person, I love seeing other peoples' stuff, their collectibles and treasures, and hearing the stories behind each object - where it came from, and how it became important. Novak's book was obviously right up my alley. She carefully photographs each treasured item, then lets the owner tell the tale of how it came to mean so much. From one woman's homemade "Cabbage Patch" doll, to an unforgettable dog's beloved tennis balls, to a special gift left behind by a fireman who perished at the World Trade Center, this is a beautifully poignant communal "show and tell" filled with images and stories that will touch your heart.

This was billed as more of a how-to book and an ode to a life well-lived but in reality it was just a series of essays about objects. Interesting concept for a blog but I'm not sure it was book-worthy.

If you enjoyed Brandon Stanton's "Humans of New York" or "Last Suppers: Famous Final Meals from Death Row," you'll find "The Heirloomist" to be a familiar and captivating read.

"The Heirloomist" celebrates the cherished items we hold dear, exploring what makes them special and the memories they evoke, beautifully captured by photographer Shana Novak. While many entries are celebrity or sports-related, which may appeal to some readers, it lacks some potential diversity. Nevertheless, it remains a wonderful addition to any coffee table.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Another entry in the 'something popular from the internet' to book genre, The Heirloomist takes one hundred of the stories that have appeared on their website, alongside a photo of the object. The webpage's goals is for: "Your belongings tell the stories of who you are & where you come from. We know how to make them shine."* And that is the mission of the book too.

As a collection this book appeals through it's well presented photographs, but the stories attached are very much of the Reader's Digest bent. They tend to be short, newspaper like summaries of what the object is and why it was meaningful to the person who chose it. We learn of the lives of loved ones gone to soon, the key formative moments in a relationship or sources of identity for both the individual and a family. There are expected objects like jewelry, uniform pieces, the things of children and some unexpected entries like one person's choice of an ephemeral meal.

A lot of the entries are about celebrities or public figures, successful in some way. By choosing just the object it is an opportunity to be more inclusive, where race and identity is presented through the story told instead of being assumed from portraits. In general I was left wishing the interviews/ written blurbs pushed just a little bit more. Asking questions like why this object? What other object(s) did the subject consider? Or some acknowledgement or discussion of those living in more developed nations acquisitive need to accumulate stuff.

If you're looking for an uplifting coffee table to leaf through occasionally, this is your book. If you'd rather have something that investigates how the items are made and used Bloomsbury's Object Lessons series offers a lot more exploration and interrogation of how and why we interact and hold on to the things around us.

*"About the Heirloomist." Heirloomist https://www.theheirloomist.com/about Accessed April 24, 2024.

This was a sweet collection of interesting photographs and more interesting stories. It would make for a nice coffee table piece.

A unique collection of all sorts of items and along with them, the stories of why they are treasures to the person/people they now belong to. Some of the stories were heartwarming, others very emotional. I loved the wide range in the variety of objects featured! Reading this book felt as if I was touring a museum of people's lives from around the country.
Thank you for a copy of this arc.

I have an insatiable curiosity for what others find special. Do they keep knick-knacks like I do? Do their belongings hold memories like mine? Is their house full of magic? My mom collects many things, and I've grown up finding magic in even the smallest items. She always had a story behind every object. I was fascinated with this book from the first pages, and I found myself reminiscing about the origins behind my trinkets. I can't wait to buy a copy for my mom,

This book is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming, but how magical it was to see into other people's lives through their treasured belongings. Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. What a great way to walk down other people's memory lane. It had me thinking about which item in my collection I would want to have photographed.

These stories of a hundred treasures are a heartwarming roller coaster of emotions that will make you feel so many things. The stories range from sweet to heartbreaking, with each treasure striking all the right feelings and keeping you invested. You get the sweet charm with stories such as a fork that centers around a meet-cute for a couple and a sweet love note from childhood. Then balancing these stories are truly heartbreaking ones such as a father's locker left after 9/11 though each one is filled with great sentiment. Each treasure is a way to connect to family and memories, some are handed down from a grandmother fleeing Germany, and others are building a life together in a dream home. This book is highly recommended and serves as a quick read for those who enjoy non-fiction. This also appeals to a variety of ages and is perfect for families to share what treasures they have handed down or to hand down. The mark of a great book leaves you thinking deeper about your own life and The Heirloomist does just that.

The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell by Shana Novak is a celebration of cherished objects and the stories and people behind them. Through striking portraits and short essays, Novak invites readers into the intimate world of meaningful keepsakes, ranging from things that seem to be everyday items to those that are much more unusual.

The book features a diverse group of people and the 100 objects they hold most dear, from well-known celebrities to everyday people. From a pair of old apartment keys to a sculptural inspiration for mother-centered healthcare, the stories are interesting for both the relatableness and their hidden depths. Every object carries a deep message about the human experience.

Novak’s photography captures the essence of each object with a simple, yet artful style. The book isn’t just a collection of images; it is also evidence of the power of storytelling.The Heirloomist is more than just a coffee table book; it’s a tribute to the emotional connections we form with the things, and people, we hold dear. It doesn’t matter if the objects were gifts, markers of special occasions, or common items that became important because of the emotions they evoke, they will all be of interest to readers who appreciate the beauty of everyday treasures and the stories that make them unforgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

"The Heirloomist" by photographer Shana Novak is a warm celebration of cherished keepsakes and the narratives they encapsulate. From old apartment keys to worn running shoes, each object becomes a unique work of art in Novak's hands. The curated collection of 100 objects, ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary, shares the remarkable stories of everyday people and cultural figures alike. Regardless of size or cost, these meaningful items hold powerful messages that contribute to the rich tapestry of our lives. Novak's visually captivating journey beautifully captures the essence of each heirloom, turning them into timeless artifacts that narrate tales of love, history, and sentiment. This delightful and sentimental collection in "The Heirloomist" serves as a testament to the enduring power of objects in weaving the stories of our lives. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this enriching experience.

The Heirloomist by Shana Novak has a simple premise, a picture of a treasure item and the story behind it.

And the simple format works. The Tiana Santore's magna doodle hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought the tulip ring story would be the top tier of sentimentality, but the magna doodle was so striking that I almost couldn't keep going. Almost, of course, means that I did keep going and the other vignettes are interesting too.

The Heirloomist

4 Stars

This was a beautiful book about the things we choose to keep, the memories they hold, and the impact they have on our lives.

I'm a visual person, so I found the photography stunning and very engaging. I found some areas of this book more challenging to read. As a mother, I had the hardest time reading about stories about children who have passed. For similar reasons, I'm not a pediatric nurse. Overall, I found this book very interesting. It's a pretty good book.


Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.

I really love this book. I never thought about it much but I guess I am the Heirloomist for our family. Reading Shana Novak's book was so enjoyable. It explored what I have been feeling for a long time. These pieces have history. These pieces have a story, a story that should be told. I enjoyed the photographs so much and the narrative that goes with each picture is delightful. It breathes life into inanimate objects. Those things that some would say 'why are you holding on to that?' They are the stories of our ancestors and they should be told. We don't necessarily hold on to things because they have monetary value. We hold on to them because they tell a story and have emotional value and sometimes that is so important.
I would like Shana Novak not only for writing and photographing this book but for letting me put a name to how I feel about certain objects. I would also like to thank Chronical Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sentimental and beautiful but incredibly challenging to read at some points. As a mother to small children, I had a hard time reading about stories where children have passed. With that said, it was still incredible to see how the parents continued on with their childs’ memory through their heirlooms. Though these treasures were often gathered after losing a loved one, the author did a great job of portraying the hope that each of these people continued to have even after the passing of somebody they cherished.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.