The Elements of a Home

From the importance of the clink of ice in a cocktail shaker to the devilish development of cutlery, Amy Azzarito's book The Elements of a Home: Curious Histories behind Everyday Household Objects, from Pillows to Forks tells the tales of more than 60 ordinary furnishings and objects. Arranged alphabetically, the book's entries traverse time to pick through origin stories and interesting advancements that anyone who loves trivia-and a nice surprise-will value.