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"The Word Illuminated: Form and Function of Qur'anic Manuscripts from the Seventh to Seventeenth Centuries" edited by Simon Rettig and Sana Mirza delves into the material, religious, social, and political contexts of luxury Qur'anic manuscripts produced between the late seventh and early seventeenth centuries. The volume, based on a symposium held in conjunction with an exhibition in Washington, DC, emphasizes the regional traditions, historical moments, and artistic concerns reflected in Qur'anic manuscripts. Through a series of essays, the book explores the visual canonization, patronage, and performative functions of these manuscripts, shedding light on their significance as agents of power, prestige, and self-fashioning. This scholarly work provides valuable insights into the material and social histories of illuminated Qur'anic manuscripts, offering a rich resource for students, catalogers, and curators interested in Ottoman-adjacent manuscript cultures. [Extracted from the article]

The Technique of Islamic Bookbinding: Methods, Materials and Regional Varieties. By KARIN SCHEPER. Islamic Manuscripts and Books, vol 8. Leiden: BRILL, 2015. Pp. xii + 428, illus. $181, [euro]140. In [...]

Lapis and Gold: Exploring Chester Beally 's Ruzbihan Qur'an. By ELAINE WRIGHT. London: AD ILISSUM, 2018. Pp. xvi + 320, color illus. $120, [pounds sterling]90.00, [euro]100. This lavishly illustrated volume [...]