Who cares about subprime mortgages? Two big new picture books feed the fantasy of the architecturally ideal home. The Iconic House, by Dominic Bradbury, with photographs by Richard Powers (Thames & Hudson; 351 pages), offers a comprehensive look at great domiciles since 1900, with many rich pictures, floor plans and even axiometric drawings. In Frank Gehry: Houses (Rizzoli; 320 pages), authors Mildred Friedman and Sylvia Lavin lead an authoritative tour of the ways America's most famous architect has been its most daring homemaker. — Richard Lacayo
Prices:The Iconic House: $65 at Powell's Books
Frank Gehry: Houses: $85 at Powell's Books