5 Offbeat Adult Coloring Books for a Fun and Stress-Free 2017

Joanne Camas — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 07:00:56 +0000

There’s a distinct possibility that the world and all its craziness can get a bit overwhelming now and then. (We’re looking at you, 2016…) And in response, many adults are turning to a relaxing old-school pastime to de-stress and unwind. Coloring.
Yes, coloring books are back, but this time they’re geared towards grown-ups. If you think you’re too old for this kids’ stuff, think again: Grab coloring pencils instead of crayons, and jump in. We bet you’ll be hooked right away.
Whether you’re a within-the-lines person or a free-spirited crayoner, there’s a coloring book for you. Just think: There’s nothing to charge, no bright screen to disturb your circadian rhythms, no noise involved. Radical.
Here, 5 offbeat coloring books to soothe, entertain and perhaps even educate. Either treat yourself, or pick out one to help a friend relax.

1. Netter’s Anatomy Coloring Book

If you’ve got the stomach for it (sorry), this is an interesting book. The level of detail is impressive, and you’ll probably have to concentrate to complete the coloring for each sketch. Along the way, you’ll learn about guts, bones, the pathways of arteries and nerves, and more. Some drawings show dissected body parts, so you’ll be able to share the intimate details of the body’s inner workings with all your friends. They’ll no doubt be delighted.

2. Medicinal Plants of the Northeast

This book is a new project from the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in Montpelier, and it is designed as both a fundraiser to support its work and as a way to share knowledge of nature’s healing plants. It’s crowdfunded and should be available by the end of the year. Although the title says “Northeast,” many of the plants illustrated in the book are found throughout the U.S. Learn how to spot black cohosh, partridge berry, sassafras, wintergreen, echinacea, goldenrod, St. John’s wort, yarrow and more.

3. Fantastic Cities

In this coloring book, artist Steve McDonald has sketched intricate drawing of buildings from New York, London, Paris, Istanbul, Tokyo, Melbourne, Rio, Amsterdam and many more major cities. Now you have to color the finishing touches. You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled the globe from the comfort of your couch.

4. Hot Dudes Coloring Book

Flowers and rainbows seem too everyday for you? Thankfully, there are a few eye-candy coloring books out there. “Men in Uniform” may be interesting, but the cool guys on the cover of “Hot Dudes” caught our attention. The publishers describe what’s between the covers this way: “Handsome heartthrobs and sexy bad boys have stepped out of your fantasies and slipped into the “Hot Dudes Coloring Book.” Enjoy bringing the men of your dreams to life—in living color!”

5. Color Me Crazy

This book by illustrator Peter Deligdisch is full of “insanely detailed creations to challenge your skills and blow your mind,” says the publisher. Well, a little bit of crazy we can handle, right? Why not see it as a challenge — a way to lose yourself in your work as you color and connect the teeny-tiny pieces. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, but on paper.