This week Streisand has seen her first book land in stores, but it's no memoir of star turns in films such as "Funny Girl" or "The Way We Were," nor does it recount the making of albums that have sold over 71 million copies. For her debut as an author, Streisand has instead written about her love of architecture, art, furniture and landscaping in "My Passion for Design."

But don't be fooled by its title because within the pages, the star tells tales from her life and career that influenced the choices she made in designing her dream home in Malibu, California. "I think it makes it more interesting," she told Reuters about the book's first-person style.

"People have been asking me to write my autobiography, but I don't want to go there yet and be that personal. I guess it crept into my own writing." "This is how I see the world now, and what is beautiful to me," she added.

The coffee table book from Viking publishers takes readers on Streisand's years-long journey planning, building and furnishing the compound that resembles a 19th century New England farm with a barn, mill house, main house, Grandma's house and even a chicken coop.