There’s something about a nice coffee table book, isn’t there? Just sitting there, looking all pretty.
We’re sure at one point in history, the central table in the living room was used to place your full coffee cup. In today’s home, it all seems a bit too risky. if we dared to sit our coffee cups down, one wag of a dog’s tail and bye-bye caffeine. now, the coffee table is more of a foot-resting, kids-toy-collecting, magazine-rack, clean-laundry-folding, and candle-holding table, amirite?
No judgments here if you’re a voracious reader and want Tolstoy’s War and Peace displayed for all to see; good on you! We don’t want to take the title “coffee table book” too seriously. a good read and eye candy are equally important. s,o we’ve pulled together the most beautiful coffee table books that cover a variety of interests for everyone in the family. Check out the list below and let us know in the comments if we’ve missed any of your favorites!
1. for the entertainer
If you’re into simple, entertaining, and beautiful photographs, this is the coffee table book for you. jenni gives us some beautiful and simple (our favorite!) ways to host and entertain that make you look like a pro.
We love the beauty and good ideas this book brings for all seasons.
Pacific Natural: Simple Seasonal Entertaining by Jenni Kayne
2. for the rescuer
Our heroes who #adoptdontshop are displayed in this book with stunning photos of their fur babies. stories like these will always melt our hearts as we both have adopted rescue dogs from our local bay area shelters. just be sure to have a box of tissues on hand at the coffee table beside this book, you’re going to need it.
Finding Home: Shelter Dogs and Their Stories (A photographic tribute to rescue dogs) by Traer Scott
3. for the comedian
The first time we saw these photos from Gray Malin, we fell in love. His creative eye brings light and laughter to your day and let us tell you, we could all use a little levity up in here.
gray has many photography books that are stunning to flip through, especially during a midday slump or when you’re facing the Sunday scaries. this one in particular made the list based on the hilarious and unique cover photo that will make you and your guests laugh out loud every time.
4. for the writer
The queen herself wrote a book. Need we say more?
we are naturally in love with all things dolly (have you seen our dollygram yet?), but this book highlights how smartly she wrote the lyrics to her songs as a true storyteller.
Dolly Parton, Storyteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton
5. for the historian
Moments in history are restored, adding color and bringing them to life in this beautiful coffee table book. Flip through for visual eye candy as well as learning more about major historical events, reliving them in full color.
History as They Saw It: Iconic Moments from the Past in Color by Wolfgang WIld & Jordan Lloyd
6. for the snow bunnies
filled with over 200 maps hand-painted by james niehues, this book is a great option for friends and family members who love hitting the slopes. it’s not a bad option for the additional family members who go to the resorts to drink in the lodge, either!
The Man Behind the Maps by Todd Bennett, Ben Farrow, Jason Blevins
7. for the car lovers
Flip through this massive storytelling book around the evolution of car design throughout the past decades. A great one for your parents or grandparents to reminisce over the “good ole days”.
8. for the fashionist
this book is a great tribute and sentiment to the late designer and creative virgial abloh. the eye-catching cover is a whimsical addition for that pop of color you might need in your space for a touch of fun. if you have a sneakerhead or fashionist in your tribe, this is your book!
9. for the world traveler
Jimmy’s work is some of my all-time favorites. you may know him (and his wife, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi) from the award-winning documentary they directed together, Free solo.
Travel to the ends of the world with a NatGeo photographer and get inspiration to start making those epic bucket lists.
10. for the maker
For anyone and everyone in your life, Grace Bonney has created a stellar book of amazing women and their unique stories. not ironically, the stories are just as beautiful as each woman maker, artist, and entrepreneur featured.
this book is great for all friends and family members who want to finally begin that side project and need a little bit of inspiration to get started.
