15 Stunning Coffee Table Books for Gifting and Decorating

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Though often mocked as superficial or pretentious by some “serious” book lovers, the best coffee table books are much more than a pretty cover.

They’re filled with unforgettable images that tell stories, inspire, and convey a piece of who you are. In this post, we’ve rounded up 15 such books that make the perfect gift or treat for yourself.

15 Beautiful Coffee Table Books to Gift or Buy Yourself

Below are 15 beautiful coffee table books that will make the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list (including yourself), from sneaker enthusiasts to world travelers, jet-setters to foodies, and party planners to plant parents.

1. Women: The National Geographic Image Collection by National Geographic

For #GirlBosses of every age.

This powerful collection contains over 400 portraits from National Geographic’s archives of women who have shaped and re-shaped our world, spanning 130 years and more than 50 countries.

The book also features commentaries from a variety of iconic women, including Oprah Winfrey, Laura Bush, Jacinda Ardern, and Gloria Allred.

2. The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia by Tom Stevenson

For the aspiring sommelier (or just the casual sipper).

This 800-page tome on everything you ever wanted to know about wine contains over 400 striking images, plus 100 National Geographic maps that highlight the regions and climates that produce the best vintages.

You’ll discover up-and-coming producers, unusual wines, food pairings, and more, plus time lines tracing the chronology of wine all the way back to 500 million B.C.

3. A Great Party: Designing the Perfect Celebration by Bryan Rafanelli

For the hostess (or host) with the mostess.

Bryan Rafanelli was named one of the best wedding planners in the world by Vogue, having orchestrated weddings for the likes of Chelsea Clinton and many gatherings at the Obama White House.

But don’t be intimidated—even if your gatherings are on the more intimate or humble side, you’ll still find much to learn from his 7 rules for hosting great celebrations. You can also give your scrolling finger a break, because who needs Pinterest when you’ve got 256 pages of glossy inspiration?

4. Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies by Andrew DeGraff

For film buffs.

Acclaimed artist Andrew DeGraff charts some of most beloved film settings and traces the characters’ journeys through them, from King Kong to Pulp Fiction, The Princess Bride to The Breakfast Club, and many more.

Each detailed map is beautifully hand-painted and accompanied by essays from film critic A. D. Jameson, who reflects on the unique geographies of each film.

5. Poolside with Slim Aarons by Slim Aarons

For anyone who dreams of living the dolce vita.

Slim Aarons is known for his gorgeous photographs of the jet-set doing jet-setter things, which means dreamy pool scenes are a recurring theme.

From the Mexico to Monaco, this book captures the glittering poolside escapades of the rich, famous, and fabulous, offering a vicarious escape to those of us who can’t make it to the Riviera this year.

6. The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big and Small by Stathers Kath

For the adventurer who has the world on their bucket list.

This unique travel guide offers 1,000 life-changing adventures across all 7 continents with suggestions for all types of travelers, whether you seek museums and cultural experiences, sports and adventure, natural wonders and monuments, or culinary delights.

Enjoy over 300 breathtaking photos and of the best beaches, museums, monuments, islands, inns, restaurants, and mountains that will inspire you to plan your next trip.

7. Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan

For everyone who became a plant parent during the pandemic.

Plantopedia presents a definitive guide to raising happy, healthy houseplants in any space, with profiles of over 130 plants.

Each profile provides detailed care information, including troubleshooting tips and tricks to help your houseplants thrive and create an indoor oasis.

8. The Very Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes by Ian Allen

For the dads and father figures who chuckle at their own jokes.

What could be funnier than a book of dad jokes collected from dads around the world? (Okay, don’t answer that.)

But seriously, while many of these jokes may make non-dads groan, some of them are so terrible they may actually make you giggle (but don’t tell your dad that, of course).

9. The Book of Tapas: New Edition by Simone and Inés Ortega

For foodies, or anyone who understands that appetizers really are the best part of a meal.

Tapas are a way of life in Spain—they’re the bite-sized appetizers served in bars all over Spain (traditionally free with your drinks).

This book is a celebration of tapas culture, with over 250 authentic, easy-to-follow recipes that both aspiring and experienced cooks will salivate over.

10. Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs: 1972–1982 by Pearl Cleage and Bruce W. Talamon

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Bruce W. Talamon had the best seat in the house: backstage, with an all-access pass to the heart of L.A. music scene.

As a staff photographer at SOUL Newspaper, Talamon captured the rehearsals, sound checks, recording sessions, , quiet moments, and unforgettable performances, just as soul, R&B, and funk were entering the mainstream.

His photographs define an era of glamour, fabulous fashion, and “utter devotion to the groove,” featuring icons like Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Al Green, and so many more.

11. Cats: Photography 1942–2018 by Susan Michals and Walter Chandoha

For those whose lives wouldn’t be the same without their feline friends.

One night in 1949 in New York City, aspiring photographer Walter Chandoha saw a stray kitten in the snow, bundled it into his coat, and brought it home.

His new feline friend, whom he named Coco, would become his muse and inspire his iconic feline portraits for decades.

From ads to greetings cards and pet-food packaging, Chandoha’s images would define animal portraiture for generations, and even inspire artists like Andy Warhol, created his own book of cat illustrations.

12. Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book by Simon Wood

For kicks collectors.

Sneaker enthusiasts will drool over the more than 650 pages packed with gorgeous images, insider knowledge. and street style history.

Simon Wood, founder of Sneaker Freaker, delves deep into the sneaker industry’s evolution, from Air Max to Yeezy.

13. Humans by Brandon Stanton

For anyone who’s ever cried reading the HONY posts on Instagram.

If you ever browse Instagram, chances are you’ve come across the Humans of New York account at least once.

Brandon Stanton opened the account in 2010, and it soon became a storytelling phenomenon—just everyday people Stanton encountered around New York, opening up with stories that make can make you cry, smile, and find hope.

Stanton soon broadened his lens to include people from across the world, and the result is Humans, a collection of stories that both heartbreaking and heartwarming, a portrait of our shared human experience.

14. Mid-Century Ads by Steven Heller and Jim Heimann

For lovers of Mad Men and pop culture history.

If you’ve ever wished you could travel back in time, this book gets you pretty close, with over 700 pages documenting the best of American print advertising, during the height of American consumerism.

Rediscover the bold and colorful campaigns of the 1950s and ’60s, enticing their audiences with everything from guns to toothpaste, and air travel to home appliances.

15. Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Houses by Dominic Bradbury

For lovers of modern architecture.

This stunning and fascinating collection highlights more than 400 of the world’s most glamorous homes built primarily between 1945 and 1974.

This is the perfect coffee table book for design aficionados, Mid-Century Modern collectors, and anyone looking for inspiration for their own homes.

What Is a Coffee Table Book?

A coffee table book is usually an oversized, hardcover book that relies more on images than words.

They’re typically kept, as the name suggests, on a coffee table, where they might inspire conversations or provide entertainment for your guests or visitors.

These “non-books” can be traced back to the period after the American Civil War, when they appeared as anthologies and collections of cartoons or photographs, and were intended purely for display and casual flipping.

Their popularity continued to rise in the 1950s, as did the practice of giving books as gifts. Coffee table books also became a staple in interior decorating, which has led to division among bibliophiles.

Some think coffee table books are pretentious, and nothing more than an intellectual status symbol, while others argue that they make art more readily accessible.

Are Coffee Table Books Still Popular?

Coffee table books continue to be published year after year, with a book on pretty much every topic under the sun.

They can make excellent gifts (especially if you know a person well enough to understand what type of obscure, niche stuff they’re into), and they can also serve as a form of art and self-expression, telling visitors in your home a bit about who you are.

Whether you actually flip through them from cover to cover or let them serve as a decorative accent for your living room is up to you, but for their beautiful images, history, and stories, I think the books on this list are all worthy of a look-through.

Do you have a favorite coffee table book? Share it with us in the comments below!

 

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