Books surely add an edge to your living room, but what if they could be more than just aesthetically pleasing? Coffee table books can and should be intriguing, display a part of your personality, and make guests feel at home. Here are the top 8 coffee table books for every kind of person out there, whether you’re a foodie or a fashionista.
For Dog Lovers
The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with 1,000 Dogs by Elias Weiss Friedman
Price: $17
Photographer Elias Weiss Friedman (a.k.a “The Dogist”) captured and laid out this 300-page tribute to everyone’s favorite furry friends. Each portrait draws on the innate beauty, character, and spirit of the dog, fitting into different themed sections. Examples include Puppies, Cones of Shame, and Dogs in Fancy Outfits. As a true New York Times bestseller, The Dogist is one of the best books that commands the attention of all dog lovers (and everyone else who enters the room).
For Wanderlusters
Beaches by Gray Malin
Price: $27
Featuring more than 20 cities across 6 continents, from Sydney and The Hamptons to Cape Town and Dubai, Gray Malin’s striking collection of aerial photographs of beaches captures the spirit of travel, adventure, and summer bliss. Shot from doorless helicopters, Malin’s photography celebrates the shapes, designs, and sights that exist naturally. If you want your guests to experience a visual escape, this is the go-to coffee table book for you.
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places by National Geographic
Price: $24
If you need inspiration for your next trip, take a look through NatGeo’s Destinations of a Lifetime. World-class photographers will take you to the most breathtaking wonders (both natural and man-made): ancient monoliths, electric cityscapes, white-sand seashores, rain forests, ancient cobbled streets, and architecture. Not only that, but the book also includes service information and background text for you to have the most enriching experience.
For the Free-Spirited
Crystals: The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing by Yulia Van Doren
Price: $12
Crystals, or “wisdom keepers,” emit steady vibrations that can help one feel more centered and create senses of Zen within a home. Yulia Van Doren’s modern guide explains 51 crystals, their properties, and how to position, pair, and look after them to best harness their powers. Reconnect with your inner spirituality through crystal healing and share the positivity with others as they enter your home with books like this one.
For Fashionistas
Vogue: The Covers by Dodie Kazanjian
Price: $40
This updated edition of Vogue: The Covers pays tribute to the classic front-pages from the magazine’s 125-year history as well as gives prominence to every cover since 2010. It highlights every cutting-edge take on style, fashion, and culture. Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West, and Lena Dunham are just a few of the new covers to be added. Bonus: it includes 5 framable cover prints.
For Foodies
Tasty: Latest & Greatest by Tasty
Price: $14
Here’s a book that can double as a cookbook and a coffee table book. Buzzfeed’s Tasty brings you more than 80 recipes of the most popular items (powered by likes, comments, and shares on their viral videos) fit for all types of foodies — meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike. You can find dinner recipes like the classic lasagna or dessert recipes like the glitter-bombed unicorn cake. Either way, your dinner guests will be excited for the meal to come.
For Feminists
Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen
Price: $11
As the title suggests, Bad Girls Throughout History singles out 100 powerful women who went against the grain of the times and accomplished unthinkable feats in the fields of art, science, activism, and so on. Some of these incredible women include Sojourner Truth, Marie Curie, and Ada Lovelace, all of whom sparked a change in the status quo and paved a path for future “bad girls.” This anthology of watercolor portraits and essays by Ann Shen is a beautiful, inspiring, and distinctive addition to any home.
For the Trendy
Stan Smith: Some People Think I’m A Shoe by Stan Smith, Pharrell Williams, Richard Evans
Price: $34
Former No. 1 tennis player Stan Smith takes us through his recollection of playing tennis and how he became the “perennial icon of minimalist cool” in this all-access volume. Since its debut in the early 70s, the tennis sneaker has had a cult following and a growing platform via collaborations with groundbreaking artists, designers, and fashion brands including Yohji Yamamoto, Raf Simons, and Pharrell. To celebrate the cultural impact of Stan Smith and his shoes, this book gathers original imagery, exclusive portrait series by artist Juergen Teller, and an interview with Stan Smith himself.
With these 8 coffee table books, your living room will be complete. Share them with guests and suitemates at one of our Common homes across the biggest cities in the country.