I can't be the only one who loves it when I visit someone's house and they have a large, colorful book on their coffee table just begging to be read. Coffee-table books are a classy addition to your home that can entertain you and anyone who comes to visit. They're great for sparking conversations and for giving your friends something to do while you head to the bathroom or make an important phone call. If you want to add one to your living space or just want to grow your collection, there are plenty of options to suit every interest.
Unlike most books, which are stored on shelves such as the Thomas Jefferson–inspired one that this dad created, coffee-table books are meant to sit on, well, coffee tables. They might not be what your English teachers assigned you back in high school, but their fun facts, artwork, and quotes are often enough to keep a person happily occupied for hours. And unlike these itty bitty books that almost look too small to be real, the books you're likely to find on a coffee table are normally pretty large — perfect for sharing with those around you!
Take a look at some of the best coffee-table books of the past few years, and don't be afraid to add more than one to your collection! I bought number 12 a few months ago, and after reading it at my house, multiple friends and family members have bought it for themselves!
Make sure you SHARE these great books with everyone you know!
1. Humans of New York
Based on the wildly popular blog by photographer and philanthropist Brandon Stanton, this book chronicles the faces and stories of random people in New York. A beautiful reminder that everyone you ever see is experiencing trials and triumphs we know nothing about.
Get it here!
2. Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
Travel the world without ever leaving your home, thanks to this breathtaking book from National Geographic. Stunning photos of both man-made and natural creations will inspire wanderlust in anyone who chooses to flip through these pages.
Get it here!
3. Underwater Dogs
What happens the moment a dog jumps into the water in pursuit of a tennis ball? Photographer Seth Casteel found out and documented it in this delightful series of snapshots that feature lots of bubbles, teeth, and fur.
Get it here!
4. The Oldest Living Things in the World
The title of this book is pretty self-explanatory, but even so, you're probably not prepared for the incredible photographs and stories that Rachel Sussman has collected over the past 10 years. She traveled across the globe and met with top biologists to document organisms such as 5,500-year-old moss in Antarctica. Her work reminds us just how short life really is and just how resilient our Earth can be.
Get it here!
5. Beautiful LEGO
Satisfy the kid and the adult in you with this photographic collection of unbelievable LEGO creations. Mike Doyle has not only found some of the greatest landscapes, buildings, and creatures ever made from tiny plastic blocks, but also interviewed the artists behind them. Whether you're a lifetime LEGO fan or just enjoy looking at beautiful art, you'll adore these pictures.
Get it here!
6. Cabin Porn: Inspiration for Your Quiet Place Somewhere
Don't let the title fool you; this book is 100 percent safe for work, parents, and children… unless they shield their eyes from beautiful cabins in the woods, that is. This book by Zach Klein, Steven Leckart, and Noah Kalina is every nature-lover's dream, featuring not only breathtaking photographs of some of the most enchanting cabins around, but also some how-to tips for those who want to build one of their own.
Get it here!
7. Wall and Piece
The talented and mysterious Banksy has become world-famous thanks to his edgy and thought-provoking street art. His book is everything his fans could have ever hoped for, with images of some of his greatest pieces gracing each page.
Get it here!
8. Now I Know: The Revealing Stories Behind the World's Most Interesting Facts
Nobody knows everything, but this book by Dan Lewis will help you get pretty darn close. Filled with stories and facts that answer questions you've always wanted to ask ("What happens to lost luggage?") and questions you never even thought to ask ("Why did the British once ban clapping?"), it will help you spout off more trivia than you'd ever hoped to know.
Get it here!
9. The Perfectly Imperfect Home
Deborah Needleman, aka the creator of domino magazine, knows that decorating an entire house can be tough. Her lovely book details the essentials of decorating, as well as how to take things to the next level to make your space truly yours.
Get it here!
10. Crap Taxidermy
Disturbing? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes. This series of photographs compiled by Kat Su (and based on the website of the same name) features the best of the worst in cringeworthy and nightmare-inducing taxidermy jobs. Whether you're buying it as a twisted gift for a friend, or you just have a special sense of humor yourself, you're guaranteed to have a few people in your life who can appreciate the genius of this book.
Get it here!
11. Lost Balls: Great Holes, Tough Shots, and Bad Lies
A bystander's head. The bottom of a cliff. An alligator's mouth. Golfers know all too well that there's no telling where that ball might end up after you swing your club, and this book by Charles Lindsay turns that frustration into a celebration. Despite how great these photographs and stories might be, there's something awfully therapeutic about knowing that you're not in the unfortunate positions these golfers have found themselves in.
Get it here!
12. Devoted: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty, and Life With Dogs
Get the tissues ready; these uplifting stories and photographs compiled by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh celebrate the canine companions we love so dearly. This book tells the stories of therapy dogs, disease-sniffing dogs, heroic dogs, and more. Dog lovers, beware: you might not be able to stop hugging your pup after you flip through these pages.
Get it here!
13. What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Randall Munroe's XKCD webcomics have been amusing the internet for years, and his delightfully nerdy book is sure to delight old fans and make him lots of new ones. He uses math, science, and the answers of experts to answer questions you might have never wondered about before, such as, "How fast can you drive over a speed bump and live?" What if will keep you entertained for hours and remind you just how fun it is to learn new things.
Get it here!
14. Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016
Enthusiastic travelers are likely familiar with Lonely Planet, which has helped those with wanderlust plan perfect trips for years. Their 2016 guidebook has a lot to offer, including the best places to go this year and dozens of exciting events plotted out on a calendar so you can make the most out of your journey, wherever it may be.
Get it here!
15. My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals
What would famous chefs eat for their last meals? Melanie Dunea interviewed them to find out. Anyone who likes food (in other words, everyone) will love the compelling photographs and words from world-famous chefs such as Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsay, and Jamie Oliver included in this book… and anyone who cooks will love the included recipes at the end.
Get it here!
16. The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss
We've set foot on the moon and sent a spacecraft to Pluto, but we've only been able to map about 5 percent of the ocean's floor on our own planet. The creatures that reside there are creepy, fascinating, and sometimes downright terrifying, and Claire Nouvian has showcased some of the best of them in this mystifying book. From glowing squid to see-through fish, some of nature's most alien-looking creatures can be found just a few miles under the waves.
Get it here!
17. The Ultimate Book of Optical Illusions
Isn't it fun when art plays with your mind? These optical illusions from Al Seckel are guaranteed to make you look twice… or thrice. Your eyes will crisscross, your head will be scratched, and your brain will be confused, but content.
Get it here!
18. 100 Years of Fashion
Fashion enthusiasts will fall in love with this collection of over 400 photos and drawings compiled by Cally Blackman. Everything from street fashion to sportswear to couture is covered in this stylish "history book," making it something you'll never want to put down.
Get it here!
19. Equine Beauty
Perfect for "crazy horse people" or just those who appreciate stunning photography, this collection of images by Raphael Macek will leave you even more fascinated by the equine form. From close-up portraits to action shots, this book will make you fall in love with these incredible animals all over again.
Get it here!
20. The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World
A book that celebrates libraries. What more could a literary enthusiast hope for? Containing dazzling photographs by Guillaume de Laubier and text by Jacques Bosser, this book will add lots of entries to your bucket list when you see just how gorgeous these homes for books truly are.
Get it here!
Make sure you SHARE these beautiful books with everyone you know!
