As a reader, I have a fascination with books we don’t often think of as “counting,” whether that’s because we don’t read them cover to cover, give them a star rating or review, or talk about them with other readers. Gift books and coffee table books—you know the ones, usually hardcover with loads of glossy photos or illustrations, probably picked up in that impulse section of your local bookstore, or even in a boutique or on vacation—provide some of my favorite reading experiences. And yet when a friend asks, “What are you reading?” I’m prone to forget to mention that gorgeous volume on the nightstand that’s been flipped through many times or the little book of essays that sits in the breakfast nook.
Oftentimes, gift books and coffee table books are written by experts in their field, or someone who is really really passionate about a topic. What’s the difference between them? Well, mostly in my mind, the size. Gift books tend to be smaller, comfortably able to fit on a shelf or in a gift bag. Coffee table books have their usefulness right there in the name. They’re meant to be noticeably displayed, usually large with gorgeous full-color photographs or art. Either way, they’re so fun to give and collect. There’s generally text, of course, but very often fine photography, art, or accompanying illustrations to give ideas and help the reader learn even more. If you were to glance at my own bookshelves, you’d find glimpses of my personality through these coffee table books and gift books on a few common themes like tea, plants, hotels, Americana, preppy style, and so much Martha Stewart.
Let me offer a couple of my best tips for getting the most out of your coffee table or gift books, followed by my own recommendations.
- Start with your list of interests, hobbies, or that pastime you always wish you knew more about. There’s a coffee table or gift book on practically every topic—crafts, sport, food, space, music, gardens. Ask your librarian or simply search “_______ + coffee table book.”
- Don’t be precious about them. Use them however you would any book you love. You can’t “ruin” them. I mark up my coffee table books just like I do my regular books. They’re YOUR books after all. If you truly can’t bear to take ink to page, book darts are a beautiful way to enhance your enjoyment. And you can remove them later if you wish.
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If you’re eagerly awaiting author, podcaster, and book celebrator extraordinaire Glory Edim’s forthcoming bookish memoir (raises hand!), I highly recommend her gift book. Her lists of titles make your recipients’ TBR lists explode. Alexandra Bowman’s illustrations elevate this from a solid book about books to the realm of gift books. It’s full of short essays from writers like Jesmyn Ward, Jacqueline Woodson, Gabourey Sidibe, and Tayari Jones. More info →
Who doesn’t love a good miscellany—an eclectic mix or collection that you can sit down with and thumb through for hours? From luxuries like champagne to everyday ordinaries like eggs, from fruit to spices to lipstick to sports to travel, there’s something exquisite in these pages for almost anyone. Let the page fall open where it will on topics you didn’t even know you wanted to know about. I especially love the vintage-style illustrations and the alphabetical organization, which appeals to my inner nerd. More info →
You might know the My Ideal Bookshelf art book or its follow up Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany. Jane Mount teams up with Jamise Harper in this edition to recommend and illustrate BIPOC literature from every genre—cookbooks, classics, fiction, mysteries. In the introduction, Jamise and Jane explain that their aim is for book lovers to find at least ten new diverse books written by authors from backgrounds different from their own. I certainly have, and can’t wait to explore more of their suggestions. More info →
Two words: linen cover. Need I say more? Ok, I will, but the fine outer cover is just a taste of the sumptuous offerings inside this book from Soho House, a private members club for creatives housed in cities like New York, London, and Los Angeles. I don’t live in a city with a Soho House (and am probably not cool enough to get in anyway), but I can visit vicariously through the pages, and what’s more, create my own spaces inspired by the Soho House way of living—where work, play, and relaxing all mingles. I gravitate towards gorgeous inspiration when it comes to coffee table books, but I also want practical how-tos so I can recreate lighting and parties and drinks. More info →
Team member Shannan was the first to tell me about this gorgeous coffee table book, full of classical pieces of art featuring Black subjects. You can hear her talk about it and how this is the book she wished she’d had in her Western Civ-loving childhood on this Patreon bonus episode. I’m so glad she put it on my radar. Its painterly cover will draw you right in, and the works between the pages are gorgeous, glossy, colorful, and highly-detailed. More info →
Shoutout to Mel Joulwan and Dave Humphreys of Strong Sense of Place for putting this coffee table tome crammed with intellectually diverting illustrations and photographs on my radar in their museums episode. This is an ode to collections—small and large, focused and eccentric. This volume’s prose is a bit academic, but the layout gives the feel of wandering through the winding halls of the weirdest, wonderfulest eccentric uncle’s house full of treasures galore. More info →
If you know someone who loves color, bold fashion, and gigantic accessories, this would be such a perfect manual for living stylishly—full of wisdom and stories and inspiration for collecting and dressing. I want to be Iris Apfel when I grow up! (Don’t miss her New York Times obituary. What a life!) More info →
Name a subject and the Everyman series likely has a book of poems or stories on it. Gardens, the sea, dogs, gratitude, love, solitude, music, fairies, trees… I could go on and on. These gorgeous copies feature stunning covers, creamy paper, and a ribbon bookmark sewn in so they make great gifts. They’re even inexpensive enough that I’ve used one in place of a card for a really special present. This is my favorite in the series, and I’m sure you can guess why. Familiar writers share poems about their love for readers, writers, libraries, and my favorite section: marginalia. More info →
Transport yourself to the British countryside with Paula Sutton. Her old-world style is completely charming. This would be a perfect chance to bring out the matching highlighters and mark up your book. My copy is flagged on so many pages—including her checklist for creating the perfect “Quiet Nook” and her best practical tips for searching out pretty decor in second-hand shops. I have given this as a gift on more than one occasion. More info →
With 100 books to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong with Martha Stewart, but her book on wreaths stands out in my collection. Each wreath is inspired by the foliage of one particular state. They’re all beautiful, so it’s informative to flip through but it would be particularly fun to make a wreath inspired by your own state, or gift a copy along with a wreath from your recipient’s state of origin. Martha’s famous step-by-step instructions make it easy. More info →
I’m not even a little embarrassed to have this sitting out in my living room. The illustrations are not only informative, but also tasteful and beautiful. Foundation garments—bras, underwear, hosier, sleepwear—elevate a wardrobe and make me feel like I’m adulting. They’re mostly for myself, but they make a big difference in my appearance and fashion, so giving them attention feels like such a supportive addition (pun always intended). More info →
E. D. Hirsch’s nerdy (said with the greatest affection around here) premise is that in order to have shared community, you have to have a shared vocabulary. As the world has gotten broader, our cultural literacy is more scattered than ever because trends come and go so fast. So he proposes about 5,000 words and concepts we all need to know in order to understand allusions in literature, film, music, and conversation. Perusing the short entries in this volume—from Cleopatra to Cinderella to Cerberus—is educational. More info →
This is the smallest book in my bunch, a dog-eared paperback copy that is a treasured gift from my sister. We always kept a list of things to be happy about—our own little collection of tiny happy things, so learning that other people find life as scrumptious as we did—delighting in ripe peaches on a summer evening, piles of autumn leaves, and hot, buttery dinner rolls—thrilled us. If you’re really fond of your recipient, treat them to the author’s whole collection of little gift books. They look darling sitting on a shelf in their crisp and bright colors. More info →
I’ll admit that The Tree Collectors by Amy Stewart led me to this title, as well as the fact that I coincidentally got to see both the famous cherry blossoms of Tokyo and Washington D.C. within a year. Dreamy! If either or both places are on your bucket list, you can visit vicariously through the pages of photographs, maps, and, my favorite, Hiroshige prints. If you’re giving this as a gift, pair it with the nonfiction title The Sakura Obsession: The Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms. The best part is you can celebrate the friendship that has literally blossomed between Japan and the U.S. in any season, no allergy pill required. More info →
I recently talked Baylee’s ear off about my tree obsession on a Patreon bonus episode featuring the MMD Team’s Best Summer Books. I’ve long been interested in trees; ironically enough my origin story involves a theologian and a songwriter, but that’s a story for another day. This lushly illustrated book shows just how many different forms a hobby can take. Because of this book, I have tracked down obscure documentaries, headed out to my own local natural history museum to see wood collections, watched artists and environmentalists on YouTube, and joined Facebook groups so I can follow the circular tree forests of Ethiopia in which I am now deeply invested. More info →
I love coffee table books that feature souvenirs and memorabilia tucked into pages and envelopes, allowing you to remove and explore items like photos, letters, and ticket stubs. These tactile elements make this book about film icon Audrey Hepburn really special. Yes, I was the girl with an Audrey poster on my college wall and I still love her style, grace, warmth, and wit. I like to put on an Audrey film (Paris When It Sizzles is my choice) and pretend we’re sorting through her treasure box from the attic. More info →
This four-book series is decidedly Catholic, which I am not. But many lovers of home can relate to the idea of approaching domestic design as if it were sacred. The photography is swoony! I feel like I’m taking a vacation each time I open the pages. Gift tip: I’m a fan of the original, but volume four in the series is truly a standout title as well. If you know a flower lover, it’s organized by month with seasonal flowers and arrangements that suit each season. More info →
Brené Brown and her team of researchers identified and cataloged eighty-seven emotions to give language to what we feel. Each emotion is organized in relation to other similar emotions—what’s the difference, for example, between jealousy and envy? She explains subtle differences the way only Brené Brown can. The true gift of this book would be better knowledge of self and better communication in your relationships. More info →
This niche paperback is a book and a game all in one. The “curator’s game” was introduced to author Thomas Hoving early in his career as director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The game is played by zooming in on details of famous pieces to test an art lover’s acumen and whether they can detect the artist and work. Tiny details, rather than the whole reprinted work, make for an interesting collection in an art book, whether you’re already a knowledgeable expert or an art neophyte interested in learning about the great works through details, style, color, technique, or theme. More info →
The recent minimalistic and monochromatic trending years were a challenging time for this confirmed color-lover and maximalist. While I hear color is coming back in a big way (yay!), in the intervening years, I sought out design blogs, magazines, and books for children, even though I don’t have any myself, finding design principles there that suited my tastes. This book inspires, whether you’re decorating a child’s room or creating a space of your own. More info →
Do you have a favorite gift book or coffee table book? Please share in the comments.
P.S. 12 giftable books for every reader, 10 delightful cookbooks for reading, cooking, and gifting, and Informational nonfiction that made a real difference in my life.
About the author
Ginger Horton is our Book Club Community Manager here at MMD. Her go-to genres are literary fiction and classics. You can find Ginger on Instagram posting as herself @gthorton or in the MMD Book Club account @MMDBookClub
