The Best Coffee Table Books

Legendary cult director John Waters once said, “If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have any books, don’t fuck ‘em.” And, well, we couldn’t agree more. There’s no bigger turn off than someone who’s not well-read. But, listen, we have high expectations and while we want to be caught up on both the classics and the hot new books worth talking about, we’d be remiss to point out the importance of a great coffee table book.

Part home decor, part artifact that says a little something about your taste, a coffee table book has become an integral part of interior design in the past few years. Instagram has made our homes—and the way we decorate them—#content which transmits hints about who you are. Are you interested in food? Fashion? Automobiles and films? Music and architecture? What better place to let people know than right in the middle of your damn living room?

Whatever it is that interests you, there’s a book out there that’ll address it, and chances are you’ll be able to find one that's nice and oversized, lushly illustrated with vibrant images, printed on heavy stock paper, and made more for visual impact than actual reading. Which, of course, is perfectly fine. Let these objects d’art serve as sources of inspiration or conversation starters or just things to flip through here and there when you have a free moment. No matter what you use them for, they’ll add something special to your living room. We’ve scoured the internet for ones that touch on a variety of subjects, from sports to design, to art, to photography, to cooking, and even something a little sexy for you to add to your coffee table or anywhere you think they’ll inject a little personality to your home. Pick one up as gift to yourself, set it someplace noticeable, and be ready to talk about it when someone no doubt brings it up.