A coffee table; the perfect spot to relax before beginning your day, or to wind down after a long one. Coffee tables have long been the home of non-demanding entertainment such as newspapers or magazines. This is because they are a space where people most often need an escape from the busy demands of everyday life, so relaxing/soothing entertainment gels perfectly with the coffee table’s purpose.
The majority of entertainment requires a significant time commitment, whether it’s the established 20 minute minimum of a television show or the amount of time that it takes to read a full-length book. Coffee table books are ones that do not require the same time commitment and can be browsed through for casual reading. They are usually for display as well and should stimulate conversation between guests or casually entertain said guests whilst you prepare a meal/quickly do other things around the house.
Coffee table books are very popular in modern times. A contributing factor to this might be the impact of technology on the modern attention span; we have become increasingly expectant of multiple entertainment streams reaching us simultaneously. Coffee table books provide an avenue for that secondary stimulation without the rudeness of absently scrolling on your phone during a conversation.
Because coffee table books are picked by their owner, they will likely be something that the owner is passionate about. Perusing their contents can help for the guest to connect with the host on a topic of interest. They are less absorbing than playing on a phone, so the conversation will still flow naturally. Coffee table books provide a sort of gel for an interaction which can be returned to at any time where there is a natural lull in the conversations.
If you are searching for design coffee table books yourself, there are a few strategies you can employ to find the perfect fit for your household décor, your personal tastes, and your guests. Firstly, ensure that the book is not too complicated or attention-demanding. The best coffee table books are designed for casual reading and will not have a lot of small print that would require you to block out the chatter of a party or friends around you.
A second important determiner of an appropriate coffee table book is the level of interest. You want to choose a book that contains a topic you are interested about, but also one you are happy to talk about at length. Choose a topic you know a little about, and a book that will teach you more. This will help to ensure that your conversations with guests will stay engaging and relevant to both of your interests.
As a general rule, coffee table books will have a large number of high-quality illustrations and less text than a regular book. They are often hardcover, but could also be the glossy cover of magazines etc. Some popular topics for coffee table books include art, fashion, architecture, photography, and interior design. This is because all of these topics are highly visual mediums and browsing a book about them involves more image appreciation than reading – which means it is easier to hold a conversation while browsing / will not be difficult to flip through early in the morning or after a demanding day.
5. The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits - Mihaela Noroc
This is an exceptional book which explores the everyday lives of 500 women from all corners of the globe. A celebration of diversity, this book captures the abundance of beauty across the world. A gripping read, The Atlas of Beauty holds a fascinating mirror up to the different social worlds that women of Earth inhabit. You can purchase The Atlas of Beauty here for $40.75.
4. Rarely Seen – National Geographic
This book captures some of the most remarkable physical wonders ever seen by human eyes, featuring world-class photography of places, events, natural phenomena, and manmade marvels. From 30,000 year old cave art painted by human hands to the last living members of an entire species, this book contains some of the rarest and most magical images ever taken.
You can purchase it online from booktopia here for $27.50.
3. Botanical Buildings: When Plants Meet Architecture – Judith Braehner
Green architecture is one of the most interesting topics in the design industry, making this issue easily one of the best architecture coffee table books available today. Taking a look at the way that architecture can include and even be inspired by nature, this book addresses sustainability and innovation by looking at some of the most ingenious examples of green architecture around the globe. You can purchase it here for $40.33.
2. Wonderland – Annie Leibovitz
World renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz tells a story in breathtaking images, looking back at her career over the past five decades. Photography and fashion go hand in hand with Annie Leibovitz, featuring some of the most creative and stylish designs of the 21st century.
The book contains a forward from legendary fashion icon Anna Wintour, the longtime editor and chief of American Vogue. Leibovitz embraces her artistic spirit within this book, often letting the pictures speak for themselves in either vibrant colour or an arthouse Italian black and white. You can purchase the luxury edition of this book here for $200.
1. Destinations of a Lifetime – National Geographic
The ultimate coffee table entertainment, this book guides you through breathtaking photography of the most spectacular places in the world. From the natural wonders of the world to ancient monoliths, untouched islands, magic urban skylines, wild rainforests and stunning artwork, this book can engage every interest imaginable.
This is what makes it such a perfect coffee table book or even gift; the conversation topics that it can inspire are innumerable. Whether it prompts story-swapping about past adventures, future travel aspirations, or even just enjoyment of the high quality and creative visuals, this book is one of the best entertainment revenues currently available. You can purchase a hardcover copy here from booktopia for just $49.50.
