10 Coffee Table Books You’ll *Actually* Want to Read
Ahhhh, the wonderful world of apartment decorating. There are tons of DIY wall art ideas, home paint trends and DIY home decor projects out there, but how many of them can you actually fit in a small apartment? If there’s one thing we’ve learned from minimalists, it’s that everything in your life should have a purpose — and that includes coffee table books. You know, those books you buy that look good but that you never actually read? But gorgeous coffee table books that also happen to be super interesting DO exist, and we’ve rounded up the 10 best double-duty new releases. Scroll through to find your next read/piece of decor.
1. See America: A Celebration of Our National Parks & Treasured Sites ($20): Travel books make great coffee table toppers. But how often are you likely to visit those faraway (albeit gorgeous) locales? Here’s a book you can actually use — some of these national park destinations might be right in your backyard. Plus, there’s no better time to plan a trip than this year, when the National Park Service turns 100!
2. Unseen City: The Majesty of Pigeons, the Discreet Charm of Snails and Other Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnston ($25): Here’s a book that’ll get you to explore your city in a way you’ve probably never considered. While big cities aren’t exactly known for their wildlife, this author makes the case that if you know where to look, you can find some pretty cool urban animals.
3. Hamilton: The Revolutionby Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter ($40): Everyone and their mom is raving about Hamilton right now — why not get in on the action and spruce up your coffee table decor in the process? Chances are your guests will thank you too, and maybe break out in a show tune (“Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?”).
4. It’s All Easy by Gwyneth Paltrow ($35): We trust Gwyneth Paltrow’s judgment, you guys. And we want her face on our coffee table. It’s as simple (and easy) as that. Flip through it whenever you need some food inspo for an easy weekday meal.
5. F*ck That: An Honest Meditation by Jason Headley ($14): You can buy all the pretty spiritual guides in Barnes and Noble and display them nicely in your living room, but be honest — are you actually going to read any of them? Here’s one you might.
6. The Fashion Book ($40): This is truly THE fashion book. It spans almost 200 years and covers the entirety of the fashion industry. If you’re into fashion (and really, anyone who wears clothes is), this is a great coffee table addition.
7. The Last Wild Places of Kansas: Journeys into Hidden Landscapes by George Frazier ($25): Here’s another in-your-backyard (potentially) find that’s great for browsing AND for realistically planning an adventure. Plus, the cool cover design is sure to look great in the living room.
8. The Flower Chef: A Modern Guide to Do-It-Yourself Floral Arrangements by Carly Cylinder ($28): What’s prettier than gorgeous flower design? Spruce up your coffee table with this brightly colored book, and learn how to create some amazing designs to add to your living room too.
9. A Burglar’s Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh ($16): After you read this map of crime in big cities, which takes readers through buildings from the mind and eyes of someone planning a heist, “You’ll never see the city the same way again,” the publishers write. It’s definitely a conversation starter.
10. The True Tails of Baker and Taylor by Jan Louch with Lisa Rogak ($26): Here’s a super cute one for the road — or the coffee table. Following the lives of a library’s two resident felines who became local celebrities, this book is sure to catch cat-lovers’ attention. Just look at those little faces.
Which of these books would fit best on your coffee table? Tweet us your thoughts @BritandCo!
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