One of my favorite items to gift & receive myself are coffee table books. They truly are so great because there’s literally a book out there for EVERYONE; all personalities & all types of enthusiasts. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or milestone gift – a coffee table book suits every occasion it is gifted for. Plus, they make for excellent additions to any coffee table display.

Check out my list of coffee table books I either personally own or have gifted to friends over the years. I’ve also included a few more that caught my eye & might be future gifts to myself (wink wink.)

For the Fashion Enthusiast

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Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic.

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Chanel: The Vocabulary of Style

Through these dazzling photographs, Chanel: The Vocabulary of Style identifies key elements that have defined Chanel’s style for generations, such as jersey and tweed, formerly considered menswear fabrics, and the little black dress, which transformed a hue previously reserved for mourning into a statement of elegance

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Gucci: The Making Of

Offers an in-depth look into Gucci’s origins, identity, influence, and innovation, including fabrication methods and appropriation of signature materials, past and present, and its influence among high society and Hollywood. The book is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the heritage and influence of this iconic, multifaceted brand.

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Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury

The first book to describe the dramatic rise of the world’s finest luxury company. Written with full access to the company’s archives, it demonstrates Louis Vuitton’s passion for fine design with a stunning array of archival art, product designs, and cutting-edge advertising. The company is examined through the lives of its first three leaders—founder Louis (who invented the modern trunk), his son Georges, and his grandson Gaston.

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Tom Ford

Features more than 200 photographs by Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Terry Richardson, Craig McDean, Todd Eberle, and numerous other photographers including many previously unpublished images. Published to coincide with his departure from Gucci, this book has been created with Ford’s full cooperation and every page reflects his exceptional taste.

For the Wanderlust, Traveling City Slicker

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Escape by Gray Malin

Featuring more than 22 destinations across 11 countries, from remote islands to major cities, this book captures the spirit of dozens of unbelievable vacation spots – and will inspire every lover of travel and exploration to plan an escape of their own.

you may also like: Beaches & Italy

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Humans of New York

Now an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Humans of New York began in the summer of 2010, when photographer Brandon Stanton set out to create a photographic census of New York City. Armed with his camera, he began crisscrossing the city, covering thousands of miles on foot, all in an attempt to capture New Yorkers and their stories.

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New York Then & Now

From the Statue of Liberty to Central Park and beyond, the old and new photos on these pages present a vivid tour of the city’s diverse and vibrant history. Striking contrasts can be seen in the buildings and street scenes of Wall Street, Greenwich Village, Union Square, Madison Square, Times Square, and the Upper East and West Sides. In addition to the archival and contemporary photos, the book is packed with historic information. Together, they tell fascinating stories about the buildings that have come, gone, or stayed in place, remarkably transformed or thankfully preserved.

you may also like: Brooklyn Then & Now & various NYC Books from this author

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Paris in Color

Take a journey through the world’s most romantic city, traveling from color to magnificent color with this beguiling book. An orange café chair, bright blue bicycles against a fence, a weathered white door—Nichole Robertson’s sumptuous photographs of the distinctive details of Paris, all arranged by color, evoke a sense of serendipitous discovery and celebrate the city as never before.

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The Life & Love of The Sea

Showcasing cutting-edge underwater photography from the world’s leading marine and nature photographers, this is a breathtaking visual tour of the ocean’s great diversity. Readers will experience land meeting sea with images of dramatic coastlines, barrier reefs, and island chains, as well as the spectacular power of the ocean through a stunning collection of wave photographs.

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Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living By The Water

Peek inside the homes of longtime enthusiasts and dedicated newcomers that reflect not just a sport or passion, but also a way of life. Blake and Heather Mycoskie of TOMS, hotelier Sean MacPherson, Gypset author Julia Chaplin, and others have set up their spaces to embrace a casual ease and be the break between the waves.

For the Miscellaneous Fan

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50 Years of Rolling Stone: The Music, Politics and People That Shaped Our Culture

For the past fifty years, Rolling Stone has been a leading voice in journalism, cultural criticism, and—above all—music. This landmark book documents the magazine’s rise to prominence as the voice of rock and roll and a leading showcase for era-defining photography. From the 1960s to the present day, the book offers a decade-by-decade exploration of American music and history.

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Platters and Boards: Beautiful, Casual Spreads For Every Occasion

An inspiring resource for throwing unforgettable get-togethers: Organized by time of day, 40 contemporary arrangements are presented with gorgeous photography, easy-to-prepare recipes, suggested meat and drink pairings, and notes on preparation and presentation.

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That’s What She Said: Wise Words From Influential Women

Gathered brilliance in stunning illustrations and quotes, paired with surprising, illuminating biographies of subjects to inspire women of all ages, races, and backgrounds. That’s What She Said honors a powerful and diverse group of over fifty women—from Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, and Virginia Woolf to Sojourner Truth, Malala Yousafzai, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—role models whose words and insights remind us that we must never give up the fight for a more just and equitable society.

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The Stylish Life: Skiing

A nostalgic and spectacular journey through alpine history and beyond, including this singularly unique sport’s founders, superstars, influence on design and entertainment, and the evolution of its resorts, fashion, equipment, and much more.

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Urban Jungle: Living and Styling With Plants

A source of inspiration, ideas and a manual for those looking to bring more plants into their home. This book guides the reader through different “green” homes in five European countries and shows how beautiful, unique, creative and even artistic living with plants can be. More than that the reader finds endless ideas for styling from the bloggers of the “Urban Jungle Bloggers” community. To complete the topic of indoor plants the book offers easy help for taking care of the plants and DIY tips.

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Where to Eat Pizza

With quotes from chefs, critics, and industry experts, readers will learn about secret ingredients, special sauces, and the quest for the perfect crust. The guide includes detailed city maps, reviews, key information and honest comments from the people you’d expect to know. Featuring more than 1,700 world-wide pizzerias, parlours, and pizza joints listed. All you need to know – where to go, when to go, and what to order.