My Coffee Table Book Collection, well some of it
I am an avid collector of coffee table books, in fact the coffee table I bought was specifically purchased to display as many of my favorite books as I could. They are fun decorative pieces and fun to flip through and probably fun to read but I can’t speak to that. However when I see coffee table books used in interior design it’s often the same set: Chanel, Vogue, Prada. You know the ones I’m talking about. So here are a few that I love to help spice things up!
As a big Dolly Parton fan - I named my dog after her for crying out loud - I, of course, had to have both of her books Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics and Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones. Both really beautiful books that are a must-have for any Dolly lover. If I had to pick between the two I would say Behind the Seams is my favorite. Seeing her fashion and WIGS through the years is so fun and one of my favorite things about her.
Playboy's Greatest Covers is exactly what is says on the tin; a collection of 200 iconic Playboy covers that, as I’m sure you can imagine, is a very enjoyable “read”. I also received The Playboy Book: Fifty Years as a gift from my best friend. It’s a very similar retrospective of the magazine and brand.
I love Elton John so as soon as I saw Elton John: Rocket Man sitting on the bargain shelf at Barnes & Noble I had to have it! Similar to Dolly’s Behind the Seams, it’s about the fashion for me. It’s an all encompassing read about his life and prolific career and a great gift for any music lover.
The Great American Pin-Up published by Taschen who publishes a ton of incredible coffee table books and several of the ones I have. This book includes a ton of gorgeous illustrations, many of which are done by Gil Elvgren whose work you will likely recognize if you’re at all familiar with pinup art. The retro innocence of sexual suggestion is interesting to look at, especially in contrast with my Playboy books, can present the history of how we have perceived women and sexuality throughout the 20th century.
I also collect Barbies and although I’m not as crazy as some, I’m not running around spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a doll, I do admire the journey and international cultural influence of Miss Barbara Millicent Roberts. So naturally I was excited to happen upon, Dressing Barbie: A Celebration of the Clothes That Made America's Favorite Doll and the Incredible Woman Behind Them. Of course you can expect photos of the dolls iconic fashions over the last several decades but you can also learn about the main designer for Barbie, Carol Spencer. I’m also dying to get my hands on the new Barbie(TM): The World Tour book authored by Margot Robbie and her stylist Andrew Mukamal which features the looks they curated for her Barbie movie press tour.
Whether you’re a Disney Adult or just a casual watcher, as I am, you will no doubt feel uber nostalgic looking at Disney Movie Posters: From Steamboat Willie to Inside Out. I particularly enjoy the classic posters and the illustrations that aren’t as familiar to what I grew up seeing. A nice PG book to have out for all eyes to enjoy.
Coffee table books are like the perfect gift, in my opinion. If you don’t know someone very well but you know one of their main interests you can find a coffee table book about it.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.
