Five great coffee table books for 2010
Useful for breaking the ice at social occasions and providing a conversation piece among friends and guests, coffee table books can be an essential part of the living room furniture in socially active homes. Whether you're looking for books suited to your own interests, or something with wider appeal to help visitors pass the time, the trend of oversized, easy-to-read coffee table books is still alive and well in 2010.
What are now termed 'coffee table books' emerged in the 1960s, and like many art forms from that decade, they are still a prominent (and heavy) feature of modern lounges today. With portability not being a concern for a book that can blend in as part of the furnishings, the coffee table book is a form rather than a genre, with topics covering everything from travel to sexuality - depending on the social circles you mix with.
The large, bright and colourful presentation of coffee table books means art publications are enduringly popular choices, allowing guests to browse classic or modern paintings at their leisure. One of the most all-encompassing available, Phaidon's The Art Book is still an enduring favourite, popular for its non-discriminatory attitude towards the assorted works of 500 artists from across history.
By not limiting itself to a particular artistic discipline, The Art Book can be an effective conversation starter, especially if you're looking for something to incite arguments over whether Duchamps' infamous urinal can really be placed in the same book as Caravaggio.
Another favourite for sparking debate is the forthrightly-titled 1001 Movies to See Before You Die, which includes the contributions of a number of film critics explaining why everything from A Trip to the Moon (1902) to The Dark Knight (2008) are must-see films. Updated every few years, the book's wide focus means it has something to appeal to everyone, and another bonus is that it isn't something you're going to get bored of easily - being a mammoth task to read cover-to-cover and a popular addition to coffee tables worldwide.
For down-to-earth travel commentary, many people turn to Lonely Planet, and their hefty tome The Travel Book: A Journey through Every Country in the World can be a fantastic book to dip in and out of in order to visit exotic destinations from the comfort of your armchair. If your guests are interested in all things girly, The Handbag Beauty Bible by Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley is a sure-fire hit at parties, especially in a winning combination with Manolo Blahnik Drawings, depicting the designer's famous shoes.
About the Author:
Janine Barclay writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
