Coffee Table Book Roundup

I love a good coffee table book. As a kid I would sit for hours flipping through the pages of my parent’s National Geographic Images of the World book and be transported to other countries and cultures. It’s one of my strongest childhood memories.

I used to be the proud owner of some really beautiful ones myself. That was until my older son began to cruise and start pulling them off the coffee table and rip pages out of them {eek}. Five bookless years later, I think my kids are finally old enough to appreciate their beauty and maybe create their own memories of beautiful things and interesting people. So, I’ve been on the hunt for a new collection and here are some of my favorite finds…

1. National Geographic Images of the World. This is the book that started my love affair with beautiful books. They don’t publish it anymore but I was able to score a copy on Ebay.
2. Andy Warhol Portraits. I’ve been a fan of Andy Warhol ever since visiting the Warhol Museum in my hometown of Pittsburgh when I was in high school {it’s awesome, you should go}. The portraits and colors in this book are just amazing.
3. Knoll: A Modernist Universe. This book – It’s like porn for furniture lovers {i.e., me}. It covers the 75-year history of Knoll, which is one of the most successful high-end furniture companies in the world. Mies van der Rohe, Saarinen, Breuer, Bertoia. I could look at {and dream of owning} this furniture all day.
4. Humans of New York. This book just came out last month and it quickly shot to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. Based on the popular blog of the same name by photographer Brandon Stanton. Over 400 images and stories from some of the most interesting everyday people in New York City.
5. Ai Weiwei: According to What?. Ai Weiwei {designer of the famous “Bird’s Nest” from the 2008 Olympics} is one of China’s most provocative artists and According to What? is Ai’s first major tour in North America. I was lucky enough to visit this exhibit while it was in DC at the Hirshhorn. His work is beautiful and inspiring. This book is a lovely retrospective of the exhibit.
6. Flotsam. Not a traditional coffee table book, rather it’s a children’s book with beautiful and spellbinding illustrations. My sister-in-law gave this book to my oldest son and it’s one of his favorites. There are no words so kids, both young and old, can enjoy.

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