10 Books That Are Just as Great as They Look on Your Coffee Table
No more hiding books away in your room! It's time to display your literary favorites loud and proud, smack dab in the middle of your living area. Say goodbye to those unsightly shelving units crammed into a corner and hello to your brand-new piece of stylish décor: The coffee table book.
Whether you're a budding fashionista or have recently been bitten by the travel bug, these books are every bit as beautiful as they are inspirational. Filled with images, poems, anecdotes, and, of course, stunning photography, no one will be able to pass by without picking them up to flip through.
Photo: Courtesy of NYC: Basic Tips and Etiquette1/11NYC: Basic Tips and Etiquette
If you can make it in the Big Apple, you can make it anywhere. But there are still plenty of things to learn along the way. (Trust us—we live here, after all.) Nathan W. Pyle compiled a laundry list of secrets, tips, and tricks—complete with hilarious illustrations—that will turn even the newest tourist into a native New Yorker in no time.
2/11What more could you ask for?
Photo: Courtesy of The Fashionable Selby3/11The Fashionable Selby
Go inside the studios, workshops, and homes of some of the most well-known names in fashion. From models to stylists and everyone in between, Selby's latest offering reveals some of the best-kept secrets of the fashion world from those who know it best, such as an avant-garde punk knitter in Brooklyn. This is anything but standard coffee table fare.
Photo: Courtesy of The Fashion Insider's Guide to Paris4/11The Fashion Insider's Guide to Paris
Paris is the world's fashion capital for a reason, so let those who know it best lead you through every hot spot, stylish haunt, and hidden gem that the City of Lights has to offer. And who better to show you the way than a former New Yorker and current French Vogue correspondent? Answer: No one.
Photo: Courtesy of The New York Times, 36 Hours: Europe5/11The New York Times, 36 Hours: Europe
Daydreaming of your next vacation? This handy guide is most definitely for you. The series of 36 Hours books give you 125 itineraries for quick (but very memorable!) trips. The only thing better? A scrapbook of your personal globe-trotting adventures. Go on, get out there!
Photo: Courtesy of The Teen Vogue Handbook6/11The Teen Vogue Handbook
OK, OK...we may be biased, but with good reason. Whether you're looking to break into the fashion industry or simply find inspiration in some of the world's biggest photographers, designers, and editors (like our own EIC Amy Astley), this handbook is every bit as useful as it is beautiful.
Photo: Courtesy of It7/11It
Brit It girl and fashion darling Alexa Chung shares all in this book chock full of her personal inspirations and eclectic style secrets. And she's definitely someone you want to be taking tips from, because, let's not forget: She single-handedly introduced the long, wavy bob hairstyle as the cut du jour.
Photo: Courtesy of Influence8/11Influence
Actresses, producers, fashion designers...and now authors. There's quite literally nothing that these superstar—and super chic—twins can't do. Influence is 272 pages all about Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's rise to the top of the fashion industry, and also includes interviews with Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, and more. You know if Uncle Karl is willing to be involved, you've got some serious designer street cred.
Photo: Courtesy of Arthur Elgort's Model Manual9/11Arthur Elgort's Model Manual
Ansel isn't the only famous Elgort out there! His dad just happens to be renowned fashion photographer Arthur Elgort who released a supermodel-studded photography book of some of his most famous work several years ago. Trust us: You could definitely learn a thing about posing from the man who has shot the likes of Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
Photo: Courtesy of Grace: A Memoir10/11Grace: A Memoir
She's one of the fashion industry's most important women, dreaming up and bringing to life the stunning photo shoots featured in Vogue each month. Here, creative director Grace Coddington reveals all: From her time as a top model to the real story behind her longtime friendship with Anna Wintour. Can you say must-read?
Photo: Courtesy of Chanel (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications)11/11Chanel (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications)
It doesn't get more iconic than Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. So channel your inner Parisian and explore her long-standing influence over the ever-chic fashion house, as well as the evolution of the brand under Karl Lagerfeld. Who doesn't want to look at more than 150 new photographs of flawless Chanel garments?
