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The Best Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Last updated on June 14, 2023

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As technology has changed the way people read, one thing has remained clear. There are times when a physical book can’t be replaced by tablets and smartphones.

One of those times is in home décor. A strategically placed architectural or lifestyle magazine adds something to a living space. It’s a way to express your personal tastes while also possibly giving houseguests something to read.

For decades, coffee tables have been a prime spot for reading material. In fact, the popularity has led to an entire genre of literature called “coffee table books.” Typically, these books feature bold, attractive covers and a slimmer design. Inside those covers are usually pages of eye-pleasing photos, perfect for guests to thumb through while interacting with you.

Coffee table books first emerged in popularity toward the end of World War II, thanks in part to advances in full-color printing technology. This made coffee table books accessible to a wider consumer base. After the war, Americans tended to be more sociable, as well, welcoming neighbors and friends into their homes and giving them a reason to have something to display on their coffee tables.

A coffee table book is more than reading material. It can enhance your décor, even if you choose it based on subject matter. There are so many options today, you can find a book that makes a statement about who you are. If you want to show your love for traveling or the arts, there’s a coffee table book that will look great with your décor while also serving that purpose.

For many homeowners, a coffee table book provides the perfect venue for expressing your love for a public figure. You can find these books for your favorite musicians, TV personalities, culture icons and much more. The popularity of celebrity coffee table books has led many celebrities to launch larger hardbacks with attractive covers and useful content like recipes and homemaking tips, making it a book you can both use and display.

Our Picks For The Top Celebrity Coffee Table Books

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Reese Witherspoon Whiskey in a Teacup Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Reese Witherspoon

Whiskey in a Teacup Celebrity Coffee Table Books

The actress shares her memories, childhood traditions and family recipes in this coffee table book, which features colorful pictures and engaging writing. The useful tips include how to use hot rollers, the ingredients for the perfect dinner party and how to catch a frog with your bare hands. The book embraces the southern woman and demonstrates ho...

Overall Take

Extra UsefulPacked with recipes and southern traditions, this coffee table book is not only attractive and entertaining, but practical, as well.

 Runner Up

National Geographic Remembering Diana Celebrity Coffee Table Books

National Geographic

Remembering Diana Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Serving as a tribute to the late princess, this coffee table book is both attractive and informative. It includes a brief biography of Diana, along with an epilogue catching readers up on the years that have passed since her death. The pictures span her entire life, including childhood photos and those famous wedding dress shots.

Overall Take

Understated ClassThis book will be a great fit for your home décor with a black-and-white photo of Princess Diana that brings classic elegance.

 We Also Like

Billie Eilish Billie Eilish Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Billie Eilish

Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Put on your favorite Billie Eilish song as you’re browsing through this coffee table book, which is packed with photos of the singer both on and off stage. The setup is similar to a family photo album and includes high-quality photos that have never been seen before. The book is in hardback format with a childhood photo of Billie Eilish’s eyes ...

Overall Take

Great GiftThe Billie Eilish fan on your gift shopping list will love this coffee table book, which includes photos of her life both before and after fame.

 Strong Contender

Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Joanna Gaines

Magnolia Table Celebrity Coffee Table Books

Featuring family recipes, including some that are served in their restaurant, this coffee table book is both useful and attractive. You’ll get 125 recipes covering everything from appetizers to desserts. You’ll also get personal stories and photos to entertain you and your houseguests.

Overall Take

Great for FamiliesYou’ll get plenty of recipes and photos from Joanna and Chip Gaines’ restaurant in this coffee table book.

What to Look For

  • Coffee table books have traditionally been slender in design so that they blend well with the décor. However, in recent years, a trend has emerged where these books are much thicker, featuring hundreds of pages, but still having the eye-catching covers and image-heavy content that have long defined the genre.
  • Chances are, if you’re buying a celebrity coffee table book, you have a specific celebrity in mind. This will narrow down your options considerably. If you’re simply wanting a book that serves as a pop culture statement, consider entertainers who speak to either your personal tastes or represent your generation.
  • Recipe books typically stay in the kitchen, but your coffee table book can be a great source of recipes, too. You’ll always have it out and ready anytime you need some meal inspiration. Since recipes often come out when it’s time to entertain, you could also consider storing your coffee table book on a stand in the kitchen, where everyone can admire it.
  • Most coffee table books are designed with images in mind. More often than not, you’ll get a book with very little text. Some have introductions and epilogues that are written by the celebrity or someone close to them. However, if you’re looking for a memoir jam-packed with information, a coffee table book likely won’t be the best format for you.
  • Pay close attention to the source of the photographs included in your book. You might like exclusive personal photos from a celebrity’s childhood and behind-the-scenes life. However, consider that those photos might not be of the professional quality you’d get with less exclusive photographs.
  • Celebrity coffee table books make great housewarming gifts. They’re attractive and easy to wrap.

More to Explore

If you like coffee table books, you can thank David Brower, a nonprofit leader who is credited as the first to publish them. While working as executive director for the Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental advocacy organization, Brower became known for his love of nature. He was an avid hiker and climber, and his office was covered in posters depicting nature’s beauty.

The Sierra Club, with Brower leading the way, came up with books it called its Exhibit Format series. These books were intended to showcase the beauty of the environment the Sierra Club was working so hard to preserve. The first book, This is the American Earth, included photos by famed photographer Ansel Adams and was published in 1960. However, similar books, going under the header of large-format art books, had been circulating in Europe since the 1800s.

More to explore