Get Lit: A Few of My Favorite Coffee Table Books

Please excuse the horrible lack of feng shui happening within this collage. Its asymmetry is most disappointing.

I collect a lot of things. A minimalist I am not. And there are few things in life that I love more than books. Some women dream of having a jewelry box full of diamonds or a closet stocked with designer shoes but I lust after a home library. I tend to gravitate toward non-fiction. I enjoy memoirs, satire/humor, essays and anything on the occult. But my biggest love is for coffee table books. Not only are they fascinating to read and visually admire but they're also one of my favorite things to decorate with. Nothing makes a room look more put together than a well-placed book. I appreciate a wide variety of subject matter: fashion, art, photography, beauty, architecture, music, design... The list is endless.

I mostly get my books used from various online retailers (Amazon, ebay, etc...) but am always scouring thrift stores as well. To check out my virtual bookshelves featuring thousands of my favorite titles, you can visit my Pinterest. In the mean time, I thought I'd share just a few of my favorites:

• Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most-Beloved Heroines by Samantha Hahn.             If you're a fan of quotes and watercolor illustrations, you'll appreciate this book. It's a pretty book to flip through and especially nice as a gift for the woman in your life who loves literature.
• Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture                                                                            When this book was originally published several years ago, it was at the top of my Christmas list. For fans of architectural store design, this one is for you. Lovers of Takashi Murakami's iconic collaboration with Louis Vuitton will cherish having this book displayed in their homes. 
• Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work by Heather Clawson.                                                           If you follow the sensational style blog Habitually Chic, you must add this fabulous book to your collection. For those who have a passion for making a living out of doing what they love, you will take away much inspiration. Creatives will particularly be receptive to its content. Over the years, I've proudly displayed this book at the office, on my desk at home and anywhere that needs a touch of brightness. 
• Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel by Lisa Vreeland.                                                           If you grew up reading fashion magazines like I did, you will be familiar with Diana Vreeland's iconic career at Harper's Bazaar. For the most part, Vreeland was before my time (and her own for that matter) but this book provides a stellar glimpse into the fashion publishing world's past. This is mostly a visual photography book showcasing Vreeland's extraordinary contributions to the industry. 
• Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge.                                                                     Surprisingly enough, before this book was published, there really wasn't anything on the market quite like it. It's hard to believe that no one had put together a book on the history of makeup. That might sound frivolous but the cosmetics industry is massively profitable and has a strong following. It's no surprise how popular this book has become. I adore the artistry and femininity behind makeup so of course I appreciate every page of this very well put together book. I'm also a major fan of Lisa Eldridge's work as well as her YouTube channel. If you're a beauty lover, this is a must-have. 
• Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.                                                                                                 Here we have another incredible book that was spawned via a wonderful blog. This is a fantastic display of impeccable style at all ages. Our society tends to favor youth and beauty over the wisdom and elegance that comes with time but this book defies that stereotype. One of my all-time favorite style blogs brought to life in book form.
• Kate Spade New York: Things We Love - Twenty Years of Inspiration, Intriguing Bits and Other Curiosities                                                                                                                               I love Kate Spade's whimsical designs and affordable price points. For fans of the brand, this is a terrific book to add to your collection. It features a delightful selection of style inspiration that girlie girls of all ages can appreciate.
• Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People by Hamish Bowles.                                                       This was one of the first coffee table books I ever bought. When it comes to this sort of genre, no one does it better than Vogue. I have since purchased a number of books from the magazine and they're all worthy of the cost. As a particular lover of the subject matter, this is one of my favorites.
• Mark Ryden: The Tree Show by Holly Meyers & Mark Ryden.                                                   Mark Ryden is one of my favorite contemporary artists whose work is so unique and magical. Some of my favorite pieces are featured in this collection. If you're a fan of this style of art, I highly recommend owning this book. If I ever strike it rich, Mark Ryden would be the first artist I would contact to commission a painting for me. I hope to add another book by him into my collection in the near future. 

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