Coffee table books can conjure up images of the stuffy, giant tomes you'd find at your grandparents' house. They made pretty good lap desks when you wanted to do your homework in front of the TV. Though, they weren't exactly what you wanted to flip through in your spare time.
Today, however, there are plenty of oversized titles you'd be proud to display on your coffee table. Or if you're doing the starter apartment thing, the edge of your kitchen table which is also your coffee table. There are books filled with beautiful travel photography that can inspire your next trip. And plenty of biography collections that highlight notable women your lounging guests can educate themselves about. There are even a few big names attached to recent bestsellers, from Lauren Conrad to Abbi Jacobson.
Click through to find the perfect coffee table book for your home. Even if they eventually come to rest on the beanbag-holdover from college you're using as a coffee table — we won't judge.
Read This Next:
12 Books About The Kennedys To Read After You Watch Jackie
All The Shows Coming To Netflix In 2017
These Are Our Top Reads Out In December
Women in Trees
By Jochen Raiss
A simple concept for a charming collection of found photos.
Photo: Courtesy of Hatje Cantz.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
By Rachel Ignotofsky
Essential reading for young aspiring astrophysics and anyone who has fond memories of the science fair.
Photo: Courtesy of Ten Speed Press.
The Religions Book
By DK Publishing
Having a handy reference text at the ready means you totally can discuss religion after a family dinner, right?
Photo: Courtesy of DK.
Underwater Dogs
By Seth Casteel
Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover — this one is filled with even more adorable pups exploring the water just like this guy.
Photo: Courtesy of Little, Brown and Company.
Young Hollywood
By Claiborne Swanson Frank
It's basically like the celeb-dominated part of your Instagram feed, but with gorgeous, artsy photographs.
Photo: Courtesy of Assouline Publishing.
What If?
By Randall Munroe
Because inquiring minds want to know, and those minds don't always have access to Wi-Fi.
Photo: Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Pop Art
By Klaus Honnef
For the Andy Warhol fan who wants to expand their knowledge of the art movement beyond the soup can.
Photo: Courtesy of Taschen.
Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics
By Jason Porath
The decidedly grown-up version of your childhood book of fairy tales, this compendium of historical royals will also prep you for Jeopardy!
Photo: Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers.
Letters of Note: Volume 2: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience
Compiled By Shaun Usher
Get lost in real pieces of history as you read letters by Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Janis Joplin and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Chronicle Books.
David Bowie Is... (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago: Exhibition Catalogues
Edited By Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh
Celebrate the creativity that the late artist brought to every part of his public persona, with this retrospective of his costumes, from photos to design sketches.
Photo: Courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum.
The Movie Book
By DK
If you're stuck on what to watch on movie night, pick up this book, flip and point—it'll save you a Netflix battle and teach you a little film history.
Photo: Courtesy of DK.
Paris In Color
By Nichole Robertson
The perfect book to explore the City of Light for anyone who couldn't finish the school day until they had reorganized their crayons into rainbow order.
Photo: Courtesy of Chronicle Books.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
This unconventional bio of the beloved supreme court justice is a must-have for anyone who loves this SNL sketch.
Photo: Courtesy of Dey Street Books.
Oh Joy!: 60 Ways to Create & Give Joy
By Joy Cho
A title perfect for a DIY lover (or someone who just appreciates flipping through photos of general whimsy).
Photo: Courtesy of William Morrow.
The Most Scenic Drives in America, Newly Revised and Updated: 120 Spectacular Road Trips
By Editors of Reader's Digest
Plan your next road trip as you chill on the couch—no phone or laptop required.
Photo: Courtesy of Reader's Digest.
In the Company of Women
By Grace Bonney
Get inspired by the businesswomen profiled in this collection who share their tips and tricks for successfully creating and running their own visions.
Photo: Courtesy of Artisan.
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
By National Geographic
A travel bucket list that can live on your coffee table, always pushing and reminding you to book that flight.
Photo: Courtesy of National Geographic.
Every Person In New York
By Jason Polan
Artist Jason Polan captures the spirit of New York City with his collection of illustrations, complete with a foreword from Kristen Wiig.
Photo: Courtesy of Chronicle Books.
Vargic's Miscellany of Curious Maps: Mapping the Modern World
By Martin Vargic
These are not the maps from your middle school geography book; they were created by the man behind the popular "Map of the Internet 1.0."
Photo: Courtesy of Harper's Design.
Beaches
By Gray Malin
Inspire summer daydreams at any time of the year with this oversized book.
Photo: Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.
Celebrate
By Lauren Conrad
Live in the world of Lauren Conrad party decor, even if it's just for an afternoon.
Photo: Courtesy of Dey Street Books.
Bad Girls Throughout History
By Ann Shen
The famous women you've always admired captured through beautiful illustrations.
Photo: Courtesy of Chronicle Books.
The Loney Planet Book of Everything: A Visual Guide to the World
By Nigel Holmes
Flip through these travel tips as you sit on your couch, and prepare to amaze your fellow adventurers with your MacGyver level knowledge.
Photo: Courtesy of Lonely Planet.
Building Stories
By Chris Ware
You'll need the whole table, and probably some of the floor to unfurl this massive, multi-part graphic novel, that can be stored in this artistic box.
Photo: Courtesy of Pantheon.
Carry This Book
By Abbi Jacobson
The obviously multi-talented co-creator of Broad City gives you a peek into the bags of your favorite celebs (or at least shows you what she thinks might be within them) with a series of quirky illustrations.
Photo: Courtesy of Viking.
The Art of Movement
By Ken Browar and Deborah Ory
The grace and fluidity of ballet dancers (and their costumes) are captured in this lovely photo portfolio.
Photo: Courtesy of Black Dog & Leventhal.
1000 Record Covers
By Michael Ochs
Essential reading for any Vinyl fanatic.
Photo: Courtesy of Taschen.
American Beauty
By Genevieve Bahrenburg and Claiborne Swanson Frank
Stunning portraits that capture modern women in America.
Photo: Courtesy of Assouline.
Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age
By Graydon Carter
All the glamour of the famous magazine looked at through the lense of history.
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books.
Kate Spade New York: All In Good Taste
By Kate Spade New York
Even the cover features that trademark ascetic.
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of celebrity news, fun takes on pop culture, and trending stories on the Refinery29 Entertainment Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
These Are The 2017 Books We're Most Excited About Right Now