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Beautiful coffee table books

Beautiful coffee table books

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It's a well-known adage that you can't judge a book by its cover, but any book lover knows that's not quite true. The right volume – whether it's about the cosmos or ceramics, music or mythology – can make a great statement piece and add a personal, decorative touch to any living space.

Whether you're searching for a thoughtful gift that they can read and proudly display on their coffee tables, or simply want a fascinating new book of your own, we've rounded up the best hardbacks and full-colour paperbacks that are beautiful on the outside and the inside.

The short answer

Best for sports fans: Classic Football Shirts
Best for fashionistas: Red Carpet Legends
Best for the green-fingered: The Gardening Book
Best for keen cooks: MEZCLA
Best for scientists: Apollo Remastered
Best for stylish interiors: Eat, Drink, Nap

By My Hands by Florian Gadsby (2023)

In this book that counts Seth Rogen and Nigel Slater among its fans, ceramicist Florian Gadsby shares his lessons and experiences from the years he spent honing his craft. Spanning the creative influences of his childhood in England to his time studying in Ireland and Japan, By My Hands is a thoughtful, captivating, and beautifully photographed love letter to the art of pottery.

Red Carpet Legends by Camilla Morton (2026)

Complete with a striking red clothbound cover, gold-foil lettering, sprayed edges, glossy pages, and a foreword by design legend Donatella Versace, Red Carpet Legends is the ultimate coffee table book for any fashion lover. Journalist, author and fashion industry consultant Camilla Morton, whose career includes stints at Vogue and Christian Dior, takes us inside the famous looks that shaped the world of fashion and pop culture as we know it today.

Classic Football Shirts by
Classic Football Shirts and Rory Smith (2026)

From Pelé's World Cup wins to Lionel Messi's record-breaking tenure at Barcelona, to the surprising history behind Arsenal's iconic "bruised banana" shirts, this brilliantly vibrant book captures the hundreds of match-worn football shirts that tell the story of the beautiful game. Classic Football Shirts is the result of two decades of painstaking research from the team at the international shirt retailer of the same name, as well as essays from acclaimed sports journalist Rory Smith, making it the perfect thoughtful gift for the avid football fan in your life.

1964: Eyes of the Storm by Paul McCartney (2023)

The year is 1964. The Beatles are on tour in America, firmly cementing their status as the biggest band in the world, and Beatlemania has reached dizzying new heights. Featuring hundreds of previously unpublished photographs from Paul McCartney's archive, 1964: Eyes of the Storm captures an extraordinary moment in cultural and musical history.

Mythos: The Illustrated Story by Stephen Fry (2023)

Follow Persephone on her doomed abduction into the underworld, discover the fateful moment Pandora released a vortex of vile creatures from her jar, and live vicariously through the passionate love story of Eros and Psyche. Stephen Fry's brilliant retelling of the myths of ancient Greece breathes new life into old tales, covering everything from Apollo to Zeus. Now, in this giftable hardback edition, Fry's words are accompanied by striking, colourful visuals by illustrator Jesús Sotés.

MEZCLA by Ixta Belfrage (2022)

The recipes in this cookbook by chef and Ottolenghi protégée Ixta Belfrage are – much like its cover – bold, colourful, and unique. Expect beautiful photography, fun and informative writing, and inventive, flavour-packed dishes such as Chiles rellenos with salsa roja risotto, Dende marinated prawns with burnt lime, and Miso caramel ice cream bomba.

Apollo Remastered by Andy Saunders (2022)

In this instant Sunday Times bestseller, image restorer Andy Saunders uses newly available digital scans and state-of-the-art enhancement technology to publish the highest-quality images of NASA's Apollo missions. Perfect for any budding astronomer, this photographic journey into space was hailed as "the next best thing to being there" by Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke.

Ricochet by Denis O'Regan (2018)

This photography book by Denis O'Regan, who followed David Bowie on the road for his 1983 Serious Moonlight tour, captures the musician and era-defining pop icon like never before. As well as being visually stunning, the images in this book paint an intimate portrait of a man who, for many, was larger than life.

The Female Lead by Edwina Dunn (2017)

From models to film stars to executives to campaigners, the subjects of The Female Lead come from all walks of life, but the one thing they have in common is their track record in breaking barriers and and shaping the world around us. Featuring striking portrait photography by Brigitte Lacombe and illuminating personal interviews, this book showcases 60 remarkable, accomplished women, as chosen by British entrepreneur and data scientist Edwina Dunn.

The Gardening Book by Monty Don (2023)

In addition to its striking green cover and beautiful hardback binding, this volume by gardening icon Monty Don contains everything you need to know about cultivating your green space – whether you're looking to grow more vegetables, tend to houseplants, create a child-friendly garden, or establish a game plan for tending to your outdoor space year-round.

Eat, Drink, Nap by Soho House (2014)

Take a peek into the world of Soho House with the ultimate guide to recreating the members' club's effortlessly chic aesthetic and lifestyle at home – from interior design inspiration to recipes, hosting, and mixology tips. And if you want the full Soho House experience, be sure to complete the set with subsequent releases Morning, Noon, Night and City Country Coast.

Chatsworth by Alan Titchmarsh (2023)

Beloved gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh takes us on a journey into the storied past of Chatsworth, the famed Derbyshire stately home and surrounding sprawling grounds. Chatsworth features a range of specially commissioned photographs and newly resurfaced archive pieces – and with a history spanning five centuries and 16 generations, there's plenty to explore.

Wall and Piece by Banksy (2005)

Anonymous graffiti artist Banksy has – quite literally – made his mark over the years with his thought-provoking and politically astute brand of street art. Wall and Piece, published as Banksy was gaining traction and notoriety in the art world, features some of his most influential early work.