Gorgeous gift books you may just want to give yourself
All year long I keep my eye out for the latest and greatest of the big, beautiful coffee table books that people don’t typically buy for themselves, but are a joy to receive. Here are some of my favorites, perfect for gifting to a foodie, a fashionista, a motorcycle enthusiast, bird watcher, and more. I can’t put them all in this article (or we’d both be here all day), so don’t miss the full list of special, extra gifty book ideas in our Editors’ Picks for Gifty Books.
For more book recommendations, see the rest of our Editors’ Holiday Gift Picks, and our selections for the Best Books of 2023.
Over a decade ago now, Modernist Cuisine knocked our socks off, and Myhrvold’s mad-scientist-meets-master-chef approach to food and photography hasn’t slowed down in the slightest. His latest, Food & Drink, is another showstopper, and the perfect gift for the foodie—or intrepid photographer—in your life. There’s a volcano-like eruption of a can of tomato soup, an ethereal cross-section of a cup of coffee with cream, blueberries magnified into what you think at first glance are massive rocks…. This gorgeous, slip-cased coffee table book will inspire awe in anyone who turns its glorious pages. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
I, by no means, consider myself a bird watcher, but I would love to have this book for my own coffee table. There’s no denying the detailed beauty of Audubon’s illustrations, and this special slip-cased collection is as fine as they come. Recipients of this gorgeous gift may be tempted to frame the pages, but the book as a whole is too stunning and masterfully created to remove even one illustration. If you want to give someone a gift they’ll cherish for years to come, this is it. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
For anyone who loves to be near water, this is the book they are meant to have. From the rugged shores of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-kissed tropics, Burkard’s photos are stunning and have a magical quality to them that makes me feel like I can smell the kelp and feel the splash of the waves. Gorgeous and awe-inspiring, The Oceans is a love letter to all that makes ours the big blue planet. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
The Vanity Fair Oscar party is a legendary, star-studded affair—and now anyone can have a peek into this exclusive event through these exquisite photographs. Ten years of images capture a night to remember for Hollywood’s A-list of actors, producers, and musicians, clutching their golden statue as they pose for Seliger in his pop-up party studio. For anyone who loves the movies and the glamour of Hollywood, this is a gift they will love to receive. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
If you have a motorcycle enthusiast in your midst, look no further than this beautifully photographed book. Chronicling ten years of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, this combination of motorcycles, vintage glamour, and a good cause, is something special. Spanning 20 countries and growing every year, raising millions of dollars for men’s health awareness, the enthusiasm for motorcycles and camaraderie that you’ll see in these pages is infectious and inspiring. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Youth may be wasted on the young, but they’ve got nothing on these men and women in their fifth (or more) decade, who are as stylish as it gets. Profiles and photographs of both famous and everyday African Americans highlight the broad range of fashion-forward expression, influences, and legacy that is Black style. Give this one to your stylish friend, parent, or yourself. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Black Panther has become a wildly popular Marvel franchise in recent years, with the release of two blockbuster movies and a renewed interest in the comics and character. The origin story and evolution of Black Panther and the world of Wakanda—starting with the superhero’s creation in the midst of the civil rights movement in 1966—is truly unique among superheroes. References and influences, along with eye-catching photographs and illustrations, make this the perfect gift for the many fans of the legendary Black Panther. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Globe-trotters and armchair enthusiasts alike will appreciate this arresting coffee table book. National Geographic photographers traveled the world to fill the pages with incredible destinations, be it snorkeling in the Cook Islands, checking out St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland, or taking a stroll through New Orleans’ Garden District. Within these pages you’ll find bookstores and castles, cafes and caves—whether it’s an escape to nature or getting lost in a glittering city that you desire, Destinations of a Lifetime has it all at your fingertips.
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