Do Your Books Speak Volumes on Your Coffee Table—and About You

Did you know Madonna's infamous Sex book from 1992 sold 1.5 million copies worldwide in just days? As per Wikipedia, it’s considered the fastest and best-selling coffee table book in publishing history.

What does that say about us? That boldness sells. That controversy sparks curiosity. That art, celebrity and culture collide in the most unexpected ways, especially when laid open across a coffee table.

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Coffee Table Books Are More Than Decorative

They’re statements.

They reflect your taste, your stories, your conversation starters. From culture and photography to fashion, architecture and yes, even sensuality. The books you display say something. About your travels. Your eye. Your curiosity.

And no one does this better than Taschen.

Great Escapes Italy, The Hotel Coffee Table Book - Photo by Girl Well Travelled

Why Taschen?

Taschen books are visual experiences. With lush illustrations, oversized formats and deeply researched content, they assert style any room and make a statement before a single word is read.

If your coffee table happens to be a Fendi Casa or Boca do Lobo piece, Taschen’s books are your match made in publishing heaven. But even if you’re styling a minimal IKEA setup, a single Sumo-sized edition can transform it entirely.

And yes they’re still in style. In a digital world, the tactile joy of turning pages is more treasured than ever.

A Coveted Coffee Table Book Collection

Start with staple pieces: books that reflect your personal interests travel, culinary arts, music, architecture, photography or fashion.

Then, layer in intrigue. Books that spark curiosity, surprise guests or provoke discussion.

Here are some of Taschen’s bestsellers, cult classics and collector favourites to build or gift with style:

For the Aesthete and Explorer

• Great Escapes Italy: The Hotel Book

• Living in Bali, 45th Ed.

• The Gourmand’s Egg (Stories & Recipes)

For the Space-Obsessed or Design-Devoted

• The NASA Archives: 60 Years in Space (XL)

• Kuma: Complete Works 1988–Today (XXL)

• Ultimate Collector Cars (XL)

For the Pop Culture Collector

• 1000 Record Covers

• Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS

• The Stan Lee Story (XL)

• Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (limited stock!)

Long Live the Queen: Tina Turner Takes Her Place on the Coffee Table

There are icons and then, there's Tina.

With unmatched grit, glam and a voice that could power the heavens, Tina Turner didn’t just make music, she made history. And now, she takes her rightful place in the pantheon of Taschen legends with a stunning new coffee table book that’s as powerful and unfiltered as the Queen of Rock herself.

This is more than a book. It’s a time machine. A backstage pass. A love letter.

Tina Turner by Peter Lindberg is for the fans. The ones who wore out their vinyl, lip-synced in the mirror, or simply admired Tina's fire. This is the ultimate keepsake. Place it on your coffee table and prepare to feel every beat, every sequin, every roar.

For the Unapologetically Bold

• Dian Hanson’s The Bigger Book of Breasts

• The Big Book of Legs

• The Little Big... (Unconventional erotica with artistic flair)

And if you're drawn to the unapologetically sensual, the kind of storytelling that lingers long after the last page, you may very well enjoy this sultry story between Jess and her best friend Ana. Let’s just say... not everything that happened at that couples-only resort in Mexico stayed in Mexico.

These aren’t just books. They’re icebreakers, showpieces, personal statements. And yes, potential investments, too.

Coffee Table Books In Demand

Join the waiting list

• David Bailey. Eighties

• Valentino. A Grand Italian Epic, for the fashionista

• The Stan Lee Story (XL)

• Redouté. The Book of Flowers (XL), makes for a heart warming mother's day gift

Pro Styling Tip

Rotate your selection seasonally. Mix sizes: XL, XXL, Sumo, Baby Sumo. Layer textures. Matte linen slipcases with glossy covers, boxed sets beside vintage finds. Let the books guide the vibe of the room.

Your Taschen Books Speak Volumes

Coffee Table Books displayed on shelves of Taschen's London vibrant bookstore. Photo by Girl Well Travelled

Where to Buy and Gift Taschen Coffee Table Books

These books are great gifts for birthdays, housewarmings or that hard-to-shop-for creative friend.

You can visit there boutiques in cities such as London, Berlin, Beverly Hills, Madrid, Milan, Hong Kong and more. London’s store (just off the Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square) is especially delightful. Light-filled, colour-rich and gift-wrapped with flair.

If you are not near a store, opt for a Taschen gift card. Delivered by email and redeemable worldwide via taschen.com

Because Your Books Say Something — Make It Count

In a world obsessed with personal expression, your coffee table books speak volumes. About your humour. Your depth. Your wanderlust. Your nostalgia. These are books you’ll leaf through time and again on quiet mornings, over evening cocktails or during lively gatherings with good friends and good stories.

I've got my 'TBB List' started, what's on yours?

Drop your favourite Taschen titles or coffee table gems in the comments

Updated May 2025