11 essential, beautiful coffee table books to collect (or gift) this year

These books are ridiculously gorgeous, and make for the perfect gifts (or living room addition)
By Aja Hoggatt
August 23, 2018 at 03:25 PM EDT
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Enhance your coffee table decor 

Artisan; National Geographic; Harry N. Abrams (2)

Every year brings about a new round of coffee table books, and 2018 is no different. We've rounded up 11 of our favorites, all of which are ridiculously gorgeous and eye-opening.

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The Street of Philosophy of Garry Winogrand by Geoff Dyer

University of Texas Press

Dyer's book takes the reader through the archive of of one of the most important street photographers from the 60s and 70s. Showing a range of photos — from the iconic to the never-before-seen images — the book encompasses the majority of themes and subjects Winograd focused on throughout his career. Dyer's commentary offers an insightful and at times comical view to the photographer's portfolio.

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Loulou & Yves: The Untold Story of Loulou de La Falaise and the House of Saint Laurent by Christopher Petkanas

St. Martin's Press

Featuring more than 200 interviews, Loulou & Yves takes a deep dive into a part of Yves Saint Laurent's life that has been explored far less exhaustively than his professional partnership with Pierre Berg. The book examines Laurent's relationship with Loulou de la Falaise, his muse for 30 years. With countless photographs of the couple's years together, readers are offered an intimate look into one of fashion's greatest partnerships.

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Sally Mann: A Thousand Crossings by Sarah Greenough and Sarah Kennel

Harry N. Abrams

A career comprised of haunting images of the American South, A Thousand Crossings brings forth the Virginia native's larger questions of race, religion, and identity that her images grapple with to the forefront. Featuring commentary from The New Yorker's Hilton Als and as well as frequent photography book author Malcolm Daniel and historian Drew Gilpin-Faust, A Thousand Crossings is broken into five compelling sections: Family, The Land, Last Measure, Abide with Me, and What Remains.

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Mark Seliger Photographs by Mark Seliger

Harry N. Abrams

From Obama to Peter Dinklage and everything in between, Mark Seliger Photographs celebrates the 30-year career of the former Rolling Stone chief photographer putting his captivating portraits on display.

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Black Girls Rock! Edited by Beverly Bond

Atria

When your contribtors list reads like an endless list of black excellence including Maxine Waters, Beyonce, Rihanna, Mara Brock-Akil, Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama — to name a few, it sells itself. But its message of ambition, self-love, empowerment, and healing makes it a no-brainer.

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Mother and Child by Claiborne Swanson Frank

ASSOULINE

Not only will this stunning pink and gold book enhance any coffee table decor, but photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank's look into the families of some of fashion's favorite women, inculding Carolina Herrera and Aerin Lauder, acts as an exploration of modern motherhood.

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Remembering Diana: A Life in Photographs  

National Geographic

The book, which consist of 100 stunning images of Princess Diana takes viewers through her life, starting with her school days. The forward is written by biographer Tina Brown whose words add context to an extraordinary life in photographs.

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Vogue: The Covers (updated edition)

Harry N. Abrams

Published in September of 2017, the updated edition of this iconic compilation features every cover since 2010, which includes the likes of Michelle Obama and Lena Dunham and showcases the 125 years worth of artistic vision and photographs from some of the world's greatest photographers.

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Beaches by Gray Malin 

Harry N. Abrams

Gray Malin's Beaches will transport you from the living room, to some of the most stunning sand and ocean the world has to offer with his distict aerial shots that capture each locale like never before.

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The Dogist by Elias Weiss Friedman

Artisan

Friedman's book features 1000 commanding portraits of man's best friend which are sure to make an viewer fall in love.

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Tonal Journal 

Tonal Journal/Instagram

Each issue of the biannual journal revolves around a different tone, and uses visuals and stories to evoke the chosen tone. Volume I is titled "Nude" and celebrates the strength, ambition, and beauty in women of color and showcases words and photographs from women of color across the world.

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By Aja Hoggatt