Idioms

coffee-table book

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coffee table book

A large hardbound book primarily containing pictures that is often displayed on a coffee table in a common area as a conversation piece. Jenna published a coffee table book that featured beautiful photographs from her European vacations. At least there were some interesting coffee table books to flip through while we waited. I think vase of flowers and a colorful coffee table book or two would look so nice here in the living room.
See also: book, coffee, table

coffee-table book

A large, typically hardcover book full of glossy photos that is meant to be displayed on a coffee-table for casual viewing, as opposed to thorough reading. At least there were some interesting coffee-table books to flip through while we waited. Jenna published a coffee-table book that featured beautiful photographs from her European vacations. I think vase of flowers and a colorful coffee-table book or two would look so nice here in the living room.
See also: book
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

coffee-table book

a book that is more suitable for display than for reading, typically, an oversize, illustrated book left on the coffee table for visitors to examine. This book is more of a coffee-table book than an art book. I prefer something more scholarly. We purchased a coffee-table book for Jan's birthday.
See also: book
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive
'It looks like a coffee-table book, yet it is much superior in its contents.
Anthology of highly researched articles launched
Narnia Beckons is a handsome coffee-table book that children and adults alike will find alluring and rewarding.
Discovering the world of Narnia: Narnia Beckons, the new family album and picture book, provides a fascinating glimpse of Narnia--and of the life and ideas of the man behind the beloved children's series
It's not a coffee-table book, or a book on fishing.
The Quiet Mountains: A Ten-Year Search for the Last Wild Trout of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental
* A coffee-table book showcasing Interstate highlights in each state
Interstate's Golden anniversary to be celebrated
"As Pastor and Brother" 'is a substantial coffee-table book. They both deal with the Holy Father's visits to Canada, both contain excellent photographs of this most photogenic of popes, but the emphasis in them is very different one from the other.
John Paul's living memory
The Cinema Of George Lucas is a lavish coffee-table book exploring the production process and cinematic talent behind the classic science fiction phenomenon of "Star Wars".
The Cinema of George Lucas
This limited edition, richly illustrated, coffee-table book spans the 50 years since ASIS was founded in 1955--from the Cold War to heightened alert.
The Gold Standard: ASIS Celebrates 50 Years of Advancing Security
A coffee-table book about roadside kitsch, it features photographs of everything from Babe the Blue Ox and Mac the Moose to the Fountain of Youth and the world's largest thermometer.
Book salutes roadside oddities
This is one coffee-table book that will not just sit, but inspire and provoke.
Children's Art
If you would like to order a copy of this beautiful coffee-table book reflecting the people and the spirit of the FFA through a collection of thoughts, impressions and photographs, please contact M.T.
The national FFA organization
And now his "Mutts" cartoon, which runs in more than 500 newspapers, is the subject of a glossy coffee-table book called Mutts: The Comic Art of Patrick McDonnell.
Syndicates: Art book showcases artistic 'Mutts' strip
Meanwhile, Pantheon's latest publication, Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross--a gorgeous coffee-table book filled with painted renditions of Superman, Wonder Woman, and their cohorts--features art direction, design, and text by Kidd.
Kidd in a candy store: this year acclaimed book designer (and author) Chip Kidd was the subject of a book about his own work
Published inhouse by the Globe, the book retails for a steep $55; then again, it's less a coffee-table book than a tome big enough to be the coffee table.
'Star-crossed' season
Despite the old photos and wealth of personalities, this is a mediocre coffee-table book.
Book of the Week
A new coffee-table book details the history of US aerospace company Boeing Co.
New book tells Boeing Co story
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