The best coffee table books to broaden your mind

A leading figure in Thailand’s art scene, ‘Dreamworld’ is the first major solo exhibition in Europe by artist Mit Jai Inn. Page after page of artwork that morphs definitions of sculpture and painting; described as “a utopian dream within everyday life”. A dream for the eyes.

The daddy of DataViz, David McCandless, has created the third of his stunning books that focus on understanding the world better. ‘Beautiful News’ focuses on the positive things happening in the world that you don’t often hear about. Lovingly created and crafted, the collection of images and data is easy to pick up and put down when you need a jolt of serotonin.

Design impacts our lives every day in obvious and hidden ways; this book exposes both sides through in-depth looks at large companies and human-centred design. From Tesla to Ma Yansong, China’s best homegrown architect, Fast Company, proposes that business has its design moment. If you want to read the why behind the designs and see inspirational ideas that are changing lives worldwide, grab a copy today.

Spider-Man is 60. Let that sink in for a second. Introduced by Roy Thomas, the 304-page beast is more like a homage to the web-slinger than a mere coffee table book. Inside features a complete replica of The Amazing Spider-Man #1, created by Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. Unsheath the book and nerd-out to the original artwork produced by Marcos Martín, the multiple-award-winning Marvel artist famed for his work on Spider-Man. Part two of a series, the first was Captain America. Can your coffee table take this much awesome?

The second edition of the much-lauded first style and life Bible comes from the king of style and sophistication. Seventeen years after its predecessor, 002 is edited by Ford and explores taste, sensuality and a whole lot of fashion. Best of all, it’s printed on Forest Stewardship Council approved materials.

The latest instalment of Monocle’s series is a ‘handbook’ that focuses on entrepreneurship. Exploring +100 entrepreneurs from around the globe that succeeded against the odds, it’s an inspiring read that features advice from industry experts and people making brands that are changing the world.

Ferran Adrià, culinary icon slash legend, uses his think-tank and rigorous methodology to develop new products that form the basis of a lot of what we eat. The book contains a deep drive into ingredients and how chefs brains work. Expect 500-pages of biology meets botany with a healthy dose of both chemistry and zoology that will get your tastebuds rumbling.

Few things are equally appropriate at weddings and in warfare; PowerPoint is one such item. Focused around everyone’s favourite work tool we love to hate, the book won’t fail to give even the most seasoned presenter a tip or twelve thanks to the 260 pages, packed with insights on making PowerPoint and presenting better. Davies knows what he’s talking about, after all, he’s worked for Nike, Microsoft and Apple to 10 Downing Street for decades.

If “Science Fiction Expressionism” is your thing, this is the book that should adorn your coffee table. From early works to future works, Butzer presents the origins of his thinking and inside his process. You’ll know his work because of the large comic-book eyes, inflated heads or oversized hands. A first edition printing, there are 4,000 numbered copies up for grabs.

Close friend and confident Naomi Parry shares a candid look behind the genius Amy Winehouse. Never before seen photos and memorabilia help to tell the story of Winehouse as her career took off. Lyrics get explained, and a raft of friends and colleagues explain why Amy’s music continues to touch, and inspire, so many.