14 Coffee Table Books Purr-fect for Animal Lovers
Those of us lucky enough to have had a four-legged friend in life know just how amazing canine and feline companions can be. Sure, they require lots of care and attention, but it’s totally worth it for all the joy they bring us. Whether we’re looking for a sweet, thoughtful gift for the animal lovers in our lives or we just want to stock our own homes with evidence of our love for cute creatures of all kinds, these coffee table books are the cat’s meow.
1. Find Momo by Andrew Knapp ($13): Border collie Momo and his human buddy Andrew go on lots of adventures in wide open spaces. This book presents lots of opportunities to find Momo while he’s out there, hidden in the world. If you get stuck, no worries — the answers are all in the back.
2. Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats by Susan Herbert ($18): Few things are fancier than cats and classical art. Combine the two, and voila! It’s tongue-in-cheek perfection.
3. Finding Home: Shelter Dogs & Their Stories by Traer Scott ($12): We all know adoption is the way to go when it comes to bringing home a new canine chum. This achingly beautiful book shares the stories of quite a few shelter pups, so get the tissues ready.
4. Dogs in Cars by Lara Jo Regan ($13): What’s better than a happy dog in a car? Nothing, that’s what. So if you ever need a pick-me-up to end all pick-me-ups, this coffee table book is definitely it.
5. Maddie on Things by Theron Humphrey ($11): Maddie the coonhound has made quite a name for herself on the internet as she travels all over the country. Why? Because she stands on things and poses for the most adorable pictures. You don’t need WiFi to see her sweet face when you can let her stand on your coffee table 24/7!
6. Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book by Grumpy Cat ($10): Secretly, we think Grumpy Cat has been getting quite a kick out of his internet stardom over the past few years. He’s a shrewd business cat too; just look at how he’s diversifying his portfolio by entering the publishing world.
7. The Big New Yorker Book of Cats by The New Yorker Magazine and Anthony Lane ($29): This coffee table book has articles, fiction, humor, poems, cartoons, cover art, drafts and drawings from New Yorker contributors like Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl, John Updike, Sylvia Townsend Warner and E.B. White. Can you say classic?
8. A Dog Named Jimmy by Rafael Mantesso ($12): These photos of Jimmy set against his owner’s drawings in an all-white apartment aren’t just fun to look at; they also served a therapeutic purpose, helping the author/illustrator cope with being left by his wife on his 30th birthday. Who says pets aren’t the best medicine?
9. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot ($13): This classic book, complete with drawings by the iconic Edward Gorey, is a must-have for any cat lover, illustration enthusiast or appreciator of all things timeless.
10. Shake by Carli Davidson ($11): Do you ever wish you could capture your dog mid-shake in super high definition? That’s just what Carli Davidson did with dozens of dogs. We dare you not to smile as you watch these furry fellas shake it off, shake it off.
11. RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species by Joel Sartore ($15): Many of us who love our own animals know just how precious all animals’ lives are. This book showcases them in all their endangered beauty, evoking our emotions and reminding us how important it is to protect these phenomenal creatures.
12. Cats on the Job by Lisa Rogak ($13): On the lighter side, these 50 cats are makin’ it work for the camera. From mousers to circus performers, these little guys and gals are earning their kibble for sure.
13. Awkward Family Pet Photos by Mike Bender and Doug Chernak ($10): Some of us love our pets a little too much — to the point of embarrassment, really. The duo responsible for the book Awkward Family Photos is back again with a pet-centric version, which highlights posed pet family photos gone awry. But hey, no judgment!
14. The Big New Yorker Book of Dogs by The New Yorker Magazine and Malcolm Gladwell ($28): Before you dog people cancel your New Yorker subscriptions, know that there’s a dog version too! It’s chock-full of words and images by Susan Orlean, Arthur Miller, John Updike, Roald Dahl, E.B. White, Jonathan Lethem, Anne Sexton and more. We’ll take one for every table!
Which book might be gracing your coffee table soon? Tell us in the comments below!