Eight coffee-table books that make great gifts
Photo by Erik Putz
Perfect coffee-table presents
For the well-heeled girl
This collection of the globe’s most desirable designer footwear — with over 500 pairs to gawk at — is like a trip to Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum without ever having to leave the house! From avant-garde architectural high heels to traditional brogues, and everything in between, this beautiful hardcover is eye candy for shoe fanatics and fashion lovers alike. —Madeline Cravit
The Complete Book of Shoes, Marta Morales, $50.
For the comedian
Parks and Recreation fans will relish this yarn from Nick Offerman, the man behind Ron Swanson on the comedy series. Part laugh-out-loud memoir, part “man-ifesto,” it imparts Offerman’s humbling and hilarious life advice amid entertaining stories. He tells of growing up in a small town, perfecting the moustache and discovering his passion for woodworking. And he describes the love of his life, Megan Mullally, as the “gut-busting stack of curves on Will & Grace." If you adore breakfast foods or the outdoors, you’ll appreciate Offerman’s insights on “delicious living” as much as his recommendations for seeking scenic routes to success and maturing into the best man possible (even if you’re a woman). As Swanson once said, in between bites of perfectly grilled beef, “It’s a perfectly calibrated recipe for maximum personal achievement.” —Alanna Glassman
Paddle Your Own Canoe, Nick Offerman, $29.
For the English major
Literature’s most memorable heroines spring to life in the pages of this simply beautiful book, full of sparkling images and glittering text from illustrator Samantha Hahn. The artist pairs her colourful, ethereally beautiful watercolours with evocative, hand-lettered quotations to paint strong, unique portraits of characters like Anna Karenina and Daisy Buchanan that depict each woman in her own light. It’s every bit as lovely to look at as it is to read. Hahn’s work would do all of these women proud. —Lora Grady
Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most Beloved Heroines, Samantha Hahn, $24.
For the Instagram-aholic
With so many ways to document our lives, it’s important we know how to capture the perfect shot. In this stunning photography book, Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, creators of the popular lifestyle blog A Beautiful Mess, present inspirational ideas and easy-to-follow instructions for capturing the people and things in your life — mess and all! From snapping the perfect photo of Fido to refining your food shots, they cover it all in this striking book. —Dominique Lamberton
A Beautiful Mess: Photo Idea Book, Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, $21.
For the romcom fan
The title of this book is no understatement. At 576 pages, The Most of Nora Ephron, an expansive collection of the late Nora Ephron’s honest and moving works, is an intelligent, sometimes painful read. From her early days as a White House intern to the demise of her first two marriages, this is Nora at her most compelling. If you knew her only for her films like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally, this anthology — which showcases her talents as a journalist, food blogger and playwright — will be a revelation. —Robyn Shanks
The Most of Nora Ephron, Nora Ephron, $35.
For the pop culture junkie
Bursting with colourful images and witty opinions, the paper form of the wildly popular (and seriously addictive) blog Jezebel is the must-have book for every twentysomething girl. This encyclopedia of pop culture told from a feminist perspective (without airbrushing, as their website’s tag line says) is brought to us by the brilliant minds who gave the blog its runaway success. Chock full of quirky yet informative references, from A-cups and Judy Blume to Xena and zombies, this is one book they’ll want to keep after college. —Lora Grady
The Book of Jezebel: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Lady Thing, edited by Anna Holmes, $28.
For the proud canuck
Legend has it that two young American boys fell in love with the rustic beauty of Algonquin Park and dreamt up the ultimate Canadiana brand, Roots. Now celebrating 40 years, founders Michael Budman and Don Green share snapshots that document a special time in fashion and style. This book is a hike down memory lane for anyone who has ever owned a Roots sweatshirt or varsity jacket or carried a leather bag stamped with the iconic beaver. —Catherine Franklin
Roots: 40 Years of Style, Dan Aykroyd, Michael Budman, Don Green, Suzanne Boyd, $40.
For the ultimate foodie
In her follow-up to The Art of Simple Food, Alice Waters leads novice and skilled cooks alike through a year-long culinary journey with simple and flavourful recipes inspired by fresh ingredients. Focused on the delights of the kitchen garden, this informative vegetable-centric cookbook celebrates the traditional approach to cooking and eating with the seasons. Peppered with Waters’ own experiences of cooking from the garden, it brings a fresh perspective to the way we enjoy and appreciate food today. —Irene Ngo
The Art of Simply Food II, Alice Waters, $40.
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