A glimmer of hope for the state of printed books

This semester we've talked a lot about the unfortunate decline of books in print so I wanted this blog post to focus on a type of book that is not declining, in fact it's sales are increasing...coffee table books. These large format beauties are carrying the sales for bookstores while the sales of novels decline. Book distributor, Ingam Content Group reported that independent bookstore orders of travel books climbed 23%, design books 20%, and art books 12%. Sales of cook books also remain good. The bookstores that are thriving today are the ones who are changing their inventory to reflect books that can't be so easily replaced by digital media. The closing of Borders (and many Barnes&Noble) have provided smaller chains and independent bookstores with more customers and an opportunity to reinvent themselves in this changing book economy.  

I love a good coffee table book. They may be pricey but they offer an experience that is pleasing to the eye and touch. The increase in sales for books that typically cost $50 and up goes to show that people love good design and beautiful production. They are used as decorative statements of our interests. Here are some of my coffee table books. I have photography, design and travel books. Unfortunately I can't leave them out because the dog's favorite chew toys are hard cover books. See him eyeing them? 

Do you own any coffee table books? Any of notable design? Which ones are your favorite or ones that you currently want? I am currently drooling over Gypset Travel, a travel and fashion book. If you were to have the opportunity to create or design a coffee table book, what would it's subject be?

Sources:

http://highbrowmagazine.com/2285-rest-publishing-goes-digital-coffee-table-books-remain-print-staple
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-coffee-table-books-save-the-local-bookstore-2012-10-08