Coffee table books tend not to be novels. They are typically larger books, with lavish covers, and are beautifully illustrated or have lots of pictures in them. They are intended for light, casual reading, and for guests to flick through when in your home. These books tend to be cookbooks, sports books, fashion, film and TV, lifestyle or photography books, and are usually hardback with beautiful covers. Coffee table books should be interesting, fascinating, and invite your guests to take a look through them when waiting for you, or when over for a dinner party or coffee date. As a result, they may often be artsy books, photography books, or ones with factual information that can work as a conversation starter. Alternatively, some people prefer to display books that lend insight into themselves, as the owner. That way, your guests can look at the books that you have on your coffee table, and understand you a little better, based on the content of the book, or what you like to read.