Cute Animals (don't front they not that cute)

Everyone loves cute animals, calendars featuring puppies frolicking in the field and youtube videos of rabbits in a teacup hit the web and become viral in hours. Blockbuster hits such as Happy Feet and March of the Penguins monopolized on this -- why not bring that excitement to your coffee table.

There are a million ways you can do this - picture books of cute animals are everywhere, but if you are going to do it, i suggest you do with style.

This treasured gem, F U, Penguin: Telling Cute Animals What's What is a hilarious take on cute animal publications. Inspired by the infamous blog by the same name, it is guaranteed to be a favorite among your collection.

Only available in paperback, but unique in its approach - its author has disguised its capitalization on the cute animal craze as a pseudo-movement against adorable animals taking over the world.

It is small in comparison to the usual coffee table book standards but exceptions can be made for this must have addition. You have to check it out :)

Let's start at the beginning

It would not be right to start without acknowledging "what is a coffee table book?"

The truth is... it can be whatever you damn well feel like putting on your coffee table, and calling it a book by that name. But I am here to guide you on your journey in finding that perfect book.

I personally feel the goal of the coffee table book is to engage your guest -- to break the awkward silence inevitable when your date (that was actually some person you picked up off the street two minutes ago and invited up for coffee) is sitting on your couch searching for something to say. The coffee book will save you. They will pick it up and automatically find out something interesting about you and ask, "Sooo, you like..."

To really catch the attention of your guest it should be, but not necessarily, of a significant size. And you may want it to be hardcover -- it looks classy. And pictures, you want it to have minimal text and dynamic pictures.

For example lets say you like art....

Museum exhibition catalogs are perfect coffee table books. They make you look cultured and are for the most part interesting and beautiful to look at. Try something like Degas: Beyond Impressionism. Breeze through the introduction and become well versed. Pick a particular piece that draws your attention and practice discussing it.

Your coffee book is your conversation starter.