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.
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