The other day, I went into Schuller Books (regional chain) to look for a book on Frank Lloyd Wright. We are remodeling our house and really like the looks of mission styling. Since Frank did a lot of mission styling in his designs, we though that a book of his work would give us some ideas.

As I was checking out, the clerk commented that the book was a lovely coffee table work. I agreed with him and left.

Now, I got to thinking about the term “coffee table book”. Why do we call them coffee table books? Do we leave them lying on the coffee table? And if so, who reads them?

If I am entertaining someone, I am certainly not going to say to them, “here, look at this book while on go out and mow the lawn”. Or worse yet, I am not going to say that I am boring so read this book while I watch you drink your coffee. If things are that bad, I might better loan them the book and give them a buck for a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

And, if the book is for me to read, as is the case with the present purchase, I am not going to read it at the coffee table. I will read it some place else such as at the dinner table.

Right now, the book resides next to the toilet, a place where solitude welcomes diversion.