coffee table book
A large hardbound book primarily containing pictures that is often displayed on a coffee table in a common area as a conversation piece. Jenna published a coffee table book that featured beautiful photographs from her European vacations.
coffee-table book
A large, typically hardcover book full of glossy photos that is meant to be displayed on a coffee-table for casual viewing, as opposed to thorough reading. At least there were some interesting coffee-table books to flip through while we waited.
coffee-table book
a book that is more suitable for display than for reading, typically, an oversize, illustrated book left on the coffee table for visitors to examine. This book is more of a coffee-table book than an art book. I prefer something more scholarly. We purchased a coffee-table book for Jan's birthday.