Coffee table book: literature and journalism as a production parameter

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reflect on how to create and produce coffee table books worthy of being read. A “coffee table book” is a type of art, consumer or behavior book written for easy consultation, instead of merely sitting on a bookshelf. Although not created to be coffee table books, they become this type of work, if they have these characteristics: large, illustrated, limited amounts of text, and esthetically attractive. However, when they are written without rigorous editorial criteria, these books are seen as superficial and redundant. One means of giving them more value is to call upon literary journalism, which uses fictional resources to “flavor” a true story. Within this genre, we especially analyze the short story, whose challenge is to immediately catch the reader’s attention.