Maps included in books appear to be something that is exclusive to the fantasy genre where world building and epic scale is very important. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have never seen say a horror or science fiction book where the author included any type of map to clarify things. Off the top of my head I can't remember which of the books that I have read contain any maps, but like I said, your best bet is going to be the fantasy genre. Now if you are a big cartophile, then I'm sure you already have this book, but if not, then you must definitely check out The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad. Tolkien created some of the most detailed and vivid landscapes with his Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books, which Karen then drew in this book exactly like they would have appeared in an Atlas if they were real. The author specialized in cartography, so this book features some of the most realistic fantasy world maps you are ever likely to find, which is pretty cool in my opinion.

This is not strictly speaking a book that contains a cool map, but definitely a map that is so cool that I have to mention it here. Everyone who loves fantasy should have read The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson by now and be familiar with the world of Roshar. It's basically a planet with a super continent where all the action takes place. Well, the store on the official Brandon Sanderson website has a ridiculously cool limited edition foil fine art print of this map that they are selling. It looks incredible and because it is printed on tooled foil that causes light to reflect off the surface it is impossible to get tired of looking at it from different angles. .