Books
25 Books For Dads He’ll Love, No Matter What Kind Of Reader (Or Father!) He Is
Sharing books, I think, is the highest form of demonstrating love; and this list of 25 books for dads is one giant lovefest to bestow on your father. I'd give nearly every one to my own dad, who is awesome. He is the wisest and smartest person I know, but he’s also the humblest, the most compassionate and open-minded, plus the purest-hearted. Clearly, I am an unashamed daddy’s girl. But one thing I kind of wish my dad did a little more of? Read.
It’s not his fault, really. He works like crazy, and when he’s not working, he chooses to spend his time drinking good wine and watching Vikings (respect). But if your dad is anything like mine — and/or you are anything like me, which is to say, a hardcore book-lover — you’ll want to encourage your dad to get his nose in a book once in a while, too.
Give him any one of these engrossing titles — whether it’s for Father’s Day, his birthday, or on a charitable whim — and you’ll find him a dedicated reader in no time.
Image: MollyP/Fotolia
'So You've Been Publicly Shamed' by Jon Ronson
This New York Times bestseller from the author of The Psychopath Test (another title your dad will love) examines the stories behind high-profile public shamings and the culture surrounding social media-fueled witch hunts. A smart, probing, eye-opening read from the always brilliant and unfailingly funny Ronson.
'Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town' by Jon Krakauer
Jon Krakauer’s buzzed-about nonfiction title investigates the series of rape cases that occurred in Missoula, Montana and the larger problems surrounding the way the justice system handles campus rape. Missoula is necessary reading for anyone remotely interested in or concerned about today’s rape culture, but fathers of daughters in particular should be made aware of its pervasiveness.
'The Last Flight of Poxl West' by Daniel Torday
Elijah Goldstein idolizes his uncle Poxl, a WWII vet who not only survived Nazi Europe, but went on to become a decorated RAF bomber — then, years later, wrote a bestselling memoir about his remarkable story. In this memoir-within-a-novel, Torday explores the nature of heroism — both in regards to war heroes and personal heroes — and the curious ways in which truth and fiction have a tendency to become interchangeable over time.
'A God in Ruins' by Kate Atkinson
Yep, another WWII novel. Aren’t dads into that? Atkinson’s most recent release and a follow-up to 2013’s Life After Life is a soon-to-be-classic, which follows the story of Teddy Todd, a heroic pilot who struggles to re-enter society in the days and decades following the war.
'Allen Klein: The Man Bailed Out the Beatles, Made the Stones, and Transformed Rock & Roll' by Fred Goodman
Two things all dads love: biographies and the Beatles. So what better gift to give your own British Invasion/nonfiction-lovin’ papa than this biography of Allen Klein, the Fab Four’s controversial manager (who also managed the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, Sam Cooke, and Donovan), written by a former Rolling Stone editor? Nothing is better, that’s what.
'Fried Chicken: Recipes for the Crispy, Crunchy, Comfort-Food Classic' by Rebecca Lang
And another thing all dads love: fried chicken. Rebecca Lang’s new cookbook has all your recipe bases covered, from the classic (she includes her grandma Tom’s tried-and-true recipe) to the adventurous (Martini-Brined Thighs, anyone?) to the globally-inspired (like Indian Fried Chicken with Cumin Yogurt and Chinese Lollipop Wings).
'All Who Go Do Not Return' by Shulem Deen
In this brave memoir, Shulem Deen reflects on his childhood and young adulthood as a member of the Skeverers, a secretive sect of Hasidic Judaism, and the path that led him to lose his faith; his place in the community; and his family. All Who Go Do Not Return is a fascinating look at religious extremism, and a heartfelt examination of the importance of understanding your loved ones — regardless of religious differences.
'Big Data Baseball: Math, Miracles, and the End of a 20-Year Losing Streak' by Travis Sawchik
Sports journalist Sawchik’s Big Data Baseball tracks the inspiring story of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, after 20 consecutive losing seasons, overhauled their stale strategies to adopt a new-and-improved system informed by sports’ growing big-data movement. This fascinating story is the perfect read for sports lovers and data nerds alike.
'The Seven Good Years: A Memoir' by Etgar Keret
Etgar Keret is one of the most exciting writers working today, and the best part of his brilliant talent is that it’s totally accessible. Your dad doesn’t need to have been an English major to enjoy Keret’s first memoir, which recounts the “seven good years” between the birth of his son and the death of his father.
'Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science — and the World' by Rachel Swaby
It’s no secret that history tends to discredit (or straight-up ignore) women’s contributions to society, but that’s especially common in the traditionally male-dominated scientific fields. Rachel Swaby’s neat collection rights that wrong, providing short but comprehensive profiles about 52 women in various scientific realms throughout history — from medicine to genetics to astronomy and everything in between — whose names deserve to be known.
'The Truth and Other Lies' by Sascha Arango
If we’re gonna let our dads read pulp, it should be of the superior variety — which is exactly what some say about The Truth and Other Lies, German writer Sascha Arango’s thrilling first novel. This dark tale follows Henry Hayden, a successful author who harbors a dark secret: he didn’t write any of his bestselling books — his dead ex-wife did. Things only get more twisted from there in this engrossing tale.
'Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News' by A. Brad Schwartz
Today we’re inured to the constant inundation of fake news, but when Orson Welles’ historic radio play The War of the Worlds aired in 1938, the sensationalized account of an alien invasion in New Jersey bred mass hysteria in its captivated listeners. A. Brad Schwartz’s Broadcast Hysteria offers an in-depth account of that remarkable event, and takes stock of its significant impact on both pop culture and news broadcasting since.
'The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good For You, and How to Get Good at It' by Kelly McGonigal
If your dad is anything like mine — meaning insanely hardworking — he’s probably experienced his fair share of stress over the years, either work-related or otherwise. Kelly McGonigal’s The Upside of Stress, based off her popular TED Talk, offers a new, positive perspective on stress: like how it engenders resilience, focus, and energy. Give this one to your equally hard-working mama, too.
'The Gods of Gotham' by Lyndsay Faye
This first installment of Lyndsay Faye’s “Timothy Wilde” trilogy (The Fatal Flame, the final book, came out in May 2015) ushers us into New York City’s gritty past — to the year 1845 to be exact, the year that the burgeoning city installed its first police force and that bartender Wilde, who’s been disfigured in a devastating fire, joins the force. The Gods of Gotham is sure to please history buffs, Law & Order addicts, and adrenaline junkies.
'The Wright Brothers' by David McCullough
This narrative history by Pulitzer Prize-winning David McCullough masterfully shares the story behind Orville and Wilbur Wright, the high school-educated brothers who invented the world’s first airplane. The Wright Brothers reveals little-known details about the brothers’ lives, unearthing the humanity beneath the legends.
'I'd Walk with My Friends If I Could Find Them' by Jesse Goolsby
Jesse Goolsby’s debut novel follows the lives of three American soldiers before, during, and after serving in Afghanistan. Goolsby, an Air Force officer, honestly delivers the surreality of these three young mens’ experiences overseas, and how that surreality indelibly impacts their lives after.
'H is for Hawk' by Helen Macdonald
Helen Macdonald’s bestseller recounts her grieving process after her beloved father died suddenly — which involved the experienced falconer attempting to train Mabel, a ferocious goshawk. Equal parts Thoreauvian observations on the natural world and an affecting memoir on grief and recovery, H is for Hawk is perfect for the sensitive, sympathetic father in your life.
'A History of Loneliness' by John Boyne
Odran Yates pledges himself to the priesthood in the 1970s — but when the Irish Catholic Church is rocked by scandal 40 years later, he’s forced to rethink his path, professionally, spiritually, and personally. Boyne, who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, digs deep into the psyche of a man undergoing a serious midlife crisis (perhaps your own dad can relate?).
'The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia' by Michael Booth
If your dad has been has been harboring a not-so-secret desire to expatriate himself to kinder shores, Michael Booth’s hilarious and highly informative book may convince him otherwise. In The Almost Nearly Perfect People , the British journalist, who has lived in Denmark for the past decade, debunks the common misconception that Scandinavia is the happiest place on Earth.
'All Involved' by Ryan Gattis
If all your dad (or you) really knows about the 1992 LA riots is that Sublime song, Ryan Gattis’ acclaimed new novel is worth giving a go. All Involved goes deep inside the Rodney King riots, relaying those six turbulent days through the eyes of 17 unique voices, from gang members to nurses tending the wounded to firefighters trying to quell the violence. Besides being a thrilling and fast-paced read, All Involved is an important work of fiction detailing this country’s history of racial violence — a topic relevant now more than ever.
'The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor' by Mark Schatzker
Whether you’ve been trying to get your dad on a health kick or if, like my dad, his militant health-consciousness puts your own vegan diet to shame (I try), Mark Schatzker’s study on the link between additives in food and America’s declining health will be an eye-opener. Best of all, the journalist’s comprehensive scientific work is totally approachable and actually fun to read.
'Spurious Correlations' by Tyler Vigen
Did you know that the number of people who drown after falling out of fishing boats correlates with the marriage rate in Kentucky? Or that the annual per capita cheese consumption correlates with the annual number of people who die by becoming tangled in their bedsheets? Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations proves these and other, um, spurious correlations, complete with handy graphs. The perfect little book for adding fuel to your Dad’s font of worthless information.
'Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen' by Mary Norris
Meticulous grammar nerds will obsess over Mary Norris’ Between You & Me, the longtime New Yorker copy editor’s spirited look at our language’s seemingly arbitrary spelling and punctuation rules. Both an analytical history and an aggravated love letter to the English language, Between You & Me is a totally endearing and highly informative read.
'Burning Down George Orwell's House' by Andrew Ervin
Is your dad interested in George Orwell, the Scottish Isles, excellent scotch, and/or werewolf hunts? If so, Andrew Ervin’s dark comedy is the book for him! Burning Down George Orwell’s House is less absurd than it sounds (OK, it’s kind of absurd), but this story of a former ad exec who moves into the isolated house where Orwell wrote 1984 is mostly a witty meditation on modern existential nausea. For highbrow dads only.
'It's a Long Story: My Life' by Willie Nelson and David Ritz
In this definitive autobiography, Willie Nelson guides us through his decades-long career, from his state-hopping childhood to his wild life on the road as a working musician. In the American icon’s own words, It’s a Long Story is “a story of true love, wild times, best friends, and barrooms, with a musical sound track ripping right through it.” Can’t think of a better story to give your dad.
