Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re still not sure what to get the father in your life, don’t fret!
In honor of all the fathers of the world — those new and seasoned, young and old, those who have it all figured out and those who haven’t got a clue — I’ve compiled a list of books curated just for them. Every dad is sure to find something they enjoy here, whether they like the outdoors, bad jokes or vintage cars. Or, maybe they’re just looking for sound advice or some reassurance that they’re not ruining their kids.
There Are Dads Way Worse Than You: Unimpeachable Evidence of Your Excellence as a Father by Glenn Boozan
Following up on the success of Boozan’s viral gift book, There Are Moms Way Worse Than You, the dad’s companion book sets out to reassure dads they’re doing a great job. After reading about fictional dads (and their parenting failures) across history and in popular culture, dads all over the world will realize that however bad they think they are at parenting, there are dads way worse.
The Story Behind: The Extraordinary History Behind Ordinary Objects by Emily Prokop
For those history-buff dads or dads who love fun facts, look no further! The creator of The Story Behind podcast provides detailed insight into everyday objects we don’t think much about as we use them. Learn how lollipops got started in Ancient Egypt, why Comic Sans was created, and about the espionage beginnings of certain musical instruments.
Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman
Growing a perfect mustache, grilling red meat, wooing a woman — who better to deliver this tutelage than the always charming, always manly Nick Offerman? With his trademark comic voice, Offerman offers hard-bitten battle strategies in the arenas of manliness, love, style, religion, woodworking, outdoor recreation, and many other savory entrees any dad would enjoy.
The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids by Ryan Holiday
For the dads still trying to figure out what they’re doing, bestselling author Ryan Holiday offers 366 timeless meditations on parenting in a few manageable paragraphs a day — useful for even the most sleep-deprived new parent. Drawing on his own experience as a father as well as lessons from the lives of legendary icons across history, this daily devotional provides wisdom and guidance on being the role model your child needs.
Dad Jokes by Jimmy Niro
What Father’s Day list would be complete without a book of dad jokes? There’s a lot of them out there, but with over 600 knee-slappers, head-shakers, and groan-makers, this one’s at the top of the list. Dad Jokes is packed with enough witty quips and cheesy-but-grate jokes for even the most embarrassing of dads. These jokes may be on porpoise, but they whale definitely make you laugh.
My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look at the American Automobile by Tad Burness
We’ve found the perfect gift for all those car enthusiast dads out there! Organized by era, this one-of-a-kind history of the American car is packed with more than 1,300 pages and 12,500 illustrations. Written by famed auto historian and illustrator Ted Burness, this collection includes decades of drawings and genuine, factory-fresh photographs along with fascinating information about original prices, engine sizes, horsepower, and other specifications of collector, luxury, sporting and everyday cars.
Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Letters, Recipes, and Remembrances by Kwame Alexander
For a more sentimental touch, dads will surely shed a tear or two over this intimate and non-traditional memoir about a man learning how to love. Through a series of snapshots, Alexander weaves together memories of his past to try and understand his greatest love: his daughters. Full of heartfelt reminisces, family recipes, love poems, and personal letters, Why Fathers Cry at Night inspires bravery and vulnerability in every reader who’s loved a parent or child.
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, 28-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his 73-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is “like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair,” has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him. What began as philosophical musings on Twitter has become a book that weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the best of Mr. Halpern’s quotes.
The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook: Wild Game Recipes for the Grill, Smoker, Campstove, and Campfire by Steven Rinella
For dads who love everything outdoors, look no further than outdoorsman and hunter Steven Rinella’s latest cookbook. In his first book, Rinella brought wild game into the kitchen — now, he’s hauling the kitchen outdoors with a cookbook that celebrates the possibilities of open-air wild game cooking. Because food just tastes better when it’s caught, cooked, and eaten outside.
The National Parks Cookbook: The Best Recipes from (and Inspired by) America’s National Parks by Linda Ly
Or, if your dad loves the great outdoors but prefers to live and cook indoors, check out The National Parks Cookbook! Part cookbook and part escapist lifestyle book filled with stunning travel photography and national park history, dads will find such gems as Acadia’s famous puffy popovers and Zion’s loaded Navajo tacos. Take a food-driven tour through the parks and take your taste buds on an adventure with these memorable recipes!
