20 Father's Day Books That Cover All of Your Dad's Interests

Father's Day gifts are tough for some dads—you can only buy a man so many ties, tools, and tech toys. But if Dad's a big reader, you're in luck. Of course, the best book for your dad depends on his passions, so we offer a wide range of titles to help you pick the perfect read for him.

Fiction

Hide, by Kiersten White

If Dad loves a good scare (and binged his way through Squid Game last year), this book about a horrifying (and deadly) hide-and-seek competition will keep him page-turning well into the night. ($25, barnesandnoble.com)

The Cartographers, by Peng Shepherd

This father-daughter thriller features a mysterious and valuable map that someone is willing to murder to recover. It's the perfect pick for a dad who loves a good mystery, and perhaps a little cartography, too. ($26, bookshop.org)

City on Fire, by Don Winslow

If Dad can't get enough of mob movies and books, get him this tale of a clash between Irish and Italian crime families in Providence that's been compared to The Godfather and Goodfellas. ($27, bookshop.org)

Advice

Fatherhood: A Comprehensive Guide to Birth, Budgeting, Finding Flow, and Becoming a Happy Parent, by the editors of Fatherly

For the new dad (or dad-to-be) in your life, this comprehensive guide to the first years of fatherhood help him navigate emotions and practicalities, every step of the way. ($26, bookshop.org)

Look Big, by Rachel Levin

Dads who love camping and the outdoors need this guide to encounters with 50 different animals. Journalist Levin gives well-researched advice for surviving run-ins with coyotes, bears, moose, and other large animals, along with helpful tips, anecdotes, and charts for dealing with smaller critters, from bees to skunks. Its illustrations make it the perfect coffee-table book, while its small size means it fits nicely in a backpack. ($12, amazon.com)

Mastering Homebrew, by Randy Mosher

If Dad loves beer, this handbook covers everything he needs to know about brewing his own—from buying the perfect equipment to crafting a flavor that's all his own. ($28, bookshop.org)

Memoirs and Essay Collections

Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases, by Paul Holes

If Dad can't get enough true crime, the perfect Father's Day gift may be this riveting memoir by the detective who solved some of the most infamous cases in recent memory, from the Golden State Killer to Laci Peterson. ($27, bookshop.org)

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays, by Tom Segura

This humorous set of essays from comedian Tom Segura covers some of the weird and wild stuff that happens to parents that your dad (or spouse) can likely relate to. ($27, bookshop.org)

Science

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, by Randall Munroe

Does your dad love exploring weird and wild science? This book is full of answers to questions like "What if I took a swim in a spent nuclear pool?", with charming stick figure diagrams and lots of well-researched and entertaining info as to what would happen (The answer: Probably nothing if you stayed shallow.) If it's a hit, consider gifting the sequel for Dad's birthday or Christmas. ($26, bookshop.org)

Coffee Table Books

1000 Record Covers, by Michael Ochs

If Dad's a vinyl enthusiast or just a huge rock fan, this anthology of album art will capture his interest for hours. Famous music archivist and rock photographer Michael Ochs has selected the best covers from his extensive private collection, and this book takes readers through the evolution of rock music from the 60s to the 90s. ($25, barnesandnoble.com)

See America: A Celebration of Our National Parks & Treasured Sites, by the Creative Action Network

Is Dad an avid traveler or does he have a serious case of wanderlust? He'll love thumbing through graphic posters illustrating beautiful parks and national monuments. It's the perfect coffee table book for his man cave. ($19, bookshop.org)

History

The Baseball 100, by Joe Posanski

For the dad who can't get enough baseball, sportswriter Joe Posanski compiled a master class on the history of the sport through the biographies of 100 of the most influential, legendary, and underappreciated players of the game. ($37, bookshop.org)

Making History: The Storytellers Who Shaped the Past, by Richard Cohen

The history buff dad will appreciate this slightly meta look at historians who recorded the past—and how their opinions and thoughts impact and color how we view history. ($37, bookshop.org)

The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps, by Edward Brooke-Hitching

If your dad strives to impress the dinner table with little-known historical facts, he's sure to love this quirky book. Each page highlights mistakes made on historical maps—including blunders made by early mapmakers and deliberate lies made by cartographers to manipulate the map reader. Through gorgeous images and fun historical stories about civilizations past, Dad'll be sure to find a new story to wow everyone at the next family gathering. ($28, bookshop.org)

Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires, by Shomari Wills

History buffs and entrepreneurial dads will be inspired by journalist Wills' deeply researched account of the country's first black millionaires—six men and women who overcame slavery and oppression to break into the one percent. Wills' fascinating book explores the lives of little-known figures, including teacher-turned-real estate developer O. W. Gurley and self-taught chemist Annie Turnbo-Malone, who created a successful line of hair products for black women. ($17, bookshop.org)

The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery, by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles

This is the story of the Ghost Army—men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops—whose top-secret mission in France played a crucial role in defeating Germany. ($37, bookshop.org)