20 Father's Day Books That Cover All of Your Dad's Interests
Some dads can be tough to shop for for Father's Day gifts. You can only buy a man so many ties and tools and techy toys, after all. But if he's a big reader, you're in luck. We personally think there's nothing more thoughtful than a Father's Day book.
But the best dad books for your father will depend on his passions. Your history buff dad would prefer a much different book than a dad that loves a good scare (or a good laugh). But no matter what kind of reader your dad is, we probably have the perfect Father's Day book gift picked out for him below—including some new releases that we bet he hasn't had time to grab for himself.
Best Fiction for Dads
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Hide, by Kiersten White
For the dad who loves a good scare (and who binged his way through Squid Game last year), this book—with a horrifying (and deadly) hide-and-seek competition will keep him page turning well into the night.
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 himself).
City on Fire, by Don Winslow
For the dad who can't get enough of mob movies and books, the latest iteration is this tale of a clash between Irish and Italian crime families in Providence, that's been compared to The Godfather and Goodfellas.
Best Advice Books for Dads
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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 the emotions and practicalities, every step of the way.
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, and moose, among other large animals, along with helpful tips, anecdotes, and charts for dealing with smaller critters, from bees to skunks. The illustrations make it the perfect coffee table book, while its small size means it also fits nicely in a backpack.
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.
Best Memoirs and Essay Collections for Dads
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Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases, by Paul Holes
If your 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.
I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays, by Tom Segura
You'll have to move fast to get this in time for Father's Day, but this humorous set of essays from comedian Tom Segura covers some of the weird and wild stuff that happens as a parent that your dad (or spouse) will likely relate to.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music, by Dave Grohl
Whether your dad's in a garage band or just plays a wicked air guitar (or drums!), he'll love this memoir with all sorts of tales of life on the road (and with the family) from rock legend Dave Grohl.
Happy-Go-Lucky, by David Sedaris
This latest set of wickedly funny essays spans everything from weird childhood memories to some observations about the pandemic—and it's an essential addition to the library of your Sedaris fan dad.
Things My Son Needs to Know, by Fredrik Backman
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World is a collection of essays on fatherhood from the beloved author of A Man Called Ove. Backman writes to share life in all its humor, complexity, and wonder with his newborn son. What does it take to be a dad? Equal doses of love and laughter will get you through almost anything.
Best Father's Day Books for Dads Who Love Science
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What If? Serious Scientific Answers to to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, by Randall Munroe
If your dad is always exploring weird and wild science information, this book is full of the answers to questions like "What if I took a swim in a spent nuclear pool?"—including charming stick figure diagrams and lots of well-researched and entertaining info as to what would happen (P.S. probably nothing if you stayed shallow). Note: A second volume is due in fall, perfect for holiday gift giving!
Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments, by Mike Adamick
This book has 30 interactive experiments for Dad to try in the house (or outside if they get too messy). It covers all of the sciences, from chemistry to human anatomy. You can even make "Marshmallow Pulse Keepers." Curious yet?
Best Coffee Table Books for Dads
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1,000 Record Covers, by Michael Ochs
For the dad who still has a collection of records somewhere in the house, 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 his book takes readers through the evolution of rock music from the 60s to the 90s.
See America, by the Creative Action Network
If Dad is an avid traveler or just has a serious case of wanderlust, he'll love thumbing through the various graphic posters illustrating beautiful parks or national monument. It's the perfect coffee table book for his man cave.
Best Father's Day Books for Dads Who Love History
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1 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.
2 Making History: The Storytellers Who Shaped the Past, by Richard Cohen
The history buff dad will this slightly meta look at the actual historians who recorded the past—and how their opinions and thoughts impacted and colored how history was viewed.
3 The Phantom Atlas, 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. Full of copies of real maps from history, each page highlights mistakes made on those 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, he'll be sure to find a new story to wow everyone at the next family gathering.
4 Black Fortunes, 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.
5 The Ghost Army of World War II, 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 was said to play a crucial role in defeating Germany during the war.
