37 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

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin

For the dad who's into gaming, consider this book that made a slew of best of 2022 lists, about a pair of friends who develop an epic video game named Ichigo—and the three-decade ebbs and flows of their complicated relationship. ($26, bookshop.org)

The Shards, by Bret Easton Ellis

The latest novel by Less Than Zero and American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis is just a little bit meta. Set in the 1980s, he himself is the main character—a budding author working on his first novel—as he and his circle of friends are menaced by a serial killer nicknamed the Trawler. ($28, bookshop.org)

Manhunt, by Gretchen Felker Martin

If your dad's a fan of The Last of Us and other apocalyptic fare, give him this clever (and gory) twist on the end times that was on many top 10 lists last year. In the novel, anyone with too much testosterone becomes a feral monster—and the remaining regular folk must go to extreme lengths to keep their levels right. ($17, bookshop.org)

Just Like Home, by Sarah Gailey

They say you can't go home again, but protagonist Vera must—despite the fact that her dad was a serial killer and there's plenty of eerie things still happening there. This spooky book is perfect for the dad who loves a creepy haunted house vibe, and a page turner that'll keep him reading well past his bedtime. ($26, bookshop.org)

Victory City, by Salman Rushdie

If your dad's more into literary fiction from award-winning novelists, the latest by legendary author Salman Rushdie—a sweeping, multicentury epic about a girl-turned-goddess in India. ($28, bookshop.org)

The Survivalists: a Novel, by Kashana Cauley

An up-and-coming Black lawyer slowly drifts into a world of Brooklyn survival preppers in this engaging novel, perfect for the dad who loves his comedy dark. ($26, bookshop.org)

Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

Inspired by Charles Dickens' classic, David Copperfield, this novel explores the life of an Appalachian boy run wild, dealing with the effects of abject poverty. ($31, bookshop.org)

The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

In this cozy (and comedic) book—that's about to be made into a Steven Spielberg-produced movie—a group of retirees meet weekly to discuss unsolved cases, then start investigating a murder close to home. (Think Only Murders in the Building, but in book form!) ($17, bookshop.org)

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)

The Martian, by Andy Weir

For dads who nerd out about science and space (which includes a lot of dads), this impeccably researched novel (which was made into an equally stellar movie) describes how a lost astronaut is able to use his wiles and some key equipment to survive after being left for dead on Mars. ($10, bookshop.org)

Advice

The Bartender's Manifesto: How to Think, Drink, and Create Cocktails Like a Pro

This gorgeous, coffee-table-worthy tome will take a cocktail-loving dad step-by-step through epic cocktails that'll make him the toast of every family get-together for years to come. ($31, bookshop.org)

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)

Around the World in 80 Books, by David Damrosch

For a wanderlusting dad, this book may inspire his next big reads, with suggestions of epic books set in every corner of the globe. ($28, bookshop.org)

The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids

If you're looking for the perfect Father's Day book gift for a zen dad (or someone who's just looking for a little more zen), this is it. Each day offers a different short, guided thought to inspire the day's meditation, and help them find their balance in the often chaotic world of parenting. ($28, bookshop.org)

Dad Jokes: Groan-Worthy Quips, Puns, and Almost-Funny Gags, by A. Grambs

If your dad is a connoisseur of bad dad jokes (or just really needs to refresh his pun arsenal), this latest dad joke tome provides plenty of eye-roll-worthy zingers to last at least until next year. ($10, 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)

Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself, by Luke Russert

This new memoir by NBC News political reporter Luke Russert explores his three-year odyssey to find a path forward in life, in the wake of the loss of his father, legendary newsman Tim Russert. ($23, amazon.com)

The Storyteller, 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. ($28, bookshop.org)

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. ($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)

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia, M.D. with Bill Gifford

For the health-conscious dad who's always looking for ways to stay forever young, this New York Times bestseller taps the latest science to help your dad build a diet, exercise, and lifestyle plan that'll help prevent illness and keep his quality of life high as he ages. ($30, bookshop.org)

Coffee Table Books

Bruce W. Talamon.Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972-1982, by Pearl Cleage

For the dad who's all about old-school music, this collection of behind-the-scenes photos by SOUL Newspaper photographer Bruce W. Talamon features all of the greats. Think Parliament-Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin, the Jackson Five, and Diana Ross, just to name a few. This limited-edition version features four prints signed by the photographer. ($66, bookshop.org)

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)

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season 2)

An essential gift for the Star Wars fan dad, this gorgeous volume of the concept art from the second season of the father-son epic story will be a treasured addition to his collection of memorabilia. ($28, bookshop.org)

1000 Places to See Before You Die, by Patricia Schultz

Inspire your travel-loving father's next epic expedition with this hefty tome, filled with gorgeous images and descriptions of the best things to see and experience from all around the world. ($34, amazon.com)

Accidentally Wes Anderson, by Wally Koval

For the dad who nerds out over the epically quirky Wes Anderson oeuvre, this coffee table book is chock full of weird real-life locations that look like they were custom-built for his universe—and the idiosyncratic stories behind each one. ($35, 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)