Our elusive Dads– we know them, we love them, we have no clue what they want.
Sure, they have their hobbies . . . but when was the last time they didn’t have a list – be it mental or written down somewhere – of very specific pieces missing from their arsenal? If yours is anything like mine, he might be shutting down your every attempt at asking what he would want for Father’s Day. He might truly not wish for anything other than quality family time.
That leaves us with few options, all of them rather impersonal: a pen, a shirt, a tie, a perfume, a bottle of something nice… But then there are books, with their infinite potential to impact our lives in unanticipated ways. If you’re not sure which books would be a good match for your Dad, here are some of mine’s favorite titles (and a couple suggestions I couldn’t resist adding in) to help you out!
Dad approved pick! One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
One quality I imagine to be universal to Dads is how they will listen to you tell the
same story for the umpteenth time, only now it’s a revelation to them. This is how my Dad decided to one day really hear my praise of Márquez. The rest is history – he hasn’t stopped raving about One Hundred Years of Solitude! His one advice, though? Make sure to note down characters.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez
You want your Dad to discover Márquez, but he hasn’t much time to read? Chronicle of a Death Foretold is a much thinner alternative that is no less impactful. It still requires attention, but could there ever be good literature that doesn’t demand at least just a bit from its readers?
Dad approved pick! The Stranger by Albert Camus
A season-appropriate choice, Camus’s The Stranger is one to read beneath the scorching sun for maximum effect! Joke aside, when has a Dad ever not liked continental philosophy? Camus might not have been very happy about this 
categorization, but The Stranger is one of the most important philosophical novels of our age. Dads who are preoccupied with the question of the human condition are bound to love this one.
Dad approved pick! The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Another ideal book for those who preoccupy themselves with the modern human
condition, The Metamorphosis has possibly the most memorable opening line in the entire history of literature. The disillusioned, alienated Dad will find a companion and understanding in it.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
If I have observed one thing about Dads, it’s that they like their literature thematically serious and emotionally hefty. There is no better fit than Things Fall Apart, a brilliant study of the European colonization of Africa through the story of one man with a complex story and a layered characterisation.
Dad approved picks! The God Delusion, The Blind Watchmaker, The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins
You can easily tell we’re a Dawkins household. Believe it or not, it took a moment for my Dad to narrow down to three picks – though out of all of them, he was most excited for The Greatest Show on Earth. Dawkins needs no introduction, and his clear, concise writing perfectly breaks down scientific concepts, making his books a must-read for every intellectual Dad who wishes to have a better grasp on biology . . . or just wants to have a delightful time. It goes to show how good Dawkins’ books are that my folks have a PhD in biology, and still enjoy them!
Dad approved pick! A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
I can’t recall my Dad ever being this enthused about a book gifted to him. He and my
youngest Uncle (who himself is a Dad, so call this a double-approved recommendation) share many common interests, well researched nonfiction being one. At one point my Dad even planned on rereading it to compile everything in small chunks for his extended family; unfortunately no one showed interest in his initial attempt, so he abandoned his efforts. If you decide to get A History of Nearly Everything for your Dad, don’t forget to allow him to quote it to you!
The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski
Now this is for a very specific type o f Dad, and I think you already know if yours is one. Bukowski’s poetry is lewd, dirty, scandalous even, and oh so very good. For the biker Dad who sits on his porch sipping bourbon from the bottle, The Pleasures of the Damned will be a collection to peruse and feel deep in his bones.
Whatever you choose to gift him this year, including just your company, my Dad and I would like to wish you a wonderful Father’s Day in advance to you and yours!
