Book Recommendations for Dad

Looking for a great gift for Father’s Day? Books are perfect for almost anyone because they cover any topic imaginable. Here are some suggestions. 

For the dad who enjoys thrills:

The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker – Denise Morrow, a popular true crime writer, is making headlines but for the wrong reasons. Her husband has been murdered, and the police consider her their prime suspect. Detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are assigned to the case and are intent on solving it, but everything may not be as it seems. There are so many entertaining red herrings and crazy twists and turns; this one is quite a fun ride for those who enjoy solid thrillers and those looking for a quick read.

For the dad who is interested in the tech world:

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr – As one of the first employees at Airbnb, Jakob Kerr is intimately familiar with the world of start-ups and Silicon Valley, and his experiences inform this twisty, funny, and clever thriller. The controversial CEO of tech’s hottest startup Journy has just been murdered, leaving behind billions in “dead money” frozen in his will. Mackenzie Clyde, a fixer for the venture capital company that invested heavily in Journy, is brought in to consult and help solve the murder, but her help is not welcomed by the FBI. This intelligently constructed mystery into the wild and surreal world of the tech industry and startups where nothing is as it seems will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

For the dad who likes quirky reads:

I’m Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin – Lyft driver Abbott nervously accepts an offer of $200,000 cash to transport a woman named Ether across the country with a large black box. But she has a list of rules he must follow: He cannot look inside the box; he cannot ask questions about the box; he cannot tell anyone what he is doing; they must leave immediately; and he must leave all trackable devices behind. What ensues is a hilarious and timely tale about the way technology and the internet have completely overrun our lives. As the internet community speculates about what’s in the box as well as sparking rumors that this duo is preparing to launch a terror attack, the tension mounts.

For the dad who likes the outdoors:

Beartooth by Callan Wink – Faced with losing their family home due to large medical bills following the loss of their father, two brothers, Hazen and Thad, struggle to make ends meet. Residing in Montana on the edge of Yellowstone National Park, the brothers resort to illegal poaching jobs to survive, including a large, risky one that goes awry. While the heist storyline is enthralling, the true draw of Beartooth is Wink’s ability to transport the reader to this stunning but often inhospitable landscape; the setting is brought to life so vividly. Moreover, his characters are well drawn and complex, and the in-depth exploration of family relationships and the roles family dynamics play in those relationships is engaging. This short book packs a huge punch, and fans of Peter Heller’s books and other stories set in nature and the backwoods will love this melancholy but ultimately hopeful tale.

For the dad who enjoys historical fiction:

The General and Julia by Jon Clinch – Near the end of his life and battling throat cancer, Ulysses S. Grant struggles to complete his memoirs before he passes away, in order to leave his family financially sound. He chronicles his love for his family, his role in the Civil War as well as Lee’s surrender, serving as a twice-elected president, losing his entire fortune to a swindler, and his friendship with Samuel Clemens, who ultimately publishes his memoirs. While the focus is clearly on Grant in this tale, the book also serves as a fascinating glimpse into the Civil War and Reconstruction-Era years from a perspective I have not encountered previously. This thought-provoking and stunningly crafted story of Grant’s life and legacy from his own perspective is outstanding. This is a must-read book for historical-fiction fans and history lovers alike.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

For the dad who likes compelling stories:

My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Backman returns with another beautifully-crafted story, this one centered around four friends with difficult home lives who inspire a painting that becomes world famous. Twenty-five years later, 17-year-old Louisa encounters the painter and is subsequently gifted this famous painting. While coming to terms with her bequest, she sets out on a cross-country journey to understand how the painting came to be as she learns about these four friends and their lasting legacy. My Friends delves into grief, love, overcoming hardship and trauma, the creation of art, and the lasting power of friendship. The ending was unexpected and welcome, demonstrating that happy endings do not always take the form that we expect. 

For the dad who likes to read about other time periods:

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington – In this action-packed debut, time traveling archaeologist Rabbit Ward maneuvers through the past to recover a long-lost, precious menorah hiding out in ancient Rome. This engaging novel grabbed my attention from page one. The main character visits 6th-century Constantinople, and the author does an absolutely incredible job of bringing the time period, the city, and its surroundings to life without it feeling like a history lesson. Splinter Effect is a great fit for those who love time travel and fun mysteries, and it is the start to a new series.

For the dad who loves his dog(s):

Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson – Dogland is enthralling and entertaining as well as thought-provoking and educational. As a long-time dog lover, I was fascinated by some of the questions Tomlinson raises. Are show dogs happy? And what about pet dogs – are they happy? These questions sent the author on a three-year quest to better understand the dog-show world and its inhabitants and to gain insight into the relationship between humans and dogs. The result is this delightful book. Dogland mainly follows a champion show dog named Striker as he competes at the Westminster Dog Show in New York, but the author includes how dog shows began, who participates and why, how the relationship between humans and dogs has evolved, and how to evaluate the happiness of dogs. 

For the dad who enjoys a good memoir:

Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler – Henry Winkler’s first big role in Hollywood, as The Fonz in Happy Days, defined him for decades after the show went off the air. His incredible story starts earlier with a troubled home life and undiagnosed dyslexia and follows him through his role as The Fonz and into the acting roles he has subsequently played and children’s books he has written. Fans of Happy Days will enjoy the details he divulges about the show, including the origin of the term “jumping the shark” and how he was treated significantly better than the rest of the cast and the tension that created. The audiobook is phenomenal as well for this one; Winkler and his wife Stacey narrate.

Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

For the dad who likes science fiction:

Dissolution by Nicholas Binge – Maggie Webb has spent the last 10 years caring for her husband Stanley, whose memories are slowly disappearing. When a stranger shows up at her home and tells her that someone is purposefully removing Stanley’s memories, she is given the chance to save Stanley. Maggie dives into her husband's memories, uncovering a decades-old feud threatening reality itself. The science-fiction elements are clearly explained – the science does not bog down the story – and the relationship between Stanley and Maggie is a standout. The ending is what truly makes the book; it is outstanding and so clever. This compelling and timely novel takes the reader on a page-turning trek through memory and time. 

On the Grid by Luke Smith (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

For a dad who likes Formula 1:

On the Grid: Life Behind the Scenes of Formula 1 by Luke Smith – This insider’s account of what happens on and off the grid of Formula 1 is a fascinating glimpse into the popular sport. Only 20 drivers are counted among elite ranks of Formula 1, but behind each one is an army of professionals devoted to the sport. In On the Grid, F1 journalist Luke Smith brings to life the behind-the-scenes stories that don’t make it to viewers’ screens. I love these deep dives into worlds about which I am not very familiar, and this one is outstanding. He covers the gender gap in F1, the fan base, carbon emissions, climate change, the growing popularity of the sport in the U.S., and so much more. As the 2025 F1 season is now in full swing, this is a timely read.

For the dad who likes to cook:

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci – In What I Ate in One Year, Tucci records 12 months of eating – in restaurants, kitchens, film sets, press junkets, at home and abroad, with friends, with family, with strangers, and occasionally just by himself. It is an engaging, humorous, and heartfelt book that frames his memories in terms of the meals he consumed as well as celebrating the way food means much more to people than simply what they eat. This would be great for foodies and those interested in the acting and publishing worlds (his wife is the renowned agent Felicity Blunt). His companion memoir Taste: My Life Through Food is also outstanding.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.