Books That Will Brighten a Father's Day

An aisle of Father's Day cards can present a, shall we say, somewhat limited definition of fatherhood. At The New York Public Library, we recognize that father figures have varied and diverse interests, and that it can be difficult for their progeny to find the perfect gift. So, if you're looking for something a little different this year, NYPL's Recommendations Editor Gwen Glazer has selected a few books to suit a wide variety of dads: new dads, mustachioed dads, DIY dads and more. Give the gift of reading this Father's Day, and a happy day from all of us at NYPL!

For expecting dads...
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
A definitive, comprehensive, nonjudgmental guide to childbirth.

For new(-ish) dads...
The Daddy Book by Todd Parr
Celebrating all kinds of dads and the ways they show their love.

Just the Two of Us by Will Smith
The superstar's touching book describes bringing his baby daughter home from the hospital.

For dads with a sense of humor...
Confessions of the World's Best Father by Dave Engledow
Baby arm-wrestling! Lush photos and funny commentary from a dad with his new daughter.

For dads with a sense of humor AND a luxurious mustache...
Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman
Need a life manual for a manly man? You got it.

For dads who read chapter books out loud to their kids...
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The first volume in the epic series begins a magical, unforgettable story for dads to share with their sons and daughters.

For dads who want to watch a movie with their kids...
Star Wars
The order is up to you. Like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars is a great adventure for dads to share with their kids (and the new movie is coming in December)!

For DIY dads...
Made by Dad: 67 Blueprints for Making Cool Stuff by Scott Bedford
Get the family's hands dirty building projects from a crocodile toast rack to an Eiffel Tower made from spaghetti and marshmallows.

For dads who like history...
The Wright Brothers by David McCollough
A meticulously researched and high-suspense story about the pioneers of flight.

For dads who like history and photography...
Vanishing America: The End of Main Street by Michael Eastman
This beautiful book pays tribute to the architecture of mid-20th-century America.

For cowboy dads...
The Son by Philipp Meyer
An epic tale about a Texas family and Texas culture, politics, and money.

For dads who like detectives...
Finders Keepers by Stephen King
A hard-boiled noir infused suspense story for dads who love Raymond Carver or binge-watched True Detectives.

For dads who dream of living off the land (or the sea)...
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
A young man ventures into the Alaska wilderness and pushes himself to the brink.

Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea by Linda Greenlaw
A decade after The Perfect Storm, Greenlaw returns to fast-paced life on a swordfishing boat.

For more recommendations, visit NYPL's blog !