My dad likes to read, and I love to discover books he might enjoy. But, I have rotten luck. For my dad's birthday, I bought a copy of Laura Hillenbrand's latest, Unbroken. The good news: he loved it. The bad news: he'd just finished it. Well, at least I was on the right track. Even though the story wasn't exactly a "happy' one, he recommended it to some friends.
So, I include it here as one of a dozen (or so) book recommendations for dads who might enjoy reading...
...a different perspective on WWII
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
...about the making of a family and a pro-athlete
The Blind Side --even better than the movie!-- or the newer, first-person account, I Beat the Odds, by Michael Oher and Don Yaeger.
...about modern history, from a unique perspective
How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer
...or Hungarian history
The Book of Fathers will keep him flipping through 475 pages and 300 years of it.
...of the joy (and insanity) of parenting girls
What I Would Tell Her, a collection of 28 essays by fathers to and about their daughters. It's touching. Include a pack of tissues with this one.
...when he's not watching Comedy Central
Jon Stewart's Daily Show schtick is neatly packaged in two books - so far. Earth (2010) is the latest. What, dad already has it? Check the list of books/authors that have been featured on the hilarious show.
...to get ahead in their jobs
Leadership Energy by David Cottrell is one of the more, well, energized work-related books I've read. And at just over 100 pages, it can be toted along on a business trip without adding a lot of baggage.
...about things they'd do if only they didn't have jobs
The true account of three extremely rich (but otherwise normal...?) guys who climbed the world's seven tallest mountains, Seven Summits is an interesting story that's well told, largely because the rich climbers were smart enough to invite Rick Ridgeway along, a journalist who "got it right" according to the principles of the story, Frank Wells and Dick Bass.
...what Bill Cosby has to say about a dad's predicament
The inimitable Comedian's book Fatherhood ((c) 1987) is old but remains completely accurate. (Moms can read it too - I loved it!)
...and/or listening toNPR's unique storytellers
Try NPR's Sound Reporting or a similar audio version especially tuned to appeal to a father's ears, Driveway Moments for Dads
...the stereotypical dad-read-aloud-to-son book
If I Built a Car. Trust me, if dad ever played with Hot Wheels, he'll like this.
To all the dads out there: THANKS. And keep reading. (You're setting a great example.)
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