Father's Day usually means hunting down last minute gifts for dear old dad and, oftentimes, many of these gifts have been given before with varying degrees of success. So, this year, consider the gift of reading and present dad with a well-chosen book. Instead of giving dad a tie he'll never wear, or a shirt that doesn't fit, or tools he'll never use, and cologne he doesn't like, why not provide the greatest father in the world with a book that speaks personally to his interests and bestows compliments upon his intellect?
Here are a few non-fiction book ideas that might make dad smile:
Sports Books for Dad
Ever notice how so many dads spend their hard-earned weekends either in front of the television watching a sporting event, or getting off the couch to actually toss around a ball of some kind or another? Books about baseball, football, basketball, golf, even fishing and boating, are eternal. The gift can be made to be even more special if chosen to reflect dad's current interest as well as his lifelong passion. Within sports books, every father can read something that offers a glimpse into the intricacies of the game itself and the unique qualities that make up a sports hero. These books also offer clues about what it takes to push on with integrity and determination, despite adversity and obstacles.
Biographies and Memoirs as Father's Day Gifts
Life stories often make the best stories since they contain intimate insight and intrigue based on real experiences. There are a wide range of titles from which to choose, since the colossal world of celebrities, politicians, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and media personalities of all persuasions fill this category of books. Every father has some public figure who he admires, and a book about that person's life (whether self-written as an autobiographic memoir, or pieced together from various sources in the form of a biography) can inspire, and provide practical lessons in living from which anyone can benefit.
Hobby or Special Interest Books
If dad has a hobby, he's sure to reap benefit from a book about his favorite leisure pastime. If he's a fisherman, an animal lover, a movie fan, or a do-it-yourself craftsman, there is a book available that will cater to any father's specific interests. Look for books that not only offer a clearly-presented "how-to" approach, but also provide genuine nuance. Books written by professional craftsmen, or by someone directly involved in the activity of choice (an actor, an adventure-seeker, or someone who has travelled the world) lend a special, realistic appeal to this genre.
Historical Books for History Loving Dads
The historical book category is one that many men the world over (and, especially fathers) find pleasure in. Books that detail once-in-a-lifetime happenings, explore the origin of national celebrations, investigate ancient civilizations, and/or highlight world-changing events, act as a door connecting the present to the past. Father's Day also happens to coincide with the June commemoration of D-Day, and even if dad is not from that Greatest Generation, he'll very likely find immense joy in books about World War II, or within a variety of other, more personally relevant books that will bring back cherished memories of times gone by.
Books About Fathers
Bookshelves runneth over with books written about fathers, written by fathers, and written in honor of fathers. From the 1935 classic, Life With Father and President Barack's Obama's Dreams From My Father (2007), to books for new fathers and dads-to-be, books about fathers examine the special impact dads have on their children. Books like this will assume a meaningful place in any father's library as he sees a little bit of himself in the stories he reads.
Giving a book as a gift is a demonstration of just how much one cares about the recipient. Picking the right book takes a great deal of individual thought and consideration. Anyone can give a generic greeting card, but a book speaks volumes and is truly a great Father's Day gift idea.
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