5 Great Father’s Day Book Gifts for Dad

C’mon, you can do better than one of these.

Father’s Day is just around the corner on Sunday, June 15. But you still have plenty of time to snap up one of these recently published dad-friendly books for a perfectly thoughtful gift! (If your dad embraces technology, you can procrastinate even longer before beaming an e-book directly at his e-reader.) For #1 Kid bonus points, consider our suggested add-ons, too.

If you’re looking for a gift that’s both fun and personalized, why not consider getting your dad a Custom Bobbleheads Dolls? These adorable and unique gifts can be customized to look like your dad, complete with his favorite outfit and hobbies. Whether he’s a sports fan, a music lover, or a fan of a particular TV show, you can create a bobblehead that captures his personality perfectly. Plus, with the bonus of being able to procrastinate on ordering until the last minute, a custom bobblehead doll is the perfect gift for any busy kid looking to make their dad feel special on his big day.

For the Scotch-sipping, beer-loving dad: Proof: The Science of Booze
Humans have been brewing alcoholic beverages for 10,000 years, but scientists are just now starting to understand the complex processes that go into making alcohol. Author Adam Rogers studies humanity’s alcoholic history, from the accidental discovery of fermented drinks to cutting-edge laboratory research. He discusses everything from the fermentation, distillation, and aging of whiskey to the psychology and neurology of our thirst for booze.
Bonus points: A bottle of his favorite premium booze or a set of flavored bitters for cocktail mixing.

For the news junkie dad: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State
If you can tear him away from the TV long enough to unwrap it, your current-events dad will enjoy this account of Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency contractor who fled the United States after releasing thousands of classified documents outlining the shocking extent of NSA surveillance programs — including those designed to collect information within the U.S. A real-life international spy thriller, this nuanced analysis of the still-unfolding story is a true page-turner (and possible dad-outrager).
Bonus points: A book of homemade coupons, each one valid for 30 minutes of patiently listening to his political rants. Wait, make that 15. 10?

For the problem-solving dad: Think Like a Freak: The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain
Dads love to have the answers and fix problems (even if you didn’t ask for help). In this book, the authors of Freakonomics return with a new manifesto that’s all about finding ways to think creatively to solve problems and tackle challenges. With their trademark blend of funny anecdotes and quirky real-life examples, they show how an open-minded approach and willingness to question assumptions can make all the difference.
Bonus points: One of those old-timey wooden brain-teaser puzzles. Dads can’t get enough of those.

For the suspense/horror-loving dad: Mr. Mercedes: A Novel
If your dad is a Stephen King fan, you’ll definitely want to surprise him with this brand-new (June 2014) release. A lone driver plows into a crowd of unemployed people waiting in line for a morning job fair, killing eight people and injuring 15 before getting away. Months later, retired cop Bill Hodges receives a letter claiming to be from the killer and threatening another attack. If he can’t stop the killer in time, the next attack won’t just have a handful of victims — it will have thousands.
Bonus points: AAA membership — for you. You can never be too safe out there on the roads, amirite dads?

For the historical dad: Clouds of Glory: The Life and Legend of Robert E. Lee
Bestselling author Michael Korda’s new historical biography of General Robert E. Lee is sure to interest the History-Channel-addicted, Civil-War-reenacting, battleship-in-a-bottle-building dad. It portrays Lee as a brilliant general, a devoted family man, and a gentleman who disliked slavery and disagreed with secession, yet who refused command of the Union Army in 1861 because he could not “draw his sword” against his beloved Virginia. This biography surveys Lee’s command during the Civil War, exploring his responsibility for the fatal stalemate at Antietam, his defeat at Gettysburg, and his failed war strategy. Yet his courage, leadership, and modesty made him a hero on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line and a revered American icon. Clouds of Glory features dozens of illustrations and battle maps, so your dad can continue to bore you with military strategy lectures.
Bonus points: A framed historical map (or reprint) from his favorite war. Or, if you live close enough, a day trip to a local site of historical interest.