The last-week countdown to Father’s Day begins today! And if you have a dad who loves (or even just “likes”) reading, then I have a book list for you.
Dad doesn’t want another tie or photo frame this year; he wants a book!
At least, I think he might. And since I listen to a lot of audiobooks, I thought I’d compile a shortlist of the best books I’ve listened to in 2023 that might be perfect for a dad in your life. I’ve linked here to the audiobooks, since I know I can personally recommend them, but if the dad you’re shopping for prefers physical or ebooks, get him the format you know he’ll love.
Below, you can find the featured book list of my top recommendations from audiobooks read in 2023, but take a look at my Father’s Day Book List Shelf on Goodreads for a comprehensive and more frequently updated list of books I’d recommend for dads.
The SRD Editing Services Father’s Day Book List Shelf on Goodreads includes books our editor read or audiobooks listened to in 2022 or 2023.
Recommendations include memoirs, self-help and psychology, history, and fiction with “fatherhood” as a theme.
Connect with Cortni on Goodreads!
Editor Cortni's Featured Short Book List
So while my full Goodreads Shelf includes the whole book list I can recommend for dads, I realized that the books I tag as “dad lit” fall into four main categories:
- Parenting books
- Self-help books
- Books on topics dads might like
- Fiction that features “fatherhood” as a theme
So whether you know a dad who is looking to grow, to think, or to feel, I compiled a shortlist of books I think your dad might dig. If you don’t see one below that seems quite like him, check out the full Father’s Day Book List Shelf on Goodreads for my other recommendations!
Featured Parenting Books for Dads
Topping my book list are books that help any Dad become the best Dad he can be.
The Opposite of Spoiled dives into excellent advice for how to parent kids of all ages and teach financial literacy, responsibility, charity, and even some basic investment advice. The information may be a bit outdated in some respects (pre-Covid), but overall excellent advice to help parents help their children financially excel.
Good Inside might be my new favorite parenting book. It hits a broad range of topics about relationship development, communication strategies, healthy bonding and attachment, and personal growth that can comebine to make each and every parent better.
Featured Self-Help Books for Dads
Books that Dad can enjoy while learning to improve himself and enhance his family’s lives.
We Over Me takes a deep dive into exploring relationship and parenting advice in a practical way. Although a large section of the book is dedicated to describing the story of this power couple who have been together for more than twenty years and are raising four children, there are equally large sections of the book dedicated to discussing communication and parenting strategies, relationship goals and advice, and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance as a working father.
Cleaning up Your Mental Mess is an in-depth and comprehensive behavioral therapy approach that could help most anyone adjust and reshape a learned behavior through a series of steps. The author has developed an easy-to-follow progressive plan that the reader can use to create a new habit and set of responses or to break out of an established pattern. Adaptive and flexible to nearly every situation, the largest factor that Dad will have to bring to the table is his dedication.
For History-Loving Dads
Books for dads who love the nerd out/do a deep dive on a specific topic.
If Dad loves a well-researched deep dive into a topic, he may enjoy either of these titles.
The Declassification Engine explores the history of protected information and documents in the U.S. From encryption to scandals, from leaks to staged releases, from data management to AI-generated solutions for mismanagement; this title is a wealth of information.
Good for a Girl is perfect for a father of a female athlete. This title explores the areas of girls and women in sports at all levels, from introductory to professional, and the physiological, psychological, and sociological impacts and challenges. While the writer may be a runner, the information contained within applies to women in every sport.
Fiction with Fatherhood as a Theme
Books for Dads who love to be told an interesting story that explores the theme of “fatherhood.”
The Curious Incident is one of the most unique books I’ve read recently, as the narrating character speaks from a neurodivergent perspective. A young teenager/pre-teen, I suspect his voice will feel both achingly familiar and charmingly young to a reader over thirty years old. It is a relatively short read/listen but packs a real punch.
Fairy Tale, on the other hand, is a monster of a tome and well worth the journey at the end. If Dad is already a fan of Stephen King, you may not have to sell him on this too hard, but if not, I think he’ll enjoy all the classic elements he’ll see here. It’s not horror, but there are some frightening moments in the adventure, and a solid and heartfelt lesson learned along the way.
So that’s it! This is my book list of top recommendations for dads, out of the books I’ve read in 2023.
For more suggestions, take a look at this blog with my Top 5 Book List of 2022 or visit Goodreads and peruse my Father’s Day Book List Shelf.
Happy reading, and Happy Father’s Day!