Father's Day Book Ideas...

Or just books men may like any time of year!

Below is a list of various books that have great customer reviews. They are grouped by genre (Novels, Sports, Grilling, Fatherhood, etc.) . I hope you find what you are looking for.



Novels
*Because novel titles are often non-descriptive, I provided a brief synopsis.

The Son

As described on Amazon: Philipp Meyer, the acclaimed author of American Rust, returns with The Son: an epic of the American West and a multigenerational saga of power, blood, land, and oil that follows the rise of one unforgettable Texas family, from the Comanche raids of the 1800s to the to the oil booms of the 20th century.

Harrowing, panoramic, and deeply evocative, The Son is a fully realized masterwork in the greatest tradition of the American canon—an unforgettable novel that combines the narrative prowess of Larry McMurtry with the knife-edge sharpness of Cormac McCarthy.











The Red Moon
 As described on Amazon: Award -winning author Benjamin Percy presents an explosive and deeply layered literary thriller set in the American West.
They live among us. They are our neighbors, our mothers, our lovers. They change.
When government agents kick down Claire Forrester's front door and murder her parents, Claire realizes just how different she is.
Patrick Gamble was nothing special until the day he got on a plane and hours later stepped off it, the only passenger left alive, a hero.
Chase Williams has sworn to protect the people of the United States from the menace in their midst, but he is becoming the very thing he has promised to destroy.
So far, the threat has been controlled by laws and violence and drugs. But the night of the red moon is coming, when an unrecognizable world will emerge...and the battle for humanity will begin.




One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season

As described on Amazon: In a gripping, cinematic narrative, Sports Illustrated writer Chris Ballard tells the story of the team and its coach, Lynn Sweet, ahippie, dreamer and intellectual who arrived in Macon in 1966,
bringing progressive ideas to a town stuck in the Eisenhower era.
Beloved by students but not administration, Sweet reluctantly took over a rag-tag team, intent on teaching the boys as much about life as baseball. Inspired by Sweet's unconventional methods and led by fiery star Steve Shartzer and spindly curveball artist John Heneberry, the undersized, undermanned Macon Ironmen embarked on an improbable postseason run that infuriated rival coaches and buoyed an entire town.







History and Military

The Wright Brothers

 

 

 

 

 

Lies My Teacher Told Me 

A Short History of Nearly Everything

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human History in 50 Events

 

 

 

 

The Guns of August: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Classic About the Outbreak of World War I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II

 

 
















The War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of An Empire



 

 

Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds

 

















Sports

Slow Getting Up: A Story of NFL Survival from the Bottom of the Pile

Every Day I Fight

The Best American Sports Writing 2014

Grill
How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques, A Barbecue Bible! Cookbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weber's Way to Grill: The Step-by-Step Guide to Expert Grilling

Fatherhood

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I First Held You: 22 Critically Acclaimed Writers Talk About the Triumphs, Challenges, and Transformative Experience of Fatherhood

 

 


















Dad is Fat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know When to Hold 'Em: The High Stakes Game of Fatherhood

 

Health
The Men's Health Big Book of Food & Nutrition: Your completely delicious guide to eating well, looking great, and staying lean for life!

Men's Health Muscle Chow: More Than 150 Easy-to-Follow Recipes to Burn Fat and Feed Your Muscles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Men's Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts: A Leaner, Stronger Body--in 15 Minutes a Day!

 

 
 










Bonus
*Bonus just means that I could not figure out what category to put this in but it was reviewed as a good book and seems like something some dads might like.
Arms and the Dudes: How Three Stoners from Miami Beach Became the Most Unlikely Gunrunners in History

Homemade Father's Day Gifts that He'll Really Want

I love a homemade gift that comes from my child, any gift, but to be fair, some are easier to keep and more practical than others. For Father's day this year, I really wanted to find something that my kids and I could make that my husband would really be able to use or keep. Here are some ideas that I came up with. Now, I just have to decide which one to make!

Father's Day Questionnaire  

Although this will be funnier with younger kids, you could edit the questions and get something really heartfelt from older children.
Found on: http://www.daffodildesign.com/2011/06/diy-fathers-day-questionnaire.html

A Car Wash Kit

If your daddy is the kind to really take care of his car, the beginning of the summer is a great time to help him stock up on all of his needs.
Found on:http://innerchildfun.com/2011/06/fathers-day-gift-daddys-car-wash-kit.html

Coupons

 

This link will get you to a book for coupons, but you can find several on Pinterest of google if you would like another design. Depending on the ages of your kids, you could make coupons for any other following or come up with your own unique ideas:

Free car wash
Clean my room with no complaints
Relax while I get drinks and snacks all evening
Gather and take out the trash
Uninterrupted sports game or TV show
Uninterrupted nap
Mow the lawn
Breakfast In Bed
Back Rub
Full Control of the remote

*I know these are things many kids do anyway, but the point of the coupon is to be cute and make the child want to do it because it is a gift.
Found on: http://www.marthastewart.com/271224/fathers-day-coupons

Photos

This link has so many cute photo ideas. Check them out!
Found on: http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/06/awesome-and-creative-fathers-day-photo/

 

 

Handmade Bookmarks

 

This idea looks fairly simple and is so cute if daddy is a reader.
Found on: http://www.creativefamilymoments.com/awesome-homemade-bookmarks-with-tassels/

 

 

Handmade Catchall

This tutorial looks easier than I expected and would be great on my husband's bed table or by the front door. 
Found on: http://www.habitatathome.net/2014/05/a-fathers-day-craft.html

 

Photo Blocks

 

I saw the brown blocks first and loved them, but had trouble getting to the tutorial so added a link with the white blocks. This is a personalized gift that would look great in Dad's office.

Brown Blocks Found on: http://storiesbymeblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/letter-blocks-for-dad.html

White Blocks Found on: http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2010/12/photo-block-tutorial-great-gift.html

 

Gift Wrap

 If you bought a gift and just wanted to add a homemade touch, here are some cute ideas.
Found on: http://www.tipjunkie.com/category/present-wrap/2/9/

Father's Day Gift Ideas (Most Under $100) - Buy Him Something He'll Really Like

As I was thinking about Father's day this year, I tried to think about something that my husband and dad would like and find useful.  I obvioulsy won't be able to buy all of this, but at least I have a list to pick from.

There are a variety of gifts at the top of the list and then a few smilar style gifts grouped together towards the lower portion.

 I hope you find something for the dad in your life!
*If you were looking for something Homemade, Click here






Weekender Bag (Herschel) - Comes in Various Colors 
$98

Hammack
Santorini Premium Reversible Two Person Fabric Quilted Hammock
$221      




 
Power Station - Backup Power for tablet and Smart Phone
$49


 



Golf Trainer
$69.99

Give him his family history. Do it for him or just buy a subscription to ancestry.com








Nice Sunglasses

 
Armani Exchange Classics
$70






Poloroid 61mm Aviator 
$96

Carrera Speedway Aviator
$96



 

Watches

Caravelle New York by Bulova
Men's Chronograph Black Strap Watch 40mm $95










planisphere watch                      
$64.00








BBQ Gadgets



Digital BBQ Thermometer

Grill Steam Cleaner
$59










Grilling Tool Set
$89

 



High Heat Gloves
$29

Chromed Zinc Meat Marker
$11.19

Bamboo Meat Marker
#2.48






Beer & Liquor



Chillsner
Available at Target
$16.99








Beer Opening Glass
$11.99




Personalized Growler
$29.99

Growler Tote
$24.95

Home Brewing Kit
$49.99

Buy his Favorite Beer
(I get on my husband sometimes for some of the pricier beers he likes. This is a chance for him to enjoy with no nagging!)

Scotch or Whiskey
Buy him a nice bottle of Scotch or whiskey that may cost a little more than he woudl spend on himself.

Ice Rocks
Cool his drink without dilluting it
$15.95






A few other ideas are:

Clothes or shoes - Dads don't buy for themselves but they might like sneakers, a team jersey or nice work clothes.

Tools - Take him to the hardware store and see what he likes

A Book - I know it may sound silly, but husband loves books when he has the right one. Here is a list to give you some ideas.

Good Luck and Happy Father's day to all of the Dad's out there!

You could also make something. See my post about useful and fun Homemade Father's Day Gifts

Maybe I Am Doing Something Right with My Son

My son turned 8 recently and is equipped with a humor that includes potty words (think fart, not the other "F" word), a fully perfected eye-roll, many great arguments that follow the words, "but mom", and occasional hearing loss when I ask him to do something that might interrupt the X-box or outside time. He has even built an argument as to why he should not have to shower 3 days in a row although he played baseball and pick-up football and basketball in 90+ degree weather.  I know these things are just phases and come with different stages of life but sometimes I need to see that sweet little guy that he was other than the 5 minutes before bed when he still asks me to sit with him for a few minutes. (Oh, how I have learned to loved those minutes: unless, of course, they turn in to 30 minutes of not going to bed.)

This weekend, however, my son did a few things that let me know that between obnoxious mouth noises and photo bombs, he is growing some maturity as well.

We heard two songs on the radio this weekend that he had surprising responses to. The first song was Pretty Girls by Brittany Spears. After listening to the begining, he says, "Mom, they just said they got to cut the line and get what they want because they are pretty. That's rude and it would never happen!" I love that he realized that it was rude to say you are pretty and to expect things because of it. Then we heard Bad Blood by Taylor Swift and he said, "Why did she say they couldn't solve thier problems? You should try, at least." That actually lead us to a great conversation about when to solve problems and when it is time to forgive and walk away, but I loved the intenetion in his comment.  Wouldn't the world be a happier place if we at least tried to solve our problems with others?

On another car ride, my one year old daughter was not happy so I sang her a nursery rhyme. Not only did he join in when she said his name, but he sang with me for 10 minutes that included singing Baa Baa Black Sheep about 10 times! I am sure part of his motivation was to get her to be quite, but part was to see her smile. He loves to make her laugh and smile.

My last proud moment this weekend was last night. He was watching Josh and Drake which I did not realize was on Teen Nick and I left the room. A couple of minutes later, he came and told me that he had to come in my room because there was an inapproraite commercial on that he should not see. I was very proud of him.

Latley, between Jacob's aformentioned challenging behavior and my diva daughter, I feel defeated many days. I was so releived and pleased to see glimmer of light that my son is on the right track.

Allow Yourself to Be Disappointed

Last week, I went to an O's game with my son. It was a miserable rainy day that resulted in a 2 hour rain delay. After looking at the forecast of rain all day and looking at the condition of the field, I really wanted to leave about 1 hour into said delay. I was sure the game would either turn into a night game or be cancelled. My son, having childhood optimism, a love for baseball and less disappointing experiences in his life, asked me to stay and boy, am I glad! Not only did we bond (and snack) a little during the delay, but we got to move to amazing, 10th row seats because so many people left.

I have had a few experiences like that lately, and it made me think. Many of us have a habit of creating expectations about a situation before we enter into it. These expectations may be based on our own past experiences, experiences of other we know or simply something we have read or seen on TV. Recently, I against, my natural instinct, I went against my first thoughts and was pleasantly surprised by some of these experiences. Upon some reflection, I realized that allowing myself to face possible disappointment, I got to experience something just the opposite.

Sometimes, I find this to be true in such simpler ways. Sometimes I simply dread making a phone call or having a work meeting and have a much more positive experience than expected. It doesn't really matter how big or small, that pleasant surprise still takes me aback in a wonderful way.

Perhaps I have grown into more of a pessimist than I would like to admit or maybe I am just more realistic? Either way, while my expectations may still be low in some situations, by allowing myself to take the chance (or maybe being forced to take the chance) and having an open mind, allowing that positivity to sneak in, I have been able to benefit greatly. I encourage you to allow yourself to be disappointed. Allow yourself to go so something out of your ordinary. Sure, sometimes you will be disappointed with the outcome, but the disappointments will be worth it when you are pleasantly surprised.
The falling will be worth it when you fly!

* I had another great experience about disappointment, or better yet the lack there of, at mass. I got to hear a great homily. You can read about it in my post about vegetables and the Eucharist.