About A Boy
by Nick Hornby
Fatherhood is not a biological given, but a tricky, demanding, sometimes frustrating arrangement that a man forges with a child – that’s the central notion behind Nick Hornby’s wise, funny story about likeable lad-about-town Will and his relationship with his (suicidal) friend’s 12-year-old son, Marcus. It is the latter’s social awkwardness that provides much of the gentle humor in the novel, but the joke, finally, is on Will, who is compelled to confront adulthood and responsibility by an instinctive, growing bond with the boy. It’s a story about how the boy and the man teach each other valuable lessons and grow together. Hornby is known for his wit and ability to see the humorous side of even the most mundane of situations. For that reason and many more, this book would definitely make the perfect Father’s Day gift. Share a few laughs with lessons along the way with your dad by giving him this book.
Letters from a Father to his Daughter
by Jawaharlal Nehru
Nepal to gift two elephants to Qatar during Emir's state visit
Nehru wrote letters to Indira Gandhi to make up for his absence. In these letters, Nehru takes up a variety of topics. He discusses natural history, the beginning of the earth, and evolution. He talks about the varied races of the world, the genetic make-up, the differences in communities, and races, how these races were formed, and why people look different. Nehru also talks about civilizations and religion. The letters show Nehru’s love for nature, for people, for history, and also show his overwhelming desire to cultivate the same in his daughter. As Gandhi says in the introduction, these letters were instrumental in arousing in her an interest in people, and concern for them. These letters contain priceless guidance, and advice given by a loving father to his daughter. Reading them is as valuable to fathers as it is to daughters.
The Wisdom of Sam
by Daniel Gottlieb
Gottlieb shares life lessons taught to him by his eight-year-old grandson, Sam. Readers were first introduced to Sam in Letters to Sam—which has been translated into 15 languages. Now, The Wisdom of Sam continues the extraordinary story of the interaction between a grandfather who is quadriplegic and a grandson who is autistic as they share their discoveries about empathy, compassion, courage, happiness, and the power of laughter. Sam’s uncommon perspective on the world—and the remarkable way he expresses himself—are the seeds of inspiration for his grandfather. And the emotional connection between Daniel Gottlieb and his grandson provide a springboard for wonderful moments of reflection, understanding, and humor. The book will teach you to look at life from a different perspective. Your dad will definitely appreciate this one.
Dreams from My Father
by Barack Obama
Dreams from My Father tells the story of Obama’s struggle to understand the forces that shaped him as the son of a black African father and white American mother. This is one unsentimental and powerful memoir that is a must read for all men out there. Obama’s father’s sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey—first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother’s family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father’s life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance. In the book, Obama is candid about a lot of things, from family and poverty to racism and corruption. At times, it reads like a running commentary making for a spectacular read. There is a lot to be learnt from this man with humble beginnings and for that, get a copy and gift it to that most special man in your life – your dad.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
by Robert M. Pirsig
One of the most important and influential books written in the past half-century, Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful, moving, and penetrating examination of how we live and how we can live better. This unforgettable narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America’s Northwest, undertaken by a father and his young son has the power to transform you and your thoughts. A story of love and fear, of growth, discovery, and acceptance becomes a profound personal and philosophical odyssey into life’s fundamental questions. Pirsig seeks to demonstrate that rationality and Zen-like “being in the moment” can harmoniously coexist. He also suggests that such a combination of rationality and romanticism can lead to a higher quality of life. If you are still confused over which book to pick for your dad, we recommend this one.
