What Exactly is a "Dad Book" Anyway?
Published by Dan Orkin, June 13th, 2024
Last month, ahead of Mother’s Day, my colleague Renee put together a post showcasing 145 books that might qualify as “mom books.” As Renee described: “‘mom books’ aren’t necessarily about characters who are moms, but are written with middle-aged women in mind.” Scrolling through the vast selection of books she selected, I couldn’t help but think of the obvious counterpoint question: what exactly is a “dad book?” Moreover, how has my relationship to dad books changed since becoming a father of two in recent years?
Historically, the first thing that comes to mind when I think “dad books” are sweeping histories and biographies, like a map-heavy military history tome or a dense volume about a twentieth-century political figure. While I certainly know many dads who enjoy such works (myself included), the association feels limited given how many other people read these books and how many dads couldn’t care less about the Battle of Gettysburg or Steve Jobs. A similarly reductive definition would cover books about grilling or home repairs, or advice books about child rearing itself.
A more expansive view of what makes a book a dad book might include books written by or about inspiring dads. In that case, the novels of one of my favorite authors, Michael Chabon, would fit the bill. He even published an essay collection called Pops: Fatherhood in Pieces that was inspired by raising his four kids. Stephen King, who collaborated with his son Owen on a co-authored book called Sleeping Beauties, would count, as would Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose landmark Between the World and Me is framed as a long-form letter to his then-teenage son.
But ultimately, dad status is defined by a relationship. What makes a book a dad book is as diverse as the relationships themselves. It’s less about its specific content or format and more about the feelings or associations the book evokes. My dad loves musical theater, so the book of Sondheim lyrics I bought him a few years ago is absolutely a dad book. My friend Barry in Maryland loves to take his son fishing. A book about aquatic life on the Chesapeake would register high on the dad book scale in that context. Whether it’s Father’s Day or any other time of the year, Dads—and all parents really—crave connection and appreciation from their kids. The perfect book is one that encapsulates what you love about them.
