Hello. I have known my dad my entire life. I have access to his goodreads, and we talk about books all the time. And yet, he never likes any of the books I recommend him (with the exception of The Martian, which I honestly thought he wouldn’t like cuz he’s not usually a sci-fi guy (????)). I cannot for the life of me figure out his taste in books. Usually I’m pretty good at getting people books (usually as gifts) that they’ll like, but MY DAD…..AAH. please help. His birthday is coming up and I WANT TO GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME.
Some books/authors he likes:
– David Baldacci
– Jim Butcher, specifically the Dresden Files
– Lee Child, specifically Jack Reacher
– Michael Connelly
– John Grisham (sometimes)
– Stephen King (mostly just Dark Tower)
– Andy Weir, the Martian (inexplicably)
– John Sandford
Generally, he DNFs my fantasy and sci-fi recs, says they’re “slow” and “boring.”
I personally have not read anything by any of these people (with few exceptions) so it’s very possible I just don’t know the genre very well, BUT STILL. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks y’all!
by Beezle_33228
14 Comments
It sounds like he likes headstrong “go your own way” men as main characters.
I would try The Hot Rock by Westlake
Or Richard Stark’s The Hunter
These books all sound very… well, to stick with the gender norms (sorry), masculine.
If you want to take a gamble, you could try Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry). It’s a Western novel with some great characterization, and I appreciated it as a woman, but based on anecdotal evidence, it seems like men really really love it. The reason it’s a gamble is because it’s long and it has a slow start, but if you think he can push through those things, there’s a good chance he would love it.
EDIT: And if you want to try giving him a nonfiction read, maybe The Boys in the Boat (Daniel James Brown) or Endurance (Alfred Lansing)?
I would try him on Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series, first book is American Assassin. Or Mark Greaney’s The Grey Man series.
Maybe a Dennis Lehane novel?
Maybe Dick Francis—I really liked To the Hilt—or Daniel Silva books.
Could try some John Le Carre? Dads love it
He has pretty stereotypical “dad” taste. If the author’s name is larger than the title of the book on the cover, (sans celebrity memoirs), that’s probably a good bet. Others in that vein are **Brad Thor, Harlen Coben, Daniel Silva.**
If you want to try some nonfiction, I think he’d really like **Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer**.
If you want to find a book you can read together, maybe Neil Gaiman’s a middle ground. **American Gods** would be my rec there.
If he liked The Martian, he might like Project Hail Mary by the same author. It’s a popular recommendation here – especially the audiobook. Does he like nonfiction?
Something by James Patterson? Or a slightly different idea, Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
James Rollins Sigma Force Novels
Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo
My Dad likes all these authors too, and recently surprised me, he really liked Killers of the Flower Moon
Yahtzee Croshaw, funny author with great characters.
Differently Morphus and Existentially Challenged – Governmental agency involved in the regulation of magic and extra dimensional beings. It’s urban fantasy with criminal investigation, so if he liked the Dresden Files he might like this.
Will save the galaxy for food and Will destroy the galaxy for cash – An unemployed star pilot tries to get by in a universe where transporters are a thing. The plot moves along at a decent pace and they’re not long books, so he might get through them.
Sounds like he likes detective / thriller type books.
He might like Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, if he hasn’t read it.
Dan Brown might be another author worth checking out.
The Thursday Murder Club might be a tad light for him, but I’ll never skip an opportunity to recommend it.