6 Books That Dads Will Devour

By 2018-12-20 23:26:08

Pages turners through and through

With the arrival of Autumn, there's nothing better than spending an evening on the sofa with a good book as the temperature's outside slowly begin to drop. Whether you're into hard-hitting facts or sporting history, there's a plethora of books you're going to want to add to your reading list – including some that you can share with your kids!

1. Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments, by Mike Adamick

kid science experiment

Genre: Popular Science

Why it's worth a read: Don't get caught out by your kids' science questions – get ahead of the game with the help of this fantastic book of science experiments that you can do at home. From chemistry with soap clouds and biology with hole-y walls to physics with straw balloon rocket blasters and the human b ody with marshmallow pulse keeps, each of these fun science projects features easy-to-understand instructions that can be carried out by even the youngest of lab partners!

2. The Book of Basketball, by Bill Simmons

basketball cartoon

Source: ytimg 

Genre: Sports History

Why it's worth a read: Simmons is a bonafide basketball fanatic. He's a hoops historian, and The Book of Basketball is heavy on specific moments and milestones, but his writing isn't esoteric. Whether you share a passing interest in the NBA or you're a diehard like Simmons, tBoB is a sprawling, epic ride through Simmons' controversial sports essays and rankings that will entertain you all the way through. Warning: Simmons' hometown Boston Celtics are heavily featured.

3. Consider the Lobster, by David Foster Wallace

Source: ytimg 

Genre: Essay collection

Why it's worth a read: The late David Foster Wallace explores ideas that are as high-brow academic as they are for the everyman. Drawing on both his Midwestern upbringing and his deep, ethical skepticism of the world, Consider the Lobster is a showcase of brilliant opinions from one of the 21st century's most hesitant intellectual showmen. Ever thought of the Maine Lobster Festival as crustacean genocide? Ever wondered what happens to the platform of a political "anticandidate" when they're suddenly knocking on the door of the Presidency, as John McCain's campaign found itself in during the 2000 general election? You might not agree with Wallace on everything, in fact, you probably won't agree with him on a lot of things, but the way he presents his views is never illogical, and always interesting.

4. Batman: the Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller

batman

Source: pinimg 

Genre: Comic Book series

Why it's worth a read: Miller's Batman is no hero. He's an emotionally damaged 55-year-old man that never recovered from the death of his protégé, Jason Todd, 10 years ago. After crime spirals out of control in Gotham City, Wayne puts the cape and suit back on, not necessarily out of good intentions for civilians, but out of a grimy, violent identity crisis. You can see it in Miller's Batman. He's not some lean Adonis figure, he's bulky and his bones ache. His face is weathered, and his Batsuit faded. No one is casting Christian Bale to play this Batman (although Ben Affleck is a decent fit, in my opinion), and the story is hardly a superhero tall tale. It's a mythological parable, showcasing the danger – and the saving grace – of mankind's need to be vulnerable. Batman is awesome in it, though.

5. Who Built That, by Michelle Malkin

inventing

Genre: Engineering

Why it's worth a read: Following awe-inspiring stories of American tinkerpreneurs, Who Built That is fascinating collection of little-known stories of inventors who have contributed to American exceptionalism and technological progress. It's a rousing tribute to the hidden American capitalists who pioneered everyday inventions, the little big things we take for granted: bottle caps and glassware, tissue paper, flashlights, railroad signals and more. 

6. The Tao of Bill Murray, by Gavin Edwards and R. Sikoryak

bill murray

Source: npr

Genre: Comedy, Nonfiction

Why it's worth a read: Bill Murray loves to mess with regular people. In his inimitable zen way, of course. For example, Murray is fond of Karaoke-ing with total strangers in New York City. Or spontaneously bartending at massive music/film festival South by Southwest. If you want to read more stories of one of the most accomplished actors of all time not giving a damn about social hierarchies, check out Edwards and Sikoryak's extensive collection of Bill Murray stories. He's a ridiculous man, for sure, but his notoriously carefree attitude is refreshing and informative.

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