As the gifting brainstorm of Father's Day approaches, I'm here to remind you that a thoughtful book honestly beats... well, all other gift ideas.
They're very personable, affordable, shareable ('Hey can I actually... borrow it back after you've read it?') – and completely unforgettable when you receive one that moves you, makes you feel seen, or sparks a meaningful change in the way you think.
For the book lovers and yet-to-bes, I've whittled down a handy list of the newest engaging, thought-provoking reads absolutely worth gifting to the father figures in your life.
Here are the 11 books I recommend considering this Father's Day.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
If Marian Keyes and Jane Harper hype a murder mystery, you officially know it's going to be quite the banger.
In this tightly-woven novel, we meet the Cunningham family (the hyphenated, the step and the married-into members included), at an unfolding family reunion in Australia's Snowy Mountains. Through the eyes of narrator Ernest Cunningham, the tension and suspense are building as the snowfall – and the family's encounters with multiple bodies – are piling up.
The strength of this book lies in its quirky and entertaining take on subverting many of the expected conventions of mystery fiction. If you're looking to gift a book with a dark sense of humour (or to a fan of Knives Out and Agatha Christie), this new release is the one!
The rights of Stevenson's book have also just been sold to HBO, so expect a television series coming our way.
One by Jamie Oliver
For the guy that cooks (or likes to cheekily *pump up* his cheffing abilities!), this is the book to rival 15-Minute Meals and 5 Ingredients in its smart simplicity.
Jamie's newest, One, is filled with budget-friendly dishes that can be rustled up any time: delicious work from home lunches, quick dinners for families, and meals to get novice cooks started. There more than 100 recipes in this book, and simple one-pan techniques to be learned in there. So really, it's the gift of less washing up too.
One comes out on August 26, but you can pre-order it now.
Stone Town by Margaret Hickey
If your dad's a fan of Australian crime writers Jane Harper and Chris Hammer, he's going to love Stone Town.
It's the sequel to Margaret Hickey's first book, Cutters End (but can definitely be read as a standalone! Promise!) and follows the story of a discovered body in the dense bushland of a rural town.
Then, this murder is overshadowed by a mystery consuming the entire nation: the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed. How these two investigations are somehow linked will have you guessing until the very last page. What did Natalie uncover, and has it cost her her life?
This captivating new crime thriller makes a worthy gift (also so you can borrow it back to read yourself!). The book's explosive finale with linger with you for days.
The Scrap Iron Flotilla by Mike Carlton
Now, here's an incredible book to add to the usual socks and chocolate. In this non-fiction novel, Mike Carlton delves into an immortal part of Australian naval legend during the Second World War, 1939.
He explores the events after the Australian government sent five destroyers to beef up the British Royal Navy in the Mediterranean, which left Australian ships struggling, suffering from constant engine breakdowns, with crews beleaguered by two years of bombings, wild seas and the endless fear of being sunk.
In late 1941 the ships were finally sent home, staggering back to Australia, proudly calling themselves the Scrap Iron Flotilla in defiance of the Goebbels’ sneer.
This brilliant story of that flotilla is absorbing and unforgettable, that promises to have a strong multigenerational appeal.
Bluey: Perfect by Bluey
It's pretty rare and special when a piece of entertainment inspires devotion from viewers of all ages. The wholesome magic of cult kids' cartoon Bluey has preschoolers losing their tiny minds over the TV show, millennials wearing the merch, and former journalists analysing each episode on a podcast for grown-ups.
Bluey: Perfect is the latest book from everyone's favourite 6-year-old cattle dog with a distinctive Brisbane accent. In this gorgeous hardback book, Bluey and Bingo make Father's Day cards for Dad, while realising the important lesson that things don't always have to be perfect.
It comes with a special wipe-clean card for drawing, and will be making the *perfect* Father’s Day gift from plenty of Bluey fans this year.
Smart, Stupid & Sixty by Nigel Marsh
Even a man whose ground-breaking TED Talk on work-life balance has been downloaded a whopping five million times, still has moments of self-doubt.
In this funny, relatable memoir, Nigel Marsh reflects on his sixth decade on earth, with commentary on ageing well, sex, parenting adult children, his parents’ passing, and the secret to his living a happy life.
Both humorous and poignant, Smart, Stupid & Sixty is the kind of life-affirming book anyone in their forties, fifties and sixties would enjoy reading about the "third trimester of life".
Smart, Stupid & Sixty comes out on August 16, but you can pre-order it now.
Neile Balme by Anson Cameron
If you're gifting-hunting for a serious AFL fan, this long-awaited memoir about to be released covers the story of one of AFL’s hardest players, and most respected behind-the-scenes coaches.
Neile Balme is unique in having spent longer than anyone else in clubland – over fifty years. He’s seen and created limitless change in those decades.
So, how exactly did he go from being the infamous on-field enforcer of the 1970s to the kind uncle-like mentor the football world knows today?
This book explores identity, hard truths, the landscape of Australian AFL history and unerring compassion.
Neile Balme comes out on August 16, but you can pre-order it now.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
The lovable gang of retirees who solve murders are back in this cracking sequel to best-seller, The Thursday Murder Club.
Elizabeth receives a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a huge mistake, and needs her help – his story involving stolen diamonds, a violent mobster and a very real threat to his life. Just the line-up of crime for armchair experts Joyce, Ibrahim, Ron and Elizabeth to try solving.
The major draw of this series has always been its witty, disarmingly delightful characters. They're the heart and soul of Osman's books, and The Man Who Died Twice is yet another fun display of that. This is one unputdownable book to make an excellent gift!
MEZCLA by Ixta Belfrage
Ixta Belfrage is a chef, food writer and the co-author (with THE Yotam Ottolenghi!) of Ottolenghi FLAVOUR. She's absolutely shaken up the food world, and now releasing her first solo book celebrating her favourite mezcla of flavours (the Spanish word meaning mixture or blend)
Belfrage is loved for her foolproof techniques and inventive ingredient combinations, so MEZCLA would make the ultimate gift this Father's Day for the one that loves to cook and entertain.
The book includes flavour-packed dishes like Chilli Roasted Oyster Mushroom skewers, Whole Roast Chicken Curry with crispy curry leaves, and Prawn Lasagne with habanero oil.
Blowback by James Patterson
High-stakes action, a president in turmoil and a gripping plan that could bring it all to ruin. This is James Patterson's absolute specialty.
This new stand-alone political thriller follows Keegan Barrett, first-term president whose power is approaching absolute. He has recruited two CIA operatives to accomplish the single goal that has now eluded him until now: revenge. But to execute Barrett's orders is to defy their sworn duties – to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and to keep their work within the CIA a secret.
To combat covert corruption, they'll need to be precise, quick and most importantly, keep their eyes open for what happens next.
Patterson's books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide, so you know you're in masterful hands. One to gift the action-seeker in your life who loves a suspenseful plotline!
Blowback comes out on August 16, but you can pre-order it now.
Denizen by James McKenzie Watson
From the winner of the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize comes this debut fiction, exploring rural Australia’s simultaneous celebration of harsh country and stoic people – a tension that forces its inhabitants to dangerous breaking points.
On a remote property in western NSW, nine-year-old Parker fears that something is wrong with his brain. His desperate attempts to control this internal chaos spark a series of events that escape his control in deadly and devastating ways.
Years later, and now a father himself, Parker returns to the bushland of his childhood with old friends. When this reunion descends into chaos amid revelations of unresolved fear, guilt and violence, Parker must finally address the consequences of his childhood actions.
Denizen is a tense, heart-in-mouth read for the Dad that enjoys a pacey thriller with an Australian setting. This book will also stay with the reader long after you finish the last page.
Feature Image: Mamamia/Penguin Books Australia.