Father's Day Gift Guide 2026: 17 brilliant books for every kind of reader
For a truly special Father's Day gift, give your dad, grandad, or other amazing father figure in your life the joy of exploring a bookshop to choose their next great read. For a book lover, it doesn't get more thoughtful than that.
But a book token doesn't have to be given on its own. Whether he's a history buff, a football fanatic, or never misses the evening news, our gift guide features 17 books for every kind of reader. Each book is perfect for gifting with a National Book Token, available in bookshops across the UK and Ireland, and online.
If he always has one more fact about the Romans...
Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old by Mary Beard
Mary Beard points to the surprising connections between antiquity and the present. From revolutionaries to dictators, Bob Dylan to Beyoncé, she joins forces with the varied modern characters who have been transfixed by the ancient world. It's not compulsory, she argues, to be excited by antiquity, but it's a shame not to be.
He may also like: Nero by Conn Iggulden; The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Bettany Hughes; How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator by Theodore Papakostas; Mythica by Emily Hauser; Viking Britain by Thomas Williams; The Cleopatras by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones; Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
If he has strong opinions about life on other planets…
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Awakening alone on a spacecraft with no memory, two dead crewmates, and a mission to save Earth from extinction, Grace must rely on science, courage – and an unexpected ally – to complete his perilous journey.
Check out our article on what to read if he liked Project Hail Mary.
If his group chat is always active…
White Spaces by Elvin James Mensah
Set in the London of 2012 with a supporting cast of normal and extraordinary characters, White Spaces tells, with Mensah's inimitable warmth and humour, the story of four young Black men coming of age in a city on the cusp of change.
He may also like: Boy Friends by Michael Pedersen; Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome; A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.
Plus, check out Elvin James Mensah's recommendations for books about male friendships that actually feel real.
If he puts on the news religiously every evening…
London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
In his inimitably gripping and forensic prose, investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe follows the parents of a London teenager – who posed as the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch and mysteriously fell to his death from a luxury apartment building on the banks of the Thames – on a dark journey to find out what brought Zac to the balcony that night, and how a teenager's world of make-believe drew him into the city's terrifying underworld.
He may also like: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote; Year of the Rat by Harry Shukman; A History of the World in Six Plagues by Edna Bonhomme; The Light of Day by Christopher Stephens & Louise Radnofsk; The Strangers by Ekow Eshun
If he loves to read with the little ones…
Guess How Much I Love You, Dad!: Father's Day Gift Edition by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
The bestselling book that's become a way of expressing love so big it can't be measured. What better way to celebrate your father or the father figure in your life than telling him you love him – to the moon and back! With classic book, card, and gift wrap all in one elegant and handy package.
This Father's Day, we're giving away this special gift edition, a £50/€60 National Book Token, and more!
He may also like: When I Became Your Daddy by Susannah Shane & Britta Teckentrup; Bluey: Grandad and Daddy Dropoff; Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron; Peace at Last by Jill Murphy; Daddy Do My Hair by Tolá Okogwu & Chante Timothy; Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate; Help Aliens Stole My Grandad by Hannah Moffatt & Rory Walker
If he's interested in the lives of his favourite comedians…
Thirst: Twelve Drinks That Changed My Life by John Robins
John Robins is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Taskmaster champion, and an award-winning broadcaster. He is also an alcoholic.
But what does that mean? What is an alcoholic?
In Thirst, John tells the story of his life through the lens of alcohol, the drinks that made him, and those that broke him.
He may also like: The Little Book of Miriam by Miriam Margolyes; And Away... by Bob Mortimer; The Teenage Diaries of a Stand-Up Comedian by Jon Richardson; Keep Laughing by Chris McCausland; I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart; Rising to the Surface by Lenny Henry, Cack-Handed by Gina Yashere
If his weekends revolve around TV sport…
Sir Lewis: The Definitive Biography by Michael E. Sawyer
Sir Lewis follows Hamilton's path from his early days karting on local tracks to the glitz and pressure of the Formula One circuit.
He may also like: How to Win the Premier League by Ian Graham; The Racket by Conor Niland; Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2025 by Lawrence Booth; BIG DUNC by Duncan Ferguson; The Formula by Joshua Robinson & Jonathan Clegg
If he's a seasoned foodie...
The BBQ Book: 80 Delicious Recipes for Fire and Coals by Tom Kerridge
Britain's best-loved chef brings us the ultimate recipes for every barbecue, from smoky charred veg to flavour-packed marinated meats.
He may also like: The Doctor's Kitchen by Dr Rupy Aujla; Easy Air Fryer by Jamie Oliver; The Best of the Hairy Bikers; Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History by Keshia Sakarah; Greenfeast by Nigel Slater; Picky by Jimi Famurewa
If he's addicted to his phone...
Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates
This memoir takes us back to Bill Gates' beginnings, from his childhood in Seattle to the pivotal moment he dropped out of Harvard at the age of 20 to devote all his energies to Microsoft. The book ends in the late 1970s when Microsoft, still with only a dozen employees, signed its first deal with Apple.
He may also like: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams; Supremacy by Parmy Olson; Code Dependent by Madhumita Murgia; The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt; Dopamine Nation by Dr Anna Lembke; The New Age of Sexism by Laura Bates
If he's an intrepid traveler...
Lonely Planet 100 Weekends in Europe
He can discover the best of Europe – one weekend at a time – with this collection of 100 short trip itineraries with maps to feed wanderlust and inspire his next getaway.
He may also like: Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad; The Great British Bucket List by Richard Madden; Atlas of Paranormal Places by Evelyn Hollow; Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh
If he always guesses whodunnit...
Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
When Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case, she's shocked at how high-profile it is: the murder of a well-respected, well-known judge. This shouldn't be the kind of case she's leading; it's way beyond her expertise. But the defendant, Jack Millman, is clear. He wants her, and only her. To make things worse, he's refusing to talk.
Guilty or not guilty?
Dad decides…
He may also like: Strange Pictures by Uketsu; We Solve Murders by Richard Osman; A Death on Location by Richard Coles; Murder on Line One by Jeremy Vine; The Appeal by Janice Hallett; The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov; A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith
If he never misses a David Attenborough documentary...
Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness by Sir David Attenborough & Colin Butfield
Everyone's favourite naturalist shares the story of our last great, critical wilderness, and the one which shapes the land we live on, regulates our climate and creates the air we breathe.
He may also like: Weird Walk by Stewart Lee; Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane; The Life-Affirming Magic of Birds by Charlie Bingham; Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton; Ingrained by Callum Robinson
If he's reel-y into cinema...
Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey by Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade reflects on his cinematic legacy as only he can: in conversation with himself.
He may also like: Box Office Poison by Tim Robey; The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks; The Queer Film Guide by Kyle Turner; Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval & Amanada Koval; The Godfather by Mario Puzo; We Did Ok, Kid by Sir Anthony Hopkins
If he wants stories that reflect the times we live in...
Manny and the Baby by Varaidzo
Set in London 1932 and Bath 2012, this 2025 Jhalak Prize-shortlisted novel is about what it means to be Black and British now and in the past.
He may also like: River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure; Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan; The Eyes of Gaza by Plestia Alaqad; Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin; Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart; Revolutionary Acts by Jason Okundaye; Middle England by Jonathan Coe; Universality by Natasha Brown
If The Exorcist is one of his favourite films...
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror edited by Jordan Peele
For dads who love a good scare, featuring an introduction by Jordan Peele and an all-star roster of beloved writers and new voices, Out There Screaming is a masterclass in horror, and – like Peele's spine-chilling films – its stories prey on everything we think we know about our world, and redefine what it means to be afraid. Very afraid…
He may also like: Never Flinch by Stephen King; Barrowbeck by Andrew Michael Hurley, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones; Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix; No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill; Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez; Model Home by Rivers Solomon
If he knows exactly what happened on 6th June 1944...
Sword: D-Day – Trial by Battle by Max Hastings
Sword offers a searching analysis of why British troops did not reach Caen on 6 June, as Montgomery had promised Churchill that they would – and the story of the brigadier who was sacked for that failure.
He may also like: A History of Britain in Ten Enemies by Terry Deary; A History of the World in 47 Borders by Jonn Elledge; Unruly by David Mitchell; A History of the World in Six Plagues by Edna Bonhomme; How to Kill a Witch by Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venditozzi; Heatwave by John L Williams; James by Percival Everett; The Light of Day by Christopher Stephens & Louise Radnofsky; Bloody Dangerous by Colin Bell
If he can never hear you over his music...
John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie
John & Paul begins in 1957, when two teenagers in suburban Liverpool meet and decide to play rock 'n' roll together. It ends twenty-three years later, when one of them is murdered. In between, we see them become global stars, create countless indelible songs, and play a central role in creating the modern world.
He might also like: Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus; Neu Klang by Christoph Dallach; Where We Come From by Aniefiok Ekpoudom; My Family and Other Rock Stars by Tiffany Murray; Beyond the Bassline edited by Paul Bradshaw; Tonight the Music Seems So Loud by Sathnam Sanghera; Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne; Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
Father's Day Gift Guide FAQs
A National Book Tokens gift card shows Dad that you recognise his interests and are giving him a gift he'll genuinely love and use. It makes a thoughtful gift on its own, but pairing it with a book that reflects his hobbies or personality is a great way to add a personal touch.
National Book Tokens are available in a range of striking designs and can be bought in hundreds of bookshops across the UK and Ireland, as well as in supermarkets and online.
If you're looking to make your gift even more personal, create a personalised gift card, adding your own text and photos to at no extra cost, while our Editions gift card is gold-foiled and presented in a luxury box.
Send an e-gift card directly to Dad or print it at home to include in a greetings card, ideal for book lovers on the go. Plus, any of our gift cards can be added to his mobile wallet so it's always close to hand.
For a longer-lasting gift, Bookily gift cards let you top up an amount every month, spreading the joy of new books throughout the year.
All National Book Tokens can be purchased online and delivered straight to you, ready to gift to Dad in person.
Yes! National Book Tokens e-gift cards can be purchased online. They're not just a great last-minute option, they're also flexible: schedule his gift to arrive in his inbox at the perfect moment, or print it out to slip inside a greetings card.
Any type of National Book Token can be added to a mobile wallet using our handy balance checker – so his book token will always be there when he's ready to spend it.
National Book Tokens can be spent in hundreds of bookshops across the UK and Ireland – from Waterstones, Blackwell's and Easons to local independents – making them a great way to support local bookshops and give your favourite book lover a day out at a bookshop.
If he can't make it to a bookshop, our gift cards can also be spent with bookshops online, and on audiobooks.
We're proud to support the National Year of Reading
If you're into it... read into it! In 2026, every adult, young person and child are invited to Go All In – to discover how reading can make the things you already love even richer.
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