Fact: Dads love to read.
Fact: You love your Dad.
Idea: Get him a book (or several) for Father’s Day.
Here: are a few suggestions.
Please: have a lovely weekend with your pops!
Touching book trailer for FATHER’S DAY by Buzz Bissinger.
Buzz: “You’re a miracle, do you know what that means?”
Zach: “Yeah. It means I’m good.”
Buzz Bissinger and his son Zach profiled on The Today Show. Learn more about FATHER’S DAY.
You may know him from Friday Night Lights, a classic in American sports writing. You may know him from his Twitter rants, his opinionated and profanity-laden tirades from sports to politics and everything in between.
But you don’t know him like this.
Buzz Bissinger’s twin sons were born three minutes—and a world—apart. Gerry, the older one, is a graduate student at Penn, preparing to become a teacher. His brother Zach has spent his life attending special schools. He’ll never drive a car, or kiss a girl, or live by himself. He is a savant, challenged by serious intellectual deficits but also blessed with rare talents: an astonishing memory, a dazzling knack for navigation, and a reflexive honesty which can make him both socially awkward and surprisingly wise. One summer night, Buzz and Zach hit the road to revisit all the places they have lived together during Zach’s 24 years. Zach revels in his memories, and Buzz hopes this journey into their shared past will bring them closer and reveal to him the mysterious workings of his son’s mind and heart.
As father and son follow a pinball’s path from Philadelphia to LA, they see the best and worst of America and each other. Ultimately, their trip bestows a new and uplifting wisdom on Buzz, as he comes to realize that Zach’s worldview, as exotic as it is, has a sturdy logic of its own, a logic that deserves the greatest respect. And with the help of Zach’s twin, Gerry, Buzz learns an even more vital lesson about Zach: character transcends intellect. And we come to see Zach as he truly is—patient, fearless, perceptive, kind. He is not a man-child, but a man of excellent character.
Read an excerpt.
FATHER’S DAY by Buzz Bissinger: TOUR
FATHER’S DAY comes out tomorrow, and author Buzz Bissinger (of Friday Night Lights fame) will hit the road on Wednesday. Is he visiting you?
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Free Library, May 16, 7:30 pm
BOSTON
Brookline Booksmith, May 17, 7:00 pm
WASHINGTON DC
Politics & Prose, May 18, 7:00 pm
Gaithersburg Book Festival, featured author, May 19
HOUSTON
AUSTIN
DALLAS
LOS ANGELES
SAN FRANCISCO
Book Passage, Corte Madera, May 30, 7:00 pm
Books Inc, Opera Plaza, May 31, 7:00 pm
SEATTLE
Olympia Timberland Library, June 2, 7:30 pm
PORTLAND
Powell’s, Cedar Hills, June 3, 2:00 pm
CHICAGO
Printers Row Book Festival, June 9
Anderson’s, Naperville, June 10, 2:00 pm
ST. LOUIS
Maryville Talks Books series, Maryville Univ, June 11
NEW JERSEY
B&N Cherry Hill, June 16, 12:00 noon
NASHVILLE
Southern Festival of Books, October 12-14
Father’s Day is just up ahead! Why not treat Dad to a good book? Try these on for size:
For Fathers into Parenting
Hungry Monkey by Matthew Amster-Burton
This new father sets out to raise a foodie as adventurous as he is.
Two of Us by Peter Smith
Through a mutual love of music, a father and son grew into a powerful friendship.
A Perfect Father’s Day by Eve Bunting
This sweet picture book about one kid’s quest to arrange the best Father’s Day ever will be the perfect bedtime read.
For Fathers into History
To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild
One of the world’s most respected historians takes on World War I as you’ve never seen before, chronicling the fighters as well as the almost forgotten war protesters.
Revolutionaries by Jack Rakove
This account of the American Revolution zooms in on the personal turning points of ten founding fathers - a refreshing perspective on this beloved historical topic.
Tiger Trap by David Wise
Packed with eye-popping, “did you know about this?” revelations, David Wise uncovers the decades-long spy war between the United States and China through 2010.
For Fathers into Sports
The Happiness of Pursuit by Davis Phinney and Austin Murphy
Cycling legend Davis Phinney recounts his stellar athletic career and heart-wrenching battle with Parkinson’s disease - as well as his greatest pride, watching son Taylor achieve his own glory on the bike.
The Captain by Ian O’Connor
Best-selling sports writer Ian O’Connor provides the most insightful Derek Jeter bio ever seen, following this steroid-free superstar from minor leagues to majors champ.
Golf Dads by Curt Sampson
The bond between golfers is uniquely strong - especially when golfing is a father-child pastime. Golf legends share their memories here.
