Literature

Books for Dads: Bookstore Chains' Holiday Reads

By: Mia Herrera

Around New Years they’ll bring out the self-help books, approaching Valentine’s Day they’ll display the romance novels, near Christmas they’ll ship the Christmas carols, and creeping towards Halloween they’ll release a flood of horror stories. Bookstores, like all retail businesses, capitalize on holidays. Father’s Day is no different. If you approach a large bookstore chain around Father’s Day, you’ll be accosted by signs telling you the “Books He Will Love” and featuring attractive son and father pairs sharing novels with great delight.

One interesting aspect of this wide-demographic holiday is the books chosen for marketing around this time of year. How exactly do bookstores cater to the large and varied body of fathers? I recently visited a large Chapters bookstore in search of a novel to review for this week’s article and I was instantly accosted by posters telling me what my father will love. According to large book chains, my father is a meat-grilling, golf-loving man whose mouth will instantly water for reads like Beer-Can Chicken by Steven Raichlen – an attractive beer-can shaped, chicken-stuffed booklet.

All my thoughts were diverted by these odd finds upon entering the store. Two out of the three front-store display tables were dedicated to my father’s supposed outdoor tastes for golf and grill, while another displayed a miscellany of seemingly father-related books appealing to dads of varying interests. I scouted out the better finds for your father, whether or not he is a grill-loving, golf-carting daddy or not:

Qi: The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson – the best way to say “I love you, Dad” on his special day.

I’m Glad You’re my Dad by Marianne Richmond – a little book kept near the cash registers of the store. The book is very sentimental and filled with verses such as “Thank you for helping me with my homework.” There’s no greater way to say “I care” than to buy your father a predetermined set of Thank You notes that you most likely haven’t read.

I Love You, Dad Coupons – a pamphlet of coupons a father may redeem for things like “An Hour of Free Time” or “A Pass on Garbage Duty.” I’d personally be surprised if a father actually redeemed such coupons throughout the year. To be honest, the booklet strikes me as a simple bag stuffer – an absent-minded, last minute gift choice that the giver and receiver will quickly leaf through and forget.

My favourite Father’s Day read of all, however, situated at the very front of the store, is Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion originally priced at $35 and reduced to $6.99. Unfortunately, the book’s Michael Jackson isn’t the same famous superstar we all know and love, but another man unluckily christened with the same name. Apparently this Michael hasn’t garnered as much appreciation, considering the near $30 discount required to sell his book! Get them while you can!

As my quick research has shown, there’s always plenty of gift options for your dad, whether he is the typical golf and grill father or not. Bookstores will not hesitate at trying to target your father, who may be itching for some tips from the famous Michael Jackson or longing to alleviate his General Ignorance.

All kidding aside, however, if your dad is a booklover or not, one can easily pass an hour or two in a nearby bookstore by scouting out the typical and not-so-typical holiday reads. And sometimes, some fathers really would appreciate a nice little book as a token of remembrance on his special day – even a simple bag-stuffer is a great way to show someone you’ve thought of them!

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time before your dad’s big day ends and plenty of time before the next big day arrives! If you’re torn between a “Scorch the Porch” package of grill-books and steak bastes, miniature golf-club pens, or a malt whisky manual seemingly written by a legendary pop star, check out a nearby bookstore to find some great gift ideas.

By: Mia Herrera

Around New Years they’ll bring out the self-help books, approaching Valentine’s Day they’ll display the romance novels, near Christmas they’ll ship the Christmas carols, and creeping towards Halloween they’ll release a flood of horror stories. Bookstores, like all retail businesses, capitalize on holidays. Father’s Day is no different. If you approach a large bookstore chain around Father’s Day, you’ll be accosted by signs telling you the “Books He Will Love” and featuring attractive son and father pairs sharing novels with great delight.

One interesting aspect of this wide-demographic holiday is the books chosen for marketing around this time of year. How exactly do bookstores cater to the large and varied body of fathers? I recently visited a large Chapters bookstore in search of a novel to review for this week’s article and I was instantly accosted by posters telling me what my father will love. According to large book chains, my father is a meat-grilling, golf-loving man whose mouth will instantly water for reads like Beer-Can Chicken by Steven Raichlen – an attractive beer-can shaped, chicken-stuffed booklet.

All my thoughts were diverted by these odd finds upon entering the store. Two out of the three front-store display tables were dedicated to my father’s supposed outdoor tastes for golf and grill, while another displayed a miscellany of seemingly father-related books appealing to dads of varying interests. I scouted out the better finds for your father, whether or not he is a grill-loving, golf-carting daddy or not:

Qi: The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson – the best way to say “I love you, Dad” on his special day.

I’m Glad You’re my Dad by Marianne Richmond – a little book kept near the cash registers of the store. The book is very sentimental and filled with verses such as “Thank you for helping me with my homework.” There’s no greater way to say “I care” than to buy your father a predetermined set of Thank You notes that you most likely haven’t read.

I Love You, Dad Coupons – a pamphlet of coupons a father may redeem for things like “An Hour of Free Time” or “A Pass on Garbage Duty.” I’d personally be surprised if a father actually redeemed such coupons throughout the year. To be honest, the booklet strikes me as a simple bag stuffer – an absent-minded, last minute gift choice that the giver and receiver will quickly leaf through and forget.

My favourite Father’s Day read of all, however, situated at the very front of the store, is Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion originally priced at $35 and reduced to $6.99. Unfortunately, the book’s Michael Jackson isn’t the same famous superstar we all know and love, but another man unluckily christened with the same name. Apparently this Michael hasn’t garnered as much appreciation, considering the near $30 discount required to sell his book! Get them while you can!

As my quick research has shown, there’s always plenty of gift options for your dad, whether he is the typical golf and grill father or not. Bookstores will not hesitate at trying to target your father, who may be itching for some tips from the famous Michael Jackson or longing to alleviate his General Ignorance.

All kidding aside, however, if your dad is a booklover or not, one can easily pass an hour or two in a nearby bookstore by scouting out the typical and not-so-typical holiday reads. And sometimes, some fathers really would appreciate a nice little book as a token of remembrance on his special day – even a simple bag-stuffer is a great way to show someone you’ve thought of them!

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time before your dad’s big day ends and plenty of time before the next big day arrives! If you’re torn between a “Scorch the Porch” package of grill-books and steak bastes, miniature golf-club pens, or a malt whisky manual seemingly written by a legendary pop star, check out a nearby bookstore to find some great gift ideas.

By: Mia Herrera

Around New Years they’ll bring out the self-help books, approaching Valentine’s Day they’ll display the romance novels, near Christmas they’ll ship the Christmas carols, and creeping towards Halloween they’ll release a flood of horror stories. Bookstores, like all retail businesses, capitalize on holidays. Father’s Day is no different. If you approach a large bookstore chain around Father’s Day, you’ll be accosted by signs telling you the “Books He Will Love” and featuring attractive son and father pairs sharing novels with great delight.

One interesting aspect of this wide-demographic holiday is the books chosen for marketing around this time of year. How exactly do bookstores cater to the large and varied body of fathers? I recently visited a large Chapters bookstore in search of a novel to review for this week’s article and I was instantly accosted by posters telling me what my father will love. According to large book chains, my father is a meat-grilling, golf-loving man whose mouth will instantly water for reads like Beer-Can Chicken by Steven Raichlen – an attractive beer-can shaped, chicken-stuffed booklet.

All my thoughts were diverted by these odd finds upon entering the store. Two out of the three front-store display tables were dedicated to my father’s supposed outdoor tastes for golf and grill, while another displayed a miscellany of seemingly father-related books appealing to dads of varying interests. I scouted out the better finds for your father, whether or not he is a grill-loving, golf-carting daddy or not:

Qi: The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson – the best way to say “I love you, Dad” on his special day.

I’m Glad You’re my Dad by Marianne Richmond – a little book kept near the cash registers of the store. The book is very sentimental and filled with verses such as “Thank you for helping me with my homework.” There’s no greater way to say “I care” than to buy your father a predetermined set of Thank You notes that you most likely haven’t read.

I Love You, Dad Coupons – a pamphlet of coupons a father may redeem for things like “An Hour of Free Time” or “A Pass on Garbage Duty.” I’d personally be surprised if a father actually redeemed such coupons throughout the year. To be honest, the booklet strikes me as a simple bag stuffer – an absent-minded, last minute gift choice that the giver and receiver will quickly leaf through and forget.

My favourite Father’s Day read of all, however, situated at the very front of the store, is Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion originally priced at $35 and reduced to $6.99. Unfortunately, the book’s Michael Jackson isn’t the same famous superstar we all know and love, but another man unluckily christened with the same name. Apparently this Michael hasn’t garnered as much appreciation, considering the near $30 discount required to sell his book! Get them while you can!

As my quick research has shown, there’s always plenty of gift options for your dad, whether he is the typical golf and grill father or not. Bookstores will not hesitate at trying to target your father, who may be itching for some tips from the famous Michael Jackson or longing to alleviate his General Ignorance.

All kidding aside, however, if your dad is a booklover or not, one can easily pass an hour or two in a nearby bookstore by scouting out the typical and not-so-typical holiday reads. And sometimes, some fathers really would appreciate a nice little book as a token of remembrance on his special day – even a simple bag-stuffer is a great way to show someone you’ve thought of them!

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time before your dad’s big day ends and plenty of time before the next big day arrives! If you’re torn between a “Scorch the Porch” package of grill-books and steak bastes, miniature golf-club pens, or a malt whisky manual seemingly written by a legendary pop star, check out a nearby bookstore to find some great gift ideas.

By: Mia Herrera

Around New Years they’ll bring out the self-help books, approaching Valentine’s Day they’ll display the romance novels, near Christmas they’ll ship the Christmas carols, and creeping towards Halloween they’ll release a flood of horror stories. Bookstores, like all retail businesses, capitalize on holidays. Father’s Day is no different. If you approach a large bookstore chain around Father’s Day, you’ll be accosted by signs telling you the “Books He Will Love” and featuring attractive son and father pairs sharing novels with great delight.

One interesting aspect of this wide-demographic holiday is the books chosen for marketing around this time of year. How exactly do bookstores cater to the large and varied body of fathers? I recently visited a large Chapters bookstore in search of a novel to review for this week’s article and I was instantly accosted by posters telling me what my father will love. According to large book chains, my father is a meat-grilling, golf-loving man whose mouth will instantly water for reads like Beer-Can Chicken by Steven Raichlen – an attractive beer-can shaped, chicken-stuffed booklet.

All my thoughts were diverted by these odd finds upon entering the store. Two out of the three front-store display tables were dedicated to my father’s supposed outdoor tastes for golf and grill, while another displayed a miscellany of seemingly father-related books appealing to dads of varying interests. I scouted out the better finds for your father, whether or not he is a grill-loving, golf-carting daddy or not:

Qi: The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson – the best way to say “I love you, Dad” on his special day.

I’m Glad You’re my Dad by Marianne Richmond – a little book kept near the cash registers of the store. The book is very sentimental and filled with verses such as “Thank you for helping me with my homework.” There’s no greater way to say “I care” than to buy your father a predetermined set of Thank You notes that you most likely haven’t read.

I Love You, Dad Coupons – a pamphlet of coupons a father may redeem for things like “An Hour of Free Time” or “A Pass on Garbage Duty.” I’d personally be surprised if a father actually redeemed such coupons throughout the year. To be honest, the booklet strikes me as a simple bag stuffer – an absent-minded, last minute gift choice that the giver and receiver will quickly leaf through and forget.

My favourite Father’s Day read of all, however, situated at the very front of the store, is Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion originally priced at $35 and reduced to $6.99. Unfortunately, the book’s Michael Jackson isn’t the same famous superstar we all know and love, but another man unluckily christened with the same name. Apparently this Michael hasn’t garnered as much appreciation, considering the near $30 discount required to sell his book! Get them while you can!

As my quick research has shown, there’s always plenty of gift options for your dad, whether he is the typical golf and grill father or not. Bookstores will not hesitate at trying to target your father, who may be itching for some tips from the famous Michael Jackson or longing to alleviate his General Ignorance.

All kidding aside, however, if your dad is a booklover or not, one can easily pass an hour or two in a nearby bookstore by scouting out the typical and not-so-typical holiday reads. And sometimes, some fathers really would appreciate a nice little book as a token of remembrance on his special day – even a simple bag-stuffer is a great way to show someone you’ve thought of them!

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time before your dad’s big day ends and plenty of time before the next big day arrives! If you’re torn between a “Scorch the Porch” package of grill-books and steak bastes, miniature golf-club pens, or a malt whisky manual seemingly written by a legendary pop star, check out a nearby bookstore to find some great gift ideas.