Tag Archives: #Fathersday

Best Buys for the Hipster Dad this Father’s Day

August 2, 2018Father's Day, Gifts#dad#bestdadever, #family#gifts, #father, #Fathersday, #festivalofdad, #funny, #hipsterdad, #humour, #ideasTeam Booko

All Dads are pretty cool. But there are some that have their finger on the pulse when it comes to music, television and movies. Some are super snappy dressers or total foodies. Some are artists at heart who would rather sit down with a good book than watch a footy game, and some might even have a few tattoos! Sound familiar? Maybe your dad is a hipster!

Because of their modern, ironic taste and awareness of street cred, they can be super hard to buy for. But fear not, we’re here to help you figure out what to buy the Hipster Dad this Father’s Day.

…and if it’s you who’s the Hipster Dad then feel free to forward this list on to your family…we’ve got your back!

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz

Every hipster dad needs this book in his collection. It showcases behind-the-scenes images of all of Wes Andersons’ films along with plenty of artwork. Trust us, he won’t be able to put this one down. Wes Anderson is the most influential comedic voice from the past two decades of American cinema. A true auteur, his intimate involvement in each of his films – Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom – includes scriptwriting, set design, soundtrack selections and unit photography. Anderson’s visual artistry, inimitable tone and idiosyncratic characterisations make each of his films instantly recognisable as “Andersonian.”The Wes Anderson Collection is the first in-depth overview of Anderson’s work, guiding readers through the life and career of one of the most talked-about contemporary filmmakers.

Dads Are the Original Hipsters by Brad Getty

They drank whiskey before you did. They wore skinny jeans before you did. They had mustaches before you did. Admit it, they were hip before you were! Based on the blog of the same name, this book celebrates dads as the original hipsters. With vintage photos of real dads back in the day paired with captions that at once tip a cap to dad and make fun of modern hipsters, this is the perfect gift for dads, and those who love to tease them.

I was an Awesomer Kid by Brad Getty

Face it: You were awesome when you were a kid. You feared nothing. You spoke your mind. You tried new things. You had imagination. Now you play by the rules, dress appropriately and choose politeness over self-expression. Well, life’s too short for that and this book proves it. Vintage photographs of real kids doing awesome stuff -wearing footie pj’s, eating sugar cereal, napping and showing off – accompany witty captions that poke fun at the doldrums of adult life and remind us to unleash our inner kid. With a hilarious dose of 80s and 90s nostalgia, just enough snark and an ultimately uplifting message, I Was an Awesomer Kid is a great gift for all who are young at heart …or wish they still were!

The PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan

When the coolest bar in NYC creates a book about how to make the best cocktails, you *have* to buy it for the best man in your life. Beautifully illustrated, beautifully designed, and beautifully crafted, this is the ultimate bar book by NYC’s most meticulous bartender. Now, Jim Meehan, PDT’s innovative operator and mixmaster, is offering all 304 cocktail recipes available at PDT plus behind-the-scenes secrets. From his bar design, tools, and equipment to his techniques, food, and spirits, it’s all here.

Stuff Hipsters Hate : A Field Guide to the Passionate Opinions of the Indifferent by Brenna Ehrlich

From the dive bars of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg to the dirty alleys of San Francisco’s Mission, the urban hipster has redefined American cool with a sighing disdain for everything mainstream. Hipsters are easily identified by their worn-out shoes, fixies and PBR tallboys, but until now no one had investigated beyond the hipster look to the even more hilarious hipster psyche. With personally researched articles, revealing illustrations and helpful charts and graphs, Stuff Hipsters Hate exposes the bottomless well of impassioned scorn that motivates the ever-apathetic hipster, including: buying you a drink, texting back in a timely fashion, high heels, muscles, being asked about their tattoos, full-time jobs, knowing their bank balance and enthusiasm.

Bullet Journal by Shelby Mustang

If your Dad is a Hipster Dad then he’ll be all over Bullet journalling. It’s the analog system for the digital age and boy oh boy is it life changing. Bullet Journal (or BuJo for short) was created by Ryder Carroll, a digital product designer living in Brooklyn, NY. In a nutshell, it’s a to do list planner and it is perfect for the dad that loves to jot down his ideas and plan his work schedule. A good way to look at the Bullet Journal is as a framework (told you it was perfect for the Hipster Dad). There’s a whole world of bullet journaling over on Instagram but be sure to check out the blog here.

Happy Father’s Day Hipster Dad!

What I’ve learned about parenting as a stay-at-home Dad

August 1, 2018Comedy, Father's Day, Learning, TedTalks#bestdadever, #dad, #family, #father, #Fathersday, #festivalofdad, #funny, #humour, #ideas, #ted, #tedtalkTeam Booko

After leaving a job he hated and a manager he didn’t get along with, Glen Henry went to work for an equally demanding boss: his kids. Now he’s documenting what he’s learned.

Not your Average Father’s Day Book Suggestions

August 17, 2016Fiction, Uncategorized#bookbuying, #BookReview, #Fathersday, #FictionKaren Seligman

August usually brings new releases in thrillers, sports biographies and political/military history – typical “Father’s Day Gift” books. But what if your dad is not a typical Dad? This year, Team Booko has looked further, to see what other interesting titles we can find. So here’s our pick of quirky, challenging and absorbing reads for the thoughtful, intellectual and playful Not-Average-Dads out there.

Dads are the Original Hipsters by Brad Getty

Help your dad relive his youth with this collection of photos from the 60s, 70s and 80s, which comprehensively show that dads are the original hipsters. See these vintage dads grow big beards, ride fixies, listen to vinyl, wear tight jeans, thick-rimmed glasses, and drink home brew (craft beer!). The snarky captions lovingly make fun of modern hipsters (and dads). Dads are the Original Hipsters started life as a blog (a modern badge of quality – only the most successful blogs get book deals) and it screams “Father’s Day novelty gift” – in an ironic way, of course. Lots of fun for dads and kids of a certain age, and for new hipster dads too!

Reservoir Dad by Clint Greagan

Reservoir Dad is another successful blog-turned-book. Clint Greagan is a stay-at-home dad who has spent the last ten years tending to four young sons and a prize-winning blog. Reservoir Dad is a record of those ten years – the funny bits, the sentimental bits, the gross bits and the frustrating bits. Clint Greagan is funny, bawdy and candid as he writes about juggling parenting and relationship maintenance (with the lovely Reservoir Mum). He is insightful about his non-traditional role, and his masculine perspective on parenting is refreshing. Reservoir Dad won’t just resonate with stay-at-home-dads, but with anyone who has ever wrangled young kids; it offers comfort and solidarity to shell-shocked young parents too.

Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear 1715 – 2015 by Sharon Sadako Takeda, Kaye Durland Spilker and M. Esguerra Clarissa

Blame Queen Victoria for making men’s fashion so bleak and boring – prior to her era, elegance in menswear often meant vibrant colours and intricate decorations. Luckily for men who love to express themselves through clothes, history is coming full circle, with colour and flair returning to men’s fashion. Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear is the stunning coffee-table book accompanying its namesake exhibition at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Tracing 300 years of history, it celebrates works by iconic designers including Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Vivienne Westwood and Saville Row tailors. Designs are analysed to show how historic dress continues to influence current fashions, and how menswear, like womenswear also use padding and shaping to express body ideals. Reigning Men offers fascinating history, splendid imagery as well as design inspiration.

Who Stole My Spear by Tim Samuels

What does being a man mean, in the age of man-buns and paleo diets? Societal expectations about “good masculinity” is changing rapidly, with efforts to destroy long-standing blokey attitudes that favour sexism and violence. Men as a gender is still advantaged, but on an individual level, many are struggling against expectations to be everything to everyone: career high-achiever, committed spouse, hands-on parent. Who Stole My Spear is Tim Samuels’ survey of what men and masculinity is all about in modern society, with discussions on corporate culture, monogamy, relationships and parenthood, religion, pornography and mental health. Its lightheartedness makes for easy reading yet does not detract from the confronting questions it poses.

Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Cooks, and Good Food by Jeff Potter

Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Cooks, and Good Food is not the usual grilling/barbecuing-themed cookbooks normally pitched at men; instead it aims to explain the science behind cooking and tasting. Understanding why particular techniques are used will turn cooking from black art to logical process – which helps beginner cooks achieve better and more consistent results. It also helps more experienced cooks learn how to cook beyond following recipes. And not only the explanations are good, the recipes sound delicious too – from simple dishes like pancakes to fancy ones such as duck confit. Written by a software engineer and published by O’Reilly Media (better known for computer-related texts), its geek pedigree is never in doubt, but Cooking for Geeks will also appeal to anyone who loves to understand the “why” of everything.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Recently I saw Outlander referred to as “a good starting point for men to get into romance novels” and can’t resist sharing this suggestion.
It works because Outlander is not just a love story; as we follow the adventures of Claire Randall, a 20th-century nurse who unintentionally time-travels to 18th-century Scotland, her story encompasses fantasy, history, action (and war), political intrigue, and sex as well as burgeoning romance. Fans love it for its clever mix of genres, historical detail, excellent character development as well as Diana Gabaldon’s emotionally-affective writing. An acclaimed TV adaptation offers another way to engage with this beloved book series.

For more Father’s Day ideas (even the more traditional kind), check out our Pinterest board.

Great books for Father’s Day

June 2, 2016Fiction, Uncategorized#Fathersday, #Fiction, #NonfictionTeam Booko

Father’s Day is fast approaching on the 19th June for our dads in the US and UK. It’s pretty much universally accepted that dads can be especially tricky to buy for. If you haven’t bought a gift for dad yet, there is enough time to order online and have it shipped in time for Father’s Day (just check the shipping times when you click through to purchase). Here are some gift ideas for all different sorts of dads:

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

In this candid memoir, Nike founder Phil Knight shares the story behind the evolution of one of the world’s most popular brands. Graduating Business school, Knight had a vision of importing high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan. Borrowing $50 from his father, he sold running shoes from his car boot in his first year of operation, way back in 1963. With annual sales of $30 billion, Nike is now one of the most iconic brands developed. A great read from an aspiring business leader.

One Man’s Everest: The Autobiography of Kenton Cool by Kenton Cool

Kenton Cool is the finest alpine climber of this generation. His accomplishments are staggering. He has summited Everest eleven times. He is the first person in history to climb the three Everest peaks, the so-called Triple Crown in one climb: a feat previously thought impossible. He was nominated for the prestigious piolet d’Or in 2004 for climbing a previously unclimbed route on Annapurna III. In 2012 he fulfilled the Olympic Games pledge of placing a 1924 gold medal on the Everest summit. After an accident in 1996, he is still in pain yet he still climbs. An unquestionably inspiring read.

Golden Lion by Wilbur Smith and Giles Kristian

Set off the East African Coast in 1670, this is a sweeping adventure full of action and mystery. It takes Smith fans back to the start of the Courteney family saga. When the Bough of the boat is boarded, the crew of The Golden Bough must go hand to hand to defend their ship and their lives.

Made by Dad: 67 Blueprints for Making Cool Stuff by Scott Bedford

This is a really cute idea: blueprint instructions for inventions and gadgets that will make even the least DIY-prone dad a hero in the eyes of his children. Provides instructions for projects, including an earthquake coat hook, blazing volcano, and a bunk bed communicator.

Fall of Man in Wilmslow by David Lagercrantz

June 8, 1954. Alan Turing, the visionary mathematician, is found dead at his home in sleepy Wilmslow, dispatched by a poisoned apple. Taking the case, Detective Constable Leonard Corell quickly learns Turing is a convicted homosexual. Confident it’s a suicide, he is nonetheless confounded by official secrecy over Turing’s war record. What is more, Turing’s sexuality appears to be causing alarm among the intelligence services – could he have been blackmailed by Soviet spies? Stumbling across evidence of Turing’s genius, and sensing an escape from a narrow life, Corell soon becomes captivated by Turing’s brilliant and revolutionary work, and begins to dig deeper. But in the paranoid, febrile atmosphere of the Cold War, loose cannons cannot be tolerated. As his innocent curiosity fast takes him far out of his depth, Corell realises he has much to learn about the dangers of forbidden knowledge.

Something to Food About: Inside the Minds of America’s Best Chefs by Questlove

Quest love is an American musician, DJ, music journalist, record producer, and actor. If this wasn’t enough, he has written ‘Something to Food About’ – a book that explores the work of notable chefs such as Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec/The Taste), Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn), and Nathan Myhrvold (Modernist Cuisine). The chefs share their different creative processes, how their philosophies have evolved, and how they work within the space of their restaurant–both physically and conceptually – to create experiences.

Father’s Day picks

August 12, 2015Uncategorized#Australian, #Autobiography, #Cookbooks, #Crime, #Fantasy, #FathersdayTeam Booko

Hunting for that perfect gift for dad? Whether he’s a music buff or a sporting fan,we’ve got all the books to cover every dad’s taste this Father’s Day. Here are 5 different options from a wide variety of genres:

Gudinski: The Godfather of Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll by Stuart Coupe

Known to many as GODinski, Michael Gudinski is unquestionably the most powerful and influential figure in the Australian rock’n’roll music business – and has been for the last four decades. Often referred to as ‘the father of the Australian music industry’, he has nurtured the careers of many artists – Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Skyhooks, Split Enz, Yothu Yindi, to name just a few.

Life and Football by Jonathon Brown

AFL legend Jonathan Brown on footy, living life to the full and having what it takes to win three premierships.

Dexter is Dead by James Lindsay

Dexter returns in an all-new, all-Australian, blood-soaked adventure written by his creator, Jeff Lindsay. Dexter Morgan isn’t just Miami’s #1 forensic blood splatter expert…he’s also a serial killer who targets other serial killers. But when Dexter travels down under, he quickly discovers that sharks aren’t Australia’s only deadly predator. Who is setting up illegal hunting safaris in the Outback – and are humans in the crosshairs? Dexter investigates as only he can, and that means only one thing…

Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

A boxed set of the landmark fantasy from Brandon Sanderson, the man credited with breathing fresh life into Robert Jordan’s WHEEL OF TIME. An epic fantasy set in a world where the Dark Lord has gained dominion over the world. A world of ash and pain. A world subjugated. But a world where magic can be drawn from metals. A world waiting for a new heroine, a new hope. A word of mouth bestseller in the USA Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy have become a massive hit in the UK, and now in Australia.

Meatballs: The Ultimate Guide by Matteo Bruno

Meatballs make the perfect dish for a Monday night supper, a Saturday night dinner party or a Sunday feast. And here are 60 recipes for meatballs like you’ve never seen them before – Meatballs rustico, devoured with crusty bread to sop up the delectable sauce; Seared beef carpaccio meatballs, best eaten glass of Prosecco in hand; Pork, ginger and lemongrass meatballs; Lobster meatballs. Tuck in!

Top 5 gifts for Dad

August 6, 2015Fiction, Gifts, Non-fiction, Sport#Cookbooks, #Fathersday, #Fiction, #Nonfiction, #SportsTeam Booko

There are lots of different types of dads: the sporty, the thrill seeker, and the foodie (amongst others). Whatever type of dad your dad is, we have the book for him. Here are our top 5 picks for Father’s Day:

The New Dad

Your baby’s first word will be Dada by Jimmy Fallon

Your baby’s first word will be . . . “Dada!” Right? Everyone knows that fathers wage a secret campaign to ensure that their babies’ first word is “Dada!” But how does it work? One of the most popular entertainers in the world and NBC’s The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, shows you how.

The Foodie:

From Venice to Istanbul by Rick Stein

From the mythical heart of Greece to the fruits of the Black Sea coast; from Croatian and Albanian flavours to the spices and aromas of Turkey and beyond – the cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean is a vibrant melting pot brimming with character. Accompanying the major BBC Two series, Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul includes over 100 spectacular recipes discovered by Rick during his travels in the region.

The Thrill Seeker:

Private Sydney by James Patterson and Kathryn Fox

The world’s bestselling thriller writer teams up with Australia’s bestselling crime writer for the latest action-packed instalment of the PRIVATE series.

Even for Private Investigations, the world’s top detective agency, it’s tough to find a man who doesn’t exist . . .Craig Gisto has promised Eliza Moss that his elite team at Private Sydney will investigate the disappearance of her father. After all, as the CEO of a high-profile research company, Eric Moss shouldn’t be difficult to find. Except it’s not just the man who’s gone missing, all evidence he ever existed has vanished too. And there are powerful figures pulling the strings who want Moss to stay ‘lost’. But when a woman is found brutally murdered and a baby is missing, Private is suddenly drawn into another frantic search. And this is a case Craig has to throw everything into, because he may well be responsible for sending the killer straight to the victim’s door . . .

The Sporting Fan:

The Short Long Book: A Portrait of Michael Long, the man who changed the Australian game by Martin Flanagan

A portrait of Michael Long, the man who changed the AFL. In 1995, Aboriginal footballer Michael Long gave the AFL its ‘Mandela moment’. He quietly revolutionised Australian sport by refusing to let a racial insult pass during the Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood. When the majority white football public backed a black man against a white institution (the AFL), the culture of the game flipped and the AFL became a leader in Australian race relations.

The Quirky Dad:

Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow

The director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin presents a collection of uproarious and intimate conversations with some of today’s most popular comedians, drawing on his teenage radio hosting days to include pieces from the early years, in a book that includes interviews with such names as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Sandra Bernhard.

Favourites for Father’s Day

June 18, 2015Blog#Fathersday, #Fiction, #Nonfiction, #PoetryTeam Booko

With Father’s Day just around the corner for customers in the US and UK, here are some gift ideas that are a lot more exciting than slippers and socks (we think so, anyway).

Here are Team Booko’s top 5 Father’s day reads:

No Limits: My Autobiography by Ian Poulter

As one of golf’s charismatic figures, Ian Poulter reflects on his drive and determination in this honest and reflective book on his life and passion.

365 Reasons to be Proud to be a Dad: The Greatest Dad Moments in History

Ian Allen

Being a dad is a full time job. This quirky little book offers an interesting ‘dad fact’ for every day of the year! Full to the brim with interesting stories, this book is a great book for the dad that has everything.

The New Dad’s Survival Guide

Scott Mactavish

Fatherhood demystified! Finally – a manual for new dads that deciphers the immensely confusing world of fatherhood and gives crucial tips and advice from a man’s point of view.

Strong Fathers: Strong Daughters

Dr Meg Meeker

Drawing on her thirty years’ experience practicing paediatric and adolescent medicine, teen health expert Dr Meg Meeker explains why an active father figure is maybe the single most important factor in a young woman’s development.

Poems that Make Grown Men Cry: 100 Men on the Words that Move Them

Anthony Holden, Ben Holden

This is an anthology of over 100 men from vastly different but equally impressive backgrounds on the poems that have made an impact on their lives.

Books for Dad

June 15, 2015Blog#Fathersday, #Fiction, #NonfictionTeam Booko

With Father’s day approaching for our customers in the US and UK, now is the time to find the perfect gift for for the dad in your life. He might be your dad, he might be your children’s father, or maybe he’s your partner’s dad. Last year you opted for a new wallet but this year you’re thinking a book, because he’s a reader. Finding the right book can be tricky, so we’ve looked into it for you.

Here are 8 different books for 8 different types of dads:

The Biography Lover:

Reagan – A Life by H. W. Brands