Father’s Day is this coming Sunday, and I don’t know about you, but I love when my dad and I read the same book and can talk about it together. My dad doesn’t really read YA, but I’m trying to change that by selectively recommending certain YA books that I think are “dad-worthy.”
If you want to share your love of YA with your dad, here’s a list of several YA books that may be “dad-worthy.” Check out our recommendations below, and share your “dad-worthy” YA picks in the comments below!
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Everyone can relate to a classic coming of age story, and this one has plenty of experiences that dads will relate to from their own tumultuous teen years. The fact that it’s written extremely well and has an overarching hopeful message just makes this book even better. This is a great book you can read with your dad, and then discuss it with him over coffee or beers.
Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft
This is another coming of age story, but it really personifies the male experience and tells a story that dads will instantly relate to. The fact that Wesselhoeft himself is a father, and used his own children as inspiration shines through, and will make this an even more appealing read to dads.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
The dynamic duo of Green & Levithan is a literary force to be reckoned with, and any dad who appreciates good storytelling and good writing will instantly recognize the genius that is Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a pretty awesome father character in this book.
Does your dad like quirky, dark humor? Then get him Fat Vampire, a bizarre, twisted and hilarious romp through those awkward teen years — made even more awkward by the fact that your main character is a vampire. The book starts with a scene at Comic Con, and things just get wilder from there. A twisted, dark comedy much in the style of movies by the Coen Brothers.
It takes a talented woman to write a book from the first person perspective of a teenage boy and make it believable. Lisa Madigan proves she is a master at this in Flash Burnout, one of my all-time favorites. Like the other coming of age stories on this list, dads will relate to Blake’s experiences and find new appreciation for their own teenage hijinks.
White Cat and Red Glove by Holly Black
Dads like The Godfather movies, right? Well, Holly Black’s Curse Workers series has a lot of the same mobster elements making these books totally dad-worthy. They are also brilliantly written and have a fantastic story to tell.
This is a gritty, post-apocalyptic adventure written much in the style of Cormac McCarthy. Dads will enjoy the fast-pacing, unique writing style, and continuous action. The fact that it’s been optioned for a movie by Ridley Scott only ups this book’s dad-worthiness.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Don’t let this book series’ rising popularity keep your dad from checking out these books that are worthy of readers of any age and gender. Even dads. Guys will love the action and fast pacing of these books, plus this will give you a perfect excuse to drag your dad along to the midnight opening of the movie when it hits theaters next year.
Sure this book about two sisters who take after their dad may not seem as father-friendly as you might think — since dad’s in jail for being a serial killer, and the girls are following in his murderous footsteps. But this book is a seriously dark, yet highly engaging book that will appeal to dads who also enjoy curling up with a good Stephen King book. It’s a twisted book, but if your dad likes his stories a little twisted, then this is a great pick.
Neil Gaiman’s books run the gamut from MG to YA to adult and anything imaginable in between. We adore his books for teen and adult readers alike, and pretty much anything he’s written is also a perfect book for dads. My personal favorites include Neverwhere and Stardust, but any of his books are great picks: American Gods, The Graveyard Book, Anansi Boys, Good Omens, or any of his other titles.
For the comments: What other YA books do you think are “dad-worthy”? Share your picks below!
Novel Novice 
I appreciate that list – there’s a great value in fathers and children (of any age) reading together. As a matter of shameless self promotion, I wrote ShadowLight, an urban fantasy swashbuckling tale, with the hopes that it would be enjoyed by both. My first set of reviewers was actually a father-daughter team who read it together. http://www.amazon.com/ShadowLight-Matthew-Morgan/dp/0982320620