I always look forward to Father’s Day (though not as much as my birthday) as I usually get (slightly) spoiled rotten, plus the fact there’s something rather special about receiving a book instead of a pair of socks…like at Christmas!
Years ago, my dad always seemed to get a book as his Father’s Day gift (usually a thriller or a detective story) and although I never read all of them, those books encouraged a love for certain categories of literature. I can remember when I was a child lying ill on the settee and surviving my convalescence by reading Robin Hood, Children of the New Forest, Robinson Crusoe, and Treasure Island, to name but a few.
I’ve always liked historical fiction and non-fiction equally, and my wife and children know that my biggest pleasure is reading history books. So I wait in trepidation – and even hope – that Father’s Day 2024 will deliver a nice new book about days of old that I can spend the time escaping into.
I will always remember going to my local library with my sister and borrowing such riveting books as The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliffe and Montrose by John Buchan. Books on Greeks myths were also a favourite.
With the 80th anniversary of D-Day being marked and having recently finished Anthony Beevor’s Ardennes 1944: Hitler’s Last Gamble I’m hoping that maybe I’ll get a Father’s Day surprise commemorating the D-Day operation. My old dad was at the rearguard of Dunkirk in 1940 and was later captured by the Germans and held as a prisoner of war until 1945. He didn’t say much about what he and his comrades went through, but I’ve read quite a few books about the D-Day campaign and another one would be a great present to add to the collection.
For me, books will always be an endless source of enjoyment because they transport me into a daring adventure or another century. Regardless of what comes out of the wrapping paper on June 16th, I guarantee it will be thankfully received and faithfully read.
Happy Fathers Day everybody!
Why not check out the Read2Write website for other Fathers Day reads?
