Welcome to the world of funny books for dads, where Dad humor comes in many forms—whether you’re into squeaky clean, family-friendly jokes or you don’t mind a few expletives to keep things interesting.
If you enjoy Jim Gaffigan’s dry humor or Scott Johnson’s Midwestern snark, you’ll get a kick out of the clean laughs in Dad Is Fat and Essays Out of Left Field. If you’re in the mood for an insightful father-son travel memoir, Walking with Sam is your go-to. And if you think a perfectly timed cuss makes everything funnier, Sht My Dad Says is right up your alley. Whatever your vibe, this list has a funny book for every kind of dad.
| Title | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dad is Fat | Jim Gaffigan | Comedian Jim Gaffigan takes on the chaos of parenting 5 kids in a tiny New York City apartment. |
| Walking With Sam | Andrew McCarthy | Former 80s movie star turned travel writer (among other things) walks the 500-mile Camino de Santigo trail in Spain with his 19-year-old son. |
| Essays Out of Left Field: Life Lessons from a Midwestern Dad Who Talks About Sports Too Much | Scott Johnson (Me.) | Humorous, Midwestern-inspired reflections on life, sports, and fatherhood. |
| Sh*t My Dad Says | Justin Halpern | A hilarious collection of brutally honest, no-filter quotes from his father. Packed with profanity and unexpected wisdom. |
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1. Dad is Fat – Jim Gaffigan
- Author: Jim Gaffigan
- Release Date: May 2013
- Genre: Memoir, Humor, Parenting
- Learn More About the Author: Jim Gaffigan
Dad is Fat Overview:
Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan is a hilarious look at the chaos of parenting, told from the perspective of a dad who is completely outnumbered. Drawing from his experience raising five kids in a tiny New York City apartment, Gaffigan shares absurd yet relatable stories about sleep deprivation, mealtime battles, road trip nightmares, and the general exhaustion of fatherhood.
With his signature dry humor and self-deprecating wit, he pokes fun at modern parenting trends, his own childhood in a big Catholic family, and the reality that his wife, Jeannie, is clearly the one keeping everything together. It’s a perfect read for dads who appreciate a good laugh about the sheer insanity of raising kids.
- Themes:
- Sleep deprivation
- Mealtime battles
- Marriage dynamics
- Big family life
- Food. Because Jim Gaffigan
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Fathers:
- Dad relatability – Captures the universal struggle of fatherhood with hilarious honesty.
- Marriage humor – Acknowledges that dads are often just assistants to their far-more-competent wives.
- Chaos of big families – Five kids = constant disaster, and he describes it perfectly.
- Kid logic is absurd – Highlights the bizarre, illogical things kids do daily.
- Come, it’s Jim Gaffigan. Of course it’s a book that dads will find hilarious.
2. Walking With Sam – Andrew McCarthy
- Author: Andrew McCarthy
- Release Date: May 2023
- Genre: Travel Memoir, Humor, Nonfiction, Coming of Age
- Learn More About the Author: Andrew McCarthy
Walking With Sam Overview:
Andrew McCarthy (former 80s movie star from St Elmo’s Fire and Pretty in Pink) embarks on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago with his 19-year-old son, Sam. They turn this grueling hike into a journey of connection and self-discovery. As they navigate stunning landscapes, aching feet, and generational clashes, their conversations shift between hilarious and heartfelt, offering a raw look at fatherhood and independence.
Told with McCarthy’s wit and insight, Walking with Sam blends travel memoir and personal reflection, capturing both the beauty of the trail and the complexities of a father-son relationship. It’s a touching, entertaining read for anyone who loves adventure, family stories, or a good walk with great company.
- Themes
- Father-Son Bonding – Navigating their changing relationship while trekking 500 miles together
- Self-Discovery – Both McCarthy and his son learn about themselves along the journey
- Generational Differences – Dad in his fifties, son at 19
- Travel & Adventure – A vivid exploration of the Camino de Santiago
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Humorous Book for Dads:
- Relatable Father-Son Moments – Hilarious yet heartwarming exchanges that every dad can relate to. Teen son calls Dad “Bro”. Anyone else been there?
- Dad’s Wisdom, Teen’s Rebellion – The clash of a father offering advice and a son brushing it off. Equal parts funny and frustrating. But it’s mostly funny when it’s someone else’s rebellious teen.
3. Essays Out of Left Field – Scott Johnson (me)
- Author: Scott Johnson
- Release Date: December 2023
- Genre: Humor, Essays / Observational Comedy
- Learn More About the Author: Just click around this blog. I’m sure you’ll find something.
Essays Out of Left Field Overview:
Essays Out of Left Field is a collection of witty, thought-provoking, and self-deprecating essays. The author explores a variety of topics—from everyday observations to deeper reflections on life, culture, and personal experiences. And sports references. Lots of sports references. Essays from this Midwestern Dad are infused with a refreshing sense of authenticity and good clean fun, drawing readers in with a mix of humor, insight, and relatable musings.
- Themes
- Dad life
- Living in the Midwest
- Explaining life through sports references
- Good clean humor
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Dad Book:
- Wholesome, Midwest humor – Shoveling snow, farm-kid memories, lamenting the ineptitude of the Minnesota Vikings, etc., etc.
- Unexpected Situations – Like what to do when you “accidentally” collect 55 gallons of dog poop.
- Snarky Dad Wisdom – Do we really have to sit through our kids’ 5th grade band concert? Can I turn this terrible experience into a life lesson for others? (Buy my book to find out.)
4. Sht My Dad Says – Justin Hapern
- Author: Justin Halpern
- Release Date: May 2010
- Genre: Memoir, Humor, Parenting
- Learn More About the Author: Justin Halpern – IMDb
Sh*t My Dad Says Overview:
Sht My Dad Says* by Justin Halpern is a hilarious and often brutally honest collection of quotes from the author’s no-nonsense, often profane father. After Justin moved back in with his dad at age 29, he began recording his father’s outlandish commentary on life, relationships, and anything else that came to his mind.
The result is a book full of raw, uncensored wisdom—mostly consisting of short, hilarious one-liners that provide a glimpse into the author’s unique and often dysfunctional father-son dynamic. It’s a laugh-out-loud read that blends humor with touching moments, capturing the tough-love relationship between father and son in a way only Halpern’s dad could deliver.
- Themes
- Tough love (brutal honesty, unfiltered life advice)
- Father-son relationships
- Wisdom through profanity
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Dads:
- Brutally honest fatherly wisdom – His dad’s advice is no-nonsense, making it relatable to dads who appreciate directness.
- Father-son banter – The hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable exchanges between Justin and his father will resonate with any dad who’s had a rough-and-tumble relationship with their kids.
- Generational humor – Highlights the funny clash between old-school fatherhood and modern-day sensibilities.
- Perfect balance of funny and heartwarming – Even though it’s full of snark, the book shows the love and bond between father and son.
Conclusion: Funny Books For Dads
Whether you’re into clean humor or prefer a few well-placed expletives, there’s something for every dad in this list. From the multi-child parenting chaos of Dad Is Fat to the sharp (and hilariously vulgar) wit of Sht My Dad Says, each book brings its own brand of dad humor.
If you want to throw in a little introspection, Walking With Sam offers a heartwarming (and occasionally hilarious) father-son journey.
And of course, Essays Out of Left Field is perfect for those dads who appreciate dry, Midwestern sarcasm. Actually, it’s perfect for any smart, awesome people who like to read. It would make a great coffee table book. Probably should get extra copies to give as Father’s Day gifts. Or bar mitzvas.
Did I miss any funny books for Dads? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to read and to add to this list!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
