It’s coming up on Christmas and lots of people will be buying iPods, Kindles and other gadgets for their loved ones. I thought I might suggest a few ideas for the Geek Dad, which is probably what I qualify for.
In this version, I thought I would focus on some books I really enjoyed this year. Links are affiliate links that will show you where to get audiobook downloads, CDs, ebooks or good old books made from dead trees.
Here’s my list from my favorites this year. I’m cheating a bit because some of these are series, not just individual books.
1.) 
My favorite of the year has to be Daemon by Daniel Suarez. This is actually a two part book with the second book called Freedom (TM). This two book series is all about a mad scientist who dies and leaves behind a computer Daemon to take over and reform the world. Lots of good geek stuff, action and an fun plot. The book goes fast and the narrator in the audiobook version do a great job.
2.)
Next in line is the Dark Tower series from Stephen King. The Dark Tower starts off with The Gunslinger and then continues with six more books. The first book introduces the gunslinger Roland Deschain of Gilead. Roland is kind of a knight of this other world. He pursues a man he sees as evil called the Man in Black and eventually learns that he must find his way to the Dark Tower to resolve his demons. This series is a masterpiece from Stephen King’s amazing mind. It will keep your Dad going for a long time.
3.)
Moneyball is a winner from Michael Lewis. You probably saw the movie version, but the book is much better. It reveals inside the world of baseball and the main guy of the book Billy Beane. I really liked this book and recommend the audiobook to all who like a good story. I also like The Big Short and Boomerang by Michael Lewis as well. These two focus on the big financial mess of the past few years and explain what really happened. Excellent stuff if you ask me.
4.) 
Next up on my list is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Wow! What a story this one is. The main character is Louis Zamperini who in times of peace was a great athlete. But war comes along as Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and Louis like many others is pulled into the war. This book is his story. Zamperini endures things you won’t believe. It is a tail of a desperate struggle for survival in an environment of perpetual torture. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, they do. And it happens more than once. Zamperini survives and becomes something of an inspiration. This is the story that many of our grandfathers really endured. It’s definitely worth the time to listen or read the book.
5.)
Last on my list, here’s something I enjoyed that will connect the fathers and daughters out there. The book is called The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is another sci-fi story of survival in the face of certain death. In this story, the hero is a teenage girl who must find a way to fight and survive. The book has two follow-on books in the saga. While it’s clearly targeted to teenage girls and can be a bit gushy at times, The Hunger Games is an action packed, well told story that I think just about everyone will like.
I hope you find your Dad some thing great for Christmas.
Five Books for the Geek Dad is a post from: Digital Podcast
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