10 of the best book gifts for men in 2023 (fiction & non-fiction)

The Kaufmann Mercantile Guide by Sebastian Kaufmann and Alexandra Redgrave

The Kaufmann Mercantile Guide is one of the best book gifts for men who want to learn how to chop wood and care for cast iron.

This wonderful coffee table book is a visual guide to mastering the delights so many of us wish we knew, from shucking oysters to starting a fire. With a few evenings of restful browsing through its pages, the book’s reader will be that bit more accomplished.

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

The Portrait of an Unknown Woman is a perfect book gift for men who love escaping into a book, especially suspense thrillers.

In this gripping page-turner that’s Book 22 in the Gabriel Allon series (but perfect as a standalone), renowned spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has settled into his quiet retirement in Venice.

However, when London art dealer Julian Isherwood requests his help in investigating the origins of a lucrative sale of a supposedly centuries-old painting, Gabriel is pulled into a risky and elaborate search for the greatest art forger who ever lived.

Wanderlust USA: The Great American Hike by gestalten and Alex Roddie

Wanderlust USA is the perfect book gift for men who love hiking and the outdoors.

This rare delight of a travel book is one of the most beautiful hardcover guide to U.S. long-distance treks, short day trips, and extended weekend adventures you can find.

The Wanderlust series from gestalten offers some of the best travel books to show off on a coffee table and keep turning to for inspiration, complete with wanderlust-inspiring photos and maps.

For more like this, you can also check out Wanderlust Europe and Wanderlust Alps. Whichever book you choose will be a perfect gift – and once you see it for yourself, you’ll probably want your own copy too.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary is a great book gift for men who love gripping books and nerdy movies like The Martian (which is based on Andy Weir’s previous bestseller).

This fantastically well-researched, nerdy, and lighthearted show of world-building is one of the best books for men to read. It’s easy to read, difficult to put down.

Bill Gates shared: “[It’s] a wild tale about a high school science teacher who wakes up in a different star system with no memory of how he got there. The rest of the story is all about how he uses science and engineering to save the day. It’s a fun read, and I finished the whole thing in one weekend.”

The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids by Ryan Holiday

The Daily Dad is the perfect book gift for fathers who love philosophy, especially that of Stoic wisdom such as Marcus Aurelius.

You might recognise Ryan Holiday as the author of popular modern guides to Stoic philosophy such as as Ego is the Enemy and The Obstacle is the Way.

Ryan’s latest release for 2023, The Daily Dad, is packed with daily reminders of Stoic wisdom and daily meditations on parenting, love, and raising great kids.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is an excellent book to give to men who love reading books about friendship and creativity – and maybe love comics, too.

This nerdy book (which is perfect for fans of the video game fiction sensation Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow) is the story of Joe Kavalier, a young Jewish artist who’s smuggled himself out of invaded Prague and landed in New York City.

His Brooklyn cousin Sammy Clay is looking for a partner to create heroes, stories, and art for the latest novelty to hit America: the comic book.

Drawing on the characters’ own fears and dreams, and with exhilarating style and grace, Michael Chabon tells an unforgettable story of American romance and possibility.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken is a fantastic book gift for men who love reading non-fiction page-turners.

In this non-fiction book that’s just as gripping as the blockbuster movie, Laura Hillenbrand shares the story of Louis Zamperini, a delinquent who channeled his defiance into running and discovered a talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics.

But when World War II began, the athlete became an airman, leading him to a doomed flight in 1943.

It’s an unimaginable story of one man driven to the limits of human endurance and forced to answer desperation with ingenuity and suffering with hope.

Two Years On A Bike: From Vancouver to Patagonia by Martijn Doolaard

Two Years on a Bike is the perfect book gift for men who love the outdoors, adventure, and well-made hardcover travel books.

In this stunning hardcover that’s full of hundreds of awe-inspiring photos, Martijn Doolaard shares his once-in-a-lifetime story of cycling from Vancouver to Patagonia.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD with Bill Gifford

Outlive if a perfect book gift for men who are health-conscious, science-minded, and want to get their body and mind in the best shape for longevity.

As one of the most popular non-fiction books for 2023, Outlive is leading longevity expert Peter Attia’s groundbreaking manifesto on living better – and longer.

Like Peter’s popular podcast, this book will challenge conventional medical thinking and reveal a new approach for health. Learn how to prevent chronic disease and extend healthspan, not just lifespan.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

War and Peace is an excellent gift for men who love reading classic books (and/or have always intended to read Tolstoy’s classic).

This hardcover edition of War and Peace by Penguin Clothbound Classics is not only beautiful, but it also contains my favourite translation of Tolstoy’s classic by Anthony Briggs.

In my eyes, it’s a perfect gift and a book to treasure for years to come. What’s more, although I won’t promise anything, you might even find that reading War and Peace is more enjoyable than you think.