We'd like to thank our own dads, who continue to be a source of inspiration and support to all of us here at Good Books Lately -- that's Matt Melko, Doc Walton, Danny Holmes and Ken Hastings.

In this issue:

1.  Books of Late: Our favorite books for fathers
2.  Tips: Something for dear old dad and book group swaps
3.  Food for Thought: Some of our favorite recipes for dad to whip up
4.  Etc.: The story of Father's Day

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1.  Books of Late

Brand new in paperback -- the ultimate manly-man story for the manly-man in your life! William Gay probably wouldn't thank us for that description. After all, his newest novel is yet another sensitive and sensual literary masterpiece, as craftily and delicately constructed as his national award-winning novel of a couple years back, The Long Home.

In this new novel, he returns to a time and a place that he conquered for his own in that earlier work, the American South of the mid-twentieth century. Gay has been compared many times to Faulkner -- just as murky, spooky, gothic, and elemental, just as proficient in presenting both the cultural and regional climates of the South on one big elegant platter. We don't want to pick a bone with one of America's acknowledged Greats, but William Gay has William Faulkner beat in terms of both readability and humor-not only will you understand what's happening on every page, you'll find yourself snickering quietly as much as not.

Gay's novel is extra-manly only in the sense that it is overrun by frankly real, brutally realized male characters, namely, E.F. Bloodworth and clan. The aging patriarch himself, an inveterate banjo picker and con-man, is finally coming home, after thirty years, to his three lost sons, his troubled grandson Fleming, Fleming's delusional best friend Junior Albright, and oh yes, his once and hopefully future wife.

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This morbidly humorous collection represents a decided departure for Good Books Lately. Not only is it not much of a book group book, but it's not exactly what you'd call a tasteful or subtle read, either. Still, it's a book that seems to really appeal to men, to avid readers and non-readers alike. In fact, we've yet to meet the man who didn't enjoy this irreverent tribute to "those individuals who ensure the long-term survival of our species by removing themselves from the gene pool in a sublimely idiotic fashion." So whether your dad is more likely to settle down with Chekov or in front of ESPN when he sits in his armchair, he's most likely to enjoy this little gem of guilty pleasure to its fullest.

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2.  Tips

One for your Old Pa -- your dad may not be in a book group, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he isn't interested in talking about the things that he reads. Whether you live near or far from your father, pick something that the two of you will both read this month-could be a book, or a story, or a magazine article. This time around, it's most important that it's something that he enjoys. Make a date or a plan to discuss what you've read the next time you're together or on the phone.

* If your father does participate in a book or a discussion group of any kind, ask him if you can prepare to join him, just for the next meeting. He might not say much beyond, "sure, ok," but he'll be thrilled that you're taking an interest in his interests.

Is your group dynamic getting too predictable? Switch things around with a book group swap. Find another group in your neighborhood who is willing to trade half its members for one meeting.

* Choose one person from each group to lead the exchange, and to act as a liaison. Then pick a month in advance when half the members of each group will attend a meeting hosted by the other.

* The following month, when you get back together with your home group, compare notes to see how another group operates. To make things even more interesting, the two groups may want to read the same book for that month-this can be up to the liaison leaders to decide.

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3.  Food for Thought

Here are a few recipes that your dad will enjoy preparing himself -- they're perfect for the grill, a cooking appliance most men just can't resist. And even if the dad in your life doesn't want to cook on his special day, he'll enjoy eating the food from these "manly" recipes, and you'll appreciate how quick and easy they are to prepare.

Sizzling Tex-Mex Steak
Makes 6 servings.

For more great recipes, visit www.recipe.com

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
1 large clove garlic, pressed
1 serrano chile**, seeded and minced
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh lime peel
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4 inch thick

Directions:
1. Combine teriyaki marinade & sauce, garlic, chile, lime peel and juice and sesame oil; pour over steak in large plastic food storage bag.
2. Press air out of bag; close top securely. Turn bag over several times to coat steak well.
3. Refrigerate 45 minutes, turning bag over occasionally.
4. Cook steak on grill 4 to 5 inches from hot coals 5 minutes on each side (for medium-rare), or to desired doneness.
5. Or, broil 5 minutes on each side, for medium-rare, or to desired doneness.
6. To serve, cut across grain into thin slices.

**Avoid touching face or eyes while handling chile; wash hands in warm soapy water.

Emeril's Corn Dip

Emeril Lagasse, that most manly of chefs, created this recipe specifically for tailgating parties. Our own Jen Tomlinson prepared it for a recent Good Books Lately barbeque, and let's just say that all other dishes were neglected, and we sent her home with an empty casserole. As Emeril would say - BAM!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup small dice onion
2 tbsp minced jalapeños
1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
3 cups corn kernels (frozen, canned or fresh)
1 cup roasted poblanos, chopped
1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped (green parts only)
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces Monterey jack cheese, grated
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
Emeril's Essence
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a 10-inch sauté pan set over a medium high heat, add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the onions and sweat for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the jalapeños and the garlic and sweat for 2 more minutes. Add the corn and sweat for 5-6 minutes.
4. Remove the corn, jalapeños, garlic and onion mixture to a mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and blend well.
5. Season the dip with the Essence, salt and cayenne pepper.
6. Place the dip in a casserole dish, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until the dip begins to bubble. Serve with Fritos, or your favorite chips.

Alan Richman's Manly Meatballs
Makes about 36. Serve hot.

Alan Richman is the esteemed and always witty food writer for Gentleman's Quarterly magazine. For more manly recipes, visit The Food Maven.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground chuck (not leaner beef)
3 scallions finely minced (use most of the green)
4 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce, if that's all you have)
1 firmly packed teaspoon brown sugar (a rounded teaspoon, if using regular soy sauce)
1 baguette or ficelle (a small diameter French bread, about 20 inches long, sliced about ½-inch thick)


Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, except bread. With your hands, mix and knead thoroughly until the meat is a fine paste.
2. Make balls the size of smallish walnuts.
3. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and place one meatball on each.
4. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes in a preheated 450-degree oven until done to taste.

Tasty Home Brew

If the Dad in your life loves beer, why not get him a six-pack of a rare and unusual brew? Or better yet, get him involved in creating his own tasty home brew! Check for a local home brew store in your community, or visit one of several home brew web sites:

www.homebrewmart.com
www.realbeer.com
www.morebeer.com

Click here for a printable version of the recipes.

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4.  Etc.

The Story of Father's Day

Perhaps we never question the origin of Mother's Day -- after all, setting aside one short day to pamper the women who gave birth to us seems only natural! But Father's Day, that's another story. How did it all begin, you ask? Well, we found the answer at www.holidays.net, and here it is:

"Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards! Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.

The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a 'father's day.' In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day."

Cool Homemade Gift Ideas for the Dad in Your Life

Treasure Box for Dad

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For questions, suggestions or comments, please give us a call anytime at: 1 . 866 . 456 . 9416 (toll free), 303 . 744 . 8000 (in Colorado), or e-mail us at: kira@goodbookslately.com.