Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2026 Challenge - Regular
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11 - A Book with a Dad as a Primary Caregiver
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Nadine had a great idea by adding To Kill a Mockingbird where it was a widowed dad raising kids. To that, Nancy Drew was raised by her father so any of those mysteries would work.
Britany wrote: "I think What Kind of Paradise
would fit"
Yes I read that book this year (used for "non traditional education") and it would be perfect for this.
would fit"Yes I read that book this year (used for "non traditional education") and it would be perfect for this.
Landline seems like it will work for this, and I've enjoyed other things by Rainbow Rowell, so I'll probably go with that.
If you would like a classic, Little Dorrit has a father as a rather hopeless primary carer, and Silas Marner does a better job as an adoptive father.
Books I recommend:A Horse Called Bonnie by Barbara Van Tuyl (also works for the horse prompt, and there are several books in the series)
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (obviously anything from this series)
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
Last Seen by J.T. Ellison
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Nadine in NY wrote: "Yes I read that book this year (used for "non traditional education") and it ..."So funny, mine for that prompt would also work for this one!!
These Silent Woods
Kimi Cunningham Grant
Britany wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Yes I read that book this year (used for "non traditional education") and it ..."
So funny, mine for that prompt would also work for this one!!
These Silent Woods ..."
WOW it is like the exact same set-up and plot!!! There appears to be a thriving subgenre of "Dads raising their kids alone in the wilderness" because you could add in My Absolute Darling too.
Also, I'm adding this one to my TBR and maybe it will be what I read for this category :-)
So funny, mine for that prompt would also work for this one!!
These Silent Woods ..."
WOW it is like the exact same set-up and plot!!! There appears to be a thriving subgenre of "Dads raising their kids alone in the wilderness" because you could add in My Absolute Darling too.
Also, I'm adding this one to my TBR and maybe it will be what I read for this category :-)
The Martian Child: A Novel About a Single Father Adopting a Son and A Whale in Paris could both qualify.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Britany wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Yes I read that book this year (used for "non traditional education") and it ..."So funny, mine for that prompt would also work for this one!!
These Silent ..."
One of my favorite reasons for the challenge - learning about subgenres that have a number of books I really want to read for them.
This was wonderful! Used it for a past prompt with rabbits on the cover I think.
For a horror read these 2 work. Both good on audiobook.
I also thought of this middle grade series, the main character is raised by her Dad.
For mysteries what about Flavia de Luce?
Jennifer wrote: "For mysteries what about Flavia de Luce?"I love it when someone, thanks Jennifer, points out a series that I have been reading which fits a prompt I had thought I would not fill!
It has been awhile since I read about Flavia de Luce. It will be fun to visit with her again.
Special Topics in Calamity Physics is one of my faves and is about a high school girl moving around with her professor father. Eileen so this one is less about a father being a care giver but the protagonist does live alone with her dad.
Small Spaces and Watch Hollow are both middle grade horror/fantasy/mystery books where the kids live with just their dads.
To Kill a Mockingbird is low hanging fruit lol
The Road a brutal post apocalyptic read if you’re feeling up to being real sad.
The Guncle newly widowed dad, although the kids are with the titular uncle for most of the book
Emma pretty sure Emma is an adult here, but in that societal context I think her widowed father would still be a caregiver.
The Historian
Silas Marner
Angie wrote: "I'm currently reading The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, and it works for this prompt.
"That looks amazing, thank you!
I'm finding myself very attracted to floral things at the moment, and I don't even know why. Flowers on covers, floral fabrics, even floral scents. Maybe it's the autumn blues kicking in or something. LOL!
The Red Pyramid begins with Carter Kane being raised by only his dad. The plot separates the two pretty early, but the prompt does not say that the dad has to be around for the majority of the book.
I have wanted to read The Seven Sisters and wonder if it would work here? I know the father had died, but he DID adopt the girls and he WAS their caregiver. It is about him in that he's giving them clues to their identity.Has anyone read it? Is it too far from the prompt? I'm not afraid of the PS police but I want books at least realistically connected to prompts
The Road and The Shipping News are both favourites but pretty bleak!I'll probably go with East of Eden to tick another classic of the list. Other two options that popped up on the TBR are The Death of Bunny Munro and The Family Tree.
Books mentioned in this topic
Nosy Parker (other topics)The Shipping News (other topics)
The Road (other topics)
The Family Tree (other topics)
East of Eden (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Angeline Boulley (other topics)Kimi Cunningham Grant (other topics)







A nice nods to dads, this might be a good book to read in June for Father's Day (in the US). That doesn't mean I have any idea what to read LOL!
Listopia list is Here: A book with a dad as the primary caregiver