Men come in a variety of forms, so it’s practically impossible to generalise here. This is why our list caters to men on a variety of different points, with each book striving to capture the everyday man. From self-help guides for living a better life, to wildly entertaining novels that are more than just well-written.
Whatever man you are, live up to your expectations with these 10 best books for the everyday man.
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The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Mark begins his brutally honest self-help guide with the truth that life really does suck. So much so that the thought of just thinking positively is a fool’s game. But knowing this harsh truth doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think positively at all, just at the right times, all while accepting the shitty times. Like this current pandemic, for instance. Between academic prowess and well-timed poop jokes, The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck is for men who need to smell the roses.
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11/22/63 by Stephen King
If you love the futuristic nostalgia of the Back to the Future film series, then might we suggest Stephen King’s 11/22/63. It’s wholly original in such a captivating way as it entertains the idea of altering the future by changing the past. To be precise, what would happen if then-President Kennedy survived his assassination – which happened on the 22nd of November, 1963. But there’s more to this book than such a quirky hypothesis, making it a perfect read for the everyday man.
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How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
It may have been published 81 years ago, but the overall advice in Dale Carnegie’s bestselling book still rings true today. In fact, it’s so quintessential that it has been translated into almost every language known to man and continues to top the charts. Perfect for practically anyone, especially the everyday man. Whether you want to master your career, build your social network, or learn the art of winning arguments, you’ll discover it all in How To Win Friends and Influence People.
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Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Kafka On The Shore is an entertaining nightmare of mind-boggling proportions, telling two separate stories that are more alike than you think. There’s Kafka Tamura, who runs away from home at 15 under the shadow of his father’s dark prophecy. And then there’s aging Nakata, a man with the uncanny ability to talk to cats. From carnal taboos to Colonel Sanders, and even a savage murder that offers more questions than answers, this is a must-read for men who love weird books.
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The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind by Jackson Ford
If you want to know what possibly happened to Matilda Wormwood when she reached adulthood, this is a likely scenario: working for the government in tactical missions. But this is not about Matilda, it’s about Teagan Frost, and she’s having a hard time keeping her sh*t together. Because, while having telekinetic powers is fun and working for the government is cool, all she really wants to do is kick back, crack open a beer and feel normal for once. Don’t we all!
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Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
In 1993 a Mexican-Indian man from the Tarahumara tribe came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals. His tribe, in fact, is well-known for having the best distance runners in the world, so it wasn’t long before a small group of the world’s top ultra-runners (and the author of this book) decided to investigate. Researched and told through the words of Christopher McDougall, a former war correspondent and contributing editor for Men’s Health, this story is told with incredible energy and power.
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Man Enough by Justin Baldoni
What does it take to be a man? A chiselled body? Drinking beer? Not screaming like a child when you see a spider? Well, according to Justin Baldoni, being a man is whatever you want it to be. In Man Enough, beloved actor, director and social activist Justin Baldoni reflects on his own struggles with masculinity. He explores the difficult topics that many of us men fear to tread: vulnerability, relationships, body image, gender, sexuality, and fatherhood. A must-read for all men.
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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
In this semi-autobiographical novel, a son writes a deeply personal letter to his mother who cannot read. It uncovers a family history teeming with harsh insights, telling stories of Vietnam and the struggles of re-establishing a new life in another country. It also acts as a window into his own life – a life his mother never knew; of fears, passions and love – while ploughing towards an unforgettable revelation. Ocean Vuong is a critically-acclaimed poet, which explains why the story is so evocative.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear
Many people – especially us men – tend to think that great success comes from equally great actions. But world-renowned habit expert James Clear has another, much easier way of succeeding: habits. To James, real change comes from the snowball effect of habitual actions: two push-ups a day, waking up a few minutes earlier each day, or even holding a single short phone call. He calls them atomic habits, a revolutionary system that may just change your life.
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Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Another important thing that all men share is race. We all come from somewhere. But some men still face adversity thanks to the colour of their skin. And while this stunning memoir centres around the racial history of the United States, extending from the aftermath of the American Civil War to the modern-day, its insights into racism reach across the globe. Ta-Nehisi Coates shares a deeply personal and emotionally charged memoir, one that uncovers what it’s like to live with dark skin.
Yearning for quicker reads? Why not check out these 10 best short story collections for 2021. And if you’ve yet to find that cool Father’s Day gift, browse through our Father’s Day Gift Guide for 2021!
Unsure what to read next? We’ve got a list of books that every man must read once in his life.