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Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Best Father's Day Gifts For The Home In 2025
Surprise Dad with something he'll actually use. Discover the top Father's Day gifts for the home, ... More including kitchen gadgets, decor, and cozy upgrades. Father's Day 2025 is right around the corner—and if you're still looking for the perfect present, skip the usual tie or golf towel and go for something he can actually use and enjoy at home. From luxury bedding and cool kitchen gadgets to delicious treats and personalized gifts, this roundup of the best Father's Day gifts for the home has something for every kind of dad. Whether you're shopping for a foodie, wine lover, coffee enthusiast, or a dad who deserves some serious relaxation, these unique Father's Day gift ideas are guaranteed to impress. MaryEllen's Cake Pops We Scream For Ice Cream Cake Pops Looking for a fun and delicious Father's Day food gift? MaryEllen's Cake Pops deliver big on taste and nostalgia. Handmade and available in indulgent flavors like Chocolate Eclair (remember those ice cream bars) and Sundae, they come with or without sticks. Or is Dad a Philly sport fan? He will love the Eagles-themed pops that support the Eagles Autism here Cumulus Coffee Cold Brew Maker If Dad loves iced coffee, the Cumulus Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a must-have. This sleek, pod-based machine makes café-quality cold brew in seconds with zero mess (no more coffee grounds that end up everywhere)—perfect for summer mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups. It's one of the most innovative kitchen gadgets for Father's Day 2025. Sleekly designed to compliment any kitchen, it includes a pod sampler so dad can easily find his favorite flavors. Buy here Sparkling Pointe 2022 Topaz Impérial Brut Rosé Wine-loving dads will appreciate a bottle of Sparkling Pointe's 2022 Topaz Impérial Brut Rosé, one of the best rosés from the North Fork of Long Island. With notes of strawberry, elderflower, and stone fruit, it's the perfect Father's Day wine gift for brunch, dinner, or a summer here Framebridge Picture Frames Make it personal with Framebridge—a top pick for customized Father's Day gifts. Whether you frame a favorite photo, jersey, or artwork, Framebridge makes the process fast and easy. Just upload a photo, choose a mat (if applicable) and the perfect photo gift is on its way. Buy here Weezie Pool Lounge Cover If your dad spends summer days by the pool, upgrade his lounge setup with the Weezie Pool Lounge Cover. Soft, stylish, and customizable with his name or monogram, it features a slip-free design and back pocket to hold a book, phone or sunglasses. Buy here Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set Help Dad sleep like a king with Cozy Earth Sheets, made from ultra-soft bamboo viscose. These luxury sheets are breathable, temperature-regulating, and ideal for hot sleepers. There's also nothing softer on the market. Choose several colors including White, Dove Grey, and here Helix Dual Comfort Mattress Topper If Dad needs better sleep support, the Helix Dual Comfort Mattress Topper offers both a soft and firm side to suit any preference. It also features a GlacioTex Cooling Cover, making it a thoughtful summer gift for dads who sleep here Rich Class Decor Monochrome Checkered Throw Blanket Stylish and sustainable, the Monochrome Checkered Throw Blanket from Rich Class Decor is made of 100 percent organic cotton with eco-friendly dyes. Its generous size and bold pattern make it a cozy yet modern Father's Day home gift. Available in black and white check and rust and white check, both colorways are a fantastic choice. Buy here Fine Art Lighting Mariner Floor Lamp Give Dad a lighting upgrade with the Mariner Floor Lamp by Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting. Available in thirteen luxe finishes including trending finish aged Bronze, it's a sophisticated and functional Father's Day here Steelport The Steak Knife Set The perfect Father's Day Gift for meat lovers, Steelport's The Steak Knife Set is a showstopper. Each knife features a unique Oregon Maple Burl wood handle and ultra-sharp forged carbon steel blade. It easy cuts through anything, even well-done steak. Buy here
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The 45 Best Father's Day Gifts To Spoil And Surprise Dad
We refreshed our gift selection with new editor-approved picks for every category. Father's Day is Sunday, June 15, and we're here to help you celebrate your loved ones with our gift editors' favorite dad-worthy items. The best Father's Day gifts show your appreciation and are often things your dad wouldn't think to splurge on himself. To find thoughtful presents for virtually every type of father figure, we considered a variety of interests: We're talking a smokeless fire pit for the outdoorsman, supportive sneakers for the fitness buff and a helpful pocket-sized tech gadget for the frequent flyer. Is your dad more a creature of comfort? We made sure to include cozy essentials too, from stretchy, yet sleek sweatpants to our sleep editors' absolute favorite pillow. Plus, we have a range of under-$50 value picks that are sure to delight (no-frills breakfast sandwich maker, anyone?). If you're looking for more inspiration, check out our guides to the best last-minute Father's Day presents and top subscription boxes for dads to shop a range of other Father's Day gift ideas that'll arrive right on time. If Dad loves nothing more than a savory spread of meat and cheese, this Father's Day-themed charcuterie board will be the way to his heart. Designed, packaged and delivered directly to his front door by Boarderie, the bundle comes packed with artisan cheeses, meats, dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, olives and more. You can choose between three sizes, starting at $139 for a two to three person board. And the best part? Every order has free overnight delivery, so it's great if you're short on time. Named our best overall subscription box for men, Bespoke Post is a favorite among Forbes Vetted editors and readers thanks to its highly customizable options. The service will be specifically geared towards his hobbies and interests, so all Dad will have to do is fill out a quiz upon joining and he'll receive a monthly assortment of goods from barware and travel essentials to clothing and accessories, based entirely on his preferences. He'll also get to preview what's in each box and because Bespoke Post pulls from up-and-coming brands, he'll likely discover some new favorite small businesses along the way. Whether you've seen the brand on Shark Tank or it's your first time learning about it, this is one gadget that's actually useful for a dad on the go. Larq uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle, plus the bottle's hydration tracking system will encourage him to drink more of the good stuff throughout his busy day. The double-wall vacuum insulation also keeps liquids icy cold for 24 hours and comes with a detachable handle, removable filter straw and bottle filter. If Dad loves to share photos in the family group chat, a digital frame like this one from Aura will be a home run. Simply log onto Wi-Fi to add pictures and videos of the kiddos from holidays, vacations and birthday parties and he'll be grinning from ear to ear when he unwraps it. Aura offers frames in different colors and styles, many of which are available for speedy two-day Prime shipping. This lightweight and responsive sneaker is bound to be a hit with any dad who loves to run, jog or power walk—or who simply spends a lot of time on his feet. It's designed with a nitrogen-injected midsole for adaptive support and a mesh upper with subtle suede overlays to help ensure both breathability and structure. Choose from 16 colorways, ranging from black and white to bright blue or orange, to suit his style. Via Carota is one of the most beloved restaurants in New York City, and now Dad can enjoy a happy hour from the Italian hot spot without having to wait (and wait) for a table. The Via Carota Craft Cocktails Bourbon Gift Set has everything he'll need to toast fatherhood: bottles of pre-made (and seriously smooth) Old Fashioned and Manhattan cocktails, plus a pair of Italian-made lowball glasses and a gold stirrer. Cheers! Popular among Forbes Vetted editors and readers (and the best overall fire pit, based on our rigorous testing), the Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit is portable so Dad (and his friends and family) can sit around the fire anytime, anywhere. It's also smokeless for cleaner, more comfortable breathing. Bonus: If you buy from Solo Stove, you can personalize it with custom text or logos. For discerning dads who love premium sweets and competitive game play, Compartés' Luxury Grandmaster Chocolate Chess Set is the delight he never saw coming. Inside the emerald green croc-printed case, he'll find a full chess set handcrafted from incredibly creamy gourmet chocolate that's made in Los Angeles. The chocolatier also offers delicious truffles infused with 18-year Macallan single-malt scotch if Dad is more of a whiskey connoisseur. Whether Dad is planning a family vacation abroad this summer or just loves to explore new cultures from his living room, a subscription to the language-learning app Babbel will help broaden his horizons. Simply choose from standard or premium packages that span six, twelve or twenty-four months, and leave it up to Dad to select which of the 14 languages he wants to master. If Dad is serious about improving his wellness, give him a smart ring that's sleek, modern and helps improve his health. The Ōura Ring is a health, sleep and activity tracker that's packed with sensors to keep him meaningfully informed. Founded on Nordic wellness principles of balance, it collects data on more than 20 biometrics—like heart rate, blood oxygen and activity—and sends insights to an app to help you create a custom sleep schedule, track stress levels and more. Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen curated this thoughtful bundle of his favorite kitchen essentials, all of which were grown, harvested and made by hand from local farms. Inside you'll find heritage extra virgin olive oil, winter harvest persimmon vinegar, a tin of medium roast coffee, salsa matcha, wildflower honey and cilantro citrus jalapeño salt that will dress up all of Dad's favorite dishes. Any gift labeled Hermès is going to be a hit on Father's Day. But for the dad who's been thinking about switching up his regular scent, this is a great option. The brand's first major men's fragrance to be released in 15 years, it trades the usual woody notes of a cologne for something a bit lighter. The result is a fresh scent with botanical notes of clary sage, narcissus and rosewood. He'll like it, and just as importantly, so will Mom. Named a 2025 Forbes Vetted Best Product Award winner, the Filson 24 Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase is a rugged, yet stylish travel bag that Dad will put to good use for work and play. 'The waxed duck canvas is thick and tough,' says Matt Flood, group product manager at Forbes Vetted. 'Along with the leather hangs and woven shoulder strap, this bag really feels durable and long-lasting.' Inside there are plenty of zippered and stow pockets, plus a padded compartment for a 15-inch laptop. If your sandwich aficionado dad isn't the family chef, this Hamilton Beach breakfast sandwich maker will be his new best friend. All he has to do is put his favorite bread in the bottom and top layers, followed by an egg and additional toppings to create a mouthwatering meal. It's ready in just five minutes with minimal cleanup needed. From the mind of Neil Patrick Harris, Box One is the perfect gift for the father figure that loves nothing more than a good game night. Full of trivia, puzzles, secret codes and more, the brain-teasing board game is designed to play by yourself—or if Dad prefers, the whole family can get in on the fun. The JBL Clip 5 waterproof Bluetooth speaker lets Dad play his tunes anywhere and everywhere from the beach to the trail to the garage where he's tinkering with his latest project. It has 12 hours of battery life for all-day listening and a clip that makes it easy to attach to a bag or stroller. Whether he's fully up to date on Real Housewives drama or just catches the occasional episode of Watch What Happens Live, any dad who enjoys a night of Bravo (perhaps more than he cares to admit) will tear through Andy Cohen's book about how fatherhood has changed his life. As its title—The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up—implies, it's witty, candid and heartwarming. If Dad's signature cap is getting a little worse for wear, replace it with one that's trendy and built to last. This 100% cotton canvas style from Carhartt is available in over 60 colors, so there's sure to be one that suits him perfectly. Even better, it has a built-in band that's fast-drying and will wick away summer sweat. Your dad's not a regular dad; he's a cool dad. And that's why this unique Uncommon Goods mug is the perfect Father's Day gift. The Brooklyn-made color-changing mug will display 'Cool Dad' when the cup is holding a cold beverage and 'Hot Dad' when it contains some steaming hot coffee or tea. He'll get a kick out of it, either way. It's a fact: Dads are happier when they're comfortable and their toes are toasty. Make his day with these popular sherpa-lined Sunday Slippers by Bombas that he'll surely keep next to his bed for years. From the memory foam and EVA midsole to the durable rubber outsole, these cozy slippers are a bestseller for a reason. Whether he's a super fan of the YouTube series, Hot Ones, or just likes to slather spicy goodness over his wings and tacos, invite Dad to try the Hot Ones Challenge at home with this official 10-pack set featuring the sauces from season 26 of the interview show. From mild, garlicky flavors like Señor Lechuga (1/10 spice level) to the intense heat of The Last Dab: Xperience (11/10), there's an option to delight every taste bud. Skip the stress of gift-giving and have a laugh while Dad opens Harry & David's Seven Days Of Dad Jokes Gift Box. Each cheesy joke-labeled compartment will reveal snacks including caramel popcorn, trail mix, cookies, hickory-smoked sausage and, fittingly, cheese. Order it now and boxes will start shipping on May 12, well in advance of the holiday. If you're shopping for a foodie who looks forward to cooking new cuisines, you'll hit the gifting jackpot with Goldbelly's Chef Of The Month subscription. Dad will get a monthly curated chef kit of the most sought-after delicacies curated by pros like Michael Symon, David Chang and José Andrés. From the savory to the sweet, it'll be a fun monthly surprise—and maybe he'll even save you a bite. The heirloom-quality skillets by Field Company have a lightweight design and polished interior that make them a favorite among Forbes Vetted editors. 'The skillet has a smooth machined cooking surface that helps create that nonstick barrier, making this a great tool for frying eggs and griddling pancakes,' says editorial director Brinda Ayer, who's been using the No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet for about six years. The brand's new Summer Celebration set, which features No. 8 and No. 12 skillets, a leather handle cover and cast-iron care kit, is a great option for the dad who will be whipping up indoor and outdoor family meals all season long. Sometimes it's the simple things that mean the most, and there's nothing more delightful to a dad than a box full of jerky. Each month, he'll get different brands and flavors so he's always trying something new. It's available in one, three, six and twelve-month subscriptions, but no matter which you choose chances are he'll wish it lasted forever. If Dad is still using that lumpy, old pillow every night, treat him to a much needed upgrade. The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow was named our best pillow overall after a year of testing, thanks to its plush shredded memory foam that perfectly cradles your neck and head. It's also entirely adjustable, meaning Dad can add or take out fill in order to get the exact level of firmness needed for his favorite nap position. Named our best overall walking shoe for men, the On Cloud 5 sneaker is crafted with science-backed CloudTec foam, a forgiving material with a cushioned feel that has been described as 'running on clouds.' It features a removable cushioned arch insole, plus a Speedboard running the length of the sneaker that promotes stability when walking to help Dad reach his daily step goal. Perfect for the pops who lives in his Saturday sweats, this stylish option by Vuori not only looks good, it's just as cozy as his favorite worn-in pair. The joggers have built-in boxer briefs, are moisture-wicking and feature a much-appreciated four-way stretch. Throw in the matching jacket to make it a full set. Courant's wireless chargers offer a stylish way to stay powered up. The Mag:3 is a multi-device charger that's bound in either leather or linen. It also has a drop tray for stashing trinkets, which means he can juice up his tech and empty his pockets all in one place. Named the best affordable swim trunks according to our rigorous testing, Fair Harbor's popular Anchor Swim Shorts offer various inseam lengths, a drawcord waist and over 20 colors and prints. The suit also has two side pockets that drain easily and a mesh-free knit liner that's supportive but breathable. Even better, they're made using recycled water bottles. If Dad is a frequent traveler he probably already has his favorite suitcase, custom luggage tags and plenty of packing cubes, but you can still level up his flying game with this zippered tie case from Mark & Graham that fits up to three ties, cufflinks, collar stays and handkerchiefs. Personalize it with his monogram for an additional $12. Your favorite grill master will love kicking off summer with this personalized steak brand. Exclusive to Williams Sonoma, you have the option to personalize it with single, double or triple initials. The iron brand is hand forged by a Texan cattle ranger and includes a wall mounting storage rack for display. This handsome Leatherology bifold, our best wallet for men overall, is a thoughtful Father's Day gift idea that Dad will carry with him every day. 'This wallet has great craftsmanship, featuring pliable leather that gives a sturdy yet soft feel simultaneously,' says Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis. For an additional $15, you can also personalize it with Dad's initials. If Dad's ready to try his hand at America's fastest-growing sport, this set from Recess is a great intro. The bundle includes two fiberglass patterned paddles from the brand's collection and three pickleballs, so he can hit the court with the kids on Father's Day and beyond. Choose from more than a dozen colors and patterns or design a custom paddle for Dad. 'One of my dad's favorite gifts I've ever gotten him is this custom viewfinder,' says Forbes Vetted updates writer Claire Epting. 'It's delightfully nostalgic, and the personalization process was straightforward and fun.' The Create Your Own Reel Viewer comes with a unique code to redeem your customized photo reel online. Epting advises ordering it in advance to ensure the viewfinder and the photo reel arrive in time for Father's Day. The Therabody SmartGoggles, our pick for best sleep tech device, will be a welcome relief for the dad that stares at a computer screen for hours each day. The goggles offer a combination of heat, vibration and pressure therapy, which can increase circulation, ease aches and pains and promote relaxation before bed. Therabody's Theragun Mini Massage Gun is also a thoughtful gift for soothing sore muscles post-workout. Looking for a fun family activity for Father's Day? Republic's 100 Things To Do With Dad Bucket List Scratch Book will give you tons of ideas, from hitting up the arcade to touring the local planetarium. The book features space for you to document your adventures afterwards, as well as meaningful quotes about the beauty of fatherhood. For the busy new dad who needs to be hands-free, this Lalabu t-shirt will be a hit. The first baby-wearing design of its kind to be made specifically for dads, it can hold newborns up to 15 pounds without the trouble of buckles, snaps or swaddling. All he has to do is tuck the baby into the supportive front pouch and continue on with his to-do list. Whether Dad likes to watch baseball games or blockbusters, the CouchConsole Drink & Snack Tray will make sure he has everything at his fingertips. The console includes a self-balancing cupholder, snack container, phone stand, charging plug, remote tray, storage area and padded armrest all in one handy and compact unit. If Dad loves to travel, spare him the airline-provided headphones with AirFly's wireless headphone adapter. Now, he can watch all of his favorite movies, shows or games with the comfort of his own (likely noise-canceling) headphones. Give Dad the gift of a caffeine pick-me-up with an Atlas Coffee subscription, a top pick in our best coffee subscriptions story. Available in whole bean, ground, Keurig pods or Nespresso pods, you'll be able to customize the recurring shipment to his preferences. Each delivery also comes with postcards that include tasting notes and history about each country's unique coffee growing methods. Your Dad's not a regular dad; he's a super dad. And with this gift set from Happy Socks, he can prove it at all times. The three cotton-blend pairs are comfy, colorful and will make him smile every time he slips them on. The set is also blissfully available with two-day Prime shipping. MasterClass offers a wide range of sessions to help the father figure in your life learn and grow. Classes from entrepreneurs and experts like Stephen Curry, Mark Cuban and Gordon Ramsay are added monthly and Dad can watch on his TV or phone instantly. The Rad Dad Box is the perfect way to celebrate and support new dads on their fatherhood journey. Each themed bundle contains six to seven items designed to encourage bonding and playtime between father and baby, all sourced from small businesses. He'll get a book or toy for his tot, delicious snacks and items for some much-needed dad self-care. If he loves grilling in the backyard as much as he does hitting the green, the Poligo Golf Club Grilling Set is a thoughtful last-minute father's day gift that combines two of his favorite pastimes. The seven-piece stainless steel barbecue set includes tongs, a spatula, a fork and a basting brush—each with a handle designed to resemble a golf grip—plus a pair of golf ball salt and pepper shakers and a storage bag. Naturally, it's a hole-in-one gift. When Is Father's Day This Year? Father's Day always falls on the third Sunday in June. This year, it's June 15. What Do Dads Love For Father's Day? When it comes to celebrating Father's Day, it truly is the thought that counts. In addition to having some quality time to do what he enjoys—relaxing with a beer, playing a round of golf or spending time with family (likely his top choice)—dads love to feel appreciated. In terms of gift-giving, presents that cater to his interests are a sweet way to show how much you care. This can mean a splurge-worthy surprise, like a quality outdoor fire pit, or something thoughtful, like an Atlas Coffee Club subscription or digital photo frame. What Can I Do For Father's Day On A Budget? You don't have to spent a small fortune to spoil Dad on Father's Day. Spending quality time with family is one of the best ways to celebrate the day, whether it's a brunch gathering, an adventure outdoors or a few rounds of a favorite game. Presents don't have to cost a lot, either; this list includes several under-$50 gifts, from a nifty breakfast sandwich maker to a portable (and waterproof) Bluetooth speaker. Need more shopping inspiration? We have several gift guides to help you find the perfect present for every dad in your life.
Tatler Asia
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
All jokes aside, Atsuko Okatsuka gets serious about navigating cultural identities and the comedy industry
Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) For instance, while she doesn't claim to be a diversity champion, she never shies away from serious, heavy topics such as racial stereotyping. And despite her iconic bowl cut hairstyle being a nod to the often-mocked hairstyle stereotypically associated with Asian kids, she wears it proudly. She calls it her 'brand', and tells Tatler , 'I'll have to sell all the T-shirts that have my bowl cut on it first, and then I can grow it out.' Not that she intends to go all Rapunzel. 'You gotta keep growing as an artist,' she says cheekily, 'so that could mean a bigger bowl cut. Maybe it's two or three times the size; maybe it's a different colour.' Her jokes are also celebrated for wittily and blithely pointing out the absurdity of social phenomena. In Father , she ridicules her teenage experience as a cheerleader, a role that's widely considered glamorous or desirable but one which she considers somewhat pointless. 'We're just there providing vibes, trying desperately not to get found out that we could easily be replaced with nothing at all, because cheerleading is the only sport where you're supporting another sport,' she says in the show. In case you missed it: How Hong Kong's first all-femme comedian group turns laughter into empowerment Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) While she's obviously found success in her career, she boldly points out that the goal 'is not to get any [cheap] laughs. People get confused about the art of stand-up comedy. It's very important to think about why people laugh at your jokes,' she says. 'If you go on stage and you keep farting, people will eventually laugh. But why are they laughing? Is it because they're uncomfortable and they don't know how else to react? If you say something racist onstage and people laugh, is it because they're scared and they're weirded out? That doesn't mean you've succeeded. I wish this [approach would] change in the industry, because then that's just chasing cheap laughs. These are not well-crafted laughs.' Okatsuka got into comedy about 15 years ago, when a friend from church, who thought she had a sense of humour, gave her a DVD of Cho's stand-up show. She didn't necessarily relate to the jokes, which focused on second- or third-generation Asian American experiences and stereotypes, such as the classic Asian parents' dream for their children to be doctors and lawyers. But because of the hurdles they faced when they first arrived in the US, Okatsuka says, 'My mum's and grandma's priority was not, 'Hey, study and be a doctor.' My grandma was like, 'I'm just happy you're alive, OK?' The standards were lower because the circumstances were so wild. Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) 'But I loved that I was watching a fellow Asian American woman performing. I had never seen stand-up comedy before. I did not know that was a job, in which you could stand up there alone and tell stories and jokes, and people would watch you the whole time and laugh and relate to you. You're not a band, a dancer or a whole movie with production. It's very simple but it's the most interesting art form to me.' Career success aside, comedy has also helped Okatsuka work through personal hardship. 'It helps me process what's happening in real life and then spin it into a positive thing—not just for me but for my audiences too,' she says. 'Just even talking about my mum's mental illness, for example—instead of being helpless and letting it get me down, when my mum says something funny or silly, I'll be like, 'Oh, let me write that down.' Or I think of solutions: how do I make schizophrenia sound not so scary? Maybe we name it after rides at Disneyland. It helps normalise mental illness, like I say in my jokes. It's the only way I know how to cope with things. It's not necessarily a healthy thing, but making sad things funny is what I'm good at.' Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) In September 2023, she accepted Glass's invitation and recorded an episode of The American Life —which turned out to be the perfect chance for her to clear up her early life story. Around the time of the podcast, her father, still living in Japan, was recuperating from a stroke. 'It was kind of a wake-up call,' she says in the Glass interview. 'Am I really gonna never ask what happened with my move to the US?' She went on a deep dive, even hiring translators for herself and her Mandarin-speaking grandmother, who lives 20 minutes away from her home in LA, and her Japanese-speaking father, whom she travelled to Japan to meet in a Tokyo hotel—she speaks only conversational Mandarin and Japanese. For the first time, through honest, lengthy, partly confrontational, partly joking conversations, she learnt how her parents met, lived together and divorced, and how her father and grandmother made tough decisions in her best interest. Above Atsuko Okatsuka (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong) Looking back, she feels it is stand-up comedy that leads her back to her roots, opens up difficult conversations for her and helps her cope with the repercussions of a complicated past. She hopes, through her craft, she can do the same for her audiences. 'Through my stand-up specials or live shows, I want to constantly be able to entertain people,' she says. '[But also,] I care about how other people feel. Being a stand-up comedian means that if I'm talking about something sad, I want to make sure the audience isn't sad for too long and that I save them from it quickly. They pay to come to a comedy show to escape; I want to take care of them. 'The world is very small. If something [sad or traumatic] has happened to you, most likely it could have happened to someone else too. At the heart of it, my message is you're not alone in this. Being an adult is hard, so you might as well have fun while [being one] and have a laugh at it, too.' Credits Photography: Kiu Ka Yee Styling: SK Tang
Car and Driver
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
5 Books for Dads—and Anybody Else Who Loves Cars
With Mother's Day in the rearview mirror, it is time to prepare for the next parental holiday: Father's Day. (In case it's not already in your calendar, this landmark celebration is slated to occur this year on Sunday, June 15.) Typical gifts for the gearhead dad include driving gloves, tools, or cute car-shaped coolers. But all of these lovingly selected presents tend to pile up and require that you eventually get Dad something to store them in, like a tiny backyard shed. Instead, this year, consider purchasing something else for the person who literally gave you life and helped you down whatever meandering path that ultimately led you to the questionable decision to read this article. As book columnist for Car and Driver, might I recommend a book? And before you ask, "Isn't a book a thing that also piles up and eventually belongs in a shed?" I will remind you that books can be purchased and viewed digitally now. However, given the fact that most of the books highlighted below are extremely visual compendiums with gorgeous photography, you may want to consider buying the physical version. As a bonus, lifting some of these weighty tomes will help keep Dad's arms in shape, and muscle tone is a good predictor of future health. Of course, these books aren't just for men who have sired and/or raised children. They are good for any car lover in your life, yourself included. Because we all know that the best kind of gift to give is one that you can also enjoy. Rainer Schlegelmilch: Porsche Racing Moments Courtesy of Taschen Award-winning motorsport photographer Rainer Schlegelmilch started shooting racing in 1962 and has never stopped. His signature blurred-zooming technique really captures not just the effort and skill of drivers at famed races like Le Mans or in Formula 1, but also the beauty, fragility, and purposefulness of the cars themselves as they make their way around the circuit—or, occasionally, as they encounter difficulties and do not. One of his favorite marques to photograph is Porsche, and this book contains images from two key decades in the brand's racing history, from the 1960s to the 1980s. This means that it includes iconic cars like the 550, 718, 917, 962, and, of course, the 911. This collection was originally published by German art book publisher Taschen in 2023 as a $1250 limited edition. Now, due to popular demand, they have released an unlimited and more affordable version. And you know Dad is always after you to save more money. Bring a Trailer's Top 90 of the '90s BaT, $59.95 Bring a Trailer Everyone's favorite online vintage car auction site, Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos), has found a niche among the automotive cognoscenti, providing a platform for buyers, sellers, and pedants of all stripes to ogle, worship, critique, and purchase or unload cars. And while the platform is an ever-surprising smorgasbord of vehicular history, the inventory on offer tends to favor emergent collectibles from the past 45 years. Since the site's staff has already released a book on its favorite 80 cars of the '80s, it's only natural that its next published project should be a similar, if 12.5 percent more car-y, one on the final decade of the 20th century, the '90s. In typical BaT style, spreads and detailed info on pinnacle cars like the Ferrari F50, Lamborghini Diablo VT, and Vector M12 are included. But right alongside these are chapters on peak Japan classics like the A80 Toyota Supra, R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR, Acura Integra Type R, and Subaru Impreza WRX 22B. Also, German greatness like the BMW E34 M5 and 850, Mercedes 190E Evo II and W124 500E, and the Audi S8 and RS2 Avant. And they don't shy away from the American experimental oddballs like the AM General Hummer, Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, Dodge Viper GTS, and Plymouth Prowler. If you can't find 10 or 50 cars you love in this book, you don't love cars. The Million Dollar Car Detective by Stayton Bonner Blackstone The Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop coupe is exemplary of the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne exuberance of the premier French coachbuilders in the pre–World War II era. So, when one went missing from the factory warehouse of an aging industrialist in 2001, it was not only a crucial loss for the classic-car world, but a significant seven-figure loss for the owner. Unfortunately, the car was not recovered before its tycoon custodian passed away. But in 2015, a private eye named Joe Ford took on the case, hoping to earn a reward that would help save his ill daughter's sight. Ford had made a name for himself in the world of stolen classic cars with his involvement in the case of a missing eight-figure 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus. His quest for the Talbot took a full decade and grew to incorporate the FBI, Interpol, and a global crime ring. Stayton Bonner, a former senior editor at Rolling Stone, began tracking the story in the late 2010s for a story he published in Esquire. His new book catches us up on the details of the theft and delves into the murky world of chop shops, crooked restoration outfits, international money laundering, and betrayal that plagues even the most elite corners of the classic-car hobby, landing near something resembling the truth of what occurred. The Drive Across Canada by Mark Richardson Dundurn The Trans-Canada Highway is among the lengthiest roads in the world, spanning nearly 4800 miles in its run across the globe's second-largest nation, from St. John, Newfoundland, in the east to Victoria, British Columbia, in the west. Along the way, it crosses great lakes, seemingly endless plains, and towering mountains. Driving it is something of a rite of passage for Canadian gearheads, much like the various cross-country routes available to Americans. In this book of personal, cultural, and national history, veteran Toronto Star automotive journalist Mark Richardson takes us on a literal trip across his country, following a drive he made traversing the full length of the Trans-Canada Highway in 2023. Along the way he relates tales of the settler colonialists who first traversed a similar path in the early 20th century, the political and cultural infighting that challenged the creation of a roadway that would link Canadians to their culturally similar or different/diffident cohorts in other provinces, and the distinct engineering challenges of such a mammoth undertaking. On his personal journey, he also passes through a series of disasters—a hurricane in Newfoundland, massive forest fires in British Columbia—that remind us that our dominion over the natural world neither starts nor ends with roads. Ferrari in America: Luigi Chinetti and the North American Racing Team by Michael T. Lynch David Bull Publishing The names Chinetti and NART are synonymous with each other, and both are synonymous with the rise of the Ferrari in the Americas. Chinetti was, of course, the initial—and only—importer of Ferrari cars to America during the brand's establishment in the post–World War II era. As a means of enhancing the marque's appeal, he started a local Ferrari racing team. It became an important and ever-present component in international automotive competitions throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. If "Race on Sunday, sell on Monday" was an American automotive canard, it worked for Chinetti. This book tells the stories of the brand's ascent in what became its largest market, and the scores of boldface names who became intrigued admirers and/or customers. These include movie stars like Ginger Rogers, Paul Newman, and Zsa Zsa Gabor; musicians like Miles Davis; race car drivers like Zora Arkus-Duntov, Mario Andretti, and Phil Hill; and even failed dictators like Benito Mussolini. A rollicking story of intrigue, dynastic and fiscal shenanigans, and wins and losses on and off the track, all revolving around a notable and . . . colorful automotive personality, and his acolytes. Brett Berk Contributing Editor Brett Berk (he/him) is a former preschool teacher and early childhood center director who spent a decade as a youth and family researcher and now covers the topics of kids and the auto industry for publications including CNN, the New York Times, Popular Mechanics and more. He has published a parenting book, The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting, and since 2008 has driven and reviewed thousands of cars for Car and Driver and Road & Track, where he is contributing editor. He has also written for Architectural Digest, Billboard, ELLE Decor, Esquire, GQ, Travel + Leisure and Vanity Fair. Read full bio
Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Children's books review: Thrilling reads from a trio of brilliant Irish authors
After by Pádraig Kenny (Walker Books, €7.99) What, in this age of artificial intelligence, when humanoid robots can interact with us and perform so many complex, decision-making tasks, defines us as human beings? Apart from biological creation, rather than metal or plastic construction, the attributes that differentiate Homo sapiens from the machines of their own design are becoming harder to distinguish. For answers, we might even Google an AI-generated definition of what makes us human, yielding a list of key traits that includes self-awareness, abstract thought, moral sensibilities, and a capacity for empathy. We could also consider the import of After, the post-apocalyptic novel from Limerick-based author Pádraig Kenny, which puts humanity in the spotlight in the context of the collapse of civilisation. In a 'melding of the mechanical with the biological', humans have been implanted with microchips from birth, giving them access to an information and living system called the Hive. However, after the Hive turns on the human race, a 'cataclysmic short circuit' occurs, obliterating both machines and humans, the few people who remain resorting to scavenging for food in order to survive. In this desolate environment, Father and Jen are a family unit, journeying in search of a new place to call home. After by Pádraig Kenny (Walker Books) Father's role is as protector, though his child-rearing methods are straight from the pages of a parenting manual and somehow lack the human touch. Father's application of logic and adherence to rules-based systems give him a calm authority to which many parents might aspire, but it becomes clear that he is not Jen's biological relative, nor indeed human at all. Despite his appearance, he is made largely of metal components, an AI humanoid that has learned a moral code and patterns of caring, empathetic behaviour — and has somehow survived the short-circuit catastrophe. He and Jen seek refuge in a self-sufficient settlement of human survivors, but with machines viewed as the enemy, they could both be in danger if Father's true identity is uncovered. Jen seems to have found her tribe in this settlement, however, and in as much as an AI machine can face a moral dilemma, Father is presented with one when he must choose whether to now relinquish the caring duties he has performed since finding the orphaned Jen as a baby. If an autonomous robot can learn to develop caring sensibilities, it is more than may be said of the man who invented the Hive, his hunger for power leading him to push the boundaries of technological advancement at all costs, overriding any sense of morality or human empathy. A futuristic fantasy that also holds a mirror up to today's world, where the milk of human kindness appears to be running dry, and where it is perhaps not AI technology itself we should fear, but those who would subvert its benefits for nefarious ends. Tales of Darkisle: Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden, illustrated by Ali Al Amine Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden (Gill Books, €10.99) Trouble magnet Conn has boundless energy and copious amounts of gruesome stories that he feels compelled to tell, regardless of their unsuitability for the occasion. Tales from Irish mythology are a particular speciality, the more gross details about mucus and bile the better, particularly when he gets into character as the zombie Abhartach, appropriator of body parts and a 'heaving mass of arms and legs and tails and heads — a clot of flesh the size of a house'. The only person who really understands Conn is his aunt Doireann, soon-to-be doctor of Medieval Irish, and the very person who first introduced Conn to these tales. It is Doireann he rings, rather than his long-suffering mother, to collect him from the principal's office after a calamitous incident where he has sabotaged the school play by swinging unbidden onto the stage 'like a flailing human conker' to enact the slaying of the Abhartach. Doireann, unprepared for the sudden arrival of her nephew, scoops him up on her yellow motorbike and whisks him back to her office at the National Folklore Collection at UCD. Sure what could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, inevitably, when Conn spots a box labelled hazardous. And what's an 11-year-old boy-tornado to do but take a little peek inside? To cut to the chase that ensues when the ancient skull within is revealed; it involves all the horrors that might be expected when an un-dead Abhartach discovers how to use modern technology to its advantage. The first in a series of 'Tales of Darkisle' from Cavan's Dave Rudden, author of Knights of the Borrowed Dark, this serves as a portent of further fiendish spirits to be resurrected from Irish mythology and re-imagined in new contexts. Goo, gore, and ghoulishness galore — bring it on. Solo by Gráinne O'Brien Solo by Gráinne O'Brien (Little Island, €10.99) 'Music is not something that I do. Music is something that I am. It forms the very fabric of who I am as a person. At least…it used to.' Everything in Daisy's world was certain. Practise. Perform. Practise. Pass music exams. Repeat. Not a gifted genius but 'the kind of musician that is built through determination and practise', her life in the year before her Leaving Cert followed a pattern of predictability where she knew the script and was happy to follow it. Winning prizes for playing the recorder, not renowned as the most glamorous of instruments, might get her picture in the local paper but it has little 'social currency' in the school popularity stakes. Which is why Daisy was not the only one surprised when sports-mad David chose her as his girlfriend. Music may have been Daisy's first love but David was her second, and for the month they were together she became so obsessed with him that everything, including music, was cast aside as she helped him follow his dreams at the expense of her own. Now, just after their first sexual experience, David has unceremoniously dumped her. Daisy is so devastated that she can't even celebrate her 18th birthday, and the music that was once the core of her existence now offers no solace. Her parents, who resisted any urge to protest when the boyfriend usurped the place of the music into which so much had been invested, now have their focus turned on Daisy's father's recent cancer diagnosis. Having lost her boyfriend and her love of music, Daisy is also betrayed by her best friend, and as she struggles to regain a sense of direction, the enormity of the changes in her life threatens to overwhelm her. Never part of the cool gang, soloist Daisy feels more alone than ever until a kindred spirit helps her find a new path. Limerick-born bookseller Gráinne O'Brien's verse-form novel digs deep into the uncertainty and self-doubt felt by many on the cusp of adulthood.
