Father's Day will fall on June 21, the same day as the summer solstice – the first official day of summer. Remember, that Sunday will be the longest day and the shortest night of 2009. Maybe Dad can spend some of those hours with one or more of these titles – fit for a Father's Day gift. And just think: You have plenty of time to book-shop before the big day.

"Life With Father" by the editors of Life Books (Life, $17.95, 91 pages): This is a moving collection of photographs of fathers and their children, culled from Life's collection of vintage black-and-white images of celebrities (Fred Astaire, Steve McQueen, Kirk Douglas), and color shots of everyday guys with their offspring in many settings. The quotes sprinkled throughout are profound, such as this one from Italian novelist Umberto Eco: "What we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us." P.S.: Moms get the same sensitive treatment in the companion book, "Life With Mother."

"The Book of Dads," edited by Ben George (Harper, $14.99, 304 pages): Fathers will find much companionship in this collection of 20 essays on "the joys, perils and humiliations of fatherhood" by award-winning novelists and journalists.

"American Parent" by Sam Apple (Ballantine, $25, 320 pages): As a new parent, Apple made a good-humored journey into his strange new universe, finding answers to the Big Questions – such as, "Does it sting when you pour baby shampoo into your own eyes?" Along the way, he offers much reassurance to new dads.

"Tales From the Dad Side" by Steve Doocy (Harper, $14.99, 224 pages): The father of three blends insight and humor in telling of his "misadventures in fatherhood." The chapters follow his children from their kindergarten years until they leave home for college, as he shares the dramas and joys he experienced. In his sage way, he writes, "(With parenthood) the best plan is to be surprised."

"Fathers & Sons & Sports," with an introduction by Mike Lupica (ESPN, $15, 336 pages): Sportswriters and novelists share the funny and the inspirational in these remembrances of their relationships with their sons – with sports as the common theme. Father-of-four Lupica is a columnist for the New York Daily News and a regular on ESPN's "The Sports Reporters."

"The Father's Guide to the Meaning of Life" by Joe Kita (Skyhorse, $9.95, 136 pages): In a serious vein, Kita's 15 chapters ("Happiness," "Smarts," "Discipline," etc.) are meant to share with other fathers the lessons he has learned by being a parent. Try this: "If you aren't prepared to share every facet of your life and your self, you aren't ready to become a father."

"Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?" by Kevin Nealon (Harper, $13.99, 260 pages): At age 53, Nealon decided he wanted to become a dad, and his wife concurred. This very funny book is about the discoveries that attend impending parenthood, but it's Nealon's autobiography, too. P.S.: He's "one of the longest-running cast members" on "Saturday Night Live."

"Dadlabs Guide to Fatherhood: Pregnancy and Year One" by Clay Nichols, Owen Egerton, Brad Powell and Troy Lanier. At www.dadlabs.com, you'll find useful dad- oriented information (choosing a car seat, working a bottle brush), how-to videos and blogs about being a father. The book version captures essential information for expectant and new fathers, with a dose of humor thrown in.

On the lighter side

OK, dads, let's lighten up with some titles that move away from parenthood per se and dwell more on the essence of Father's Day – which is partly self- indulgence.

"Bacon: A Love Story" by Heather Lauer (William Morrow, $17.99, 224 pages): This ode to "the king of breakfast meats" is entertaining and informational, full of anecdotes, history, recipes and explanations of what pork belly has brought to the popular culture. Lauer maintains the Web site www.baconunwrapped.com.

"Stone Me" by Mark Blake (NAL, $12.95, 128 pages): You know that fantasy you've had about hanging out with the Rolling Stones? Maybe not a great idea after all. Blake has captured some of the "wit and wisdom" of guitarist and rock legend Keith Richards, speaking on such topics as guitars, women, songwriting and his relationships with the other Stones.

The Bee's Allen Pierleoni can be reached at (916) 321-1128 . Contact him with news of upcoming literary events that are open to the public.