I've never had anyone say they wouldn't want a quilt. I can't keep up with all the family/friends I want to make for.
I'm sorry your father hurt your feelings. If he's always that blunt, he probably doesn't realize how much it hurt you. Many men don't understand why we buy fabric, cut it up and sew it back together when we could just buy a blanket.
Does he already have a favorite blanket on his chair?
I did have an (almost) argument with someone I used to work with. I made her a baby quilt for her (only) child and at the shower she was so happy, she told me over and over how beautiful it was and she was going home right away to get her husband to hang it on the wall above the crib. I told her (privately) it wasn't art for the wall, it was for the baby and I hoped she used it. She never ever did any type of handcraft. They painted the room to go with the quilt, I felt very honored.
Make your father a quilt. Since he does a lot of reading, make it very cozy, flannel or fleece on the back, maybe flannel on the front, too. He'll find out he's happy to have it. Remind him you made it because you love him.