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Recommendations based on Educating Esmé: Diary of a Teacher's First Yearby Esmé Raji Codell
* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
by Terry Ryan
A mother's determination to keep her family afloat through creative writing competitions.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is based on the true story of housewife Evelyn Ryan, who helped support her husband, Kelly, and their 10 children by winning jingle-writing contests. Kelly failed ... (Wikipedia)
Drinking: A Love Story
by Caroline Knapp
A memoir of addiction and recovery, exploring the author's relationship with alcohol and the impact it had on her life.
The roots of alcoholism in the life of a brilliant daughter of an upper-class family are explored in this stylistic, literary memoir of drinking by a Massachusetts journalist. Caroline Knapp ... (Goodreads)
Yes, Chef
by Marcus Samuelsson
Autobiographical account of a chef's success, from childhood in Ethiopia to the pinnacle of the culinary world.
It begins with a simple ritual: Every Saturday afternoon, a boy who loves to cook walks to his grandmother’s house and helps her prepare a roast chicken for dinner. The grandmother is Swedish, a ... (Goodreads)
Teacher Man
by Frank McCourt
A memoir of the author's 30-year career as an English teacher in New York City.
McCourt's long-awaited book about how his thirty-year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. Nearly a decade ago Frank McCourt became an unlikely star when, at the age of sixty-six, he ... (Goodreads)
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
by Anne Lamott
A memoir of the author's journey towards faith, filled with humor, honesty, and raw emotion.
Despite–or because of--her irreverence, faith is a natural subject for Anne Lamott. Since Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird , her fans have been waiting for her to write the book that explained ... (Goodreads)
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
by Donald Miller
A Christian's exploration of faith and spirituality, navigating its relevance in the modern world.
The runaway New York Times bestseller that became a cornerstone of Christian nonfiction, Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption. ,"I never liked jazz music ... (Barnes & Noble)
Wild at Heart Revised and Updated: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
by John Eldredge
A guide to help men discover their true purpose and become the wild, passionate men of God they were meant to be.
God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. ... (Goodreads)
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel James Brown
An inspiring story of a rowing crew battling against the odds to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
This novel is about the University of Washington eight-oared crew that represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and narrowly beat out Italy and Germany to win the gold medal. The ... (Wikipedia)
Hidden Figures
by Margot Lee Shetterly
A recounting of the true story of three African-American women's contributions to NASA during the space race.
The uplifting, amazing true story—a New York Times bestseller This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It is the powerful story of four African-American ... (Goodreads)
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
An exploration of the human experience of mortality and the importance of end-of-life care.
In, Being Mortal, author Atul Gawande tackles the hardest challenge of his profession: how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its ending Medicine has triumphed in modern ... (Goodreads)
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time
by Greg Mortenson
A man's mission to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote peace.
The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard Anyone who despairs of the individual’s ... (Goodreads)
When I Was Puerto Rican
by Esmeralda Santiago
A young woman's memoir of her immigrant journey from Puerto Rico to New York City.
Esmeralda Santiago is the oldest child her parents have together, although her father has an older daughter she doesn't know about. Her parents' relationship is damaged as her mother suspects her ... (Wikipedia)
Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
by Melba Pattillo Beals
An autobiographical account of a young African American student's struggle to attend an all-white high school in 1957.
In this essential autobiographical account by one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most powerful figures, Melba Pattillo Beals of the Little Rock Nine explores not only the oppressive force of racism, ... (Goodreads)
Wildflower
by Drew Barrymore
A collection of autobiographical essays that explore the ups and downs of Drew Barrymore's life, from childhood to present day.
Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and ... (Goodreads)
Grace
by Anne Lamott
A collection of essays on faith, doubt, and grace. Lamott's witty and honest writing explores the complexities of spirituality and the human experience.
From the New York Times, bestselling author of, Dusk, Night, Dawn,, Bird by Bird, Hallelujah Anyway, and, Almost Everything, ,"Lamott has chronicled her wacky and (sometimes) wild adventures in faith ... (Barnes & Noble)
Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions
by Christian Lander
Satirical exploration of the lifestyle preferences and cultural quirks of white people in the United States.
They love nothing better than sipping free-trade gourmet coffee, leafing through the Sunday New York Times , and listening to David Sedaris on NPR (ideally all at the same time). Apple products, ... (Goodreads)
A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table
by Molly Wizenberg
A memoir of food, family, and life told through recipes and stories.
• An irresistible story of cooking that goes beyond the kitchen: Molly Wizenberg shares stories of an everyday life and a way of eating that is inspiring, playful, and mindful. From her father’s ... (Barnes & Noble)
American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land
by Monica Hesse
True crime story of a couple's arson spree in rural Virginia and the community's response. A portrait of a struggling small town.
Shocked by a five-month arson spree that left rural Virginia reeling, Washington Post reporter Monica Hesse drove down to Accomack County to cover the trial of Charlie Smith, who pled guilty to ... (Goodreads)
The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don't Have with People You Don't Like Doing Things You Don't Want to Do
by Sarah Knight
Practical guide to cutting out stress and self-imposed obligations, freeing up time for activities that matter.
The "genius" national bestseller on the art of caring less and getting more — from the author of, Get Your Sh*t Together and You Do You, (,Cosmopolitan,). Are you stressed out, overbooked, and ... (Barnes & Noble)
High Tide in Tucson
by Barbara Kingsolver
A collection of essays exploring the natural world and human nature, with a focus on the author's experiences in the American Southwest.
With the eyes of a scientist and the vision of a poet, Barbara Kingsolver explores her trademark themes of family, community and the natural world. Defiant, funny and courageously honest, High Tide ... (Goodreads)
The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves
by Dan Ariely
Examines why people lie and how dishonesty affects our lives.
Het wetenschappelijk bewijs liegt er niet om: zelfs de meest eerlijke mensen nemen meerdere keren per dag een loopje met de waarheid. Hóé (on)eerlijk we zijn blijkt verrassend genoeg afhankelijk van ... (Goodreads)
The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University
by Kevin Roose
An exploration of faith and culture at an evangelical college, through the eyes of an atheist.
The hilarious and heartwarming, respectful and thought-provoking memoir of a college student's semester at Liberty University, the "Bible Boot Camp" for young evangelicals, that will inspire ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Witches: Salem, 1692
by Stacy Schiff
A detailed account of the Salem witch trials, exploring the social, political, and religious factors that led to the hysteria and persecution of innocent people.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of, Cleopatra, the #1 national bestseller, unpacks the mystery of the Salem Witch Trials. It began in 1692, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a ... (Barnes & Noble)
My Losing Season: A Memoir
by Pat Conroy
A personal recollection of a college basketball season, exploring the struggles of an athlete's journey.
“I was born to be a point guard, but not a very good one. . . .There was a time in my life when I walked through the world known to myself and others as an athlete. It was part of my own definition ... (Goodreads)
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
by Steve Sheinkin
A riveting account of the race to build the world's first atomic bomb during WWII.
In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific ... (Goodreads)
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
by Richard Louv
Examining the consequences of disconnecting children from nature, and the need for reconnection.
"I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are," reports a fourth-grader. Never before in history have children been so plugged in—and so out of touch with the ... (Goodreads)
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
by John Medina
Guide to parenting and raising a healthy, happy and intelligent child.
What’s the single most important thing you can do during pregnancy? What does watching TV do to a child’s brain? What’s the best way to handle temper tantrums? Scientists know. In his New York Times ... (Goodreads)
Father and I Were Ranchers
by Ralph Moody
A boy's coming-of-age story, learning the values of hard work and perseverance while growing up on a ranch.
Ralph Moody was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Through his eyes we experience the pleasures and perils of ranching there early in the twentieth ... (Barnes & Noble)
Rocket Boys
by Homer Hickam
A coming-of-age story of a small-town boy and his journey of pursuing his dreams in rocketry.
"Until I began to build and launch rockets, I didn't know my home town was at war with itself over its children, and that my parents were locked in a kind of bloodless combat over how my brother and ... (Goodreads)
The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands
by Laura Schlessinger
A guide for wives to improve their marriages by understanding and meeting their husband's needs.
In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage. Women ... (Barnes & Noble)
