Recommendations based on The Darwin Awards: Evolution in Actionby Wendy Northcutt

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. The Taste of Home Cookbook

    by Janet Briggs
    A collection of classic recipes that evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia, perfect for family gatherings and home-cooked meals.

    More than 1,200 recipes–including more than 135 light recipes--are compiled in this sturdy five-ring binder. ... (Goodreads)

  2. The Constitution of the United States of America

    by Founding Fathers
    Analysis of the core values of the United States, enshrined in the Constitution.

    The complete text of the United States Constitution, including all of the amendments. This inexpesnive pamphlet edition is sure to be prized by Americans of all ages. ... (Goodreads)

  3. Miracle in the Andes

    by Nando Parrado
    A harrowing tale of survival and resilience in the Andes Mountains.

    In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence. Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby ... (Goodreads)

  4. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

    by Deborah Blum
    Uncovering the true stories of early forensic science in 1920s New York.

    Equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller,, The Poisoner's Handbook, is "a vicious, page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie"— The New ... (Barnes & Noble)

  5. A People's History of the United States

    by Howard Zinn
    An examination of American history from a perspective of marginalized people.

    In the book, Zinn presented a different side of history from the more traditional "fundamental nationalist glorification of country". Zinn portrays a side of American history that can largely be seen ... (Goodreads)

  6. First Things First

    by Stephen R. Covey
    A practical guide to finding balance and making time for what matters in life.

    From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to prioritizing your personal and professional goals. I'm getting more done in ... (Goodreads)

  7. Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

    by Lynne Truss
    A humorous look at the importance of punctuation and its effect on language.

    In Eats, Shoots & Leaves , former editor Lynne Truss, gravely concerned about our current grammatical state, boldly defends proper punctuation. She proclaims, in her delightfully urbane, witty, and ... (Goodreads)

  8. Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

    by James W. Loewen
    Exposing the inaccuracies in American history textbooks and exploring the forces that shaped them.

    “Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book. It is both a refreshing antidote to what has passed for history in our educational system and a one-volume education in ... (Barnes & Noble)

  9. Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men

    by Harold Schechter
    The true story of Belle Gunness, a notorious female serial killer who lured men to their deaths in the early 1900s.

    “A deeply researched and morbidly fascinating chronicle of one of America’s most notorious female killers.” —,The New York Times Book Review,, An Amazon Charts bestseller., In the pantheon of serial ... (Barnes & Noble)

  10. If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing in the Pits?

    by Erma Bombeck
    A humorous take on the ups and downs of everyday life, from the perspective of a suburban housewife.

    The hilarious #1 New York Times bestseller: Erma Bombeck’s take on marriage and family life is “fun from cover to cover” (Hartford Courant). Ever since she was a child, Erma Bombeck has been an ... (Goodreads)

  11. Assholes Finish First

    by Tucker Max
    A comedic exploration of modern dating and relationships.

    From the Tucker Max website: What do you do when you've become rich and famous for writing a #1 best-selling book about your drunken, sexual misadventures? I'll tell you what I do: I write another ... (Goodreads)

  12. The Book of Awesome

    by Neil Pasricha
    A celebration of the small things in life that bring joy and happiness, reminding us to appreciate the simple pleasures around us.

    Based on the award-winning 10-million-plus-hit blog 1000awesomethings.com, The Book of Awesome is a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments: • Popping Bubble Wrap • ... (Goodreads)

  13. Obama: An Intimate Portrait: The Historic Presidency in Photographs

    by Pete Souza
    A photographic tribute to the 8-year presidency of Barack Obama.

    This is the definitive visual biography of Barack Obama's presidency, captured in intimate, unprecedented detail by his official White House photographer. Pete Souza began photographing President ... (Goodreads)

  14. Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

    by Julie Gregory
    A harrowing account of a young girl's life under the abuse of her mother's Munchausen by Proxy syndrome.

    A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor’s examining table, missing yet another day of school. Just twelve, she’s tall, skinny, and weak. It’s four o’clock, and she hasn’t ... (Goodreads)

  15. Book Love

    by Debbie Tung
    A graphic novel celebrating the joys and struggles of being a book lover, from finding new reads to dealing with book hangovers.

    Bookworms rejoice! These charming comics capture exactly what it feels like to be head-over-heels for hardcovers. And paperbacks! And ebooks! And bookstores! And libraries! Book Love is a gift book ... (Barnes & Noble)

  16. Death Be Not Proud

    by John Gunther
    A memoir of a father's love for his son, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 17. It's a celebration of life and a reflection on death.

    Death Be Not Proud chronicles Johnny Gunther's gallant struggle against the malignant brain tumor that killed him at the age of seventeen. The book opens with his father's fond, vivid portrait of his ... (Goodreads)

  17. Anne Frank: The Biography

    by Melissa Müller
    A detailed account of Anne Frank's life, from her childhood to her tragic death in a concentration camp.

    Vollständig überarbeitete, um unbekanntes Material erweiterte Neuausgabe der maßgeblichen Biographie Anne Franks.Melissa Müllers fesselnde Biographie der Anne Frank erregte Ende der 1990er Jahre ... (Goodreads)

  18. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier

    by Ree Drummond
    A collection of recipes inspired by life on a ranch, with step-by-step instructions and vibrant photos.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller “Drummond invites fans into her world with irresistible recipes and photos.” —,People, Accidental ranch wife, beloved multiple Bloggie Award-winning blogger, and #1, New ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

    by Ree Drummond
    Collection of home-style recipes from a modern-day homesteader and mother of four.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller Paula Deen meets Erma Bombeck in, The Pioneer Woman Cooks,, Ree Drummond’s spirited, homespun cookbook. Drummond colorfully traces her transition from city life to ranch ... (Barnes & Noble)

  20. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

    by Anna Quindlen
    Reflective musings on life, aging and the joys of growing older.

    In this irresistible memoir, the #1 New York Times bestselling author writes about her life and the lives of women today, looking back and ahead - and celebrating it all - as she considers marriage, ... (Goodreads)

  21. The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest

    by Mollie Katzen
    A vegetarian cookbook filled with delicious and healthy recipes, including soups, salads, and main dishes, all featuring broccoli as a key ingredient.

    This second volume in Mollie Katzen's classic cooking series features over 200 vegetarian recipes and a bounty of kitchen guidance from one of America's dearest cookbook authors. Mollie first revised ... (Goodreads)

  22. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

    by Neil Patrick Harris
    A comedic and personal journey through the life of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

    Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened? Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in ... (Goodreads)

  23. Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three

    by Mara Leveritt
    Uncovering the truth behind a murder case that wrongfully convicted three innocent boys.

    In 2011, one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in American legal history was set right when Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley were released after eighteen years in prison. ... (Goodreads)

  24. The Elements of Style

    by William Strunk Jr.
    A practical guide to written English, providing guidance on grammar and style.

    This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain English style. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by ... (Goodreads)

  25. Food: A Love Story

    by Jim Gaffigan
    A comedic exploration of the author's obsession with food and its effects.

    “What are my qualifications to write this book? None really. So why should you read it? Here’s why: I’m a little fat. If a thin guy were to write about a love of food and eating I’d highly recommend ... (Goodreads)

  26. A Walk Across America

    by Peter Jenkins
    A man's journey across the United States, encountering people and places along the way.

    Twenty-five years ago, a disillusioned young man set out on a walk across America. This is the book he wrote about that journey – a classic account of the reawakening of his faith in himself and his ... (Goodreads)

  27. What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

    by Richard Nelson Bolles
    A guide to the art of job-hunting and career-changing, providing insightful advice and strategies.

    A favourite of job hunters and career changers for more than three decades, it continues to be a mainstay on best-seller lists, from Amazon.com to BusinessWeek to the New York Times, where it has ... (Goodreads)

  28. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

    by Craig Ferguson
    A comical and reflective account of an immigrant's journey to becoming an American citizen.

    “With American on Purpose , Craig Ferguson somehow manages to avoid the pitfalls of self-indulgence and self-importance that plague most (okay, all) Hollywood autobiographies. He has, instead, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  29. The Te of Piglet

    by Benjamin Hoff
    A whimsical exploration of the Eastern philosophy of Taoism through the eyes of Winnie the Pooh's friend, Piglet.

    In which a good deal of Taoist wisdom is revealed through the character and actions of A. A. Milne's Piglet. Piglet? Yes, Piglet. For better than impulsive Tigger... or gloomy Eeyore... or ... (Goodreads)

  30. The Cases That Haunt Us

    by John E. Douglas
    An exploration of unsolved cases, examining the psychology of criminal behavior.

    Violent. Provocative. Shocking. Call them what you will...but don't call them open and shut. Did Lizzie Borden murder her own father and stepmother? Was Jack the Ripper actually the Duke of Clarence? ... (Goodreads)