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Books about Discerning
1984
by George Orwell
A cautionary tale of a society taken over by a totalitarian regime, where freedom of thought is suppressed.
In the year 1984, civilization has been damaged by war, civil conflict, and revolution. Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain) is a province of Oceania , one of the three totalitarian ... (Wikipedia)
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
by Eric Schlosser
An exploration of the industrial food system and its effects on U.S. society.
Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelled American cultural imperialism abroad. That's a lengthy list ... (Goodreads)
On Bullshit
by Harry G. Frankfurt
A philosophical exploration of the concept of bullshit, and its implications in society.
One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bullshit. Everyone knows this. Each of us contributes his share. But we tend to take the situation for granted. Most people ... (Goodreads)
The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro
A butler reflects on his past, grappling with the lost opportunities of a life devoted to service.
The novel tells, in first-person narration , the story of Stevens, an English butler who has dedicated his life to the loyal service of Lord Darlington (who is recently deceased, and whom Stevens ... (Wikipedia)
Into the Water
by Paula Hawkins
A gripping murder mystery, uncovering secrets hidden in a town's haunted past.
Following the unexplained death of her sister, Nel, in a pool at the foot of a cliff, Jules Abbott returns to Beckford, a fictional town in Northumberland , to care for her niece, Lena. The novel is ... (Wikipedia)
Youth
by J.M. Coetzee
A young man's journey to find his place in the world, facing the challenges of love, loss, and self-discovery.
The story begins with the narrator living in Mowbray and studying at the University of Cape Town . After graduating in mathematics and English and in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre he moves to ... (Wikipedia)
Shibumi
by Trevanian
A master strategist must outwit a powerful secret society in a battle for the future of the world.
Nicholai Hel is an assassin, born in Shanghai in 1925 and raised in a cosmopolitan fashion by his mother, a deposed member of the Russian aristocracy. A general in the Japanese Imperial Army was ... (Wikipedia)
Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945
by Tony Judt
History of Europe since the end of World War II, examining the changes and challenges of the region.
Almost a decade in the making, this much-anticipated grand history of postwar Europe from one of the world's most esteemed historians and intellectuals is a singular achievement. Postwar is the first ... (Goodreads)
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
by Michael Pollan
A guide to mindful eating, exploring the connection between health, environment and culture.
A DEFINITIVE COMPENDIUM OF FOOD WISDOM Eating doesn't have to be so complicated. In this age of ever-more elaborate diets and conflicting health advice, Food Rules brings a welcome simplicity to our ... (Goodreads)
حياة في الإدارة
by Ghazi A. Algosaibi
A guide to managing organizational life and achieving success.
"إن كثيراً من النقاش الذي يدور حول الإدارة هو نقاش لفظي عقيم. لا يهم أن تكون الإدارة علماً أو فناً، فالفرق بين العلم والفن مسألة تتعلق بالتعريف أكثر من تعلقها بالجوهر. ولا يهم أن يولد الإنسان ... (Goodreads)
Blood from a Stone
by Donna Leon
Commissario Brunetti investigates the murder of a wealthy Venetian and uncovers corruption and greed in the art world.
A pitch-perfect mystery, an alluring portrait of contemporary Venice, and an elucidating eye into the attitudes of a timeless place in the grip of change. Donna Leon's international best-selling and ... (Goodreads)
Blindness
by José Saramago
A society is plunged into chaos when everyone suddenly loses their sight.
Blindness is the story of an unexplained mass epidemic of blindness afflicting nearly everyone in an unnamed city, and the social breakdown that swiftly follows. The novel follows the misfortune of a ... (Wikipedia)
The Cost of Discipleship
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A theological exploration of the cost of taking up one's cross and faithfully following Jesus.
One of the most important theologians of the twentieth century illuminates the relationship between ourselves and the teachings of Jesus in this classic text on ethics, humanism, and civic duty. What ... (Goodreads)
Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides
by Tim LaHaye
A thrilling apocalyptic story of a demon-infested world and the fight for faith and freedom.
After the Wrath of the Lamb earthquake, Rayford Steele must find his wife Amanda White , who was supposed to land in New Babylon . Buck Williams must find his wife Chloe Steele , who was last seen in ... (Wikipedia)
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
by James C. Collins
Analysis of successful companies and their long-term strategies, identifying key habits and practices that lead to enduring success.
"This is not a book about charismatic visionary leaders. It is not about visionary product concepts or visionary products or visionary market insights. Nor is it about just having a corporate vision. ... (Goodreads)
The Road to Serfdom
by Friedrich A. Hayek
Warning against the dangers of collectivism and the power of bureaucracy.
A classic work in political philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, and economics, The Road to Serfdom has inspired and infuriated politicians, scholars, and general readers for half a ... (Goodreads)
7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
by Jen Hatmaker
A spiritual and practical journey to live with less, finding freedom and contentment.
Why do we pursue, more, when we'd be happier with, less,? This is the story of how, New York Times, bestselling author Jen Hatmaker and her family tried to combat overindulgence—and what they learned ... (Barnes & Noble)
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
by Reza Aslan
An examination of Jesus' life, death and legacy within the context of 1st century Judea.
From the internationally bestselling author of No god but God comes a fascinating, provocative, and meticulously researched biography that challenges long-held assumptions about the man we know as ... (Goodreads)
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
by Nathaniel Philbrick
Journey of the Pilgrims from England to America, exploring their struggles and successes.
HOW DID AMERICA BEGIN? This simple question launches acclaimed author Nathaniel Philbrick on an extraordinary journey to understand the truth behind our most sacred national myth: the voyage of the ... (Goodreads)
A Superior Death
by Nevada Barr
A murder mystery set in the remote Isle Royale National Park, where a park ranger must solve the case before the killer strikes again.
Park ranger Anna Pigeon returns, in a mystery that unfolds in and around Lake Superior, in whose chilling depths sunken treasure comes with a deadly price. In her latest mystery, Nevada Barr sends ... (Goodreads)
Smiley's People
by John le Carré
Retired spy Smiley is thrust back into the world of espionage to uncover a deadly conspiracy.
John le Carre's classic novels deftly navigate readers through the intricate shadow worlds of international espionage with unsurpassed skill and knowledge and have earned him – and his hero, British ... (Goodreads)
The Year of the Flood
by Margaret Atwood
A dystopian tale of survival as humanity faces a new plague, and two women fight against a powerful corporation.
The Year of the Flood details the events of, Oryx and Crake, from the perspective of the lower classes in the pleeblands , specifically the God's Gardeners. God's Gardeners are a religious sect that ... (Wikipedia)
Azazeel
by Youssef Ziedan
A historical-fiction novel of a young man's discovery of an ancient manuscript that leads to a secret religious order.
تدور أحداث الرواية في القرن الخامس الميلادي ما بين صعيد مصر والإسكندرية وشمال سوريا، عقب تبني الإمبراطورية الرومانية للدين المسيحي، وما تلا ذلك من صراع مذهبي داخلي بين آباء الكنيسة من جهة، والمؤمنين ... (Goodreads)
The Caine Mutiny
by Herman Wouk
A naval officer is court-martialed after leading a mutiny against his captain.
The story is told through the eyes of Willis Seward "Willie" Keith, an affluent but callow young graduate of Princeton University . Following a mediocre living as a nightclub piano player, he signs ... (Wikipedia)
A Year of Biblical Womanhood
by Rachel Held Evans
A journey of personal exploration, seeking to understand what it means to be a woman of faith.
Strong-willed and independent, Rachel Held Evans couldn't sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment–a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist ... (Goodreads)
Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
by H.W. Brands
A biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, exploring his privileged upbringing and his radical presidency that transformed America.
A sweeping, magisterial biography of the man generally considered the greatest president of the twentieth century, admired by Democrats and Republicans alike. Traitor to His Class sheds new light on ... (Goodreads)
Citizen Soldiers: The US Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany
by Stephen E. Ambrose
A compelling account of courage, determination and sacrifice shown by the US Army during World War II.
From Stephen E. Ambrose, bestselling author of, Band of Brothers, and, D-Day, the inspiring story of the ordinary men of the U.S. army in northwest Europe from the day after D-Day until the end of ... (Goodreads)
Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo
by Plato
Classic dialogues exploring the nature of morality, justice, knowledge, and death.
The second edition of Five Dialogues presents G. M. A. Grube's distinguished translations, as revised by John Cooper for Plato, Complete Works (Hacket, 1997). Cooper has also contributed a number of ... (Goodreads)
The Signature of All Things
by Elizabeth Gilbert
A woman's quest for knowledge and self-fulfillment, spanning through the 19th century.
A glorious, sweeping novel of desire, ambition, and the thirst for knowledge, from the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed. In The Signature of All Things, ... (Goodreads)
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
An exploration of Christianity and its implications for believing in God.
Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis's forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books - The Case for ... (Goodreads)
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Plan for the World
by Timothy J. Keller
Examining how our work can be used to advance God's purposes in the world.
New York Times, bestselling author of, The Songs of Jesus, Timothy Keller shows how God calls each of us to express meaning and purpose through our work and careers., In a work world that is ... (Goodreads)
The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
by Bill James
Comprehensive analysis of baseball history, players, and statistics. A must-read for any baseball enthusiast.
When Bill James published his original, Historical Baseball Abstract, in 1985, he produced an immediate classic, hailed by the, Chicago Tribune, as the “holy book of baseball.” Now, baseball's ... (Goodreads)
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
by John Piper
Examination of the joys of Christian hedonism, finding pleasure in doing God's will.
Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate ... (Goodreads)
Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family
by Thomas Mann
A story of a family's decline, tracing four generations of a wealthy German family.
In 1835, the wealthy and respected Buddenbrooks, a family of grain merchants, invite their friends and relatives to dinner in their new home in Lübeck , Germany . The family consists of patriarch ... (Wikipedia)
Poetics
by Aristotle
A philosophical treatise on the nature of tragedy and its effects on audiences.
‘The plot is the source and the soul of tragedy’ In his near-contemporary account of Greek tragedy, Aristotle examines the dramatic elements of plot, character, language and spectacle that combine to ... (Goodreads)
Knowing God
by J.I. Packer
Reflection on the nature of God and the relationship between God and humanity.
For over 40 years, J. I. Packer's classic has been an important tool to help Christians around the world discover the wonder, the glory and the joy of knowing God. In 2006, Christianity Today voted ... (Goodreads)
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War
by David Halberstam
A detailed account of the Korean War, its causes, and its impact on American society and politics.
"In a grand gesture of reclamation & remembrance, Mr Halberstam has brought the war back home."– NY Times Halberstam's magisterial & thrilling The Best & the Brightest was a defining book about the ... (Goodreads)
Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
by Chögyam Trungpa
A guide to the spiritual path of the warrior, emphasizing mindfulness, compassion, and bravery in everyday life.
In this practical guide to enlightened living, Chögyam Trungpa offers an inspiring vision for our time, based on the figure of the sacred warrior. In ancient times, the warrior learned to master the ... (Goodreads)
How Will You Measure Your Life?
by Clayton M. Christensen
Exploring the purpose of life through personal stories and business insights.
In 2010 world-renowned innovation expert Clayton M. Christensen gave a powerful speech to the Harvard Business School's graduating class. Drawing upon his business research, he offered a series of ... (Goodreads)
Falling Man
by Don DeLillo
A man walks out of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks and tries to rebuild his life.
During the September 11 attacks , Keith Neudecker, a 39-year-old lawyer who works in the World Trade Center , escapes from the building injured slightly and walks to the apartment he previously ... (Wikipedia)
Listening Woman
by Tony Hillerman
Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee investigates a murder with the help of a traditional Navajo healer, Listening Woman.
The blind shaman called Listening Woman speaks of witches and restless spirits, of supernatural evil unleashed. But Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police is sure the monster who ... (Goodreads)
The Last Days
by Joel C. Rosenberg
A gripping tale of political intrigue and terrorism, set in the Middle East, as the world faces the threat of a nuclear apocalypse.
Book 2 in the bestselling 5-book thriller series that has sold over 1.2 million copies! " The Last Days is a . . . rip-roaring, heart-pounding, page-turning, high-octane geopolitical thriller." – ... (Goodreads)
Crazy Horse and Custer
by Stephen E. Ambrose
A historical account of the lives and battles of two legendary figures in American history, Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer.
The full story of what led Crazy Horse and Custer to that fateful day at the Little Bighorn, from bestselling historian Stephen E. Ambrose. On the sparkling morning of June 25, 1876, 611 U.S. Army ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Collection of aphorisms exploring the human tendency to conform to preconceived ideas and the importance of embracing uncertainty and complexity.
The Bed of Procrustes, is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in ... (Goodreads)
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
by Timothy J. Keller
An exploration of the power of humility and surrendering one's pride and ego.
‘What are the marks of a supernaturally changed heart?’ This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He’s not after some superficial outward ... (Goodreads)
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
by Miguel Ruiz
A guide to transforming one's life by adopting four simple agreements.
In The Four Agreements , don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a ... (Goodreads)
The Sociopath Next Door
by Martha Stout
An exploration of sociopathic behaviour and how to identify it in individuals.
Who is the devil you know? Is it your lying, cheating ex-husband? Your sadistic high school gym teacher? Your boss who loves to humiliate people in meetings? The colleague who stole your idea and ... (Goodreads)
Darkness at Noon
by Arthur Koestler
A political prisoner is interrogated during a totalitarian regime and struggles with his loyalty to the party.
Darkness at Noon is divided into four parts: The First Hearing, The Second Hearing, The Third Hearing, and The Grammatical Fiction. In the original English translation, Koestler′s word that Hardy ... (Wikipedia)
Less Than Zero
by Bret Easton Ellis
A young man returns to his hometown of Los Angeles and becomes disillusioned with the empty and hedonistic lifestyle of his wealthy friends.
The novel follows the life of Clay, a rich, young college student who has returned to his hometown of Los Angeles , California for winter break circa 1984. Through first-person narration , Clay ... (Wikipedia)
23 Things They Don't Tell You about Capitalism
by Ha-Joon Chang
A critical analysis of free-market capitalism, debunking common myths and exposing its flaws. Offers alternative economic models for a fairer society.
Thing 1: There is no such thing as free market., Thing 4: The washing machine has changed the world more than the Internet., Thing 5: Assume the worst about people, and you get the worst., Thing 13: ... (Goodreads)
The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence
by Martin Meredith
A comprehensive history of Africa's post-colonial struggles, from independence to present day.
"The fortunes of Africa have changed dramatically in the fifty years since the independence era began. As Europe's colonial powers withdrew, dozens of new states were launched amid much jubilation ... (Goodreads)
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
by Simon Sinek
A guide to inspiring and motivating others to take action through understanding the power of why.
Why do you do what you do? Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees ... (Goodreads)
The Sovereignty of God
by Arthur W. Pink
A theological exploration of the sovereignty of God and its implications for human life and salvation.
Handles a doctrine little understood and heard of infrequently in these days of humanism. This book gives God his proper place of supremacy and is a classic on the subject. ... (Goodreads)
Killing Jesus: A History
by Bill O'Reilly
A detailed account of the life and death of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it.
Millions of readers have thrilled to bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln , page-turning works of nonfiction that have changed the way ... (Goodreads)
The Messenger
by Daniel Silva
A daring mission to uncover a conspiracy and prevent a terrorist attack.
Gabriel Allon, art restorer and spy, has been widely acclaimed as one of the most fascinating characters in the genre and now he is about to face the greatest challenge of his life. Allon is ... (Goodreads)
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
by Martin E.P. Seligman
A guide to developing an optimistic outlook and mental strength to overcome life's challenges.
Known as the father of the new science of positive psychology, Martin E.P. Seligman draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to demonstrate how optimism enchances the quality of life, and ... (Goodreads)
The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House
by Kate Andersen Brower
An intimate look at the lives of White House staff and their relationships with the First Families. Reveals the hidden side of the most famous address in America.
A remarkable history with elements of both In the President’s Secret Service and The Butler, The Residence offers an intimate account of the service staff of the White House, from the Kennedys to the ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT
by Russ Harris
A self-help book that teaches readers how to overcome negative thoughts and emotions and live a more fulfilling life using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Popular myths about happiness are directly contributing to our epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression - and popular psychological remedies are making it even worse!In this easy-to-read, practical ... (Barnes & Noble)
Police
by Jo Nesbø
Crime novel set in Oslo, Norway, featuring a detective who must solve a case full of unexpected twists and turns.
The tenth in the Oslo crime series featuring detective Harry Hole is the most sizeable entry yet; a twisting-turning saga that pits the gangly maverick against that most feared of serial killers, the ... (Wikipedia)
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds
by Jen Wilkin
An exploration of the importance of studying the Bible and applying it to daily life.
This best-selling book offers practical guidance and helpful tips for women who want to go deeper in their study of the Bible and learn how to teach others to do the same. ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Cardinal of the Kremlin
by Tom Clancy
US and Soviet forces battle for control of a powerful satellite system.
For thirty years, Colonel Mikhail Semyonovich "Misha" Filitov, a personal aide to the Soviet Minister of Defense and war hero, has been passing military, technical, and political intelligence to the ... (Wikipedia)
Politics
by Aristotle
Analysis of the structure and nature of governments and the pursuit of justice.
What is the relationship of the individual to the state? What is the ideal state, and how can it bring about the most desirable life for its citizens? What sort of education should it provide? What ... (Goodreads)
The Bonfire of the Vanities
by Tom Wolfe
An ambitious Wall Street banker's moral downfall in New York City.
The story centers on Sherman McCoy, a successful New York City bond trader . His $3 million Park Avenue co-op , combined with his aristocratic wife's extravagances and other expenses required to keep ... (Wikipedia)
The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity
by Nancy Gibbs
An inside look at the relationships between US presidents, from Truman to Obama, and how they have shaped American history.
The Presidents Club, established at Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration by Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover, is a complicated place: its members are bound forever by the experience of the Oval Office and ... (Barnes & Noble)
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment
by Steve Harvey
A guide to understanding men and their needs in relationships.
“Harvey offers surprising insights into the male mentality and gives women strategies for taming that unruly beast.” — Philadelphia Inquirer “Women should listen to Steve Harvey when it comes to what ... (Goodreads)
An Instance of the Fingerpost
by Iain Pears
A murder mystery spanning four centuries and four perspectives, uncovering secrets of the past.
An ingenious tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page. We are in England in the 1660s. Charles ... (Goodreads)
Devices and Desires
by P.D. James
A murder mystery set in a small coastal town, where the detective must unravel the secrets of the victim's past to solve the case.
When Commander Adam Dalgliesh visits Larksoken, a remote headland community on the Norfolk coast in the shadow of a nuclear power station, he expects to be engaged only in the sad business of tying ... (Goodreads)
The Afghan
by Frederick Forsyth
A retired SAS officer is recruited to track down a Taliban leader responsible for a deadly attack on a US army base in Afghanistan.
A chilling story of modern terrorism from the grandmaster of international intrigue., T he Day of the Jackal,, The Dogs of War,, The Odessa File,-the books of Frederick Forsyth have helped define the ... (Goodreads)
How to Lie with Statistics
by Darrell Huff
A humorous guide to mastering the art of manipulating data to support any argument.
Darrell Huff runs the gamut of every popularly used type of statistic, probes such things as the sample study, the tabulation method, the interview technique, or the way the results are derived from ... (Goodreads)
A Necessary End
by Peter Robinson
A murder investigation in a small English town uncovers secrets and tensions among the residents.
Violence erupts at an anti-nuclear demonstration in Eastvale, leaving one policeman stabbed to death. At first there are over a hundred suspects, but then things narrow down to the people who live on ... (Goodreads)
The Appeal
by John Grisham
Political thriller about an innocent man accused of murder who fights to expose a corrupt court system.
Mississippi attorneys Wes and Mary Grace Payton have battled New York City-based Krane Chemical in an effort to seek justice for Jeannette Baker, whose husband and son died from carcinogenic ... (Wikipedia)
By Night in Chile
by Roberto Bolaño
A Catholic priest reflects on his past life, offering insight on Chilean politics.
The story is narrated entirely in the first person by the sick and aging Father Urrutia. Taking place over the course of a single evening, the book is the macabre, feverish monologue of a flawed man ... (Wikipedia)
The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
by Gavin de Becker
Examining how fear can be used to protect oneself from violence, and how it is a valuable tool.
True fear is a gift. Unwarranted fear is a curse. Learn how to tell the difference. A date won't take "no" for an answer. The new nanny gives a mother an uneasy feeling. A stranger in a deserted ... (Goodreads)
Stillness Speaks
by Eckhart Tolle
Exploring how to live in the present moment and awaken to true joy and peace.
Eckhart Tolle shows you how to become your true self by embracing stillness and silence. When we are no longer limited by our thinking mind, suffering and pain disappears and we are able to move ... (Goodreads)
The Pale Criminal
by Philip Kerr
Private detective Bernie Gunther investigates a series of murders in 1930s Berlin, navigating the dangerous political landscape of Nazi Germany.
Set in 1938, two years after the events of March Violets , Bernhard (Bernie) Gunther has taken Bruno Stahlecker, another ex-police officer, as his partner. The two are working on a case where a Frau ... (Wikipedia)
Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
by Kevin DeYoung
Exploring ways to make decisions and live faithfully, in pursuit of God's will.
Why won’t God reveal his special will for my life already?,, Because he doesn’t intend to,... So says Kevin DeYoung in this punchy book about making decisions the godly way. Many of us are listening ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Jesuit Guide to
by James Martin
A practical guide to Ignatian spirituality, offering insights and exercises for a meaningful life.
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by the Revered James Martin, SJ (My Life with the Saints) is a practical spiritual guidebook based on the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the ... (Barnes & Noble)
It Can't Happen Here
by Sinclair Lewis
A cautionary tale of how fascism can take hold in America, following the rise of a demagogue who becomes president.
In 1936, Senator Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a charismatic and power-hungry politician, wins the 1936 United States presidential election on a populist platform, promising to restore the country to ... (Wikipedia)
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
by Adam Smith
An exploration of the economic principles underlying the development of nations.
Adam Smith's masterpiece, first published in 1776, is the foundation of modern economic thought and remains the single most important account of the rise of, and the principles behind, modern ... (Goodreads)
The Penultimate Truth
by Philip K. Dick
In a post-apocalyptic world, the masses are kept underground while a privileged few live above ground. A rebellion ensues.
World War III begins early in the 21st century. It is fought between the two superpowers, West-Dem and Pac-Peop. The fighting is extensive and severe, most of it performed by "leadies", robots built ... (Wikipedia)
My Dark Places
by James Ellroy
A memoir of Ellroy's investigation into his mother's murder and his own troubled past. A dark and haunting journey into the depths of the human psyche.
From the author of L.A. Confidential comes My Dark Places, an investigative autobiography by James Ellroy. In 1958, Ellroy's mother, Jean, was raped, killed, and dumped off a road in El Monte, ... (Goodreads)
The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
An adventurous search for the truth behind Dracula's legend, spanning centuries.
The Historian interweaves the history and folklore of Vlad Țepeș , a 15th-century prince of Wallachia known as "Vlad the Impaler", and his fictional equivalent Count Dracula together with the story ... (Wikipedia)
What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People
by Joe Navarro
A guide on interpreting body language to understand people's thoughts and intentions.
Joe Navarro, a former FBI counterintelligence officer and a recognized expert on nonverbal behavior, explains how to "speed-read" people: decode sentiments and behaviors, avoid hidden pitfalls, and ... (Barnes & Noble)
Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease
by Robert H. Lustig
A comprehensive look at the dangers of sugar and processed foods, and how they contribute to obesity and disease.
Robert Lustig’s 90-minute YouTube video Sugar: The Bitter Truth , has been viewed more than two million times. Now, in this much anticipated book, he documents the science and the politics that has ... (Goodreads)
Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message
by Ravi Zacharias
A study of religious truth, exploring the uniqueness of Jesus and the Christian faith.
In a world with so many religions, why Jesus? We are living in a time when you can believe anything, as long as you do not claim it to be true. In the name of “tolerance,” our postmodern culture ... (Barnes & Noble)
Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie, A Tale of Love and Fallout
by Lauren Redniss
A graphic novel biography of Marie and Pierre Curie, their love, and their discovery of radioactivity.
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE directed by Marjane Sartrapi, starring Rosamund Pike and Sam Riley. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINIALIST. “Vivid and ethereal” ,–New York Times, “Radioactive is quite unlike any ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe
by Stephen Hawking
Examining the laws of the universe and the search for a unifying theory.
Stephen Hawking is widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest minds, a brilliant theoretical physicist whose work helped reconfigure models of the universe and define what’s in it. Imagine ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Twelfth Imam
by Joel C. Rosenberg
A CIA operative races against time to stop a nuclear war in the Middle East, with the help of a mysterious figure known as the Twelfth Imam.
The plot revolves around David Shirazi, a young CIA operative of Persian descent, who is assigned to stop Iran from developing nuclear power. The story starts in Iran in 1979 during the takeover of ... (Wikipedia)
The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil
by Philip G. Zimbardo
An inquiry into the psychological forces that drive individuals to act immorally.
Renowned social psychologist and creator of the "Stanford Prison Experiment," Philip Zimbardo explores the mechanisms that make good people do bad things, how moral people can be seduced into acting ... (Goodreads)
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War
by Robert M. Gates
A memoir of Robert M. Gates' time as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Bush and Obama, detailing the challenges and decisions he faced.
From the former secretary of defense, a strikingly candid, vividly written account of his experience serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before ... (Goodreads)
The Informers
by Bret Easton Ellis
A collection of interrelated stories set in 1980s Los Angeles, exploring the dark and depraved lives of the city's elite.
Set in Los Angeles, in the recent past. The birthplace and graveyard of American myths and dreams, the city harbours a group of people trapped between the beauty of their surroundings and their own ... (Goodreads)
Theaetetus
by Plato
Socrates engages with Theaetetus to define knowledge and explore the nature of perception and reality.
Set immediately prior to the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BC, Theaetetus shows the great philosopher considering the nature of knowledge itself, in a debate with the geometrician Theodorus ... (Goodreads)
Fluency
by Jennifer Foehner Wells
A linguist is recruited by an alien race to decipher their language, but the task becomes dangerous as she uncovers their true intentions.
NASA discovered the alien ship lurking in the asteroid belt in the 1960s. They kept the Target under intense surveillance for decades, letting the public believe they were exploring the solar system, ... (Goodreads)
The Contortionist's Handbook
by Craig Clevenger
A forger with a rare medical condition navigates through a world of drugs, crime, and love.
John Dolan Vincent is a talented young forger with a proclivity for mathematics and drug addiction. In the face of his impending institutionalization, he continually reinvents himself to escape the ... (Wikipedia)
Shout! The Beatles in Their Generation
by Philip Norman
A comprehensive biography of The Beatles, exploring their rise to fame and impact on music and culture.
Updated to include Paul McCartney’s knighting and the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison. Philip Norman’s biography of the Beatles is the definitive work on the world's most influential band—a ... (Goodreads)
The Bad Seed
by William March
A mother's realization that her young daughter is a sociopath, and the consequences that follow.
Eight-year-old Rhoda Penmark appears to be what every little girl brought up in a loving home should be. Outwardly, she is charming, polite and intelligent beyond her years. To most adults, she's ... (Wikipedia)
Imperial Bedrooms
by Bret Easton Ellis
A dark and twisted tale of a group of Hollywood friends whose lives are intertwined with sex, drugs, and violence.
The action of Imperial Bedrooms depicts Clay, who, after four months in New York, returns to Los Angeles to assist in the casting of his new film. There, he meets up with his old friends who were ... (Wikipedia)
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
by Thomas Sowell
Collection of essays exploring the origins and impact of cultural and social attitudes among different groups in America.
This book presents the kind of eye-opening insights into the history and culture of race for which Sowell has become famous. As late as the 1940s and 1950s, he argues, poor Southern rednecks were ... (Goodreads)
Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Three classic novels exploring the lives and loves of women in Regency England, with wit, humor, and social commentary.
Jane Austen’s novels depict and critique the life of the British landed gentry at the end of the eighteenth century. They are romances that explore the pursuit of marriage for love, social standing ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Art of Choosing
by Sheena Iyengar
A thought-provoking exploration of the complex nature of decision-making and the factors that influence our choices.
Every day we make choices. Coke or Pepsi? Save or spend? Stay or go? Whether mundane or life-altering, these choices define us and shape our lives. Sheena Iyengar asks the difficult questions about ... (Goodreads)
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