Recommendations based on Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladiesby J.B. West

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

  1. Twelve Years a Slave

    by Solomon Northup
    A man's journey of survival and resilience after being kidnapped and sold into slavery in the antebellum South.

    Twelve Years a Slave, sub-title: Narrative of Solomon Northup, citizen of New-York, kidnapped in Washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the Red River in ... (Goodreads)

  2. Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

    by Jenna Miscavige Hill
    True story of a woman's escape from the oppressive and dangerous world of Scientology.

    Jenna Miscavige was raised to obey. As niece of the Church of Scientology's leader David Miscavige, she grew up at the center of this controversial organization. At 21, she made a break, risking ... (Goodreads)

  3. John Adams

    by David McCullough
    Biography of the second President of the United States and his contributions to the founding of the nation.

    The enthralling, often surprising story of John Adams, one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived. In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous ... (Goodreads)

  4. Seabiscuit: An American Legend

    by Laura Hillenbrand
    An inspiring story of the rise of champion racehorse Seabiscuit and his unlikely jockey.

    There's an alternate cover edition, here, Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more ... (Goodreads)

  5. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

    by Sally Lloyd-Jones
    Reimagining of Bible stories to bring the message of salvation through Jesus to children.

    If you are a parent, grandparent, pastor, or teacher looking for a way to teach the children in your life about God’s Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love, look no ... (Barnes & Noble)

  6. Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot

    by Bill O'Reilly
    A detailed account of the events leading up to the assassination of President Kennedy.

    Tthe anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts in gripping detail the brutal murder of John Fitzgerald Kennedy—and how a sequence of gunshots on a Dallas afternoon not only killed a beloved president ... (Goodreads)

  7. Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life, and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt

    by David McCullough
    Biography of Theodore Roosevelt, tracing his humble beginnings to his rise to power.

    Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life, and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt is the brilliant biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt. ... (Goodreads)

  8. Joy of Cooking

    by Irma S. Rombauer
    A comprehensive guide to cooking techniques, recipes and culinary wisdom.

    In the nearly ninety years since Irma S. Rombauer self-published the first three thousand copies of, Joy of Cooking, in 1931, it has become the kitchen bible, with more than 20 million copies in ... (Goodreads)

  9. Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever

    by Bill O'Reilly
    A detailed account of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and its impact on the nation.

    A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly, The anchor of, ... (Goodreads)

  10. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

    by Michael E. Gerber
    A guide to harnessing the power of entrepreneurial thinking to create a thriving small business.

    E-Myth \ 'e-,'mith\ n 1: the entrepreneurial myth: the myth that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs 2: the fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work ... (Goodreads)

  11. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

    by Malcolm Gladwell
    An exploration of unlikely success stories, examining conventional wisdom and biases.

    In his #1 bestselling books The Tipping Point , Blink , and Outliers , Malcolm Gladwell has explored the ways we understand and change our world. Now he looks at the complex and surprising ways the ... (Goodreads)

  12. The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook

    by Paula H. Deen
    A collection of Southern recipes passed down through generations, with a focus on comfort food and traditional dishes.

    From one of the most frequently visited restaurants in Savannah, The Lady & Sons, comes this collection of down-home Southern family favorites. Paula H. Deen, the owner and proprieter, has created a ... (Goodreads)

  13. 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)

  14. 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)

  15. 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)

  16. The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice

    by Rebecca Musser
    A memoir of a woman who escaped a polygamous cult and testified against its leaders, leading to their conviction.

    Rebecca Musser grew up in fear, concealing her family's polygamous lifestyle from the "dangerous" outside world. Covered head-to-toe in strict, modest clothing, she received a rigorous education at ... (Barnes & Noble)

  17. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

    by Charles Duhigg
    Uncovering the science of habit formation and how to use it to achieve success.

    A young woman walks into a laboratory. Over the past two years, she has transformed almost every aspect of her life. She has quit smoking, run a marathon, and been promoted at work. The patterns ... (Goodreads)

  18. Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

    by Ralph Helfer
    The incredible true story of a boy and his elephant, Modoc, and their journey through life together.

    Modoc tells the true story of Bram, a German boy , and his elephant , Modoc. They’re both born on the same day and the same hour. Bram’s father – a third-generation elephant trainer in a circus – has ... (Wikipedia)

  19. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

    by Robert B. Cialdini
    An analysis of the psychology of persuasion and how to use it to influence people.

    Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"—and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding ... (Goodreads)

  20. In Pieces

    by Sally Field
    Sally Field's memoir explores her life, career, and relationships, revealing the struggles and triumphs of a Hollywood icon.

    In this intimate, haunting literary memoir and, New York Times, Notable Book of the year, an American icon tells her own story for the first time — about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft ... (Barnes & Noble)

  21. Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence

    by Bill O'Reilly
    An in-depth look at the Revolutionary War, examining its pivotal battles and figures.

    Told through the eyes of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Great Britain’s King George III, Killing England chronicles the path to independence in gripping detail, taking ... (Goodreads)

  22. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963

    by Robert Dallek
    A comprehensive biography of John F. Kennedy, exploring his personal and political life, and his legacy as a president.

    Drawing on previously unavailable material and never-before-opened archives,, An Unfinished Life, is packed with revelations large and small – about JFK's health, his love affairs, RFK's appointment ... (Goodreads)

  23. A Wolf at the Table

    by Augusten Burroughs
    A memoir of childhood trauma, dark family secrets, and the power of forgiveness.

    “As a little boy, I had a dream that my father had taken me to the woods where there was a dead body. He buried it and told me I must never tell. It was the only thing we’d ever done together as ... (Goodreads)

  24. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle

    by Fiona Carnarvon
    The true story of Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, and her life at Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of Downton Abbey.

    Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes's Emmy Award-winning PBS show Downton Abbey , and the life of ... (Goodreads)

  25. I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank the Irishman Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa

    by Charles Brandt
    A hitman confesses to his involvement in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, revealing the dark side of organized crime and politics in America.

    The first words Jimmy Hoffa ever spoke to Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran were, "I heard you paint houses." To paint a house is to kill a man. The paint is the blood that splatters on the walls and ... (Goodreads)

  26. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

    by David Grann
    Exposé of a series of murders of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma and the FBI's investigation.

    In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, ... (Goodreads)

  27. Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives

    by Gretchen Rubin
    A practical guide to creating and maintaining good habits, based on personal experiences and scientific research.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • The author of, The Happiness Project, and “a force for real change” (Brené Brown) examines how changing our habits can change our lives. “If anyone can help us stop ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

    by Ree Drummond
    A memoir of a city girl turned rancher's wife, detailing her journey of love, family, and finding her place in the country.

    New York Times Bestseller Wildly popular award-winning blogger, accidental ranch wife, and #1, New York Times, bestselling author of, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) ... (Barnes & Noble)

  29. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts

    by Gary Chapman
    Understanding individual love language to strengthen relationships and build lasting love.

    Over 12 million copies sold! ,, A, New York Times, bestseller for 10 years running., Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  30. Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

    by Dan Senor
    Exploring the economic success of Israel, and its implications for the global economy.

    What the world can learn from Israel's meteoric economic success. Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion dollar question: How is it that Israel – a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, ... (Goodreads)