The best 100 Memoirs books

1
Paris

Paris

Paris Hilton
The Memoir

What's Paris about?

Paris (2023) is the frank, entertaining memoir of the celebrity icon Paris Hilton. She shares the highs and lows of her life in the limelight, from epic parties to public humiliation.

Who should read Paris?

  • Paris fans (“Little Hiltons”)
  • People who enjoy candid memoirs
  • Anyone interested in the lifestyles of the rich and famous

2
Things No One Else Can Teach Us

Things No One Else Can Teach Us

Humble the Poet
Turning Losses Into Lessons
4.6 (605 ratings)

What's Things No One Else Can Teach Us about?

Things No One Else Can Teach Us (2019) is a part-memoir, part-unconventional self-help book. Full of revealing personal stories and philosophical musings, it will inspire you to question your beliefs about failure, success, and what really makes life meaningful.

Who should read Things No One Else Can Teach Us?

  • Would-be creatives looking for encouragement to follow the life of their dreams
  • Self-development and personal growth seekers
  • Fans of Humble the Poet who want to learn more about his life

3
Can’t Hurt Me

Can’t Hurt Me

David Goggins
Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
4.2 (723 ratings)

What's Can’t Hurt Me about?

Can’t Hurt Me (2018) is the inspirational true-life story of David Goggins, one of the world’s fittest men. The blinks explore the key life events of this inspirational athlete and military man and provide a fascinating insight into a truly focused and unbreakable mind.

Who should read Can’t Hurt Me?

  • Fitness freaks looking for fresh insights
  • Those wanting tips on how to triumph over adversity
  • Anyone interested in inspirational life stories

4
Tiny Beautiful Things

Tiny Beautiful Things

Cheryl Strayed
Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
4.1 (305 ratings)

What's Tiny Beautiful Things about?

Tiny Beautiful Things (2012) is a collection of advice columns penned by Cheryl Strayed, the formerly anonymous author of “Dear Sugar” for the Rumpus. It takes readers on a beautiful but sorrowful journey through the different stages of our lives.

Who should read Tiny Beautiful Things?

  • Anyone seeking advice on life
  • Those overcoming depression
  • Individuals seeking healing

5
Saved

Saved

Benjamin Hall
A War Reporter’s Mission to Make It Home
4.0 (108 ratings)

What's Saved about?

Saved (2023) is the gripping and timely account of a war correspondent’s near-fatal brush with combat in Ukraine in March of 2022 – and the extraordinary effort to save his life and bring him home.

Who should read Saved?

  • News hounds looking for an inside scoop on current events
  • Thrill-seekers who love a fast-paced story of escape against the odds
  • Anyone curious about the lived experience of those who deliver the nightly news

6
Good Arguments

Good Arguments

Bo Seo
How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard
4.6 (346 ratings)

What's Good Arguments about?

Good Arguments (2022) is one part memoir, one part guide to the art of speaking. It introduces us to the thrilling and eccentric subculture of competitive debate and distills its secrets into timeless principles for effective communication. If we can only learn to disagree better, it argues, we can improve our relationships and revitalize our democracies.

Who should read Good Arguments?

  • Couples who want to communicate more effectively
  • Introverts who want to climb out of their shell
  • Anyone who wants to speak more persuasively

7
Spare

Spare

Prince Harry
A Tell-All Memoir of the British Royal Family and the Institution
4.1 (585 ratings)

What's Spare about?

Spare (2023) is Prince Harry’s highly anticipated memoir, which offers unprecedented insight into life as a royal. With remarkable candor, Harry reflects on his mother’s death, his complex relationships with other family members, and his battles with the press.

Who should read Spare?

  • Fans of the British royal family
  • People who have mixed feelings about the royal family
  • Anyone who wants to know Harry’s side of the story

8
The Snowball

The Snowball

Alice Schroeder
Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
4.6 (362 ratings)

What's The Snowball about?

"By age eleven he’d saved up $120, which was a whole lot of money in 1941. He used that money to make his first investment. He bought six shares of the company Cities Service Preferred – three for him and three for his sister Doris."

The Snowball (2008) offers a revealing look at the life and times of one of modern America’s most fascinating men: Warren Buffett. Find out how this shy and awkward man earned his first million dollars and how following a few fundamental rules enabled him to become the world’s wealthiest man.

This is a Blinkist staff pick

“Warren Buffet is one of those people who seems to have a magic touch. It’s almost as if he’s aware of certain universal secrets that nobody else is privy to! I love learning more about what made him so successful (he memorized textbooks?!) and trying to figure out what makes him tick.” – Ben S., Head of Audio at Blinkist

Who should read The Snowball?

  • Investors
  • Philanthropists
  • Anyone looking for an inspiring story

9
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone

Lori Gottlieb
A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
4.6 (219 ratings)

What's Maybe You Should Talk To Someone about?

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone (2019) is a unique memoir in which the author, a psychotherapist, tells the story of how she herself ended up on a therapist’s couch after descending into a personal crisis of her own. By reflecting on her experiences as both a therapist and a patient, and by relating them to the stories of four of her patients, she came to a better understanding of both her profession and herself.

Who should read Maybe You Should Talk To Someone?

  • Curious minds interested in how therapy works in practice   
  • People suffering from personal, emotional or psychological problems  
  • Those who are feeling lost and looking for some direction

10
Sex for One

Sex for One

Betty Dodson
The Joy of Selfloving
4.3 (151 ratings)

What's Sex for One about?

Sex for One (1987) is a part-memoir, part-guidebook by Betty Dodson, a pioneering pro-sex feminist and masturbation advocate. Dodson recounts her own erotic journey and offers a step-by-step approach to embracing self-love.

Who should read Sex for One?

  • Anyone who masturbates
  • People interested in sexual politics and feminist history
  • Anyone who wants to learn how to embrace pleasure and sex positivity

11
The Courage to Be Free

The Courage to Be Free

Ron DeSantis
Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival
3.6 (33 ratings)

What's The Courage to Be Free about?

The Courage to Be Free (2023) is an account of Ron DeSantis’s career so far, focusing on his work as governor of Florida. He reflects on his approach to leadership and outlines his vision for America.

Who should read The Courage to Be Free?

  • Republicans and anyone who has right-wing political views
  • People interested in US politics
  • Anyone who wants to know more about a potential future president

12
Writing My Wrongs

Writing My Wrongs

Shaka Senghor
Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison
3.3 (10 ratings)

What's Writing My Wrongs about?

Writing My Wrongs (2013) tells the story of a man growing up during Detroit’s 1980s crack epidemic. These blinks take you on a journey from his happy childhood to a life of drugs, gangs, murder and a 19-year prison sentence – and how he came to find hope and redemption through writing.

Who should read Writing My Wrongs?

  • Activists looking to learn more about life in American prisons
  • Students of sociology seeking to complement their studies with a personal story
  • Readers with family members in the prison system

13
Becoming

Becoming

Michelle Obama
The intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
4.5 (538 ratings)

What's Becoming about?

Becoming (2018) tells the story of Michelle Obama, née Robinson. Born to loving parents in a working-class Chicago neighborhood, she grew into a strong, independent woman, who just happened to meet and fall in love with a man named Barack Obama. This is the life story of a woman who didn’t expect to become the first African-American First Lady, yet found a way to continue exercising her own unique voice under the most unusual and trying of circumstances.

Who should read Becoming?

  • People who enjoy an inspirational story
  • Working moms
  • Anyone eager to make a difference

14
The Comfort Book

The Comfort Book

Matt Haig
Hopeful Reflections on the Beauty and Unpredictability of Existence
4.7 (612 ratings)

What's The Comfort Book about?

The Comfort Book (2021) is a compendium of practices, philosophies, stories, and encouragements to help you get through tough times. Matt Haig shares the insights he gained while experiencing years of severe anxiety and depression, as well as his own unconventional strategies for developing a sense of self-worth and looking after your mental health. 

Who should read The Comfort Book?

  • Fans of Matt Haig’s honest and unconventional approach to discussing mental health
  • Anyone looking for strategies to build emotional resilience 
  • People grappling with pandemic-related uncertainty

15
Greenlights

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey
A tour into the life and mind of award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey
4.3 (216 ratings)

What's Greenlights about?

Greenlights (2020) is a guided tour into the life and mind of award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. These blinks tell his story as only he could tell it, full of “outlaw logic” that has informed a wildly original personal philosophy for how to live life to its utmost.

Who should read Greenlights?

  • Fans of the McConaissance
  • Anyone eager to generate their own greenlights
  • People interested in the inner workings of a creative mind

16
In Order to Live

In Order to Live

Yeonmi Park
A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
4.7 (27 ratings)

What's In Order to Live about?

In Order to Live (2015) follows the survival story of Yeonmi Park, a North Korean woman who escaped from her home country. In this inspiring memoir, Yeonmi goes through her horrific journey from North Korea to China and finally to South Korea.

Who should read In Order to Live?

  • Human rights activists
  • Those curious about North Korea
  • Anyone looking for an uplifting story

17
In Cold Blood

In Cold Blood

Truman Capote
A True Account of a Multiple Murder and its Consequences
4.2 (49 ratings)

What's In Cold Blood about?

In Cold Blood (1966) tells the true story of a multiple murder that baffled both police and the public in 1959. These blinks recount how investigators gradually unraveled a meticulous yet simple plan devised by two criminals without scruples or remorse.

Who should read In Cold Blood?

  • Fans of suspense or crime novels
  • Anyone interested in criminal psychology
  • Readers curious about how the true crime genre got started

18
The Way Forward

The Way Forward

Robert O’Neill and Dakota Meyer
Master Life's Toughest Battles and Create Your Lasting Legacy
3.9 (156 ratings)

What's The Way Forward about?

The Way Forward (2022) examines the intersection between combat and life as experienced by two decorated American veterans. Although war can be brutal, it also helped the authors uncover their humanity. And along the way, they learned some of life’s most important lessons that can be applied in both military and civilian contexts.

Who should read The Way Forward?

  • People serving in the military, their families, and veterans
  • Anyone wondering what it’s like to be an elite soldier
  • Those looking to be inspired by real-life heroes

19
The Urgent Life

The Urgent Life

Bozoma Saint John
My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival
3.9 (19 ratings)

What's The Urgent Life about?

The Urgent Life (2023) is part-memoir, part-manifesto to the importance of showing up in your life, and being fiercely present – no matter the circumstances. Bozoma Saint John has experienced both highs and lows in the course of her life. Through it all, she has learned to stay true to herself and her dreams, and to live as if nothing is guaranteed. In The Urgent Life, she describes the events that have most impacted her, and shares how you, too, can live life with passionate urgency.  

Who should read The Urgent Life?

  • People who are hungry to live more boldly, 
  • Young professionals looking for inspiration on how to navigate the corporate ladder authentically. 
  • Anyone who has experienced loss, and is figuring out how to carry on.

20
Reasons to Stay Alive

Reasons to Stay Alive

Matt Haig
An optimistic memoir about depression and anxiety
4.4 (288 ratings)

What's Reasons to Stay Alive about?

Reasons to Stay Alive (2015) tells the story of Matt Haig’s struggle with depression and anxiety, which was so severe that he had constant panic attacks and feared leaving the house. It reveals how Haig learned to channel his natural intensity into the creation of art and developed some unusual techniques for easing his distressed mind.

Who should read Reasons to Stay Alive?

  • Memoir lovers who want to read a heartfelt story of personal growth
  • Social workers and psychologists who want a glimpse of what’s going on in their clients’ heads 
  • People struggling with depression and anxiety who want to borrow some faith and optimism

21
How to Be a Capitalist Without Any Capital

How to Be a Capitalist Without Any Capital

Nathan Latka
The Four Rules You Must Break to Get Rich
4.2 (166 ratings)

What's How to Be a Capitalist Without Any Capital about?

How to Be a Capitalist Without Any Capital (2019) unlocks the secrets of the capitalist system to show budding entrepreneurs how to make big bucks without burning the candle at both ends. Packed with creative hacks and actionable advice, self-made multimillionaire Nathan Latka demolishes the myth that you need a ton of money or a dazzlingly original idea to get rich. So what do you do need? Simple: a willingness to break established rules and chart your own course.

Who should read How to Be a Capitalist Without Any Capital?

  • Entrepreneurs and self-starters 
  • Financial and business experts
  • Anyone looking for a new career

22
Untamed

Untamed

Glennon Doyle
Stop Pleasing, Start Living
3.8 (172 ratings)

What's Untamed about?

Untamed (2020) is a story of unexpected love. In it, Glennon Doyle reveals how falling in love with Abby Wambach completely derailed all her plans for her life – but allowed her to become fully herself. Doyle had spent her life repressing her true spirit, trying to please other people, and be the perfect wife and mother. But, eventually, she learned to tune into her deepest desires and start building a life around who she truly is.

Who should read Untamed?

  • Restless women who suspect their lives are smaller than their ambitions
  • Romantics who can’t resist a story about sparks at first sight
  • Spiritual seekers interested in a social-justice-centered approach to Christianity

23
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Matthew Perry
A Memoir
4.5 (417 ratings)

What's Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing about?

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022) is the intimate memoir of critically acclaimed actor Matthew Perry. From his troubled childhood to his meteoric rise to fame in the hit sitcom Friends to his lifelong struggle with substance abuse and addiction, Perry holds nothing back as he reveals his life, thoughts, and soul.

Who should read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing?

  • Friends fans looking for a deeper insight into one of the show's strongest comedic voices
  • People curious about the darker side of celebrity lives
  • Anyone struggling with addiction

24
The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled

M. Scott Peck
A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
4.2 (140 ratings)

What's The Road Less Traveled about?

The Road Less Traveled (1978) is a personal and professional account of how you can live a more fulfilling life by practicing discipline and developing a better understanding of love, religion and grace. Certain pathways in life are less traveled because they’re more challenging, but, in this case, the path to enlightenment is also far more rewarding. Find out what steps you can take to grow and become a more balanced person.

Who should read The Road Less Traveled?

  • Readers interested in self-improvement
  • Students of psychology and religion
  • People seeking a fresh perspective on spiritual growth

25
The Innovators

The Innovators

Walter Isaacson
How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
4.3 (109 ratings)

What's The Innovators about?

The Innovators explores the social and cultural forces that inspired technological innovation through the history of computers and the internet. By weaving together the personal stories of technology’s greatest minds, The Innovators gives you an inside look at how the best and the brightest innovate and collaborate.

Who should read The Innovators?

  • Anyone who wants learn about the people behind the Digital Revolution
  • Anyone interested in discovering how technological innovations came to be
  • Anyone who thinks that singular geniuses are responsible for society’s greatest achievements

26
When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi
Finding hope in the face of insurmountable odds
4.1 (125 ratings)

What's When Breath Becomes Air about?

When Breath Becomes Air (2016) tells the incredible story of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who was diagnosed with and died from cancer in his mid-thirties. These blinks detail his extraordinary journey in search of the meaning of life in the face of death.

Who should read When Breath Becomes Air?

  • Philosophers and thinkers
  • Medical students and those interested in the field
  • Anyone who has ever lost a loved one

27
A Promised Land

A Promised Land

Barack Obama
The first memoir of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States
4.6 (406 ratings)

What's A Promised Land about?

A Promised Land (2020) is the first volume of the memoirs of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States. The memoir chronicles Obama’s journey from teenage Honolulu ne'er-do-well to Chicago community organizer and on to one of the most beloved – and mistrusted – figures in American history.

Who should read A Promised Land?

  • Anyone wanting to understand modern American politics
  • Lovers of deep-dive biography
  • Those looking to learn college-age Obama’s strategy for picking up girls

28
Born to Run

Born to Run

Christopher McDougall
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
4.3 (153 ratings)

What's Born to Run about?

Born to Run (2009) delves into the human capacity for long-distance running. First-hand accounts, an encounter with a secretive ultra-running tribe and cutting-edge research combine to argue for the idea that we may well be born to run.

Who should read Born to Run?

  • Runners and anyone training for a marathon
  • Armchair athletes
  • Health-conscious people

29
The Dichotomy of Leadership

The Dichotomy of Leadership

Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win
4.4 (111 ratings)

What's The Dichotomy of Leadership about?

The Dichotomy of Leadership (2018) chronicles the extraordinary experiences of two ex-Navy SEAL commanders. While stationed in Baghdad and Ramadi during the Iraq War, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin collected experiences which helped them become effective leaders. After returning to civilian life, they realized these leadership skills were equally effective in the business world. They figured out that, in both combat and non-combat contexts, you can only overcome the dichotomies of leadership and effectively run an organization by finding a sense of balance between opposing forces.

Who should read The Dichotomy of Leadership?

  • Business leaders looking to up their leadership chops
  • Anyone interested in the valuable lessons war can teach us
  • Military buffs looking for riveting accounts of close combat and guerilla warfare

30
The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956

The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
An Experiment in Literary Investigation
4.6 (188 ratings)

What's The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956 about?

The Gulag Archipelago (1973) is a literary chronicle of the Soviet work camps known as gulags, which existed between the years 1918–56. Drawing from his own experience as a prisoner, as well as the reports, memoirs and letters of hundreds of others, author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn provides a chilling account of the constant dread and horror of life in the gulags, while also charting the psychology and organization behind the government-sanctioned prison system.

Who should read The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956?

  • Students of Soviet history
  • Advocates and critics of communism
  • Freedom fighters

31
Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie

Mitch Albom
An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
4.5 (259 ratings)

What's Tuesdays with Morrie about?

Tuesdays with Morrie (1997) chronicles an important relationship in Mitch Albom’s life – the one between himself and his old college professor, Morrie. As they reconnect during the professor’s final months of life, they discuss everything from greed and forgiveness to death and a meaningful life. 

Who should read Tuesdays with Morrie?

  • Anyone who feels lost 
  • Individuals actively searching for meaning and purpose
  • People contemplating how to live a good life

32
The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank
The famous story of a Jewish girl who went into hiding during the Second World War
4.9 (101 ratings)

What's The Diary of a Young Girl about?

The Diary of a Young Girl (first published 1952; this edition 1977) tells the story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who went into hiding with her family during the Second World War. It offers a remarkable portrait of a maturing young woman forced into an unbelievable situation but rising to the occasion. In her diary, Anne shares her thoughts and dreams, revealing a remarkable talent that was tragically taken from the world, along with millions of other lives during the Holocaust.

Who should read The Diary of a Young Girl?

  • People interested in stories of life during wartime
  • Anyone who likes true stories of resilience and survival
  • Young women looking for inspirational figures

33
What I Know for Sure

What I Know for Sure

Oprah Winfrey
Collected life lessons from Oprah's popular column
4.4 (125 ratings)

What's What I Know for Sure about?

What I Know for Sure (2014) outlines the moments that shaped Oprah Winfrey into the phenomenally successful person she is today. Oprah shares her experiences and insights on overcoming hardship and how she used that strength to forge a path toward reaching her full potential.

Who should read What I Know for Sure?

  • People who want to improve their self-esteem
  • Anyone looking for tips to overcome childhood trauma
  • Oprah fans who are interested in her backstory

34
Everything I Know about Love

Everything I Know about Love

Dolly Alderton
A Memoir

What's Everything I Know about Love about?

Everything I Know About Love (2018) is Dolly Alderton’s very funny and painfully honest recollection of her early twenties, and all the bad dates, heartbreaks, grimy flat shares, and steadfast friendships this period of her life entailed. In 2022, the book was adapted for television by the BBC.

Who should read Everything I Know about Love?

  • People on the cusp of adulthood wondering what their twenties will bring
  • Those on the other side of 30, still trying to work out what their twenties meant
  • Anyone who’s a romantic at heart

35
Poor Charlie's Almanack

Poor Charlie's Almanack

Peter D. Kaufman
The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger
4.3 (231 ratings)

What's Poor Charlie's Almanack about?

Poor Charlie’s Almanack (2005) delves into the life and investment philosophies of one of the world’s most reclusive billionaires: Charles Munger. As vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Munger has been instrumental in investment decisions that have yielded profits in the billions of dollars. But Munger isn’t only interested in money. In these blinks, you’ll learn about his inspiring ethical investment philosophy, how he espouses the importance of paying taxes, and how he is a devoted philanthropist, donating money to educational institutions and causes like Planned Parenthood.

Who should read Poor Charlie's Almanack?

  • Investors wanting some tips about how to pick the most lucrative stock 
  • Economic historians interested in the career of one of the most successful capitalists of our time
  • Psychology buffs curious about the mental processes behind investment decisions

36
A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

Sylvia Nasar
The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash
4.5 (100 ratings)

What's A Beautiful Mind about?

The unique story of John Forbes Nash Jr. is one of genius, insanity and recovery. The subject of the Oscar-winning film of the same name, A Beautiful Mind (1998) chronicles the remarkable life of a mathematical genius who, at the age of 30, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had his world flipped upside down. Three decades later, after a miraculous recovery, he was awarded a Nobel Prize for his work in game theory.

Who should read A Beautiful Mind?

  • Students of mathematics or economics looking for inspiration
  • Anyone wanting to understand more about schizophrenia or mental illnesses
  • Fans of the film who want to dive deeper into Nash’s life

37
Buffett

Buffett

Roger Lowenstein
The Making of an American Capitalist
4.5 (133 ratings)

What's Buffett about?

Buffett (1995) tells the tale of Warren Buffett, from his humble beginnings as a boy with a paper route for the Washington Post to his success as one of the newspaper’s largest shareholder. But of course, that’s not all. Today, Warren Buffett is one of the world’s wealthiest people and one of its biggest philanthropists. Find out how he got there, and how he applies his unique mix of hard work, consistency and frugality.

Who should read Buffett?

  • Investors and traders looking for a role model
  • Stock market junkies
  • Students of business or management

38
And Finally

And Finally

Henry Marsh
Matters of Life and Death
4.5 (19 ratings)

What's And Finally about?

And Finally (2022) is about a doctor becoming a patient. The process is painful for neurosurgeon and author Dr. Henry Marsh but in the end, he finds acceptance and understands what truly matters.

Who should read And Finally?

  • Anyone transitioning to a new stage of life
  • People with questions about aging
  • Those whose lives have been touched by cancer

39
Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird

Anne Lamott
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
4.5 (105 ratings)

What's Bird by Bird about?

Told from the personal perspective of author Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird is a guide toward becoming a better writer and improving your life along the way. Lamott’s distinctive approach, honesty and personal anecdotes make this book a must for writers or anyone who wants to become one.

Who should read Bird by Bird?

  • Aspiring and professional writers
  • Anyone interested in learning about the writer’s life
  • Anyone who wants to learn how to establish a creative routine

40
A River in Darkness

A River in Darkness

Masaji Ishikawa
One Man’s Escape from North Korea
4.5 (37 ratings)

What's A River in Darkness about?

A River in Darkness (2000) is the harrowing true story of one man’s life in and eventual escape from the brutal dictatorship of North Korea. Born in Japan, Masaji Ishikawa was one of hundreds of thousands of Koreans who moved to the country between the 1950s and 1980s. His memoir chronicles the life of drudgery, terror and endless hardship that awaited them.

Who should read A River in Darkness?

  • Human rights advocates
  • History buffs fascinated by the Cold War
  • Anyone who loves true life stories

41
Notes from a Small Island

Notes from a Small Island

Bill Bryson
An Affectionate Portrait of Britain
4.2 (66 ratings)

What's Notes from a Small Island about?

Notes from a Small Island (1995) was written by American-born author Bill Bryson as he was preparing to leave the small Yorkshire village in which he’d lived for 20 years, and head back to the United States. Before departing, he decided to bid a fond adieu to his adopted island, Great Britain. This travelogue documents his farewell tour of Britain’s landscape, culture, mores and wonderful eccentricities, which he’d come to love so dearly.

Who should read Notes from a Small Island?

  • Brits looking for a humorous depiction of their own culture
  • Non-Brits curious about this eccentric island
  • Lovers of travelogues and memoirs

42
The Year of Magical Thinking

The Year of Magical Thinking

Joan Didion
Lessons of loss
3.9 (77 ratings)

What's The Year of Magical Thinking about?

The Year of Magical Thinking (2005) is a poignant memoir about loss and grief. It tells the deeply personal story of Joan Didion’s experiences with the life-threatening illnesses of her daughter and the death of her husband. But more than that, it’s also a thought-provoking philosophical exploration of the meaning of mortality, the fragility of life and the mutability of everything that surrounds us.

Who should read The Year of Magical Thinking?

  • Anyone who’s felt anguish over another person’s life-threatening illness 
  • Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one
  • Anyone who wants to understand the nature of grief 

43
The Devil in the White City

The Devil in the White City

Erik Larson
Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
3.8 (34 ratings)

What's The Devil in the White City about?

The Devil in the White City (2003) takes you to Chicago in the 1890s, when the growing city was the host of the World’s Fair amid a time of social upheaval and serious crime. These blinks blend a story of exciting American innovation with the unspeakable acts of one of the world’s first serial killers.

Who should read The Devil in the White City?

  • Readers with a taste for the creepy
  • True-crime fans
  • American history buffs

44
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

Paul Newman
A Memoir
4.5 (34 ratings)

What's The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man about?

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man (2022) is a thoughtful memoir that finds the legendary actor Paul Newman looking back at his life with a critical, introspective eye. Newman isn’t afraid to be self-deprecating as he looks back on his career, as well as his shortcomings as a husband and father.

Who should read The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man?

  • Movie buffs
  • Fans of introspective memoirs
  • People interested in the life of an actor

45
The Hero Code

The Hero Code

William H. McRaven
Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived
3.8 (109 ratings)

What's The Hero Code about?

The Hero Code (2021) is a four-star admiral’s guide to modern-day heroism. Drawing on Admiral McRaven’s experiences in the field and in civilian life, it interweaves stirring life advice with gripping and dramatic anecdotes.

Who should read The Hero Code?

  • Military buffs interested in a retired admiral’s battlefield insights
  • Anyone in need of some wise and helpful life advice
  • Youngsters considering a career in the military

46
Outsider in the White House

Outsider in the White House

Bernie Sanders with Huck Gutman
The political autobiography of the insurgent presidential candidate
4.4 (20 ratings)

What's Outsider in the White House about?

Outsider in the White House (2015) tells the story of Bernie Sanders, the presidential candidate and US senator. From marching for civil rights in the 1960s to campaigning against big money in politics as a 2016 presidential candidate, Sanders has always been at the forefront of US left-wing politics. First published in 1997 as Outsider in the House, this updated version of Bernie Sanders’s autobiography traces his lifelong fight for social justice and economic fairness.

Who should read Outsider in the White House?

  • Anyone interested in the 2016 US presidential election
  • Students of political science or political history
  • US voters looking for information on a presidential candidate

47
With the End in Mind

With the End in Mind

Kathryn Mannix
Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial
4.3 (71 ratings)

What's With the End in Mind about?

With the End Mind (2017) provides a powerful antidote to the fear, ignorance and misunderstanding that surrounds death in contemporary culture. Through observations and personal reflections, it tells the poignant stories of some terminally ill patients with whom the author has worked over her three-decade career as a palliative care doctor. 

Who should read With the End in Mind?

  • Friends and family members of people with terminal illnesses
  • Fans of emotionally moving medical stories 
  • Anyone with a fear of death

48
Into the Wild

Into the Wild

Jon Krakauer
An unflinching account of the extraordinary life and death of Christopher McCandless
4.4 (49 ratings)

What's Into the Wild about?

Into the Wild (1996) is an unflinching account of the extraordinary life and death of Christopher McCandless. McCandless gave up a life of privilege to roam the American West. He lived rough, made friends, and took risks – and for the thrill of adventure, he paid the ultimate price.

Who should read Into the Wild?

  • People fascinated by the thrill of outdoor adventure
  • Anyone bored by their humdrum life
  • Those looking to understand why some people take risks others find unthinkable

49
The Emperor of All Maladies

The Emperor of All Maladies

Siddhartha Mukherjee
A Biography of Cancer
4.5 (94 ratings)

What's The Emperor of All Maladies about?

The Emperor of All Maladies is an informative look at the deadly disease that has affected millions. Cancer is one of the greatest challenges facing medical science today, and this book gives us a rare opportunity to learn about every aspect of it – its causes, its astonishing biological processes and our ever-changing fight against it, from the past to the present day.

Who should read The Emperor of All Maladies?

  • Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and wants a fuller picture of the illness
  • Anyone interested in the history of cancer therapy
  • Anyone interested in the biology of cancer

50
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust

Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust

Hédi Fried
A survivor’s account of Auschwitz
4.6 (83 ratings)

What's Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust about?

Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust (2019) is a survivor’s account of the darkest moment in recent European history. Hédi Fried has spent her life educating young people about the Holocaust and answering their questions. In this book, she considers those questions one by one, and paints a picture of her nightmarish experience that should act as a warning from history.

Who should read Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?

  • Anyone worried about the rise of racism and nationalism today
  • Those with relatives affected by the Holocaust
  • People interested in modern European history

51
The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch
An Inspiring Reflection on Life in Its Final Moments
4.4 (205 ratings)

What's The Last Lecture about?

The Last Lecture (2008) is a heartfelt and insightful rumination on life, death, and the value of pursuing your dreams. In this unique text, computer scientist Randy Pausch reflects on mortality after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. 

Who should read The Last Lecture?

  • New parents looking for sage advice
  • Friends and family of terminally ill individuals
  • Anyone seeking a little inspiration

52
The Happiest Man on Earth

The Happiest Man on Earth

Eddie Jaku
The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
4.8 (388 ratings)

What's The Happiest Man on Earth about?

The Happiest Man on Earth (2020) is the true story of one man, who survived inconceivable horrors during the Holocaust, and afterward made it his mission to change the world for the better. Eddie Jaku saw first-hand how a Fascist regime could spark anti-Semitic hatred, and turn former friends and neighbors into killers. In talking about what happened, he shares how love and kindness helped him to survive one of the worst atrocities in human history.

Who should read The Happiest Man on Earth?

  • History buffs interested in the Holocaust and fascism
  • Memoir-lovers excited to hear the story of an extraordinary man
  • People who want to learn more about surviving complex trauma

53
Unapologetically Ambitious

Unapologetically Ambitious

Shellye Archambeau
Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms
4.1 (78 ratings)

What's Unapologetically Ambitious about?

Unapologetically Ambitious (2020) follows Shellye Archambeau’s journey to becoming one of the very few African American female CEOs in Silicon Valley. These blinks outline some of the valuable lessons, attitudes, and strategies that helped her achieve her goals.

Who should read Unapologetically Ambitious?

  • Driven professionals looking to advance their careers
  • Highly ambitious women of color seeking inspiration
  • Anyone who wants to better manage their personal and professional life

54
Will

Will

Will Smith with Mark Manson
Inspiring Observations and Life Lessons
3.8 (262 ratings)

What's Will about?

Will (2022) is a firsthand account of one of Hollywood’s greatest careers. Will Smith doesn’t just tally up his many successes, though. He also opens up about his struggles, shortcomings, and the help he received along the way.

Who should read Will?

  • Film buffs 
  • Hip-hop aficionados 
  • Anyone who loves inspiring true stories

55
Furious Hours

Furious Hours

Casey Cep
Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
4.3 (50 ratings)

What's Furious Hours about?

Furious Hours (2019) shines a light on the twin mysteries of a 1970s serial killer and the career of the celebrated author Harper Lee. By exploring the shocking case of the alleged serial killer William Maxwell and his victims, these blinks retrace Harper Lee’s steps and finally tell the true crime story that Lee always wanted to write.

Who should read Furious Hours?

  • True crime addicts looking for their next scare
  • Bookworms who want to learn more about the life of a celebrated author
  • Law enthusiasts interested in courtroom dramas

56
Vagabonding

Vagabonding

Rolf Potts
An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
4.2 (45 ratings)

What's Vagabonding about?

A vagabond himself, Potts details his travel adventures in Vagabonding (2002). Informed by firsthand experience, he outlines what to do and not to do in order to get the most out of hitting the road for the long haul.

Who should read Vagabonding?

  • Anyone seeking a life less ordinary
  • People looking for an alternative approach to traveling
  • Anyone interested in the accounts of a long-term traveler

57
Option B

Option B

Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
4.2 (79 ratings)

What's Option B about?

Option B (2017) is based on the personal experiences of Sheryl Sandberg who, after losing her husband, fell into a period of deep mourning. However, Sheryl’s story is not one of despair; it’s one of perseverance, and of emerging from a horrible experience even stronger than before. Discover what Sheryl learned about the grieving process and how she was able to reclaim her joy, find meaning in life – and death – and move on.

Who should read Option B?

  • Grief counselors
  • Readers experiencing personal hardship and mourning
  • Parents, friends and lovers who want to be supportive

58
Drop the Ball

Drop the Ball

Tiffany Dufu
Achieving More by Doing Less
3.7 (51 ratings)

What's Drop the Ball about?

Drop the Ball (2017) is a guide to living that makes the simple argument that you don’t have to do it all to have it all. Part memoir and part manifesto, the title provides a new approach to life for modern women.

Who should read Drop the Ball?

  • Young women breaking into the working world
  • Mothers still striving for professional success
  • Anyone interested in advocating gender equality

59
The Biggest Bluff

The Biggest Bluff

Maria Konnikova
How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win
4.1 (152 ratings)

What's The Biggest Bluff about?

The Biggest Bluff (2020) follows writer Maria Konnikova’s journey to becoming a poker champion under the guidance of Poker Hall of Fame inductee Erik Seidel. Applying her background in psychology to the world of poker, Konnikova reveals the game as a metaphor for life and shares lessons that can be applied on – and off – the tables.

Who should read The Biggest Bluff?

  • Game enthusiasts
  • Psychologists
  • Novices who want to master a new skill

60
The Ride of a Lifetime

The Ride of a Lifetime

Robert Iger
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
4.5 (151 ratings)

What's The Ride of a Lifetime about?

In The Ride of a Lifetime (2019), Robert Iger charts his career from the backrooms of an American TV network to CEO of Disney. As Iger himself emphasizes, reaching the top wasn’t always smooth sailing – in fact, Disney’s future was anything but secure when he landed his dream job back in 2005. So how did he turn things around? Well, that’s what we’ll be exploring in these blinks as we look at the strategy, vision, and leadership style of one of the world’s most innovative CEOs. 

Who should read The Ride of a Lifetime?

  • Insight-hungry leaders
  • Tech-heads fascinated by innovation 
  • Movie-goers interested in what happens behind the scenes

61
Imperfect Courage

Imperfect Courage

Jessica Honegger
Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared
3.5 (32 ratings)

What's Imperfect Courage about?

In Imperfect Courage (2018), Jessica Honegger shares inspiring stories from her purposeful life as an entrepreneur. She describes how she built a hugely successful fair-trade jewelry and fashion business by connecting artisans in developing countries with women across the United States. She also shares how, in doing so, she broke out of her comfort zone, found new reserves of courage and is pursuing a fulfilling, purposeful life.

Who should read Imperfect Courage?

  • Anyone who believes in global sisterhood
  • Entrepreneurs with a purpose
  • People who want to test the limits of their own courage

62
A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare

A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare

James Shapiro
1599
4.4 (104 ratings)

What's A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare about?

A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare (2005) sets out to answer a slippery question: How did Shakespeare become Shakespeare? Despite centuries of digging, literary scholars have failed to find the kind of documentary evidence that illuminates conventional biographies. Does that mean we can only speculate about the great dramatist’s life? Not quite. In these blinks, we’ll shed light on the real Shakespeare by reconstructing the world in which he lived during the single and remarkable year of 1599.

Who should read A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare?

  • Shakespeare lovers
  • History buffs
  • Theatergoers

63
The Art of Asking

The Art of Asking

Amanda Palmer
or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
3.5 (58 ratings)

What's The Art of Asking about?

The Art of Asking (2014) is Amanda Palmer’s personal account of how she developed her philosophy of asking, sharing and connecting. Through these blinks you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how to accept help, reciprocate the generosity of others and build a tight-knit, family-like fanbase to support you in whatever you do.

Who should read The Art of Asking?

  • Fans of music sensation Amanda Palmer
  • People who struggle to ask for help
  • Artists striving to create a highly connected and helpful fan base

64
How to Fail

How to Fail

Elizabeth Day
Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong
3.9 (124 ratings)

What's How to Fail about?

How to Fail (2019) is an honest and revealing look at the abundant rewards that come from making it through the toughest of times. Author Elizabeth Day takes us through many of the formative events in her life that some could call failures, yet she is nonetheless grateful for. Many fear failure like the plague, but it is often unavoidable – and for good reason too, because if we didn’t fail, we wouldn’t learn the many important lessons that make us smarter and better at living life.

Who should read How to Fail?

  • Anyone going through a tough time
  • People looking to rebound from a failed project
  • Women thinking about starting a family

65
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars

What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars

Jim Paul
The story of a man who lost it all
4.4 (91 ratings)

What's What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars about?

What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars (1994) is the story of a trader’s rise to the top and the bad decisions that cost him a fortune. It examines the psychological and behavioral dimensions of market trading and asks why traders sometimes abandon all reason and allow losses to keep mounting until they become unmanageable. It explains not only how losses can be avoided but also why avoiding them is far more important than making money if you want to succeed.

Who should read What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?

  • Traders who want to understand how psychology might affect their decision-making
  • People who want to understand how we rationalize and justify loss
  • Anyone interested in getting rich by trading

66
Lady in Waiting

Lady in Waiting

Anne Glenconner
My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown
4.1 (34 ratings)

What's Lady in Waiting about?

In Lady in Waiting (2019), Lady Anne Glenconner draws back the curtain on royal life in Britain. Glenconner was lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret for over 30 years. As companion and confidante to the princess, she gleaned a unique perspective on Margaret’s glamorous, scandalous, and secretive life.

Who should read Lady in Waiting?

  • Royal-watchers keen to go behind closed doors at Kensington Palace
  • Fans of Netflix’s The Crown who want to get the real scoop on Margaret
  • Anyone with an appetite for upper-class English gossip

67
An Invisible Thread

An Invisible Thread

Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny
4.7 (22 ratings)

What's An Invisible Thread about?

An Invisible Thread (2011) recounts the story of the incredible and unlikely friendship between a successful businesswoman and a poverty-stricken young boy – a friendship that ultimately changed both of their lives forever.

Who should read An Invisible Thread?

  • Anyone who enjoys a heartwarming story
  • People curious about 1980s New York
  • Those interested in the benefits of altruism

68
Educated

Educated

Tara Westover
A Memoir
4.3 (143 ratings)

What's Educated about?

Educated (2018) is the memoir of Tara Westover, who grew up in a Mormon family in rural Idaho, and, despite never attending school, was able to earn a PhD from the University of Cambridge. However, she had to pay a high price to achieve her academic dreams. Indeed, she lost her family in the process.

Who should read Educated?

  • Readers who love astonishing memoirs
  • Anyone interested in a peek inside a Mormon family
  • Teachers and anyone curious about higher education

69
The Audacity of Hope

The Audacity of Hope

Barack Obama
Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
4.6 (99 ratings)

What's The Audacity of Hope about?

The Audacity of Hope is based on a keynote speech Barack Obama delivered at the 2004 Democratic Convention, which launched him into the spotlight of the nation. It contains many of the subjects of Obama’s 2008 campaign for the presidency.

Who should read The Audacity of Hope?

  • Anyone interested in American politics and international affairs
  • Anyone who wants to find out about Obama’s core values

70
Finding the Mother Tree

Finding the Mother Tree

Suzanne Simard
Discovering How the Forest Is Wired for Intelligence and Healing
4.5 (197 ratings)

What's Finding the Mother Tree about?

Finding the Mother Tree (2021) is a vivid blend of science and memoir that describes the breathtaking personal and professional journey of renowned ecologist Suzanne Simard. It unearths the strange and surprising secrets buried deep in the forests of British Columbia –⁠ and, in the process, forever alters our understanding of the natural world. 

Who should read Finding the Mother Tree?

  • Lovers of the natural world
  • Fans of memoir and biography
  • Anyone yearning to escape the city for the wilderness

71
Hunger

Hunger

Roxane Gay
A Memoir of (My) Body
4.2 (48 ratings)

What's Hunger about?

Hunger (2017) is a personal, open-hearted account of what it’s like to live with a body that’s frowned upon by society.

Who should read Hunger?

  • Victims of abuse and sexual violence
  • Students of psychology and social work
  • Anyone struggling with eating disorders

72
Born a Crime

Born a Crime

Trevor Noah
Stories from a South African Childhood
4.4 (84 ratings)

What's Born a Crime about?

Born a Crime (2016) is about Trevor Noah's childhood and adolescence in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. A child of mixed heritage, Noah details the challenges he faced and the peculiarities that existed when he was growing up.

Who should read Born a Crime?

  • Trevor Noah fans
  • Those interested in life during and after apartheid in South Africa
  • Anyone after an inspiring personal story

73
Love Warrior

Love Warrior

Glennon Doyle
A Memoir
4.0 (84 ratings)

What's Love Warrior about?

Love Warrior (2017) by Glennon Doyle is a memoir that recounts how one woman battled through addiction, disordered eating, and betrayal by confronting and ultimately owning her vulnerabilities. More than that, it’s a meditation on what pain has to teach us, and how, by embracing our own failings, we can live as our most authentic selves.

Who should read Love Warrior?

  • Women who try not to take up too much space
  • Mothers struggling to reconnect with their own identities
  • Anyone who’s ever hit rock bottom and wanted to get back up

74
Secondhand Time

Secondhand Time

Svetlana Alexievich
The Last of the Soviets
4.2 (57 ratings)

What's Secondhand Time about?

These blinks give some revolutionary insights into an epoch-making time in Russia’s history. The author presents an oral history of Russia’s transition from Stalinism to capitalism in which she lets people who were there tell their stories. In Secondhand Time (2016), her witnesses tell us what it means to be Russian, then and now. All of them lived through this transitional period, but some did not survive.

Who should read Secondhand Time?

  • Cultural historians
  • People who want to know more about Russia and the Cold War
  • Readers curious about the Russian reaction to capitalism

75
The Education of a Value Investor

The Education of a Value Investor

Guy Spier
My Transformative Quest for Wealth, Wisdom and Enlightenment
4.3 (127 ratings)

What's The Education of a Value Investor about?

In The Education of a Value Investor (2014), Guy Spier recounts his transformation from greedy hedge-fund manager on Wall Street to a successful value investor. Sharing the incredible story of his career and the wisdom he acquired along the way, Spier has some surprising insights concerning, what he sees as a false choice between leading an ethical life and a financially successful one. With great admiration, Spier also names the people who were most influential to his professional life, explaining the specific effect each of them had on his mindset and career.

Who should read The Education of a Value Investor?

  • Anyone working as a hedge fund manager and frustrated with traditional business practices
  • Anyone interested in the value-investing philosophy
  • Anyone interested in the personal transformation of Guy Spier

76
Finding Me

Finding Me

Viola Davis
A Memoir
4.6 (260 ratings)

What's Finding Me about?

Finding Me (2022) is the highly anticipated memoir from Oscar-, Tony-, and Emmy-award winning actress Viola Davis. Davis is unafraid to share the rawest, most intimate details of her life story, from the brutal hardship of her childhood on Rhode Island, through her tenacious years as a Broadway stage actor, to her arrival into the upper echelons of Hollywood celebrity. 

Who should read Finding Me?

  • Film fans who loved Davis in Doubt, Fences, The Help, and more
  • Theater aficionados interested in a backstage perspective on Broadway
  • Anyone who can’t resist an inspiring true story of success against all odds

77
Call Sign Chaos

Call Sign Chaos

Jim Mattis
Learning to Lead
4.0 (57 ratings)

What's Call Sign Chaos about?

Call Sign Chaos (2019) examines US foreign policy through the eyes of one of America’s most formidable strategic thinkers – General Jim Mattis. These blinks span Mattis’ entire storied career, from his youthful decision to join the Marines to his leadership of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. They provide a deep and personal take on the American military.

Who should read Call Sign Chaos?

  • History buffs 
  • Politically-inclined individuals
  • Leaders

78
The Rise

The Rise

Mike Sielski
Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality
4.3 (225 ratings)

What's The Rise about?

The Rise (2022) provides an intimate account of the early years of Kobe Bryant’s career. It explores the influences that helped Bryant become so passionate about basketball and shows how his remarkable talent helped transform his suburban high school team into a state championship winner. It also reveals how Bryant carefully crafted his legacy from an early age, displaying an advanced media savvy he would employ throughout his career.

Who should read The Rise?

  • Fans of Kobe Bryant interested in the early influences that shaped his career
  • Memoir lovers curious to find out more about the formative years of a sports icon

79
Dear Girls

Dear Girls

Ali Wong
Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life
3.9 (52 ratings)

What's Dear Girls about?

Dear Girls (2019) is a loving and hilarious collection of letters from a mother to her daughters about how to deal with the inevitable challenges of life. Detailing the author’s most embarrassing, unpleasant, and momentous experiences, Dear Girls shows us that simply embracing who you are is the first step to self-fulfillment. 

Who should read Dear Girls?

  • Aspiring stand-up comedians
  • Young professionals seeking career advice
  • New or soon-to-be mothers

80
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot
How one woman's cells changed scientific thinking forever.
4.2 (94 ratings)

What's The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks about?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of a poor tobacco farmer who died from cervical cancer, and her cell strand, HeLa, which scientists used to develop a cure for polio and other diseases. In a fascinating and revealing investigation, author Rebecca Skloot uncovers the history of Henrietta and her family, of the exploitation of black Americans by the medical industry, and of Henrietta’s immortal cells.

Who should read The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks?

  • Anyone interested in the history of medicine
  • Anyone interested in the history of the relationship between black Americans and the US medical industry

81
Cork Dork

Cork Dork

Bianca Bosker
A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste
4.4 (60 ratings)

What's Cork Dork about?

Cork Dork (2019) explores the world of wine through the eyes of one aspiring wine-expert. Bianca Bosker quit her job in journalism and set herself an ambitious goal: to become an expert sommelier. Despite having little prior knowledge of wine, she achieved this in just eighteen months. Along the way, she learned everything there is to know about wine – making it, serving it, tasting it, and talking about it.

Who should read Cork Dork?

  • Drinkers curious about wine
  • Aspiring sommeliers
  • Diners unsure of what to drink

82
The Unwinding of the Miracle

The Unwinding of the Miracle

Julie Yip-Williams
A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After
4.4 (163 ratings)

What's The Unwinding of the Miracle about?

As a blind child, Julie Yip-Williams escaped from the poverty of war-torn Vietnam to the peaceful abundance of Los Angeles. For most people, this would have been their life’s most remarkable event – but Julie wasn’t destined for a normal life. In her candid memoir, The Unwinding of the Miracle (2019), Julie takes us on an extraordinary journey through her equally extraordinary time on Earth – from her birth and blindness to her world travels and battle with terminal cancer.

Who should read The Unwinding of the Miracle?

  • Cancer patients feeling alone in their fight
  • Compassionate souls who want to feel another person’s pain
  • Anybody wanting to be told an uncanny tale 

83
Hit Refresh

Hit Refresh

Satya Nadella
The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft’s Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone
4.4 (93 ratings)

What's Hit Refresh about?

Hit Refresh (2017) charts the journey of Satya Nadella, from his childhood as a cricket-obsessed boy in Hyderabad, India, to working at the very top of global tech powerhouse Microsoft. Packed full of illuminating reflections on everything from the psychology of the cricket field to what parenthood can teach us about business, these blinks provide a rare insight into the life and thoughts of one of the world’s most influential men.

Who should read Hit Refresh?

  • Tech-heads and computer whizzes
  • Business students and entrepreneurs
  • Anyone interested in the past, present or future of Microsoft

84
Fukushima

Fukushima

David Lochbaum
The Story of a Nuclear Disaster
4.0 (50 ratings)

What's Fukushima about?

Fukushima (2014) tells the story of how one of the biggest tsunamis in Japan’s history combined with government neglect, corporate interest and propaganda to create the most serious nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The book was written by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit that brings together science and political advocacy.

Who should read Fukushima?

  • Anyone who believes nuclear energy is “safe”
  • People who want to know more about the Fukushima disaster

85
Strength in What Remains

Strength in What Remains

Tracy Kidder
A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness
3.9 (15 ratings)

What's Strength in What Remains about?

Strength in What Remains (2009) tells the story of a man who, after fleeing war-torn Burundi, is able to make his dreams a reality with the help of a few kind souls. By following his story, you’ll learn all about how the small actions of a few good people can make a huge difference for a community on the other side of the world.

Who should read Strength in What Remains?

  • Anyone interested in refugees' stories 
  • People curious about the Hutu-Tutsi conflict
  • Established and aspiring philanthropists

86
The Man Who Fed the World

The Man Who Fed the World

Leon Hesser
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger
4.5 (23 ratings)

What's The Man Who Fed the World about?

The Man Who Fed the World tells the story of Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and his work in fighting world hunger. The past and future of world agriculture and hunger are examined.

Who should read The Man Who Fed the World?

  • Anyone curious about how one man saved a billion people from starvation
  • Anyone interested in how agriculture underwent its own “green revolution”

87
Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Heinz Schilling
Rebel in an Age of Upheaval
4.4 (48 ratings)

What's Martin Luther about?

Martin Luther (2017) details the life and times of one of the most important figures in European history. Five hundred years ago, the German priest Martin Luther sparked the Reformation, which would eventually bring the Protestant Church into existence and thereby create a permanent schism between the Protestant and the Roman Catholic Church. This book presents a fresh interpretation of Luther’s life, investigating what his actions – and the Reformation in general – tell us about the modern world.

Who should read Martin Luther?

  • People skeptical as to the power religion can hold over people
  • History junkies who want to learn more about how modern Europe emerged
  • Anyone curious about one of the most famous historical figures of all time

88
The Soul of a Woman

The Soul of a Woman

Isabel Allende
A personal meditation on life, feminism, and what it means to be a woman
4.4 (64 ratings)

What's The Soul of a Woman about?

The Soul of a Woman (2021) is an honest and personal meditation on life, feminism, and what it means to be a woman. Drawing on experiences from the author’s life, it explores issues around women’s oppression, love, ambition, aging, and abuse. It is at once the story of one woman and the story of all women.

Who should read The Soul of a Woman?

  • Anyone who has experienced misogyny
  • Men who want to understand what life is like for women
  • Fans of biographies and memoirs

89
The World as It Is

The World as It Is

Ben Rhodes
A Memoir of the Obama White House
4.4 (27 ratings)

What's The World as It Is about?

The World as It Is (2018) is a deeply personal look at the Obama presidency, written by a man who not only worked closely with the forty-fourth president, but also became his friend. Taking us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Obama’s presidency, from his first campaign to Trump’s inauguration, these blinks also chronicle the author’s personal journey from fresh-faced staffer to hardened national security operator.

Who should read The World as It Is?

  • History and politics buffs
  • Anyone interested in an inside look at the highest levels of government
  • People who want a better understanding of the state of US politics today

90
The Perfect Day to Boss Up

The Perfect Day to Boss Up

Rick Ross
A Hustler's Guide to Building Your Empire
4.2 (279 ratings)

What's The Perfect Day to Boss Up about?

The Perfect Day to Boss Up (2021) is a swaggering, no-nonsense road map to becoming the CEO of your life. Drawing on hip-hop icon Rick Ross’s life, it divulges behind-the-scenes stories, advice, and mindsets that’ll guide you on your own path to success.

Who should read The Perfect Day to Boss Up?

  • Dreamers seeking straight-talking inspiration, insight, and intel on achieving success
  • Fans of the song “Hustlin’” who’re curious how the Boss’s hustle plays out in real life 
  • Go-getters seeking an alternative to cookie-cutter self-improvement manuals

91
Love, Pamela

Love, Pamela

Pamela Anderson
A Tell-All Memoir of the Actress, Icon & Former Playboy Playmate
4.3 (13 ratings)

What's Love, Pamela about?

In her memoir, Love, Pamela (2023), superstar Pamela Anderson tells her own story behind decades of life in the headlines. Through poetry and insightful storytelling, she shares how her passion for exploring love has guided her journey.

Who should read Love, Pamela?

  • Fans of Pamela Anderson
  • People only aware of Pamela Anderson’s public persona and curious to learn more
  • Anyone interested to what it’s like to live as a global celebrity

92
On the Move

On the Move

Oliver Sacks
A Life
4.6 (64 ratings)

What's On the Move about?

On the Move (2015) is a poignant memoir that tells the story of how Oliver Sacks became an acclaimed writer and neurologist. Published the year of his death, it provides a wistful account of his turbulent young adulthood – detailing his struggle with addiction and addressing his sexuality for the first time in print.

Who should read On the Move ?

  • Fans of Oliver Sacks   
  • Readers interested in medical writing
  • Anyone who likes a good coming-of-age story

93
String Theory

String Theory

David Foster Wallace
On Tennis
3.7 (56 ratings)

What's String Theory about?

String Theory (2016) is a collection of essays about tennis by David Foster Wallace. The best players in the world sacrifice their lives so that they can entertain us, but their sacrifice elevates them to a level of greatness that the rest of us lowly mortals will never achieve.

Who should read String Theory?

  • Tennis players who wonder if there is really such a gap between them and the best players
  • Sports enthusiasts who are looking for an incisive analysis of what makes a great athlete
  • David Foster Wallace fans who want to see another side of his brilliant mind

94
Wonderland

Wonderland

Steven Johnson
How Play Made the Modern World
4.5 (26 ratings)

What's Wonderland about?

Wonderland (2016) argues that the role of play and fun in human history is undervalued. We have been told by history books that wars, revolutions and monarchs are the drivers of history, and we thus tend to overlook more mundane factors in favor of powerful figures and famous movements. However, the pleasure we derive from bone flutes, board games, the color purple or alcohol have likewise contributed greatly to invention and progress.

Who should read Wonderland?

  • People who like having their usual perspectives challenged
  • Inventors and creatives looking for inspiration
  • Anyone who wants to know how small ideas become big innovations

95
Why Religion?

Why Religion?

Elaine Pagels
A Personal Story
4.1 (34 ratings)

What's Why Religion? about?

Why Religion? (2018) is a personal answer to the question its title poses. Rather than explaining why anyone should adopt or eschew religious belief, Elaine Pagels’s moving memoir shows how her life experiences led her to the study of religion, and how that study has helped her cope with the difficult events of her life.

Who should read Why Religion??

  • Atheists who were once religious
  • Students wondering how study can affect life
  • Bereaved individuals trying to cope with loss

96
Business Adventures

Business Adventures

John Brooks
Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street
4.2 (113 ratings)

What's Business Adventures about?

Business Adventures comprises twelve riveting case studies of key developments in business, economics and finance. While they concern events and companies you may never have heard of, the case studies are highly entertaining and the lessons learned from them are still applicable today.

Who should read Business Adventures?

  • Anyone interested in the highlights of modern economic history
  • Decision-makers in the private or public sector who want to avoid the follies of those who came before them

97
The Missionary Position

The Missionary Position

Christopher Hitchens
Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice
3.6 (92 ratings)

What's The Missionary Position about?

The Missionary Position (1995) tells the true story of the famous nun known as Mother Teresa. These blinks explain how a convincing yet false myth formed around this historic icon whose work and motivations weren’t as noble as we’ve been led to believe.

Who should read The Missionary Position?

  • People interested in Catholicism
  • Students of religion or modern history
  • All readers interested in the story the mainstream isn’t telling

98
Surrender

Surrender

Bono
40 Songs, One Story
4.5 (33 ratings)

What's Surrender about?

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story (2022) is a poetic tour through four decades of the life of Bono, lead singer of U2 –  one of the world’s biggest and longest-lasting bands. With each chapter headed by a song and illustrations throughout, the book is a memoir sprinkled with self-deprecating humor, wit, and poignancy.

Who should read Surrender?

  • Fans of U2
  • Music lovers who are interested in hearing about musical history
  • Anyone interested in pop culture

99
Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
The Definitive How-To Guide
3.3 (24 ratings)

What's Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered about?

Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered (2019) details the personal lives of the women behind the hit true crime podcast My Favorite Murder. Spanning their formative experiences and the things they learned while making the show, this book shares the stories that shaped the authors into who they are today.

Who should read Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered?

  • Self-improvement junkies
  • Fans of My Favorite Murder
  • People dealing with mental health issues

100
No Cure for Being Human

No Cure for Being Human

Kate Bowler
(and Other Truths I Need to Hear)
4.0 (241 ratings)

What's No Cure for Being Human about?

No Cure for Being Human (2021) is the thoughtful chronicle of Kate Bowler’s attempts to make the most of her life after a brutal cancer diagnosis at only 35. Part memoir, part critique of the widespread obsession with positivity, No Cure for Being Human is a poignant dispatch from the fragile border between life and death.

Who should read No Cure for Being Human?

  • Those who’ve supporting a loved one through a serious diagnosis, or have received one themselves
  • Critics of the prosperity gospel and impeccably curated Instagram feeds
  • Those grappling with the idea that they, too, might be incurably human

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