Recommendations based on Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hopeby Don Van Ryn

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

  1. Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed - A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings

    by Michelle Knight
    A survivor's account of her abduction, captivity and eventual escape from a decade of torture and abuse.

    The #1, New York Times, Bestseller and inspirational memoir by Michelle Knight, whose survival story gripped the world and continues to inspire and offer hope. Michelle was a young single mother when ... (Goodreads)

  2. Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

    by Todd Burpo
    A young boy's spiritual journey of dying and visiting Heaven, and the aftermath of his visions.

    Unglaublich oder erstaunlich? Urteilen Sie selbst: Colton ist vier Jahre alt, als er lebensgefährlich erkrankt und operiert werden muss. Er überlebt um Haaresbreite. Später erzählt er seinen Eltern, ... (Goodreads)

  3. Three Weeks With My Brother

    by Nicholas Sparks
    Memoir of two brothers on a trip around the world, reflecting on their past and strengthening their bond.

    The day the brochure came was a typical one. With a wife and five small children, a hectic schedule, and a new book due to his publishers, Nicholas Sparks was busy with his usual routine. The ... (Goodreads)

  4. Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog

    by John Grogan
    A heartfelt journey of a family and their beloved, but mischievous, dog.

    John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of ... (Goodreads)

  5. Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland

    by Amanda Berry
    True story of a woman taken captive and her struggle to stay alive and be reunited with her family.

    Two women kidnapped by infamous Cleveland school-bus driver Ariel Castro share the stories of their abductions, captivity, and dramatic escape, On May 6, 2013, Amanda Berry made headlines around the ... (Goodreads)

  6. My Story

    by Elizabeth Smart
    True story of a young girl's survival of abduction and captivity.

    The harrowing true story of abduction and survival from the courageous young woman who lived it—now the subject of a Lifetime original movie,, I Am Elizabeth Smart., In this memoir, Elizabeth Smart ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. Not Without My Daughter

    by Betty Mahmoody
    A woman's dramatic fight for freedom from an oppressive husband in a foreign land.

    It was August 3, 1984. Moody, Betty, and Mahtob had spent two days traveling from their home in Detroit to Moody's native country of Iran. In preparation for their arrival, Betty, at Moody's request, ... (Wikipedia)

  8. Heaven

    by Randy Alcorn
    A journey to the afterlife, examining the nature of eternity from a Christian perspective.

    What is Heaven really going to be like? What will we look like? What will we do? Won't Heaven get boring after a while? We all have questions about what Heaven will be like, and after 25 years of ... (Goodreads)

  9. Orange Is the New Black

    by Piper Kerman
    A memoir of a woman's experiences in prison, exploring the effects of incarceration.

    With her career, live-in boyfriend and loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the rebellious young woman who got mixed up with drug runners and delivered a suitcase of drug money to Europe over ... (Goodreads)

  10. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

    by Jon Krakauer
    A gripping narrative of the 1996 expedition on Mount Everest that resulted in tragedy.

    When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. ... (Goodreads)

  11. Under the Tuscan Sun

    by Frances Mayes
    A woman's journey of self-discovery and renewal through a move to Tuscany.

    The story details the trials that Frances and her husband Ed had to go through to renovate their Tuscan property, an abandoned villa ( Bramasole ) in rural Cortona in Tuscany . As university ... (Wikipedia)

  12. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

    by Francis Chan
    A faith-based exploration of the power of love, God's sacrifice and our response.

    Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, ... (Goodreads)

  13. She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall

    by Misty Bernall
    The story of Cassie Bernall, a victim of the Columbine High School shooting, and her unwavering faith in the face of tragedy.

    In a perverse celebration of Hitler's birthday, two heavily armed students stormed through a Colorado school on April 20, 1999, killing as many people as they could. Confronting 17-year-old Cassie ... (Goodreads)

  14. 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)

  15. In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer

    by Irene Gut Opdyke
    A young Polish woman's harrowing experiences during WWII, including hiding Jews and working for the German army, and her journey to America.

    "You must understand that I did not become a resistance fighter, a smuggler of Jews, a defier of the SS and the Nazis all at once. One's first steps are always small: I had begun by hiding food under ... (Goodreads)

  16. Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard

    by Liz Murray
    A remarkable story of redemption and hope, tracing a young woman's journey from poverty and homelessness to Harvard.

    In the vein of, The Glass Castle, Breaking Night is the stunning memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard. Liz Murray was born to ... (Barnes & Noble)

  17. Homer's Odyssey

    by Gwen Cooper
    A cat's journey across the world, discovering the power of friendship and redemption.

    Once in nine lives, something extraordinary happens... The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken ... (Goodreads)

  18. A Woman After God's Own Heart

    by Elizabeth George
    A guide to faith and spiritual growth, helping readers discover their purpose in life.

    Change Your Priorities to Change Your Life and Your Home, You will experience peace, order, and joy when you follow God's guidelines for every area of your life, and best of all, you will become a ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. Dog Songs

    by Mary Oliver
    A lyrical collection of poems celebrating the companionship of dogs.

    Mary Oliver's Dog Songs is a celebration of the special bond between human and dog, as understood through the poet's relationship to the canines that have accompanied her daily walks, warmed her ... (Goodreads)

  20. My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business

    by Dick Van Dyke
    Autobiography of Dick Van Dyke, detailing his life in and out of show business, from his childhood to his iconic roles in film and television.

    Dick Van Dyke, indisputably one of the greats of the golden age of television, is admired and beloved by audiences the world over for his beaming smile, his physical dexterity, his impeccable comic ... (Goodreads)

  21. The Happiest Refugee

    by Anh Do
    A memoir of an immigrant family's struggles and triumphs as they seek a better life in Australia.

    Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous ... (Goodreads)

  22. Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World

    by Ewan McGregor
    Actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embark on a 20,000-mile motorcycle journey from London to New York, crossing Europe, Asia, and North America.

    It started as a daydream. Poring over a map of the world at home one quiet Saturday afternoon, Ewan McGregor — acclaimed actor and self-confessed bike nut — noticed that it was possible to ride all ... (Barnes & Noble)

  23. Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

    by Elissa Wall
    A memoir of a woman's experience growing up in a polygamous sect, being forced into marriage at 14, and ultimately escaping the cult.

    Stolen Innocence is the gripping New York Times bestselling memoir of Elissa Wall, the courageous former member of Utah’s infamous FLDS polygamist sect whose powerful courtroom testimony helped ... (Goodreads)

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

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

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

  25. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

    by Alex Harris
    A call to rise above society's expectations and embrace challenge and responsibility.

    A generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution." A growing movement of young people is rebelling against the low expectations of today's culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of ... (Goodreads)

  26. Lucky Man

    by Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox's memoir about his life, career, and battle with Parkinson's disease.

    In September 1998, Michael J. Fox stunned the world by announcing he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease – a degenerative neurological condition. In fact, he had been secretly fighting it for ... (Goodreads)

  27. The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder

    by Charles Graeber
    The true story of a nurse who killed hundreds of patients, and the detectives who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice.

    After his December 2003 arrest, registered nurse Charlie Cullen was quickly dubbed "The Angel of Death" by the media. But Cullen was no mercy killer, nor was he a simple monster. He was a favorite ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom

    by Corrie ten Boom
    A remarkable testament to faith and courage in the face of unfathomable odds and unspeakable horrors.

    The book begins with the ten Boom family celebrating the 100th anniversary of the family business; they sell and repair watches under the family's elderly father, Casper ten Boom . The business takes ... (Wikipedia)

  29. The Pursuit of Happyness

    by Chris Gardner
    A man's inspiring story of overcoming poverty and adversity to achieve success.

    , The astounding yet true rags-to-riches saga of a homeless father who raised and cared for his son on the mean streets of San Francisco and went on to become a crown prince of Wall Street, , , At ... (Goodreads)

  30. Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant

    by Daniel Tammet
    A memoir of an autistic savant who sees numbers as shapes, colors, and textures, and can learn languages in a week.

    A journey into one of the most fascinating minds alive today—guided by the owner himself. Bestselling author Daniel Tammet ( Thinking in Numbers ) is virtually unique among people who have severe ... (Barnes & Noble)