Recommendations based on The Chicago Manual of Styleby University of Chicago Press

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

  1. The Elements of Style

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

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

  2. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

    by Stephen King
    A series of personal reflections on the art of writing, and the power of story-telling.

    "Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon the publication of Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is ... (Goodreads)

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

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

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

  4. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

    by David Allen
    A guide to improving efficiency and productivity through better organization.

    The book, Lifehack, calls ,"The Bible of business and personal productivity.","A completely revised and updated edition of the blockbuster bestseller from 'the personal productivity guru'",—,Fast ... (Barnes & Noble)

  5. Tao Te Ching

    by Lao Tzu
    A collection of wise sayings and reflections on the nature of existence.

    A lucid translation of the well-known Taoist classic by a leading scholar-now in a Shambhala Pocket Library edition. Written more than two thousand years ago, the Tao Teh Ching , or -The Classic of ... (Goodreads)

  6. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

    by William Zinsser
    Comprehensive guide to writing nonfiction, covering craft, style, and technique.

    On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get ... (Goodreads)

  7. History of Art

    by H.W. Janson
    Comprehensive overview of art history, from prehistoric times to modern day. Includes analysis of major works and movements.

    For 1000s of art lovers both amateur & professional, esthetic life began with Janson, as his History of Art is often called. In the 1st edition, published in 1962, he spoke to that perennial reader ... (Goodreads)

  8. 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)

  9. All the President's Men

    by Carl Bernstein
    Investigative journalism that uncovered the Watergate scandal and its aftermath.

    The full account of the Watergate scandal from the two Washington Post reporters who broke the story. This is “the work that brought down a presidency— perhaps the most influential piece of ... (Goodreads)

  10. The Upanishads

    by Anonymous
    Exploration of ancient spiritual wisdom, seeking to answer the fundamental questions of human existence.

    The Upanishads, the earliest of which were composed in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 bce by sages and poets, form part of the Vedas - the sacred and ancient scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu ... (Goodreads)

  11. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

    by Robert K. Massie
    A biography of Catherine the Great, the powerful and controversial Empress of Russia, who transformed her country and left a lasting legacy.

    “[A] tale of power, perseverance and passion . . . a great story in the hands of a master storyteller.”—,The Wall Street Journal, The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  12. Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

    by Joshua Foer
    An exploration of the science of memory and its potential to unlock hidden abilities in the human mind.

    The blockbuster phenomenon that charts an amazing journey of the mind while revolutionizing our concept of memory An instant bestseller that is poised to become a classic, Moonwalking with Einstein ... (Goodreads)

  13. When the Game Was Ours

    by Larry Bird
    The story of the rivalry and friendship between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during the golden era of basketball.

    From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most ... (Goodreads)

  14. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

    by Bill Bryson
    A humorous account of a man's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, reflecting on the beauty and history of the American wilderness.

    The book starts with Bryson explaining his curiosity about the Appalachian Trail near his house. He and his old friend Stephen Katz start hiking the trail from Georgia in the South , and stumble in ... (Wikipedia)

  15. Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

    by Robert McKee
    A comprehensive guide to the craft and principles of successful screenwriting.

    Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy ... (Barnes & Noble)

  16. The Way to Cook

    by Julia Child
    Comprehensive guide to cooking techniques and recipes, from basic to advanced, with detailed instructions and illustrations.

    In this magnificent new cookbook, illustrated with full color throughout, Julia Child give us her magnum opus the distillation of a lifetime of cooking. And she has an important message for Americans ... (Goodreads)

  17. The Constitution of the United States of America

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

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

  18. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

    by Scott McCloud
    Exploration of the visual language of comics and its role in storytelling.

    Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics is a seminal examination of comics art: its rich history, surprising technical components, and major cultural significance. Explore the secret world between the ... (Goodreads)

  19. Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science

    by Carl Sagan
    A collection of essays exploring the wonders and limitations of science, and the intersection of science and society.

    Carl Sagan, writer & scientist, returns from the frontier to tell us about how the world works. In his delightfully down-to-earth style, he explores & explains a mind-boggling future of intelligent ... (Goodreads)

  20. Utilitarianism

    by John Stuart Mill
    Exploration of the moral theory of utilitarianism, evaluating the role of pleasure in decision-making.

    This expanded edition of John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism includes the text of his 1868 speech to the British House of Commons defending the use of capital punishment in cases of aggravated murder. ... (Goodreads)

  21. Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping

    by Paco Underhill
    An exploration of consumer behavior, uncovering the psychology behind shopping decisions.

    Is there a method to our madness when it comes to shopping? Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "a Sherlock Holmes for retailers," author and research company CEO Paco Underhill answers with a ... (Goodreads)

  22. Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

    by Geoff Colvin
    An exploration of the science behind extraordinary success in professional fields.

    One of the most popular Fortune articles in many years was a cover story called: "What It Takes to Be Great." Geoff Colvin offered new evidence that top performers in any field are not determined by ... (Goodreads)

  23. The Moosewood Cookbook: Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant, Ithaca, New York

    by Mollie Katzen
    Vegetarian cookbook featuring healthy and delicious recipes from the Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, NY.

    Among the most influential cookbooks of our time, the Moosewood Cookbook is such a powerful symbol that the publishers were tempted not to tamper with it. But times have changed, and knowledge about ... (Goodreads)

  24. The Life of Elizabeth I

    by Alison Weir
    Biography of the influential 16th-century English queen, detailing her rise to power and rule.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER Perhaps the most influential sovereign England has ever known, Queen Elizabeth I remained an extremely private person throughout her reign, keeping her own counsel and ... (Goodreads)

  25. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

    by William McDonough
    A revolutionary approach to design, advocating for products that can be reused or recycled indefinitely, creating a sustainable and regenerative economy.

    "Reduce, reuse, recycle," urge environmentalists; in other words, do more with less in order to minimize damage. But as architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart point out in this ... (Goodreads)

  26. The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea

    by Sebastian Junger
    A harrowing account of a fishing boat's journey into the heart of an epic storm.

    "Takes readers into the maelstrom and shows nature's splendid and dangerous havoc at its utmost". October 1991. It was "the perfect storm"–a tempest that may happen only once in a century--a ... (Goodreads)

  27. The Problems of Philosophy

    by Bertrand Russell
    A concise introduction to philosophy, exploring the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.

    A lively and still one of the best introductions to philosophy, this book pays off both a closer reading for students and specialists, and a casual reading for the general public. ... (Goodreads)

  28. Mastering the Art of French Cooking

    by Julia Child
    Step-by-step guide to creating French cuisine, with accessible instructions and helpful tips.

    For over fifty years, New York Times bestseller Mastering the Art of French Cooking has been the definitive book on the subject for American readers. Featuring 524 delicious recipes, in its pages ... (Goodreads)

  29. The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

    by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
    A collection of essays on software engineering, discussing the challenges of managing large software projects and the importance of teamwork and communication.

    Few books on software project management have been as influential and timeless as The Mythical Man-Month. With a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions, Fred Brooks offers ... (Goodreads)

  30. Meditations on First Philosophy

    by René Descartes
    Reflection on the nature of reality and human knowledge.

    Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy , the fundamental and originating work of the modern era in Western philosophy, is presented here in Donald Cress's completely revised edition of his ... (Goodreads)