Recommendations based on I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Lifeby Anne Bogel

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

  1. The Library Book

    by Susan Orlean
    A true story of the devastating 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library, and the mystery surrounding it.

    On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not ... (Goodreads)

  2. 84, Charing Cross Road

    by Helene Hanff
    A 20-year correspondence between an American book lover and a London bookseller.

    This charming classic, first published in 1970, brings together twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London. ... (Goodreads)

  3. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

    by Brené Brown
    A journey to find true belonging in an age of increasing polarization.

    #1, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER - A timely and important book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture, from the #1 ... (Goodreads)

  4. Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth

    by Sarah Smarsh
    A memoir of growing up poor in rural Kansas, exploring the struggles and resilience of the working-class in America.

    During Sarah Smarsh’s turbulent childhood in Kansas in the 1980s and 1990s, the forces of cyclical poverty and the country’s changing economic policies solidified her family’s place among the working ... (Goodreads)

  5. Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

    by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
    A guide for raising children with feminist values, and advocating for gender equality.

    From the best-selling author of, Americanah, and, We Should All Be Feminists, comes a powerful new statement about feminism today–written as a letter to a friend. A few years ago, Chimamanda Ngozi ... (Goodreads)

  6. From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

    by Tembi Locke
    Actress Tembi Locke shares her journey of love, loss, and healing in Sicily, where she discovers the true meaning of family and home.

    A poignant and transporting cross-cultural love story set against the lush backdrop of the Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in ... (Goodreads)

  7. I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer

    by Michelle McNamara
    A true crime book chronicling the author's investigation into the unsolved case of the Golden State Killer.

    A masterful true crime account of the Golden State Killer—the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California for over a decade—from Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who died ... (Goodreads)

  8. My Family and Other Animals

    by Gerald Durrell
    A humorous memoir of a family's experiences living on the Mediterranean island of Corfu.

    When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. ... (Goodreads)

  9. 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)

  10. James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

    by James Herriot
    Collection of delightful tales of animals and their human companions, filled with warmth and joy.

    Children have always found a delightful friend in James Herriot. His award-winning stories for young readers bring the farmyard world of Herriot's Yorkshire to vibrant life. Featuring a host of ... (Barnes & Noble)

  11. A Girl Named Zippy

    by Haven Kimmel
    A charming account of growing up in rural Indiana, exploring the joys and hardships of life.

    When Haven Kimmel was born in 1965 in Mooreland, Indiana, it was a sleepy little hamlet of three hundred people. Nicknamed "Zippy" for the way she would bolt around the house, this small girl was ... (Goodreads)

  12. Joni: An Unforgettable Story

    by Joni Eareckson Tada
    Story of faith and resilience in the face of adversity, after suffering a life-changing accident.

    The award-winning story of a young woman who triumphed over devastating odds to touch countless lives the world over with the healing message of Christ. In a split second on a hot July afternoon, a ... (Goodreads)

  13. Brown Girl Dreaming

    by Jacqueline Woodson
    A poetic memoir of a young girl's coming-of-age in the Civil Rights era.

    Jacqueline Woodson, one of today's finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. ... (Goodreads)

  14. The Dark Between Stars

    by Atticus Poetry
    A collection of poems exploring love, loss, and the beauty found in the darkness of life.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER From the internationally bestselling author of, Love Her Wild, comes, The Dark Between Stars, a new illustrated collection of heartfelt, whimsical, and romantic poems from ... (Barnes & Noble)

  15. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

    by Bryan Stevenson
    A powerful true story of justice and redemption, exposing the flaws of America's criminal justice system.

    In 1989, idealistic young Harvard law graduate Bryan Stevenson travels to Alabama hoping to help fight for poor people who cannot afford proper legal representation. Teaming with Eva Ansley, he ... (Wikipedia)

  16. The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making

    by Alana Chernila
    A guide to making pantry staples from scratch, including bread, cheese, and condiments, with recipes and tips for beginners.

    “This is my kitchen. Come on in, but be prepared—it might not be quite what you expect. There is flour on the counter, oats that overflowed onto the floor, chocolate-encrusted spoons in the sink. ... (Barnes & Noble)

  17. Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

    by Donald Miller
    A Christian's exploration of faith and spirituality, navigating its relevance in the modern world.

    The runaway New York Times bestseller that became a cornerstone of Christian nonfiction, Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption. ,"I never liked jazz music ... (Barnes & Noble)

  18. Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon a Project, Read Samuel Johnson, and My Other Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life

    by Gretchen Rubin
    A memoir and self-help book about finding happiness at home through small experiments and changes in daily routines.

    In the spirit of her blockbuster #1, New York Times, bestseller, The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin embarks on a new project to make home a happier place., One Sunday afternoon, as she unloaded ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

    by Erik Larson
    Exploration of Lusitania's fateful voyage and its lasting impact on World War I.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller,From the bestselling author and master of narrative nonfiction comes the enthralling story of the sinking of the, Lusitania, On May 1, 1915, with WWI entering its tenth ... (Barnes & Noble)

  20. Small Fry: A Memoir

    by Lisa Brennan-Jobs
    A memoir of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, daughter of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and her complicated relationship with her father.

    Born on a farm and named in a field by her parents–artist Chrisann Brennan and Steve Jobs--Lisa Brennan-Jobs's childhood unfolded in a rapidly changing Silicon Valley. When she was young, Lisa's ... (Goodreads)

  21. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

    by Daniel James Brown
    An inspiring story of a rowing crew battling against the odds to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

    This novel is about the University of Washington eight-oared crew that represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and narrowly beat out Italy and Germany to win the gold medal. The ... (Wikipedia)

  22. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World

    by Fredrik Backman
    A father's humorous and heartfelt guide to life for his young son, filled with personal anecdotes and life lessons.

    The #1, New York Times, bestselling author of, A Man Called Ove, shares an irresistible and moving collection of heartfelt, humorous essays about fatherhood, providing his newborn son with the ... (Barnes & Noble)

  23. Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say

    by Kelly Corrigan
    A memoir about the author's journey through life's challenges and how she learned to communicate more effectively.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • A story-driven collection of essays on the twelve powerful phrases we use to sustain our relationships, from the bestselling author of, Glitter and Glue, and, The Middle ... (Barnes & Noble)

  24. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life

    by Robin S. Sharma
    A motivational book that advocates waking up at 5 AM to maximize productivity and achieve personal growth.

    Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5am Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize ... (Goodreads)

  25. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home

    by Rhoda Janzen
    A journey of self-discovery as a young woman returns to her conservative Mennonite roots.

    A hilarious and moving memoir—in the spirit of Anne Lamott and Nora Ephron—about a woman who returns home to her close-knit Mennonite family after a personal crisis Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned ... (Goodreads)

  26. What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings--and Life

    by Laura Vanderkam
    A guide to maximizing productivity and achieving success by utilizing the early morning hours.

    Mornings are a madcap time for many of us. We wake up in a haze—often after hitting snooze a few times. Then we rush around to get ready and out the door so we can officially start the day. Before we ... (Goodreads)

  27. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives

    by Dashka Slater
    Examines a single act of violence, exploring its impact on two disparate lives.

    A, New York Times, Bestseller Stonewall Book Award Winner—Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award,YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist One ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying

    by Nina Riggs
    A poignant memoir of a woman's journey through terminal cancer, exploring life, love, and mortality with grace and humor.

    * INSTANT, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER * “Stunning...heartrending...this year’s, When Breath Becomes Air,.” —Nora Krug,, The Washington Post, “Beautiful and haunting.” —Matt McCarthy, MD,, USA TODAY, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  29. Barefoot in Paris

    by Ina Garten
    A culinary journey through the streets of Paris, discovering the city's unique charm.

    Hearty boeuf Bourguignon served in deep bowls over a garlic-rubbed slice of baguette toast; decadently rich croque monsieur, eggy and oozing with cheese; gossamer crème brulee, its sweetness offset ... (Goodreads)