Recommendations based on An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkingtonby Karl Pilkington

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

  1. My Booky Wook

    by Russell Brand
    Comedian's autobiographical account of his rise to fame and his struggle with addiction.

    In 2006 Russell Brand exploded onto the international comedy scene. He has been named Time Out’s Comedian of the Year, Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards, and Most Stylish Man by GQ’s Men. ... (Goodreads)

  2. A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

    by Masaji Ishikawa
    A harrowing memoir of a man's life in North Korea, detailing his escape from the oppressive regime and the struggles he faced as a refugee.

    The harrowing true story of one man’s life in—and subsequent escape from—North Korea, one of the world’s most brutal totalitarian regimes. Half-Korean, half-Japanese, Masaji Ishikawa has spent his ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America

    by Bill Bryson
    A humorous journey through rural America, exploring its secrets and idiosyncrasies.

    'I come from Des Moines. Somebody had to' And, as soon as Bill Bryson was old enough, he left. Des Moines couldn't hold him, but it did lure him back. After ten years in England, he returned to the ... (Goodreads)

  4. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

    by Susan Cain
    An exploration of the power of introversion, examining the implications of modern society's emphasis on extroversion.

    The book that started the Quiet Revolution, At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike ... (Goodreads)

  5. The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made

    by Greg Sestero
    A memoir of the making of the cult classic film "The Room" and the bizarre friendship between its star, Tommy Wiseau, and author Greg Sestero.

    From the actor who lived through the most improbable Hollywood success story, with an award-winning narrative nonfiction writer, comes the inspiring, fascinating and laugh-out-loud story of a ... (Goodreads)

  6. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

    by Bill Bryson
    A humorous recounting of a boy's childhood in the 1950s and his fantastical adventures.

    Bryson was born on December 8, 1951. He spent his childhood growing up in Des Moines, Iowa , part of the baby-boom generation born in the post-war years. He describes his early life and his parents, ... (Wikipedia)

  7. Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea

    by Barbara Demick
    Exploration of the lives of North Koreans during the famine and repression of the 1990s.

    Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the unchallenged rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and the ... (Goodreads)

  8. Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

    by Allie Brosh
    A humorous and candid account of the author's life, exploring the highs and lows of everyday life.

    #1, New York Times, Bestseller “Funny and smart as hell” (Bill Gates), Allie Brosh’s, Hyperbole and a Half, showcases her unique voice, leaping wit, and her ability to capture complex emotions with ... (Barnes & Noble)

  9. The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

    by Carl Sagan
    A critical look at superstition and pseudoscience, advocating for the power of science and reason.

    How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? ... (Goodreads)

  10. Naked

    by David Sedaris
    Collection of humorous essays exploring the absurdities of everyday life.

    Welcome to the hilarious, strange, elegiac, outrageous world of David Sedaris. In Naked , Sedaris turns the mania for memoir on its proverbial ear, mining the exceedingly rich terrain of his life, ... (Goodreads)

  11. The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal

    by Ben Mezrich
    The story of the founding of Facebook, from its humble beginnings in a Harvard dorm room to becoming a global phenomenon.

    The high-energy tale of how two socially awkward Ivy Leaguers, trying to increase their chances with the opposite sex, ended up creating Facebook. Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg were Harvard ... (Goodreads)

  12. Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls

    by Lauren Graham
    An intimate memoir of the actor's experience playing Lorelai Gilmore and her journey to becoming an author.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of, Gilmore Girls, and, Parenthood, reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood—along ... (Barnes & Noble)

  13. Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child

    by Cathy Glass
    An inspirational true story of a foster carer's fight to save a neglected child.

    Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass.From the Sunday Times and New York Times ... (Barnes & Noble)

  14. Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid

    by Denis Leary
    A humorous take on American culture, politics, and society, with a focus on self-deprecating humor and satire.

    A hilarious blast of scathing irreverence from the award-winning actor and comedian . "A pissed off Leary is the best Leary," says one critic of the writer and comic. In Why We Suck , Dr. Denis Leary ... (Goodreads)

  15. Fish!: A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

    by Stephen C. Lundin
    A novel about the importance of workplace morale and how to boost it.

    The powerful parable that has helped millions to see their lives and work in a new way — now revised and updated to celebrate 20 years of working with greater purpose! It's a rainy day in Seattle, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  16. The Good Immigrant

    by Nikesh Shukla
    Exploring the experiences of immigrants in Britain, and the complex identity issues faced.

    How does it feel to be constantly regarded as a potential threat, strip-searched at every airport? Or be told that, as an actress, the part you’re most fitted to play is ‘wife of a terrorist’? How ... (Goodreads)

  17. Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History

    by Antonio J. Méndez
    The true story of how the CIA and Hollywood collaborated to rescue six Americans during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

    The true account of the 1979 rescue of six American hostages from Iran On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and held dozens of Americans hostage, sparking a ... (Goodreads)

  18. Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

    by Alex Ferguson
    The memoir of one of the most successful football managers in history, detailing his life and career in the sport.

    The celebratory, revealing, inspiring, and entertaining autobiography of the greatest manager in the history of British soccer. Over the past four years, Alex Ferguson has been reflecting on and ... (Goodreads)

  19. 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)

  20. The Basketball Diaries

    by Jim Carroll
    A teenage boy's struggles with addiction and his journey of self-discovery.

    The urban classic coming-of-age story about sex, drugs, and basketball. Jim Carroll grew up to become a renowned poet and punk rocker. But in this memoir of the mid-1960's, set during his ... (Goodreads)

  21. 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)

  22. Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail

    by Rusty Young
    Unforgettable story of an English drug smuggler's experience in Bolivia's notorious San Pedro prison.

    Rusty Young was backpacking in South America when he heard about Thomas McFadden, a convicted English drug trafficker who ran tours inside Bolivia's notorious San Pedro prison. Intrigued, the young ... (Goodreads)

  23. Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality

    by Jacob Tomsky
    A witty and revealing memoir of the hotel industry, exposing the secrets of hotel staff and guests alike.

    In the tradition of, Kitchen Confidential, and, Waiter Rant, a rollicking, eye-opening, fantastically indiscreet memoir of a life spent (and misspent) in the hotel industry. Jacob Tomsky never ... (Goodreads)

  24. Zodiac

    by Robert Graysmith
    A true crime account of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

    Who was Zodiac? A serial killer who claimed 37 dead. A sexual sadist who taunted police with anonymous notes. A madman who was never apprehended. This is the first, complete account of Zodiac's reign ... (Goodreads)

  25. Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper

    by Howard E. Wasdin
    The harrowing account of a Navy SEAL's training and experiences in the line of duty.

    The, New York Times, best selling book that takes you inside SEAL Team Six – the covert squad that killed Osama Bin Laden., SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage ... (Goodreads)

  26. Mud, Sweat and Tears

    by Bear Grylls
    Autobiography of Bear Grylls, detailing his adventures and survival skills in extreme environments.

    Bear Grylls is a man who has always loved adventure. After leaving school, he spent months hiking in the Himalayas as he considered joining the Indian Army. Upon his return to England after a change ... (Goodreads)

  27. Seven Days in the Art World

    by Sarah Thornton
    An inside look at the contemporary art world, exploring its various facets and players.

    A fly-on-the-wall account of the smart and strange subcultures that make, trade, curate, collect, and hype contemporary art., The art market has been booming. Museum attendance is surging. More ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol

    by Andy Warhol
    An exploration of the life, works, and philosophy of the iconic Pop-Art figure.

    A loosely formed autobiography by Andy Warhol, told with his trademark blend of irony and detachment In The Philosophy of Andy Warhol —which, with the subtitle "(From A to B and Back Again)," is less ... (Goodreads)

  29. Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu

    by J. Maarten Troost
    A humorous, quirky look at the cultures of Fiji and Vanuatu, told through Troost's personal experiences.

    With The Sex Lives of Cannibals , Maarten Troost established himself as one of the most engaging and original travel writers around. Getting Stoned with Savages again reveals his wry wit and ... (Goodreads)

  30. Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal

    by Conor Grennan
    An inspiring account of a man's journey to reunite lost Nepalese children with their families.

    “Funny, touching, tragic….A remarkable tale of corruption, child trafficking and civil war in a far away land—and one man’s extraordinary quest to reunite lost Nepalese children with their parents.” ... (Barnes & Noble)