Recommendations based on Growing Up Amishby Ira Wagler

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

  1. Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

    by Henri J.M. Nouwen
    A personal letter to a friend on how to live a spiritual life in a secular world, emphasizing the importance of feeling beloved by God.

    Initially written for a Jewish friend, Life of the Beloved has become Henri Nouwen’s greatest legacy to Christians around the world. This sincere testimony of the power and invitation of Christ is ... (Goodreads)

  2. What's So Amazing About Grace?

    by Philip Yancey
    Insightful exploration of the power of grace in our lives and its implications for faith.

    Original Cover Edition for, ISBN 0310245656, In 1987, an IRA bomb buried Gordon Wilson and his twenty-year-old daughter beneath five feet of rubble. Gordon alone survived. And forgave. He said of the ... (Goodreads)

  3. Sybil: The Classic True Story of a Woman Possessed by Sixteen Personalities

    by Flora Rheta Schreiber
    A psychological case study of the effects of dissociative identity disorder.

    Here is the unbelievable yet true story of Sybil Dorsett, a survivor of terrible childhood abuse who as an adult was a victim of sudden and mysterious blackouts. What happened during those blackouts ... (Goodreads)

  4. Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

    by Dava Sobel
    Story of a man's determination to solve the complex problem of determining longitude at sea.

    Anyone alive in the eighteenth century would have known that "the longitude problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day—and had been for centuries. Lacking the ability to measure their ... (Goodreads)

  5. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

    by Immaculée Ilibagiza
    True story of a woman's faith and resilience in the face of the Rwandan genocide.

    Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee’s family ... (Goodreads)

  6. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

    by Harriet Ann Jacobs
    A harrowing account of a young woman's experiences as a slave in the American South.

    The true story of an individual's struggle for self-identity, self-preservation, and freedom, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl remains among the few extant slave narratives written by a woman. ... (Goodreads)

  7. Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever

    by Bill O'Reilly
    A detailed account of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and its impact on the nation.

    A riveting historical narrative of the heart-stopping events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the first work of history from mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly, The anchor of, ... (Goodreads)

  8. 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)

  9. The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry

    by Jon Ronson
    Exploration of the psychiatric industry, examining the definition and diagnosis of psychopathy.

    In this madcap journey, a bestselling journalist investigates psychopaths and the industry of doctors, scientists, and everyone else who studies them. The Psychopath Test is a fascinating journey ... (Goodreads)

  10. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

    by Mindy Kaling
    Humorous memoir reflecting on Mindy Kaling's life and career.

    Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck - impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, ... (Goodreads)

  11. 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)

  12. Twelve Years a Slave

    by Solomon Northup
    A man's journey of survival and resilience after being kidnapped and sold into slavery in the antebellum South.

    Twelve Years a Slave, sub-title: Narrative of Solomon Northup, citizen of New-York, kidnapped in Washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the Red River in ... (Goodreads)

  13. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

    by James McBride
    A memoir of a black man's journey to understand his white mother's past and how it shaped his own identity.

    Touches readers of all colors as a vivid portrait of growing up, a haunting meditation on race and identity, and a lyrical valentine to a mother from her son. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? A ... (Goodreads)

  14. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

    by John Berendt
    A journalist's exploration of a mysterious murder in Savannah, Georgia.

    A sublime and seductive reading experience. This portrait of a beguiling Southern city was a best-seller (though a flop as a movie). ~ Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty, ... (Goodreads)

  15. Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings

    by Alison Weir
    The life of Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, and her relationships with King Henry VIII and other powerful men of the Tudor court.

    Mary Boleyn (c.1500-1543) was no less fascinating than her ill-fated queen consort sister Anne. In fact, her own claims to fame are numerous: She was not only an influential member of King Henry ... (Goodreads)

  16. The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy

    by Mark Logue
    The story of King George VI's struggle with stuttering and how his speech therapist helped him overcome it during a crucial time in history.

    One man saved the British Royal Family in the first decades of the 20th century - he wasn't a prime minister or an archbishop of Canterbury. He was an almost unknown, and self-taught, speech ... (Goodreads)

  17. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time

    by Greg Mortenson
    A man's mission to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote peace.

    The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard Anyone who despairs of the individual’s ... (Goodreads)

  18. Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity

    by Kerry Cohen
    A candid memoir of a woman's journey through promiscuity, exploring the emotional and psychological effects of her experiences.

    For everyone who was that girl., For everyone who knew that girl., For everyone who wondered who that girl was. Kerry Cohen is eleven years old when she recognizes the power of her body in the leer ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. 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)

  20. The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice

    by Rebecca Musser
    A memoir of a woman who escaped a polygamous cult and testified against its leaders, leading to their conviction.

    Rebecca Musser grew up in fear, concealing her family's polygamous lifestyle from the "dangerous" outside world. Covered head-to-toe in strict, modest clothing, she received a rigorous education at ... (Barnes & Noble)

  21. Glitter and Glue

    by Kelly Corrigan
    A memoir of a daughter's travels with her mother, exploring the complexities of their relationship and the lessons learned along the way.

    NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER,From the author of, The Middle Place, comes a new memoir that examines the bond—sometimes nourishing, sometimes exasperating, occasionally divine—between mothers and ... (Goodreads)

  22. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

    by Christopher McDougall
    A thrilling exploration of the Tarahumara tribe and their superhuman running abilities.

    Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does ... (Goodreads)

  23. 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)

  24. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession

    by Allison Hoover Bartlett
    A non-fiction account of a notorious book thief and the bibliophile detective who pursued him. A fascinating exploration of the world of rare book collecting.

    Set within the world of rare-book collecting: the true story of an infamous book thief, his victims, and the man determined to catch him. Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. ... (Goodreads)

  25. Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood

    by Koren Zailckas
    A memoir of teenage alcoholism and its destructive consequences.

    Garnering a vast amount of attention from young people and parents, and from book buyers across the country, Smashed became a media sensation and a New York Times bestseller. Eye-opening and utterly ... (Goodreads)

  26. When Rabbit Howls

    by Truddi Chase
    A true story of a woman with dissociative identity disorder, detailing her 92 personalities and the trauma that caused them.

    Truddi Chase began therapy to discover why she suffered from blackouts. What surfaced was terrifying: she was inhabited by 'the Troops'-92 individual personalities. This groundbreaking true story is ... (Goodreads)

  27. Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

    by Bethany Hamilton
    A young surfer's inspiring journey of resilience, healing and faith.

    In 2003, 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton lives in Kauai, Hawaii with her parents Tom and Cheri, and two older brothers, Noah and Timmy. All are surfers, but she and her best friend Alana Blanchard have ... (Wikipedia)

  28. This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More. For Young and Old Alike.

    by Augusten Burroughs
    A humorous yet thoughtful collection of personal stories and advice on dealing with life challenges.

    If you're fat and fail every diet, if you're thin but can't get thin enough, if you lose your job, if your child dies, if you are diagnosed with cancer, if you always end up with exactly the wrong ... (Goodreads)

  29. Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

    by Mark Adams
    An adventurous journey to uncover the secrets of Peru's Machu Picchu.

    THE, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLING TRAVEL MEMOIR,What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu?,In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into ... (Barnes & Noble)

  30. Napalm & Silly Putty

    by George Carlin
    A collection of humorous and thought-provoking essays on modern life and culture.

    I THINK I AM, THEREFORE I AM. I THINK. In Napalm & Silly Putty , George Carlin, the thinking person's comic, offers a hilarious new collection of razor-sharp observations on God, language, death, ... (Goodreads)