Recommendations based on The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendshipby Jeffrey Zaslow

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

  1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier

    by Ree Drummond
    A collection of recipes inspired by life on a ranch, with step-by-step instructions and vibrant photos.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller “Drummond invites fans into her world with irresistible recipes and photos.” —,People, Accidental ranch wife, beloved multiple Bloggie Award-winning blogger, and #1, New ... (Barnes & Noble)

  2. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

    by Chelsea Handler
    Humorous memoir of self-discovery, navigating the ups and downs of life with wit and resilience.

    When Chelsea Handler needs to get a few things off her chest, she appeals to a higher power - vodka. You would too if you found out that your boyfriend was having an affair with a Peekapoo or if you ... (Goodreads)

  3. Zeitoun

    by Dave Eggers
    A man's struggle to survive and reunite with his family amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

    Abdulrahman Zeitoun grew up in Syria. After a few years of apprenticeship in the Syrian port city of Jableh , Zeitoun spent twenty years working at sea as a muscleman, engineer and fisherman. During ... (Wikipedia)

  4. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

    by Jenny Lawson
    A witty memoir of overcoming struggles with mental illness, with a focus on finding joy in the midst of darkness.

    #1, New York Times, Bestseller In Furiously Happy , a humor memoir tinged with just enough tragedy and pathos to make it worthwhile, Jenny Lawson examines her own experience with severe depression ... (Barnes & Noble)

  5. I Know I Am, But What Are You?

    by Samantha Bee
    Samantha Bee's humorous memoir about growing up in Canada, her journey to becoming a comedian, and her experiences in the entertainment industry.

    Candid, outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny essays from the much-loved Samantha Bee, the Most Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . Critics have called her "sweet, adorable, and ... (Goodreads)

  6. 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)

  7. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

    by Patrick Lencioni
    An exploration of the dynamics of team-building, and how to overcome five common pitfalls.

    In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and ... (Goodreads)

  8. Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son

    by Anne Lamott
    A memoir of a grandmother's journey through the joys and challenges of raising her grandson.

    In, Some Assembly Required, Anne Lamott enters a new and unexpected chapter of her own life: grandmotherhood. Stunned to learn that her son, Sam, is about to become a father at nineteen, Lamott ... (Goodreads)

  9. The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World

    by Kevin Malarkey
    A boy's account of his journey to heaven and back after a car accident. A story of faith, miracles, and hope.

    In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son, Alex, suffered an horrific car accident. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex—and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. “I ... (Barnes & Noble)

  10. My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto

    by Jen Lancaster
    A humorous memoir of a reality TV addict's attempt to become more cultured and less lazy.

    Readers have followed, New York Times, bestselling author Jen Lancaster through job loss, sucky city living, weight loss attempts, and 1980s nostalgia. Now, in this bitter and witty memoir, Jen ... (Barnes & Noble)

  11. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

    by Charles Duhigg
    Uncovering the science of habit formation and how to use it to achieve success.

    A young woman walks into a laboratory. Over the past two years, she has transformed almost every aspect of her life. She has quit smoking, run a marathon, and been promoted at work. The patterns ... (Goodreads)

  12. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High

    by Melba Pattillo Beals
    An autobiographical account of a young African American student's struggle to attend an all-white high school in 1957.

    In this essential autobiographical account by one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most powerful figures, Melba Pattillo Beals of the Little Rock Nine explores not only the oppressive force of racism, ... (Goodreads)

  13. Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection

    by A.J. Jacobs
    A humorous and informative journey of a man's quest for perfect health, trying out various diets, exercise routines, and health practices.

    New York Times bestselling author and king of “immersion journalism” A.J. Jacobs tackles his most challenging experiment yet: a yearlong mission to radically improve every element of his body and ... (Goodreads)

  14. Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

    by Max Lucado
    A guide to overcoming fear and living a life of courage, faith, and hope. Encourages readers to trust in God and let go of their fears.

    Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear. They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing ... (Goodreads)

  15. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Guidance on the Path to Mindfulness from a Spiritual Leader

    by Haemin Sunim
    A guide to mindfulness and finding inner peace through slowing down and appreciating the present moment.

    "Is it the world that's busy, or is it my mind?" The world moves fast, but that doesn't mean we have to. In this best-selling mindfulness guide - it has sold more than three million copies in Korea, ... (Goodreads)

  16. 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)

  17. The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life

    by Francine Jay
    A guide to living a minimalist lifestyle, focusing on decluttering, organizing, and simplifying one's possessions and surroundings.

    Having less stuff is the key to happiness. Do you ever feel overwhelmed, instead of overjoyed, by all your possessions? Do you secretly wish a gale force wind would blow the clutter from your home? ... (Barnes & Noble)

  18. If You Ask Me

    by Betty White
    Memoir of a beloved actress, full of stories and humor.

    It-girl Betty White delivers a hilarious, slyly profound take on love, life, celebrity, and everything in between. Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit ... (Goodreads)

  19. Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist

    by Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox's memoir about his life with Parkinson's disease and how he maintains a positive outlook despite the challenges.

    There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Actor. Husband. Father. Activist. But readers of Always Looking Up will soon add another to the list: Optimist. Michael writes about the hard-won ... (Goodreads)

  20. Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture

    by Peggy Orenstein
    An exploration of the effects of the girlie-girl culture on young girls and their parents.

    The acclaimed author of the groundbreaking bestseller, Schoolgirls, reveals the dark side of pink and pretty: the rise of the girlie-girl, she warns, is not that innocent., Sweet and sassy or ... (Goodreads)

  21. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

    by Jeff Hertzberg
    A revolutionary guide to baking artisan bread, with a simple and easy method.

    The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, is a fully revised and updated edition of the bestselling, ground-breaking, and revolutionary approach to bread-making—a perfect gift for foodies and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  22. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

    by Anna Quindlen
    Reflective musings on life, aging and the joys of growing older.

    In this irresistible memoir, the #1 New York Times bestselling author writes about her life and the lives of women today, looking back and ahead - and celebrating it all - as she considers marriage, ... (Goodreads)

  23. A Piece of Cake

    by Cupcake Brown
    A woman's raw story of resilience and survival in the face of hardship and trauma.

    The story begins in January 1975 when the female protagonist gives a short account of why her mother named her Cupcake Brown. Brown's mother died in 1976, when Brown was age 11. Since her biological ... (Wikipedia)

  24. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

    by Neil Patrick Harris
    A comedic and personal journey through the life of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

    Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened? Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in ... (Goodreads)

  25. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

    by Ree Drummond
    A memoir of a city girl turned rancher's wife, detailing her journey of love, family, and finding her place in the country.

    New York Times Bestseller Wildly popular award-winning blogger, accidental ranch wife, and #1, New York Times, bestselling author of, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) ... (Barnes & Noble)

  26. Letter to My Daughter

    by Maya Angelou
    Collection of essays from a mother to her daughter, exploring life lessons, history, and love.

    For a world of devoted readers, a much-awaited new volume of absorbing stories and inspirational wisdom from one of our best-loved writers. Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around ... (Goodreads)

  27. The Gospel Comes with a House Key

    by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
    A call to radical hospitality, inviting neighbors and strangers into our homes and lives as a way to share the gospel.

    The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World About The Gospel Comes with a House Key The word hospitality often invokes a scene of a ... (Goodreads)

  28. Unfamiliar Fishes

    by Sarah Vowell
    A humorous and insightful look at the history of Hawaii and its annexation by the United States.

    Many think of 1776 as the defining year of American history, when we became a nation devoted to the pursuit of happiness through self- government. In Unfamiliar Fishes, Sarah Vowell argues that 1898 ... (Goodreads)

  29. The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra

    by Helen Rappaport
    Chronicles the lives of Tsar Nicholas II's daughters, and their struggle to survive the Russian Revolution.

    A 12-WEEK NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Helen Rappaport paints a compelling portrait of the doomed grand duchesses." —,People, magazine "The public spoke of the sisters in a gentile, superficial manner, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  30. Soccernomics

    by Simon Kuper
    A data-driven analysis of soccer, exploring the economics and psychology behind the world's most popular sport.

    Why do England lose? Why does Scotland suck? Why doesn’t America dominate the sport internationally... and why do the Germans play with such an efficient but robotic style? These are questions every ... (Goodreads)