Recommendations based on Around the World in 80 Days: Companion to the PBS Seriesby Michael Palin

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

  1. 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)

  2. A Short History of Nearly Everything

    by Bill Bryson
    A captivating overview of the natural sciences, spanning the history of the universe.

    In Bryson's biggest book, he confronts his greatest challenge: to understand—and, if possible, answer—the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about the universe and ourselves. Taking as territory ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs

    by Tyler Hamilton
    An expose of doping, cover-ups and unethical practices in the world of professional cycling.

    The Secret Race is a definitive look at the world of professional cycling—and the doping issue surrounding this sport and its most iconic rider, Lance Armstrong—by former Olympic gold medalist Tyler ... (Goodreads)

  4. Brief Answers to the Big Questions

    by Stephen Hawking
    Stephen Hawking's final thoughts on the biggest questions in science and humanity, from the existence of God to the future of AI.

    Stephen Hawking was recognized as one of the greatest minds of our time and a figure of inspiration after defying his ALS diagnosis at age twenty-one. He is known for both his breakthroughs in ... (Goodreads)

  5. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die

    by Patricia Schultz
    An inspiring journey to explore the beauty of the world, discover hidden gems and make memories.

    Around the World, continent by continent, here is the best the world has to offer: 1,000 places guaranteed to give travelers the shivers. Sacred ruins, grand hotels, wildlife preserves, hilltop ... (Goodreads)

  6. 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)

  7. Parallel Worlds: A Journey through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos

    by Michio Kaku
    An exploration of the universe, its dimensions, and the possibilities of the future.

    In this thrilling journey into the mysteries of our cosmos, bestselling author Michio Kaku takes us on a dizzying ride to explore black holes and time machines, multidimensional space and, most ... (Goodreads)

  8. One Summer: America, 1927

    by Bill Bryson
    A vivid portrait of America in the summer of 1927, featuring a host of historical figures and events.

    In One Summer Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life. The summer of 1927 began with one of ... (Goodreads)

  9. What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

    by Randall Munroe
    A humorous exploration of science, tackling the most bizarre questions with real-world scenarios.

    Randall Munroe left NASA in 2005 to start up his hugely popular site XKCD 'a web comic of romance, sarcasm, math and language' which offers a witty take on the world of science and geeks. It now has ... (Goodreads)

  10. Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris

    by Sarah Turnbull
    A memoir of an Australian journalist's journey to Paris, navigating the complexities of French culture and falling in love with a Frenchman.

    The charming true story of a spirited young woman who finds adventure–and the love of her life--in Paris. "This isn't like me. I'm not the sort of girl who crosses continents to meet up with a man ... (Goodreads)

  11. Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France

    by Peter Mayle
    A delightful collection of stories and anecdotes about the author's life in the South of France.

    A whole new feast of adventures, discoveries, hilarities, and culinary treats, liberally seasoned with a joyous mix of Gallic characters. After trying–what folly!--to live in other places, Peter ... (Goodreads)

  12. Barefoot Contessa Parties!: Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun

    by Ina Garten
    A guide to hosting stress-free and enjoyable parties with simple yet delicious recipes and entertaining ideas.

    After more than twenty years of running Barefoot Contessa, the acclaimed specialty food store, Ina Garten published her first collection of recipes. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook was an overnight ... (Barnes & Noble)

  13. Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson

    by Jann S. Wenner
    A biography of the legendary journalist Hunter S. Thompson, exploring his wild and unconventional life and career.

    Few American lives are stranger, more action-packed, or wilder than that of Hunter S. Thompson. Born a rebel in Louisville, Kentucky, Thompson spent a lifetime channeling his energy and insight into ... (Goodreads)

  14. My Brief History

    by Stephen Hawking
    Autobiography of Stephen Hawking, detailing his life from childhood to present day, including his scientific discoveries and battle with ALS.

    Stephen Hawking has dazzled readers worldwide with a string of bestsellers exploring the mysteries of the universe. Now, for the first time, perhaps the most brilliant cosmologist of our age turns ... (Goodreads)

  15. The 20th Century Art Book

    by Phaidon Press
    A comprehensive guide to the most influential artists of the 20th century, featuring their most iconic works and biographical information.

    Covering the international nature of the modern art scene, this title encompasses established, iconic works of art and the classics of the future. It presents 500 artists in an alphabetical order, ... (Goodreads)

  16. 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)

  17. Thinking, Fast and Slow

    by Daniel Kahneman
    An exploration of the two systems of the mind, and how they influence decision-making.

    In the highly anticipated Thinking, Fast and Slow , Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and ... (Goodreads)

  18. Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

    by Adam Kay
    A collection of humorous and heartwarming anecdotes from a former doctor's experiences working on Christmas Eve.

    An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here . Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas is the hilarious, poignant and entertaining story of the life of a junior doctor at the most ... (Goodreads)

  19. The City of Falling Angels

    by John Berendt
    A non-fictional account of the fire that destroyed the Fenice Opera House in Venice, and the city's eccentric inhabitants.

    The author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil returns after more than a decade to give us an intimate look at the "magic, mystery, and decadence" of the city of Venice and its inhabitants. ... (Goodreads)

  20. The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire

    by William Dalrymple
    A historical account of the East India Company's rise to power and its devastating impact on India.

    The story of how the East India Company took over large swaths of Asia, and the devastating results of the corporation running a country. In August 1765, the East India Company defeated the young ... (Goodreads)

  21. Round Ireland with a Fridge

    by Tony Hawks
    A hilarious travelogue of a man's journey around Ireland with a fridge, fulfilling a drunken bet.

    Have you ever made a drunken bet? Worse still, have you ever tried to win one? In attempting to hitchhike round Ireland with a fridge, Tony Hawks did both, and his foolhardiness led him to one of the ... (Goodreads)

  22. 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)

  23. 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)

  24. 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)

  25. Gather Together in My Name

    by Maya Angelou
    A young woman's compelling memoir of her struggles for independence and identity.

    The book opens in the years following World War II. Angelou, still known as "Marguerite," or "Rita," has just given birth to her son Clyde, and is living with her mother and stepfather in San ... (Wikipedia)

  26. Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again

    by Ina Garten
    Delicious recipes for everyday home cooking from one of America's most beloved chefs.

    #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Throughout the years that she has lived and worked in East Hampton, Ina Garten has catered and attended countless parties and dinners. She will be the first to tell you, ... (Barnes & Noble)

  27. The Book of General Ignorance

    by John Lloyd
    A humorous and informative book that challenges common misconceptions and reveals surprising facts about the world we live in.

    Misconceptions, misunderstandings, and flawed facts finally get the heave-ho in this humorous, downright humiliating book of reeducation based on the phenomenal British bestseller. Challenging what ... (Goodreads)

  28. The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human

    by V.S. Ramachandran
    A journey into the mysteries of the human mind, exploring the complexities of the human brain.

    V. S. Ramachandran is at the forefront of his field-so much so that Richard Dawkins dubbed him the "Marco Polo of neuroscience." Now, in a major new work, Ramachandran sets his sights on the mystery ... (Goodreads)

  29. The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor

    by Howard Marks
    A renowned investor shares his insights on successful investing, emphasizing the importance of risk management and contrarian thinking.

    "This is that rarity, a useful book."–Warren Buffett Howard Marks, the chairman and cofounder of Oaktree Capital Management, is renowned for his insightful assessments of market opportunity and risk. ... (Goodreads)

  30. Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader

    by Brent Schlender
    A biography of Steve Jobs that explores his transformation from a brash young entrepreneur to a visionary leader of Apple.

    #1 New York Times Bestseller There have been many books—on a large and small scale—about Steve Jobs, one of the most famous CEOs in history. But this book is different from all the others. Becoming ... (Goodreads)