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Recommendations based on Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companionby Neil Gaiman
* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans
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)
How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food
by Mark Bittman
Comprehensive cookbook of easy-to-follow recipes for every occasion.
Mark Bittman's award-winning How to Cook Everything has helped countless home cooks discover the rewards of simple cooking. Now the ultimate cookbook has been revised and expanded (almost half the ... (Barnes & Noble)
Bad Science
by Ben Goldacre
A critical look at the misuse of scientific fact and the implications of bad science.
Full of spleen, this is a hilarious, invigorating and informative journey through the world of Bad Science . When Dr Ben Goldacre saw someone on daytime TV dipping her feet in an 'Aqua Detox' ... (Goodreads)
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
by Mary Roach
Exploring the science, technology and culture of human space travel.
The best-selling author of Stiff and Bonk explores the irresistibly strange universe of space travel and life without gravity. From the Space Shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA’s new ... (Goodreads)
Tao Te Ching
by Lao Tzu
A collection of wise sayings and reflections on the nature of existence.
A lucid translation of the well-known Taoist classic by a leading scholar-now in a Shambhala Pocket Library edition. Written more than two thousand years ago, the Tao Teh Ching , or -The Classic of ... (Goodreads)
The Complete Maus
by Art Spiegelman
A graphic novel depicting a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust and his son's journey to understand the past.
On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of its first publication, here is the definitive edition of the book acclaimed as “the most affecting and successful narrative ever done about the ... (Goodreads)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory
by Caitlin Doughty
A journey through the funeral industry, exploring death, grief, and the beauty of life.
"Morbid and illuminating" ( Entertainment Weekly )—a young mortician goes behind the scenes of her curious profession. Armed with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre, Caitlin ... (Barnes & Noble)
Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest & Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics
by Henry Hazlitt
Exploring the principles of economics, helping readers gain a better understanding of the subject.
A million copy seller, Henry Hazlitt’s Economics in One Lesson is a classic economic primer. But it is also much more, having become a fundamental influence on modern “libertarian” economics of the ... (Goodreads)
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
by David Sedaris
A humorous collection of autobiographical essays reflecting on family relationships.
David Sedaris plays in the snow with his sisters. He goes on vacation with his family. He gets a job selling drinks. He attends his brother’s wedding. He mops his sister’s floor. He gives directions ... (Goodreads)
Cook with Jamie
by Jamie Oliver
A cookbook filled with delicious recipes and cooking tips from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
This is my guide to making you a better cook and it's the biggest book I've ever done! I think it looks beautiful and is full of simple and accessible recipes (160 of them!) that will blow the socks ... (Goodreads)
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)
The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins
A study of evolutionary biology, exploring how genes act and how they impact behavior.
Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The ... (Goodreads)
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)
The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher
by Bruno Ernst
A comprehensive exploration of the life and work of M.C. Escher, the Dutch graphic artist known for his mind-bending optical illusions.
"A woman once rang me up and said, 'Mr. Escher, I am absolutely crazy about your work. In your print Reptiles you have given such a striking illustration of reincarnation.' I replied, 'Madame, if ... (Goodreads)
Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens
by Jane Dunn
A dual biography of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, exploring their complex relationship and political rivalry.
The political and religious conflicts between Queen Elizabeth I and the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, have for centuries captured our imagination and inspired memorable dramas played out on stage, ... (Goodreads)
Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men
by Harold Schechter
The true story of Belle Gunness, a notorious female serial killer who lured men to their deaths in the early 1900s.
“A deeply researched and morbidly fascinating chronicle of one of America’s most notorious female killers.” —,The New York Times Book Review,, An Amazon Charts bestseller., In the pantheon of serial ... (Barnes & Noble)
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
by Don Tapscott
A study of how the internet has revolutionized the way we collaborate and create value, with examples from various industries.
In just the last few years, traditional collaboration—in a meeting room, a conference call, even a convention center— has been superseded by collaborations on an astronomical scale. Today, ... (Goodreads)
The Startup Owner's Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company
by Steve Blank
A comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs to build and scale successful startups, with practical advice and real-world examples.
Now a decade after the Four Steps to the Epiphany sparked the Lean Startup revolution, comes its sequel… The Startup Owner's Manual The Manual incorporates 10 years of learning and best practices ... (Goodreads)
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)
Zombie Spaceship Wasteland
by Patton Oswalt
A collection of humorous essays and stories that explore Oswalt's pop culture obsessions and personal experiences.
Now in paperback, from a “multi-faceted, medium-hopping, culture skewering performer” ( SPIN) , this is a journey through the world of Patton Oswalt, best known for his roles in film ( Big Fan and ... (Barnes & Noble)
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)
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)
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)
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
by Chelsea Handler
A comical look at life and relationships, as seen through the eyes of Chelsea Handler.
The hilarious new book from the star of Chelsea Lately and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. Get ready for big laughs as Chelsea Handler lets loose ... (Goodreads)
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)
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)
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom
by David W. Blight
A comprehensive biography of Frederick Douglass, the former slave who became a leading abolitionist and one of America's greatest orators.
As a young man, Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland. He was fortunate to have been taught to read by his slave owner mistress, and he would go on to become one ... (Goodreads)
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
by Lucy Knisley
An autobiographical exploration of food, cooking, and how it shapes relationships.
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Lucy Knisley loves food. The daughter of a chef and a gourmet, this talented young cartoonist comes by her obsession honestly. In her forthright, thoughtful, and funny ... (Barnes & Noble)
Alan Turing: The Enigma
by Andrew Hodges
Biographical exploration of the life and work of the British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing.
Alan Turing (1912-54) was a British mathematician who made history. His breaking of the German U-boat Enigma cipher in World War II ensured Allied-American control of the Atlantic. But Turing's ... (Goodreads)
Bravo Two Zero
by Andy McNab
A thrilling account of a Special Air Service patrol mission gone wrong in the Iraqi desert.
In January 1991, eight members of the SAS regiment embarked upon a top secret mission that was to infiltrate them deep behind enemy lines. Under the command of Sergeant Andy McNab, they were to sever ... (Goodreads)
