Biographies & Memoirs

Explore the stories of remarkable lives in our Biographies & Memoirs section at Thryft. Discover firsthand accounts of influential figures and captivating memoirs that'll inspire and educate. Our collection is carefully curated to ensure you find the perfect narrative to delve into.

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Tina Turner

Tina Turner: My Love Story (Official Autobiography)

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Tina Turner: My Love Story will chart the full, dramatic story of one of the most remarkable women in music history, celebrating Tina Turner’s 60th year in the industry.Emphatically showcasing Tina’s signature blend of strength, energy, heart and soul, she candidly examines her personal history and reveals her happiest – and darkest – hours in a thrilling memoir as compelling and entertaining as any of her greatest hits.

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Larry Sloman, Anthony Kiedis

Scar Tissue

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Scar Tissue is a gripping memoir that explores the captivating journey of Red Hot Chili Peppers' lead singer's life in the fast-paced rock music industry. A true tale of survival and redemption filled with darkness and death, drugs, and debauchery. It's an honest account of the highs and lows of a rockstar's life, making it a must-read for fans of the band and anyone intrigued by the price of success and substance abuse.

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Nathaniel Fick

One Bullet Away : The Making of a Marine Officer

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"One Bullet Away' is an inspiring account of Nathaniel Fick's journey from a platoon leader in Afghanistan to the pinnacle of Recon, leading 22 Marines into the deadliest conflict since Vietnam. His hard-won insights into military ideals versus military practice, and the crushing pressure that young leaders face in combat are enlightening and thought-provoking. Fick's writing style sets this book apart and it is a must-read for anyone interested in modern day military action."

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Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me

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This book is a powerful portrayal of the lived experiences of Black Americans and the systemic racism that continues to plague our society. Coates writes with raw honesty and vulnerability to his son, inviting readers to witness his journey of grappling with America's dark past and uncertain future. It is a necessary read for anyone seeking to understand the Black experience in America today.

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W.H. Davies

The Autobiography of a Super Tramp

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A vagrant de Tocqueville gives an eloquent, dry-eyed report of his tramping adventures in the violent underworld of late 19th century America and BritainAn untutored Welsh tramp who became a popular poet acclaimed by the conservative Georgians and the vanguard Ezra Pound alike, W. H. Davies surprised his contemporaries with the unlikeliest portrait of the artist as a young man ever written.After a delinquent childhood Davies renounced home and apprenticeship and at twenty-two sailed to America—the first of more than a dozen Atlantic crossings, often made by cattle boat. From 1893 to 1899 he was schooled by the hard men of the road, disdaining regular work and subsisting by begging. Crossing Canada to join the “Klondyke” gold rush, Davies fell while hopping a train. His foot was crushed and his leg amputated. “All the wildness had been taken out of me,” Davies wrote, “and my adventures after this were not of my own seeking.”Praised by Osbert Sitwell for his “primitive splendour and directness,” Davies evokes the beauty and frontier violence of turn-of-the-century America in prose that George Bernard Shaw commended to “literary experts for its style alone.” The insurgent wanderlust that found an American voice in Jack London and Jack Kerouac is expressed here in a raucous true adventure story by the man Shaw called “the incorrigible Supertramp who wrote this amazing book.”

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Daniel Mendelsohn

An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic : Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2017

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When eighty-one-year-old Jay Mendelsohn decides to enroll in the undergraduate Odyssey seminar his son teaches at Bard College, the two find themselves on an adventure as profoundly emotional as it is intellectual. For Jay, a retired research scientist this return to the classroom is his "one last chance" to learn the great literature he'd neglected in his youth--and, even more, a final opportunity to more fully understand his son, a writer and classicist. But through the sometimes uncomfortable months that the two men explore Homer's great work together--first in the classroom, where Jay persistently challenges his son's interpretations, and then during a surprise-filled Mediterranean journey retracing Odysseus's famous voyages--it becomes clear that Daniel has much to learn, too: Jay's responses to both the text and the travels gradually uncover long-buried secrets that allow the son to understand his difficult father at last.

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Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant

Option B : Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy

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From Facebook’s COO and Wharton’s top-rated professor, the #1 New York Times best-selling authors of Lean In and Originals: a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks. After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again. “I was in ‘the void,’” she writes, “a vast emptiness that fills your heart and lungs and restricts your ability to think or even breathe.” Her friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, told her there are concrete steps people can take to recover and rebound from life-shattering experiences. We are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. It is a muscle that everyone can build.Option B combines Sheryl’s personal insights with Adam’s eye-opening research on finding strength in the face of adversity. Beginning with the gut-wrenching moment when she finds her husband, Dave Goldberg, collapsed on a gym floor, Sheryl opens up her heart—and her journal—to describe the acute grief and isolation she felt in the wake of his death. But Option B goes beyond Sheryl’s loss to explore how a broad range of people have overcome hardships including illness, job loss, sexual assault, natural disasters, and the violence of war. Their stories reveal the capacity of the human spirit to persevere . . . and to rediscover joy.Resilience comes from deep within us and from support outside us. Even after the most devastating events, it is possible to grow by finding deeper meaning and gaining greater appreciation in our lives. Option B illuminates how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces. Many of these lessons can be applied to everyday struggles, allowing us to brave whatever lies ahead. Two weeks after losing her husband, Sheryl was preparing for a father-child activity. “I want Dave,” she cried. Her friend replied, “Option A is not available,” and then promised to help her make the most of Option B.We all live some form of Option B. This book will help us all make the most of it.

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Nick Jans

A Wolf Called Romeo

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A Wolf Called Romeo is the true story of the exceptional black wolf who spent seven years interacting with the people and dogs of Juneau, Alaska, living on the edges of their community, engaging in an improbable, awe-inspiring interspecies dance, and bringing the wild into sharp focus.When Romeo first appeared, author Nick Jans and the other citizens of Juneau were wary, but as Romeo began to tag along with cross-country skiers on their daily jaunts, play fetch alongside local dogs, or simply lie near Nick and nap under the sun on a quiet afternoon, Nick and the rest of Juneau came to accept Romeo, and he them. Part memoir, part moving animal narrative, part foray into the mystique, lore, science, and history of the wolf, A Wolf Called Romeo is a book no animal lover should miss.

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Ursula Doyle

Love Letters Of Great Women

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From the private papers of Anne Boleyn and Emily Dickinson to those of Empress Josephine and Queen Victoria, Love Letters of Great Women is an anthology of some of the most romantic letters in history. As a companion to Love Letters of Great Men , this collection gives the other side of the the secret hopes and lives of some of the greatest women in history, from writers and artists to politicians and queens. Includes letters Anne Boleyn * Edith Wharton * Mary Wordsworth * Nell Gwyn (mistress of Charles II) * Queen Victoria * the Empress Josephine * Mary Wollstonecraft * Katherine Mansfield * George Sand Praise for Love Letters of Great Men : `The most romantic book ever` Daily Mail `Inspired by the Sex and the City movie... Famous men caught with pen in hand and heart in mouth` The Times

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Paul Angone

101 Secrets For Your Twenties

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Every twenty-something needs a little black book of secrets. Our twenties are filled with confusion, terrible jobs, anticipation, disappointment, cubicles, break-ups, transition, quarter-life crisis, loneliness, post-college what the heck, moderate success sandwiched in-between complete failure, and we need a worn, weathered guide stashed somewhere close by to help shed some light on this defining decade.This is that book.Expanded from the blog post, "21 Secrets for Your 20s" that spread like Internet wildfire with nearly a million readers in 190 countries, 101 Secrets for Your Twenties will encourage, inspire, prompt a plethora of LOLs, and kick-start your life forward with its witty, honest, and hilarious wisdom-stuffed-pearls to help you rock life in your twenties."Wow, may I just say how freakishly applicable these "secrets" are to my life in my 20s?"@ABsport19"I haven't laughed all day, until I read this. Hysterical & brilliant truth...So thankful for @PaulAngone"@kenin312"Probably some of the best pieces of advice for 20-somethings ever. I especially love 5Flol"@Emilyann54"I wish I had this list when I was in my 20s...I hope more people in their 20s, feeling all alone can read this."Reader, AllGroanUp.com

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Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running : A Memoir

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An intimate look at writing, running, and the incredible way they intersect, from the incomparable, bestselling author Haruki Murakami.While simply training for the New York City Marathon would be enough for most people, Haruki Murakami decided to write about it as well. The result is a beautiful memoir about his intertwined obsessions with running and writing, full of vivid memories and insights, including the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer. By turns funny and sobering, playful and phulosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is rich and revelatory, both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in athletic pursuit.

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Nelson Mandela

The Long Walk to Freedom : The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

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This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration from a real-life hero who struggled for peace and justice. It depicts Mandela's perseverance, courage, and determination throughout his fight against apartheid and his continuing struggle for equality.

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David Yaffe

Reckless Daughter : A Portrait of Joni Mitchell

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Recommended for fans of folk and emotional lyrics. The biography delves into Mitchell's inspirations and influences behind her timeless hits, highlighting her raw and emotional songwriting style that captivated a generation. It offers an intimate look into the life of a free-spirited artist whose music has left a lasting mark on American music.

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C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle

A Grief Observed

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A Grief Observed could be a good read for someone who has experienced loss and is struggling to come to terms with it. This book is a personal reflection of C. S. Lewis's own experience with grief and his questioning of faith and the meaning of life. Its unique feature is its honesty and raw emotion that is not often expressed in literary works. Readers will appreciate Lewis's ability to articulate his thoughts on grief and faith, and may find solace in his words.

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Jennifer Worth

Call the Midwife : A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times

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Recommended for readers who enjoy non-fiction narratives about historical events and those who appreciate inspiring stories of women's resilience and strength. Call the Midwife provides a glimpse into the lives of underprivileged mothers and how a community, with the help of dedicated and courageous midwives, battled through a challenging period in history. The book is an excellent choice for readers who appreciate engaging storytelling that marries inspiration with historical insights.

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Barack Obama

The Audacity of Hope : Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

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"The Audacity of Hope" is a must-read for those interested in politics and leadership. Obama shares his vision for unity and progress, highlighting the importance of empathy and respect for the democratic process. His personal anecdotes and self-deprecating humor make this book an engaging and inspiring read.

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Blake Mycoskie

Start Something That Matters

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In 2006, while travelling in Argentina, young entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie encountered children too poor to afford shoes, who developed injuries on their feet that often led to serious health problems. Blake knew he wanted to help, but rather than start a charity, he went against conventional wisdom and created a for profit business to help the children who he met. With the help of a local shoemaker, Blake struck out to merge activism and fashion in the form of a local canvas shoe worn by farmers and gauchos alike, called the alpargata. Blake called his creation TOMS Shoes (which stands for "Tomorrow's Shoes") and promised to give a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair that he sold. Starting with only two hundred pairs of handmade shoes, optimism, and entrepreneurial charisma, Blake successfully launched TOMS into the high fashion world. They can now be seen adorning the feet of celebrities such as Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson, and Tobey Maguire.Blake's mission is to prove that you can achieve financial success and make the world a better place at the same time. In this book, he shares the six counterintuitive principles that have guided the growth of TOMS for the past threeMake business personalBe resourceful without resourcesReverse retirementKeep it simpleStay humbleGive more, advertise lessThe result is an inspiring account of a young man whose entrepreneurial spirit was able to affect change in the world, and a call to others to be inspired to do the same.As part of the One for One initiative, Random House will provide a new book to a child in need with every copy of Start Something That Matters purchased.

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Nigel Warburton

A Little History of Philosophy

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Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it.In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton guides us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times.Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and ask in the tradition of Socrates. A Little History of Philosophy presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion.

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Tony Hendra, George Carlin

Last Words

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This book is a must-read for fans of George Carlin and anyone who appreciates candid and irreverent humor. Through his hilarious anecdotes and razor-sharp honesty, Carlin takes us on a journey from his rough upbringing to his rise to stardom, highlighting his struggles with substance abuse and his complex relationships. "Last Words" is not just a biography, but a parting gift of laughter from a comedy genius to the world. Prepare to laugh out loud and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the comedy.

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Joanna Rakoff

My Salinger Year : NOW A MAJOR FILM

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"My Salinger Year" would be a good choice for those who enjoy memoirs and coming-of-age stories. The book provides a glimpse into the world of J.D. Salinger and the task of answering his fan mail. The most unique feature of the book is its portrayal of the pre-digital world of the late 1990s literary scene in New York, where the protagonist is trying to find her artistic sense while living in a tiny apartment with her socialist boyfriend. Readers who are interested in the power of books to shape lives would find this memoir engaging.

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Sonny Liew

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

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The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is a biography showcasing the life and work of Chan Hock Chye, a pioneering but largely forgotten comics artist in Singapore. With a career spanning more than five decades, from pre-independent Singapore through its three Prime Ministers, Chan’s work reflects the changing political and economic environment in Singapore.Containing Chan’s original illustrations, paintings and sketches, this is a groundbreaking work and labour of love aimed at recapturing the portrait of an artist, whose deep passion for comics and country is given a fitting tribute by award-winning comics artist Sonny Liew.New York Times bestsellerWinner of the 2016 Singapore Literature Prize for FictionWinner of the 2016 Singapore Book Awards for Book of the Year and Best Book Cover DesignWinner of the 2017 Eisner Awards for: Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia Best Writer/Artist Best Publication Design Shortlisted for the 2017 Eisner Awards for: Best Graphic Album—New Best Coloring Best Lettering Economist Book of the Year (2016)NPR Graphic Novel Pick for 2016Washington Post Best Graphic Novel of 2016New York Post Best Books of 2016Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2016South China Morning Post Top 10 Asian books of 2016A.V. Club Best Comics of 2016Comic Books Resources Top 100 Comics of 2016Mental Floss Most Interesting Graphic Novel of 2016

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Władysław Szpilman

The Pianist

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The powerful and bestselling memoir of a young Jewish pianist who survived the war in Warsaw against all odds. Made into a Bafta and Oscar-winning film.

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Anne Catherine Emmerich, Sebastian Bullough, Michael Palairet

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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This book is a great read for devout Catholics who wish to gain more insight into the life of Mother Mary. The author's visions provide unique perspectives on the Nativity and early life of Jesus, as well as the final days of Mary. The book is incredibly edifying and inspires readers to have a deeper appreciation for the role of Mother Mary in the faith.

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JesmynWard

Men We Reaped : A Memoir

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Jesmyn Ward's Men We Reaped is a powerful and heart-rending memoir that explores the impact of racism, poverty, and exclusion on the lives of black men in rural Mississippi. Through her own experiences of loss and grief, Ward conveys a sense of palpable anger and frustration at the systemic injustices that have claimed the lives of so many in her community. Her prose is both lyrical and hard-hitting, and she deftly weaves together personal anecdote, social commentary, and historical context to create a rich and nuanced picture of life in the Deep South. A must-read for anyone interested in race, class, and social justice.

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Charles and Ralling Christopher (ed) Darwin

Voyage of Charles Darwin

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A chronological selection of Darwin's own writings from his diary, journal, and autobiography, which highlight the adventure as well as the scientific inquiry of his monumental voyage on the HMS Beagle. Excellent color photographs of the flora and fauna make this an inviting introduction to Darwin's work. The book is also a supplement to and commentary on the British TV dramatization of the same title.

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Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

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This book is a powerful and poignant memoir of a young girl's survival of the Cambodian genocide. Loung Ung's story is horrific and devastating, yet it is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Readers will be moved by the bravery and resilience demonstrated by Loung and her family, and gain a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed under Pol Pot's regime. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, social justice, and the triumph of hope over despair.

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Lindsey Fitzharris

The Butchering Art : Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine

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This book is perfect for those interested in medical history and the evolution of medical treatments. Fitzharris provides a detailed account of Joseph Lister's groundbreaking discovery of antiseptics as a solution to germ-based infections in surgery, changing the face of medicine forever. Readers will be transported back to the grisly world of Victorian surgery, and gain a new appreciation for our modern medical practices.

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Peter Baker

Days of Fire : Bush and Cheney in the White House

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In Days of Fire, Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times, takes us on a gripping and intimate journey through the eight years of the Bush and Cheney administration in a tour-de-force narrative of a dramatic and controversial presidency.Theirs was the most captivating American political partnership since Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger: a bold and untested president and his seasoned, relentless vice president. Confronted by one crisis after another, they struggled to protect the country, remake the world, and define their own relationship along the way. In Days of Fire, Peter Baker chronicles the history of the most consequential presidency in modern times through the prism of its two most compelling characters, capturing the elusive and shifting alliance of George Walker Bush and Richard Bruce Cheney as no historian has done before. He brings to life with in-the-room immediacy all the drama of an era marked by devastating terror attacks, the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and financial collapse.      The real story of Bush and Cheney is a far more fascinating tale than the familiar suspicion that Cheney was the power behind the throne. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with key players, and thousands of pages of never-released notes, memos, and other internal documents, Baker paints a riveting portrait of a partnership that evolved dramatically over time, from the early days when Bush leaned on Cheney, making him the most influential vice president in history, to their final hours, when the two had grown so far apart they were clashing in the West Wing. Together and separately, they were tested as no other president and vice president have been, first on a bright September morning, an unforgettable “day of fire” just months into the presidency, and on countless days of fire over the course of eight tumultuous years.     Days of Fire is a monumental and definitive work that will rank with the best of presidential histories. As absorbing as a thriller, it is eye-opening and essential reading.

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Gloria Steinem, Tiffany Dufu

Drop The Ball - Achieving More By Doing Less

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Recommendation: "Drop the Ball" is an inspiring memoir that urges women to embrace imperfection, delegate, and focus on what they genuinely care about. Tiffany Dufu provides actionable advice on how women should shrink their to-do list and let go of unrealistic expectations to create the type of rich, fulfilling life they desire. This book is a must-read for women who strive to achieve their career and personal goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

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Frank McCourt

Teacher Man - A Memoir

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Teacher Man is an excellent read for anyone interested in teaching or education. McCourt's honest and often humorous storytelling brings to life the challenges and rewards of being a teacher, and his journey to find his voice in the classroom is both moving and inspirational. If you're looking for a book that will make you reflect on the value of education, this is it.

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Cheryl Strayed

Wild : A Journey from Lost to Found

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Wild can be a great read for someone looking for inspiration, a story of hope, and strength. Cheryl Strayed provides an honest account of her struggles and the transformation of herself as a person. It inspires readers to be more courageous, to take challenges head-on, and to have faith in themselves.

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Deborah Rodriguez

The Kabul Beauty School

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Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons. Thus an idea was born. With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.Yet within the small haven of the beauty school, the line between teacher and student quickly blurred as these vibrant women shared with Rodriguez their stories and their hearts: the newlywed who faked her virginity on her wedding night, the twelve-year-old bride sold into marriage to pay her family’s debts, the Taliban member’s wife who pursued her training despite her husband’s constant beatings. Through these and other stories, Rodriguez found the strength to leave her own unhealthy marriage and allow herself to love again, Afghan style.With warmth and humor, Rodriguez details the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the magnificence behind the burqa. Kabul Beauty School is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom.From the Hardcover edition.

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Marina Keegan, Anne Fadiman

The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories

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This collection of essays and stories by the late Marina Keegan provides a raw and honest insight into the thoughts and aspirations of the current generation. The blend of youthful optimism and life’s complexities in her writing is both relatable and powerfully thought-provoking. Through her words, the reader is encouraged to not only reflect on their own lives but also find hope in a world sometimes saturated with despair.

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Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love

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Eat, Pray, Love could be a good read for those looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment through travel. The author's personal experiences in Italy, India, and Bali, combined with her witty and engaging writing style, make for an entertaining and inspiring read. It is a memoir that explores themes of love, devotion, and balance through food, language, humanity, God, and most importantly, self-love. The book has gained widespread popularity among women who are searching for answers to some of life's most difficult questions.

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Brian Grazer, Charles Fishman

A Curious Mind : The Secret to a Bigger Life

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A Curious Mind is a great read for individuals looking to improve their personal and professional lives by incorporating curiosity into their everyday routine. Brian Grazer's weekly "curiosity conversations" showcase the power of asking questions and seeking knowledge from a diverse group of individuals. Readers will be inspired to approach life with a more open and inquisitive mind, leading to new opportunities and personal growth.

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Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson

The Mamba Mentality : How I Play

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This book could be a good read for you if you're an aspiring basketball player or a die-hard fan of the game. Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" is not just about basketball skills, but also about his mindset, determination, and passion for the game. Through detailed accounts and stunning photographs, Bryant takes you on a journey inside his mind, sharing his intelligence, creativity, and dedication to excellence. You'll learn how he studied opponents, played through injuries, and prepared mentally and physically. This book is a treasure trove of invaluable insights from a legendary figure in the basketball world.

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Pankaj Mishra

From the Ruins of Empire : The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia

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Viewed in the West as a time of self-confident progress, the Victorian period was experienced by Asians as a catastrophe. As the British gunned down the last heirs to the Mughal Empire or burned down the Summer Palace in Beijing, it was clear that for Asia to recover a new way of thinking was needed. Pankaj Mishra re-tells the history of the past two centuries, showing how a remarkable, disparate group of thinkers, journalists, radicals and charismatics emerged from the ruins of empire to create an unstoppable Asian renaissance, one whose ideas lie behind everything from the Chinese Communist Party to the Muslim Brotherhood, and have made our world what it is today.

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Jean-Dominique Bauby

The Diving-bell and the Butterfly

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After suffering a massive stroke, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French Elle and the father of two young children, found himself completely paralysed, speechless and able only to move one eyelid. With his eyelid he 'dictated' this remarkable book.

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Tara Westover

Educated

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Educated would be a good read for anyone who has ever felt trapped or constrained by their circumstances. It is a memoir about a young woman's journey from an isolated upbringing in a survivalist family to academia and intellectual enlightenment. It highlights the importance of education and the power it can give a person to redefine themselves and transcend their past. Readers will be inspired by Tara's perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity as she pursues a better life for herself.

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The Secret Barrister

The Secret Barrister : Stories of the Law and How It's Broken

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An anonymous barrister offers a shocking, darkly comic and very moving journey through the legal system – and explains how it's failing all of us.The Sunday Times number one bestseller.Winner of the Books are My Bag Non-Fiction Award.Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year.Shortlisted for Specsavers Non-Fiction Book of the Year.You may not wish to think about it, but one day you or someone you love will almost certainly appear in a criminal courtroom. You might be a juror, a victim, a witness or – perhaps through no fault of your own – a defendant. Whatever your role, you’d expect a fair trial.I’m a barrister. I work in the criminal justice system, and every day I see how fairness is not guaranteed. Too often the system fails those it is meant to protect. The innocent are wronged and the guilty allowed to walk free.In The Secret Stories of the Law and How It's Broken I want to share some stories from my daily life to show you how the system is broken, who broke it and why we should start caring before it’s too late.A Sunday Times top ten bestseller for twenty-four weeks.‘Eye-opening, funny and horrifying’ – Observer‘Everyone who has any interest in public life should read it’ – Daily Mail

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Haruki Murakami

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

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In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a slew of critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing. Equal parts travelogue, training log, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and settings ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvellous lens of sport emerges a cornucopia of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical.

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Michael A.B. Deakin

Hypatia of Alexandria: Mathematician and Martyr

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If you're fascinated by the crossroads of history, science, and gender, "Hypatia of Alexandria" transports you to ancient times, where you'll meet an extraordinary woman ahead of her time. Hypatia's story is not just educational; it's a poignant reflection on the struggles women faced in a realm dominated by men, making it a gripping read for those interested in the human stories behind historical figures.

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Photos, Stephen E. Ambrose

Undaunted Courage - Meriwether Lewis Thomas Jefferson And The Opening Of The American West

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In this sweeping adventure story, Stephen E. Ambrose, the bestselling author of D-Day, presents the definitive account of one of the most momentous journeys in American history. Ambrose follows the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Thomas Jefferson's hope of finding a waterway to the Pacific, through the heart-stopping moments of the actual trip, to Lewis's lonely demise on the Natchez Trace. Along the way, Ambrose shows us the American West as Lewis saw it -- wild, awsome, and pristinely beautiful. Undaunted Courage is a stunningly told action tale that will delight readers for generations.

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Ashlee Vance

Elon Musk : How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla is Shaping our Future

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South African born Elon Musk is the renowned entrepreneur and innovator behind PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. Musk wants to save our planet; he wants to send citizens into space, to form a colony on Mars; he wants to make money while doing these things; and he wants us all to know about it. He is the real-life inspiration for the Iron Man series of films starring Robert Downey Junior.The personal tale of Musk’s life comes with all the trappings one associates with a great, drama-filled story. He was a freakishly bright kid who was bullied brutally at school, and abused by his father. In the midst of these rough conditions, and the violence of apartheid South Africa, Musk still thrived academically and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he paid his own way through school by turning his house into a club and throwing massive parties.He started a pair of huge dot-com successes, including PayPal, which eBay acquired for $1.5 billion in 2002. Musk was forced out as CEO and so began his lost years in which he decided to go it alone and baffled friends by investing his fortune in rockets and electric cars. Meanwhile Musk’s marriage disintegrated as his technological obsessions took over his life ...Elon Musk is the Steve Jobs of the present and the future, and for the past twelve months, he has been shadowed by tech reporter, Ashlee Vance. Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of Spacex and Tesla is Shaping our Future is an important, exciting and intelligent account of the real-life Iron Man.

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Antonia Fraser

Marie Antoinette

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This book is a must-read for history enthusiasts and those fascinated by the opulence and downfall of royals. Antonia Fraser paints a vivid picture of Marie Antoinette's life, from her privileged upbringing to her eventual execution. The book delves into the controversies surrounding her, exploring the accusations, rumors, and trials that shaped her legacy. Fraser's meticulous research and captivating storytelling make this a definitive and engrossing account of one of history's most iconic figures.

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Adam Rippon

Beautiful on the Outside : A Memoir

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Former Olympic figure skater and self-professed America's Sweetheart Adam Rippon shares his underdog journey from beautiful mess to outrageous success in this hilarious, big-hearted memoir that the Washington Post calls "comedic gold."Your mom probably told you it's what on the inside that counts. Well, then she was never a competitive figure skater. Olympic medalist Adam Rippon has been making it pretty for the judges even when, just below the surface, everything was an absolute mess. From traveling to practices on the Greyhound bus next to ex convicts to being so poor he could only afford to eat the free apples at his gym, Rippon got through the toughest times with a smile on his face, a glint in his eye, and quip ready for anyone listening. Beautiful on the Outside looks at his journey from a homeschooled kid in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to a self-professed American sweetheart on the world stage and all the disasters and self-delusions it took to get him there. Yeah, it may be what's on the inside that counts, but life is so much better when it's beautiful on the outside.

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Emma Claire Sweeney, Emily Midorikawa, Margaret Atwood

A Secret Sisterhood : The Literary Friendships of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf

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A Secret Sisterhood offers a refreshing re-examination of literary friendships between female authors. Midorikawa and Sweeney explore the often-overlooked partnerships between Jane Austen and Anne Sharp, Charlotte Bronte and Mary Taylor, George Eliot and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Virginia Woolf and Katherine Mansfield. Using unpublished letters and diaries, the book offers an intimate glimpse into the complex, but often-understated relationships between these trailblazing writers. A must-read for any enthusiast of literature, biography, or female empowerment.

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John Cleese

So, Anyway... : The Autobiography

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John Cleese's "So, Anyway..." is a must-read for fans of his work and anyone looking for a funny and engaging memoir. Cleese's unique comedic voice shines through as he recounts his upbringing, early career as a teacher and path to becoming a successful writer and performer. Cleese's musings on the nature of comedy and other topics add depth to this entertaining read.

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Kate Mayfield

The Undertaker's Daughter

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“ The Undertaker’s Daughter is a wonderfully quirky, gem of a book beautifully written by Kate Mayfield.…Her compelling, complicated family and cast of characters stay with you long after you close the book” (Monica Holloway, author of Cowboy & Wills and Driving With Dead People ).How does one live in a house of the dead? Kate Mayfield explores what it meant to be the daughter of a small-town undertaker in this fascinating memoir evocative of Six Feet Under and The Help , with a hint of Mary Roach’s Stiff .After Kate Mayfield was born, she was taken directly to a funeral home. Her father was an undertaker, and for thirteen years the family resided in a place nearly synonymous with death, where the living and the dead entered their house like a vapor. In a memoir that reads like a Harper Lee novel, Mayfield draws the reader into a world of haunting Southern mystique.In the turbulent 1960s, Kate’s father set up shop in sleepy Jubilee, Kentucky, a segregated, god-fearing community where no one kept secrets—except the ones they were buried with. By opening a funeral home, Frank Mayfield also opened the door to family feuds, fetishes, murder, suicide, and all manner of accidents. Kate saw it all—she also witnessed the quiet ruin of her father, who hid alcoholism and infidelity behind a cool and charismatic façade. As Kate grows from trusting child to rebellious teen, the enforced sobriety of the funeral home begins to chafe, and she longs for the day she can escape the confines of Jubilee and her place as the undertaker’s daughter.“Mayfield fashions a poignant send-off to Jubilee in this thoughtfully rendered work” ( Publishers Weekly ).

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Dive Into Real-Life Stories

Biographies and memoirs offer unparalleled insights into the lives and minds of individuals who've shaped our world. Be it political icons, celebrities, or unsung heroes, Thryft brings you a rich assortment of stories that reveal extraordinary experiences and life lessons. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the personal tales that have influenced history and culture.