this list combines critically acclaimed and popular true-to-life books across genres, offering a diverse range of compelling narratives
A powerful memoir about a young woman's journey from a survivalist upbringing to a prestigious academic career.
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover, Paperback
A poignant account of a young Jewish girl's life in hiding during the Holocaust.
The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank, Paperback
A psychiatrist's reflection on survival and finding meaning in Nazi concentration camps.
Man's Search for Meaning (B&N Exclusive Edition)
The incredible story of Louis Zamperini's survival as a WWII airman.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
A harrowing account of severe child abuse and the author's resilience.
A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer, Paperback
A captivating memoir of a childhood marked by poverty and unconventional parents.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Paperback
The inspiring story of a young Pakistani activist who fought for girls' education.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
A moving narrative based on the true story of a tattooist and a prisoner in Auschwitz.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, Paperback
A firsthand account of slavery in the antebellum South.
12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, Paperback
A pioneering work of true crime journalism.
In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences
The story of Henrietta Lacks and the impact of her cells on medical research.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Paperback
A fictionalized account of the lives of African American maids in 1960s Mississippi.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Paperback
A novel inspired by the life of a geisha.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, Paperback
A novel exploring the complexities of teenage relationships and suicide.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Paperback
A coming-of-age novel dealing with sensitive themes.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Paperback
A poignant story about love, loss, and the search for meaning.
Looking for Alaska by John Green, Paperback
A powerful coming-of-age story about a Native American teenager.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Paperback
A Memoir of Mental Illness
Girl, Interrupted: A Memoir by Susanna Kaysen, Paperback
The book's unique structure, composed of short, poetic vignettes, mirrors Esperanza's fragmented thoughts and evolving self-awareness. Each chapter is a snapshot of her life, capturing moments of joy, sorrow, frustration, and hope. Cisneros's lyrical...
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, Paperback
A moving autobiography chronicling Angelou's childhood experiences and early life.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Paperback
A seminal work detailing the history of Native Americans in the United States.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West
A narrative non-fiction work intertwining the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the crimes of a serial killer.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed ...
