# I need some book recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467 "2006-03-08T01:47:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/1 "2006-03-08T01:47:09Z")
This request is going to be both very broad and quite specific. Simply stated, I am looking for biographical books (though I suppose fiction will work) in which the character has overcome adversity (be it addiction of some kind, poor circumstances, abuse, whatever). In essence, what I am looking for is something to sort of feed and inspire me. I am hoping to avoid all out schmaltz. More specifically, I am trying to change some bad patterns about myself and am looking for some non self-help books to see what others have been through and how they got through it. I know that this is pretty general, but am pretty sure that someone here will come up with something. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/2 "2006-03-08T02:00:25Z")
You really don’t care if it’s fiction or a bio? Why then , have I got the book for you: [A Million Little Pieces](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400031087/ref=sr_11_1/103-3255860-0363814?%5Fencoding=UTF8) You knew someone would mention it eventually. And really, it seems to have helped a lot of people without being preachy. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/3 "2006-03-08T15:42:41Z")
**Cat Fight** , thanks. I believe that one bump is acceptable to see if anyone else has suggestions. I did check some of this out on Amazon (with their prieview thing) and it looks like the sort of thing that I am after. Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/4 "2006-03-08T15:56:21Z")
You might like the books written by Corrie Ten Boom. (They have a heavy religious overtone, but it’s not enough to ruin the story.) She was a Dutchwoman who hid Jews in a secret compartment during WWII. She and her entire family ended up in a concentration camp, and she was the only survivor. What amazes me most about her story is the way she was able to heal and forgive. She actually turned her house over to be a rehabilitation center for ex-nazi camp guards, because she said they needed healing, too. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/5 "2006-03-08T17:09:00Z")
I’m reading Disneywar right now. It’s a good example of what _not_ to do. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/6 "2006-03-08T17:11:33Z")
I just read _Scar Tissue_, autobiography of Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers… if you like their music it is a great read (and is not unlike _A Million Little Pieces_) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/7 "2006-03-08T18:03:46Z")
[Travelling Mercies](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385496095/103-0345914-2947808?v=glance&n=283155) by Anne Lamott. It talks about her finding her own version of faith while trying to kick drugs and booze. She’s a fabulous writer. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/8 "2006-03-08T18:36:08Z")
[On Writing](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684853523/qid=1141842885/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-5102539-9755811?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) - Stephen King ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/9 "2006-03-08T18:41:35Z")
[A.P. Giannini: Banker of America](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520082494/qid=1141843184/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/103-5102539-9755811?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) - Felice A. Bonadio ---
**Author:** ![Cockatiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cockatiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cockatiel)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/10 "2006-03-08T19:57:03Z")
I second \*On Writing \* if you’re a King fan like I am. I’ll also suggest [Dry](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312423799/sr=8-1/qid=1141847654/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5213853-2323132?%5Fencoding=UTF8) by Augusten Burroughs. It’s similar to A Million Little Pieces in that it deals with alcoholism and has more than a little embillishment (it’s also supposed to be a memoir), but I think the writing is a LOT more accessible and just better overall. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/11 "2006-03-08T20:10:25Z")
> [@Cockatiel](#): > > I’ll also suggest [Dry](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312423799/sr=8-1/qid=1141847654/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5213853-2323132?%5Fencoding=UTF8) by Augusten Burroughs. It’s similar to A Million Little Pieces in that it deals with alcoholism and has more than a little embillishment (it’s also supposed to be a memoir), but I think the writing is a LOT more accessible and just better overall. Second for Dry, also Running With Scissors, which deals with Augusten’s childhood. Good stuff. I read each book in one sitting because I couldn’t put them down. ---
**Author:** ![slake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@slake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slake)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/12 "2006-03-10T08:08:28Z")
A terrific fictional portrayal of a character overcoming adversity - She’s come Undone - Wally Lamb. Another Oprah selection, but don’t let that deter you. It’s a great story. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/13 "2006-03-10T08:20:11Z")
[The Dirt : Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060989157/sr=8-1/qid=1141978696/ref=sr_1_1/002-9054651-7413641?%5Fencoding=UTF8) Don’t laugh, this is a great fucking book. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/14 "2006-03-10T08:22:34Z")
> [@Eleusis](#): > > [The Dirt : Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060989157/sr=8-1/qid=1141978696/ref=sr_1_1/002-9054651-7413641?%5Fencoding=UTF8) > > Don’t laugh, this is a great fucking book. …and it fits the OP to a “T”. Plus, Motley Crue, well, they, uh, kick_ed_ ass. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/15 "2006-03-10T08:32:58Z")
_The Brass Ring_ by Bill Mauldin. 100% schmaltz-free. ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/16 "2006-03-10T11:49:46Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > …biographical books…in which the character has overcome adversity…something to sort of feed and inspire me. [The Egg and I](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060914289/qid=1141990205/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), by Betty MacDonald, takes place in the Seattle area. Its conditions are less adverse than World War II fighting or imprisonment, but it should inspire you. (The movie version kept the title and jettisoned the humor.) [Three Came Home](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316486264/qid=1141990232/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), by Agnes Keith, is a WWII prison-camp memoir. I am ignorant of Corrie Ten Boom, and thank **Lissa** for the recommendation. Keith is a strong, forgiving survivor. The movie version, again starring Colbert, is rather good. I also do not know “The Brass Ring”, **Krokodil** ’s recommendation. But I do know and recommend [Up Front](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393050319/qid=1141990056/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) if you cannot find “The Brass Ring”. [Marooned](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0815602030/qid=1141990311/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), by Charles H. Barnard, is a tense account of of being stranded and surviving in the Falklands 194 years ago. [Alive](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/038000321X/qid=1141990523/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), by Piers Paul Read, is the story of the Andes plane crash survivors. [The Long Walk](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558216847/qid=1141990660/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3587397-4994215?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), by Slavomir Rawicz, is one of the most inspirational WWII prisoner narratives that I have read. In sum, there is plenty available to enthrall and inspire you. Best of success. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/17 "2006-03-10T12:36:28Z")
_It’s Not About the Bike_, Lance Armstrong. He walks you through the decision process he had to go thru to choose his cancer treatment-- the doctors really can’t make that decision for you. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/18 "2006-03-10T12:46:39Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#): > > [Travelling Mercies](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385496095/103-0345914-2947808?v=glance&n=283155) by Anne Lamott. > > It talks about her finding her own version of faith while trying to kick drugs and booze. She’s a fabulous writer. Second this. Another book that you might find of interest, although it’s not a narrative about a life, is Scott Peck’s [_The Road Less Traveled_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743243153/sr=8-1/qid=1141994506/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7317544-2540909). ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/19 "2006-03-10T12:53:02Z")
Richard P. Feynman has a couple of autobiographies out there, and I thought they were pretty interesting. _Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!_ is funny, but he does go through some tough times. _What Do You Care What Other People Think?_ includes some memories of his first wife, who predeceased him. It’s been years (or decades) since I’ve read those books, but he was a real character. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467/20 "2006-03-10T14:00:57Z")
_Into Thin Air_, by Krakauer, is a good read about how some climbers survived (and some didn’t) a horrible storm atop Everest in 1996. Although I guess I can’t say how inspiring it is, as some died due to negligence and bad choices, while others survived despite negligence and bad choices, it’s absolutely an incredible story. _Endurance_, about Ernest Shackleton and his ordeal at the South Pole. This one’s different in that most (all?) survived due to Shackleton’s leadership and unsurpassed, impossible trek to get help. Definitely inspiring. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-book-recommendations/347467.md?page=2)