Books to Cure Your Book Hangover
If you've just finished a gripping read like The Devil in the White City, dive into these captivating titles that blend history with thrilling narratives. Each book promises to transport you to another time and place, keeping you engaged and eager for more. Say goodbye to that post-book slump and hello to your next adventure!
The Devil In The White City
498 pages
This book intertwines the true story of the 1893 World's Fair with the chilling tale of a serial killer, making it a captivating read that promises both historical intrigue and suspense.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
417 pages
This book is a dramatized true story that delves into the gripping murder of a male prostitute in Savannah, GA, making it a captivating read.
The Big Book of 1980s Serial Killers
232 pages
This book is a gripping exploration of a ruthless predator, showcasing McNamara's brilliant research and tenacity that kept me on edge, even making me sleep with the lights on!
The Lost City of Z
370 pages
This book reads like a novel, making historical nonfiction engaging and captivating.
Killers of the Flower Moon
417 pages
Grann's storytelling makes this historical account feel like a thrilling narrative.
We Die Alone
This book offers a gripping tale of survival, focusing on Norwegian soldiers during WW2 and their harrowing journey to establish a resistance against Nazi occupation. The intense narrative of the lone survivor navigating the harsh Northern Norway winter is truly captivating.
Dead Wake
481 pages
Dead Wake is a captivating read that delves into the historical events surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts.
Hellhound On His Trail
482 pages
This book is riveting and reads like a movie, detailing James Earl Ray's stalking and assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., along with the largest manhunt in American history that ensued.
The Devil in the White City
465 pages
The commenter's enthusiasm for this book suggests it's a must-read, promising an engaging narrative that intertwines history with thrilling events.
The Book of William
163 pages
The Book of William offers a delightful blend of history and literature, focusing on Shakespeare’s First Folio, which makes it an intriguing read for those interested in the Bard.
Thunderstruck
548 pages
Although I haven't read Thunderstruck yet, my history professor friend highly recommends it, suggesting it's an engaging exploration of a fascinating historical event.
Endurance
275 pages
This book tells the gripping story of a 1914 shipping expedition that became trapped in ice, showcasing incredible survival against the odds.
Secondhand Time
497 pages
It's an incredibly engaging way to learn about history from the perspectives of real people, making it a highly recommended read!
The Indifferent Stars Above
484 pages
It's a captivating account of the Donner Party, providing a deep and interesting perspective on their harrowing journey.
The Butchering Art
305 pages
The Butchering Art offers a fascinating and disturbing look at the evolution of surgery during a time when medical practices were shockingly primitive. It's both informative and eye-opening, perfect for those intrigued by the history of medicine.
Unbroken
102 pages
Unbroken is a gripping tale of Louis Zamperini's incredible journey, showcasing resilience and survival against unimaginable odds. It's a must-read, especially since the movie doesn't do justice to the raw reality of his experiences.
The Science of Ghosts
438 pages
This book delves into the fascinating history of building the US railways, offering a captivating look at a pivotal moment in American history.
Strange Piece of Paradise
566 pages
This excellent book tells the gripping story of two college girls biking across America in 1976, whose lives are forever changed after a fateful night at a rest stop. Decades later, the author embarks on her own investigation into the events that transpired, making it a compelling read.
The Boys in the Boat
418 pages
Now a Major Motion Picture Directed by George Clooney The #1 New York Times–bestselling story about the American Olympic rowing triumph in Nazi Germany—from the author of Facing the Mountain. For readers of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Depression comes an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant. It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.
Drunk
341 pages
A cultural history of alcohol that traces its roots back to ancient Egypt, this book is sure to make you want to indulge, so it's wise to have a good drink ready!
Not What You Think
209 pages
Not What You Think blows the dust off dated misperceptions of the Bible and engages the problems of this book head-on--the parts that make modern readers squeamish, skeptical, and uncertain. If you're skeptical about the Bible, you're not alone. The Bible is seen by many contemporary readers as intolerant, outdated, out of step with societal norms at best, and a tool of oppression at worst. In this earnest and illuminating read, millennial thought leaders and aspiring theologians Michael and Lauren McAfee are here to say: fair enough. But they're also here to raise a few questions of their own: What if we cleared the deck on our preconceptions of the Bible and encountered it anew? What if we came with the understanding that our questions are welcome? And what if the Bible presents less of a system to figure out, and more of a story to step into--a story with more surprising plot twists than we might think? Michael and Lauren spent their childhoods in church and Sunday school, they spent part of their twenties finding their way in the world in New York City, and today they're shaping their careers while pursuing doctoral studies in theology and ethics. Along the way, they've had to wrangle very real questions--both their own, and of their friends--about why, where, and how the most controversial book in history fits in our world today. Join Michael and Lauren as they explore the nature of the Bible--an ancient mosaic of story, literature, history, and poetry--and what it means for this generation and its relationship with God. Ultimately, Not What You Think is an invitation to come and see, and be surprised.
That Dark and Bloody River
882 pages
An award-winning author chronicles the settling of the Ohio River Valley, home to the defiant Shawnee Indians, who vow to defend their land against the seemingly unstoppable. They came on foot and by horseback, in wagons and on rafts, singly and by the score, restless, adventurous, enterprising, relentless, seeking a foothold on the future. European immigrants and American colonists, settlers and speculators, soldiers and missionaries, fugitives from justice and from despair—pioneers all, in the great and inexorable westward expansion defined at its heart by the majestic flow of the Ohio River. This is their story, a chronicle of monumental dimension, of resounding drama and impact set during a pivotal era in our history: the birth and growth of a nation. Drawing on a wealth of research, both scholarly and anecdotal—including letters, diaries, and journals of the era—Allan W. Eckert has delivered a landmark of historical authenticity, unprecedented in scope and detail.
Manhunt
498 pages
It's a thrilling non-fiction read that feels like a rollercoaster, detailing the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent chase for his killer and co-conspirators.
Murder in the First-Class Carriage
268 pages
This story of a real-life Victorian mystery is a “meticulously researched true-crime account . . . its final revelation is a showstopper” (The New York Times). In July 1864, Thomas Briggs was traveling home after visiting his niece and her husband for dinner. He boarded a first-class carriage on the 9:45 pm Hackney service of the North London railway. A short time later, two bank clerks entered the compartment and noticed blood pooled in the seat cushions and smeared all over the floor and windows. But there was no sign of Thomas Briggs. All that remained was his ivory-knobbed walking stick, his empty leather bag, and a bloodstained hat that, strangely, did not belong to Mr. Briggs. The race to identify the killer and catch him as he fled on a boat to America was eagerly followed by the public on both sides of the Atlantic. The investigation and subsequent trial became a fixture in New York newspapers—and a frequent distraction from the Civil War that ravaged the nation. In Murder in the First-Class Carriage, Gold Dagger Award nominee Kate Colquhoun tells the gripping tale of a crime that shocked an era. “A suspenseful, well-paced account of a baffling mystery.” —The Washington Post “Deploying her skill as a historian, Colquhoun turns a single curious murder case into a fascinatingly quirky portrait of the underside of mid-Victorian London. I found it unputdownable.” —Daily Telegraph
Earth Abides
289 pages
This book offers an exciting post-apocalyptic narrative that explores the impact of humanity's disappearance on the world and its species. Follow Ish, the main character, as he strives to maintain order and ensure the survival of the human race.
A Kim Jong-Il Production
366 pages
An interesting page-turner about North Korean kidnappings and their attempts to escape.
Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Readers
337 pages
This book is a gripping account of the murders of the Osage tribe members and the FBI's efforts to bring the killers to justice, making it a compelling read.
The Monster of Florence
403 pages
This book delves into the chilling murders and the rich history of Florence, while also exploring the intriguing background of a specific family linked to the unsolved case.
In the Kingdom of Ice
558 pages
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A white-knuckle tale of polar exploration and heroism in the Gilded Age from the New York Times bestselling author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers. • “A splendid book in every way…a marvelous nonfiction thriller.” —The Wall Street Journal On July 8, 1879, Captain George Washington De Long and his team of thirty-two men set sail from San Francisco on the USS Jeanette. Heading deep into uncharted Arctic waters, they carried the aspirations of a young country burning to be the first nation to reach the North Pole. Two years into the harrowing voyage, the Jeannette's hull was breached by an impassable stretch of pack ice, forcing the crew to abandon ship amid torrents of rushing of water. Hours later, the ship had sunk below the surface, marooning the men a thousand miles north of Siberia, where they faced a terrifying march with minimal supplies across the endless ice pack. Enduring everything from snow blindness and polar bears to ferocious storms and labyrinths of ice, the crew battled madness and starvation as they struggled desperately to survive. With thrilling twists and turns, In The Kingdom of Ice is a spellbinding tale of heroism and determination in the most brutal place on Earth.
Ghost Soldiers
344 pages
Chronicles the daring mission of the elite U.S. Army Sixth Ranger Battalion to slip behind enemy lines in the Phillipines and rescue the 513 American and British POWs who had spent over three years in a hellish, Japanese-run camp near Cabanatuan. Reprint. 300,000 first printing.
Indestructible
534 pages
This fascinating story follows Pappy Gunn's incredible journey to reunite with his family during WWII, showcasing his bravery and the advancements he made in aviation.
The Tiger
361 pages
The Tiger offers a gripping narrative that intertwines a tiger's killing spree with the biology and mythology of these majestic creatures, alongside the poignant history of the people in Eastern Russia.
The Murder of the Century
Collins recounts how a grisly discovery in 1897 New York plunged detectives headlong into the era's most perplexing murder. Seized upon by battling media moguls Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, the case became a publicity circus.
Into the Wild
241 pages
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, even though adventuring isn't usually my thing.
