swap_horiz Surprised by Joy Alternatives

1

Meditations

Meditations is a personal journal written by Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. It offers insights in...

Philosophy Memoir Roman Stoicism

9.5 Brilliant

2

If This Is a Man

If This Is a Man is a profoundly moving memoir by Primo Levi documenting his survival at Auschwitz. The book offers a st...

Wwii Holocaust Memoir Jewish

9.4 Excellent

3

Night

Night is a profoundly moving account of Elie Wiesel’s survival during the Holocaust. The book chronicles his experiences...

Wwii Holocaust Memoir Jewish

9.2 Excellent

4

The Periodic Table

Levi’s *The Periodic Table* is a profoundly moving account of the author's experiences during World War II. He meticulou...

Chemistry Science Memoir Jewish

9.1 Excellent

5

Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson

James Boswell’s *Life of Samuel Johnson* provides an unparalleled firsthand account of the famed 18th-century writer. Th...

18TH Century Literature British Boswell

9.0 Excellent

6

Dispatches

Michael Herr’s *Dispatches* offers a visceral account of the Vietnam War through the eyes of a war correspondent. Publis...

Journalism War Memoir Vietnam

9.0 Excellent

7

When Breath Becomes Air

This 2016 memoir by Paul Kalanithi chronicles his life as a neurosurgeon and his battle with stage IV metastatic lung ca...

Terminal Medical Memoir Mortality

8.9 Great

8

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

This 1985 biographical collection of anecdotes details the unconventional and humorous life of Nobel Prize-winning physi...

Physics Science Humor Memoir

8.9 Great

9

Walden

Henry David Thoreau's 1854 memoir details his experiences living alone in a cabin near Walden Pond, reflecting on simple...

Philosophy American Memoir Thoreau

8.8 Great

10

Homage to Catalonia

George Orwell's 1938 memoir about his personal experiences and observations fighting for the Republican faction during t...

Political War Memoir Spanish Civil War

8.8 Great

11

Born Standing Up

Steve Martin's 2007 memoir chronicles his intense early comedy career and the development of his groundbreaking, absurdi...

Martin American Comedy Memoir

8.7 Great

12

Liar's Poker

Michael Lewis's 1989 memoir details his brief career as a bond salesman at Salomon Brothers, offering a scathing look at...

Finance American Memoir Lewis

8.5 Great

13

My Early Life

Winston Churchill's 1930 autobiography details his early military campaigns and journalistic adventures prior to his pro...

British Political Victorian Memoir

8.5 Great

14

The Seven Storey Mountain

Thomas Merton's 1948 spiritual autobiography details his journey from a restless young academic to a devout Trappist mon...

American Spiritual Memoir Monastic

8.5 Great

15

Down and Out in Paris and London

George Orwell's 1933 autobiographical work recounting his experiences living in poverty in two major European cities and...

British 1930S Memoir Poverty

8.2 Great

16

The Road to Wigan Pier

George Orwell's 1937 sociological book documenting the harsh living conditions of working-class people in Northern Engla...

British Memoir Working Class Poverty

8.2 Great

17

My Own Story

Emmeline Pankhurst's 1914 memoir details her role as a British suffragette leader and the militant fight for women's vot...

British Political Memoir Pankhurst

8.0 Great

18

Just As I Am

Just As I Am is the 1997 autobiography of evangelist Billy Graham, detailing his global ministry and relationships with...

American Spiritual Memoir Graham

7.4 Good

19

Losing My Virginity

This 1998 autobiography by British entrepreneur Richard Branson details his business ventures and the creation of the Vi...

Business Entrepreneurship British Memoir

7.0 Good

20

Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert's 2006 bestselling memoir chronicles her journey across Italy, India, and Indonesia to find herself fo...

Travel Self Discovery Spiritual Memoir

6.8 Fair