Lists and Suggestions
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List: Nonfiction - Feel-Good Stories
The Blind Side
Lewis, Michael
The young man at the center of this extraordinary and moving story will one day be among the most hi... More
The young man at the center of this extraordinary and moving story will one day be among the most highly paid athletes in the National Football League. When we first meet him, he is one of thirteen children by a mother addicted to crack; he does not know his real name, his father, his birthday, or any of the things a child might learn in school such as, say, how to read or write. Nor has he ever touched a football.What changes? He takes up football, and school, after a rich, Evangelical, Republican family plucks him from the mean streets. Their love is the first great force that alters the world's perception of the boy, whom they adopt. The second force is the evolution of professional football itself into a game where the quarterback must be protected at any cost. Our protagonist turns out to be the priceless combination of size, speed, and agility necessary to guard the quarterback's greatest vulnerability: his blind side. Less
Unbroken: a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Hillenbrand, Laura.
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared... More
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared--Lt. Louis Zamperini. Captured by the Japanese and driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor. Less
Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
Grennan, Conor.
Describes how the author's three-month service as a volunteer at the Little Princes Orphanage i... More
Describes how the author's three-month service as a volunteer at the Little Princes Orphanage in war-torn Nepal became a commitment for advocacy and reform when he discovered that many of his young charges were victims rescued from human traffickers. Less
Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town
St. John, Warren.
Memories of war, political crackdowns, revolutions, and ethnic cleansing are part of life in Clarkst... More
Memories of war, political crackdowns, revolutions, and ethnic cleansing are part of life in Clarkston, Georgia, turned into a refugee center by the federal government. This fast-paced account follows the story of Luma Mufleh, a bright-burning advocate, who started the Fugees soccer team and transformed the town. Less
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
Hamilton, Bethany.
Bethany Hamilton, a teenage surfer lost her arm in a shark attack off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. No... More
Bethany Hamilton, a teenage surfer lost her arm in a shark attack off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Not even the loss of her arm keeps her from returning to surfing, the sport she loves. They say Bethany Hamilton has saltwater in her veins. How else could one explain the tremendous passion that drives her to surf? How else could one explain that nothing-not even the loss of her arm in a horrific shark attack-could come between her and the waves? That Halloween morning in Kauai, Hawaii-a glorious part of the world, where it's hard to deny the divine-Bethany responded to the shark's stealth attack with the calm of a girl with God on her side. Pushing pain and panic aside, she immediately began to paddle with one arm, focusing on a single thought: "Get to the beach..." Rushed to the hospital, where her father, Tom Hamilton, was about to undergo knee surgery, Bethany found herself taking his spot in the O.R.It's the kind of coincidence that isn't mere coincidence to the Hamilton family, a clan whose motto could easily be "the family that surfs and prays together stays together." To them it was a sign someone had a greater plan than the one they'd been working on themselves-which had been to scrape together whatever resources they could to help Bethany rise to the top of her sport. When the first thing Bethany wanted to know after surgery was "When can I surf again?" it became clear that her unfaltering spirit and determination were part of a greater story-a tale of courage and faith that this modest and soft-spoken girl would come to share with the world. Soul Surfer is a moving account of Bethany's life as a young surfer, her recovery in the wake of the shark attack, the adjustments she's made to her unique surfing style, her unprecedented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championships, and, most fundamentally, her belief in God. It is a story of girl power and spiritual grit that shows that the body is no more essential to surfing-perhaps even less so-than th Less
Jantsen's Gift: A True Story fo Grief, Rescue, and Grace
Cope, Pam.
Cope's story is at once a moving, personal account of loss--her 15-year-old son died of a heart... More
Cope's story is at once a moving, personal account of loss--her 15-year-old son died of a heart ailment--but it is also one of hope and recovery, as she and her husband have dedicated their lives to helping children around the world. Less
The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired a Nation
Letts, Elizabeth.
"The eighty-dollar champion tells the dramatic odyssey of a horse called Snowman, saved from th... More
"The eighty-dollar champion tells the dramatic odyssey of a horse called Snowman, saved from the slaughterhouse by a young Dutch farmer named Harry. Together, Harry and Snowman went on to become America's show-jumping champions, winning first prize in Madison Square Garden. Set in the mid to late 1950s, this book captures the can-do spirit of a Cold War immigrant who believed--and triumphed"-- Provided by publisher. Less
Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit
Martinez, J. R.
This book tells the story of an inspirational journey from tragedy to triumph. In 2003, at age ninet... More
This book tells the story of an inspirational journey from tragedy to triumph. In 2003, at age nineteen, the author was on a routine patrol in Iraq when the Humvee he was driving hit an antitank mine, resulting in severe injuries and burns. Out of that tragedy came an improbable journey of inspiration, motivation, and dreams come true. Raised in Louisiana and Arkansas by a single mother from El Salvador, he was well known for his good looks and his smart mouth. When his college football dreams collapsed, he turned to the U.S. Army. After his Humvee hit a mine, he spent 34 months in grueling recovery. His spirits were low, until he was asked to speak to another young burn victim. He then realized how valuable and gratifying it was to share his experiences with other patients and listen to theirs. He had found a calling. His resilience, optimism, and charm were also noted by Hollywood and scored him roles on All My Children and Dancing with the Stars, where he was the season 13 champion. Today, he tours the country sharing his story and his lessons for overcoming challenges and embracing hope, lessons that abound in this book.--From publisher description. Less
I'll Stand by You: One Woman's Mission to Heal the Children of the World
Montanti, Elissa.
Traces how the author worked through grief and anxiety by founding the Global Medical Relief Fund to... More
Traces how the author worked through grief and anxiety by founding the Global Medical Relief Fund to raise money for child war victims, recounting her efforts with the Shriners Hospitals to provide dozens of injured children with free housing and ongoingmedical care. Less
One Shot at Forever: a Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season
Ballard, Chris.
In 1971, a small-town high school baseball team from rural Illinois playing with hand-me-down unifor... More
In 1971, a small-town high school baseball team from rural Illinois playing with hand-me-down uniforms and peace signs on their hats defied convention and the odds. Led by an English teacher with no coaching experience, the Macon Ironmen emerged from a field of 370 teams to become the smallest school in Illinois history to make the state final, a distinction that still stands. There, sporting long hair, and warming up to Jesus Christ Superstar, the Ironmen would play a dramatic game against a Chicago powerhouse that would change their lives forever. Less
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs: Family, Friendships, and Faith in Small-Town Alaska
Lende, Heather,
After the success of her first book and a near-fatal bicycle collision, the author contemplates both... More
After the success of her first book and a near-fatal bicycle collision, the author contemplates both her spiritual and temporal recovery and reflects on how the community of Haines, Alaska, helped her through the ordeal. Less
Wine to Water: a Bartender's Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World
Hendley, Doc.
" The captivating story of an ordinary bartender who's changing the world through clean wa... More
" The captivating story of an ordinary bartender who's changing the world through clean water. Doc Hendley never set out to be a hero. In 2004, Hendley-a small- town bartender- launched a series of wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects and to bring awareness to the world's freshwater crisis. He planned to donate the proceeds through traditional channels, but instead found himself traveling to one of the world's most dangerous hot spots: Darfur, Sudan. There, Doc witnessed a government-sponsored genocide where the number-one weapon wasn't bullets-it was water. The Janjaweed terrorists had figured out that shooting up a bladder containing 10,000 liters of water, or dumping rotting corpses into a primary water source is remarkably efficient for the purposes of mass extermination. With limited funds, Doc realized that he couldn't build new wells costing $10,000 a pop, but he could hire local workers to restore a damaged well for a mere $50 each. He'd found his mission. Today, Doc and Wine to Water continue to help stricken peoples repair and maintain water- containment systems in places like Darfur, Cambodia, Uganda, and Haiti. Doc is a regular, rough-and-tumble guy who loves booze, music, and his Harley- but he also wanted to help. Wine to Water is a gripping story about braving tribal warfare and natural disasters and encountering fascinating characters in far-flung regions of the world. It is also an authoritative account of a global crisis and an inspirational tale that proves how ordinary people can improve the world. "-- Less
The World's Strongest Librarian: a Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family
Hanagarne, Josh,
A funny, book-obsessed kid, Josh Hanagarne was born to Mormon parents in rural Utah. He plotted esca... More
A funny, book-obsessed kid, Josh Hanagarne was born to Mormon parents in rural Utah. He plotted escape to Piers Anthony's magical land of Xanth, freaked himself out with Stephen King's Pet Sematary , and fell feverishly in love with Fern from E. B. White's Charlotte's Web . Large for his age, Josh was playing the role of Tree in his elementary school play when he suddenly started twitching uncrontrollably. Turns out the tree had Tourette Syndrome. By the time Josh turned twenty, his tics had become too drastic to ignore. Desperate for liberation, Josh tried all possible treatments- well-intentioned chiropractic massage from a future convict; antipsychotic drugs that left him in a fog; even Botox injected directly into his vocal cords to paralyze them, which left him voiceless for two years. The results were dismal. As his tics worsened, the list of casualties grew- Josh's relationship with his girlfriend, his Mormon mission, his college career, countless jobs, his sense of self, and - slowly but relentlessly - his faith. It turned out to be weight lifting that proved the most lasting relief, as Josh learned to 'throttle' his tics into submission in the weight room. Under guidance from an eccentric, autistic strongman - and former Air Force tech sergeant and prison guard in Iraq - Josh quickly went from lifting dumbbells and barbells to performing increasingly elaborate feats (like rolling up frying pans and bending spikes). What started as a hobby became an entire way of life - and an effective way of managing his disorder. At an imposing 6' 7' and literally incapable of sitting still, Josh is certainly not your average librarian. He is an aspiring strongman, bookish nerd, twitchy guy with Tourette Syndrome, devoted family man, and tearer of phone books. A tall, thin paradox in thick glasses. Funny and offbeat, The World's Strongest Librarian traces this unlikely hero as he attempts to overcome his disability, navigate his wavering faith, find love, a Less
Small Loans, Big Dreams: How Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus and Microfinance are Changing the World
Counts, Alex.
Micro-financing is considered one of the most effective strategies in the fight against global pover... More
Micro-financing is considered one of the most effective strategies in the fight against global poverty. It can be implemented on the massive scale necessary to respond to the urgent needs of the world's poorest. And now, in this book, the author looks at the lives of micro-lending borrowers from the Grameen Foundation in Bangladesh and Chicago. All of the borrowers profiled here are women of little-to-no means, each struggling to gain financial independence. Readers will discover how, in Bangladesh, these women face off against very poor living conditions and the prejudice of men, while in Chicago, they must overcome crime and other hurdles that come with life in the inner city. A comprehensive look at the concept of micro-financing, it reveals how Muhammad Yunus and his concept of micro-financing has helped those living in poverty achieve real financial independence. Less
Gabby: a Story of Courage and Hope
Giffords, Gabrielle D.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, showed Americans how optimis... More
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, showed Americans how optimism, an adventurous spirit, and a call to service can help change the world. Their arrival in the spotlight came under the worst of circumstances. On January 8, 2011, while meeting with constituents in Tucson, Arizona, Gabby was the victim of an assassination attempt that left six people dead and thirteen wounded. Gabby was shot in the head; doctors called her survival "miraculous." As the nation grieved and sought to understand the attack, Gabby remained focused on her against-all-odds recovery. Mark spent every possible moment by her side, as he also prepared for his final mission as commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour. Now, as Gabby's health continues to improve, the couple is sharing their remarkable untold story, an unflinching look at the overwhelming challenges of brain injury, the painstaking process of learning to communicate again, and the responsibilities that fall to a loving spouse who wants the best possible treatment for his wife.--From publisher description. Less
An Invisible Thread: the True Story of an 11-year-old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny
Schroff, Laura.
"Excuse me lady, do you have any spare change? I am hungry." When I heard him, I didn&... More
"Excuse me lady, do you have any spare change? I am hungry." When I heard him, I didn't really hear him. His words were part of the clatter, like a car horn or someone yelling for a cab. They were, you could say, just noise--the kind of nuisance New Yorkers learn to tune out. So I walked right by him, as if he wasn''t there. But then, just a few yards past him, I stopped. And then--and I''m still not sure why I did this--I came back. When Laura Schroff first met Maurice on a New York City street corner, she had no idea that she was standing on the brink of an incredible and unlikely friendship that would inevitably change both their lives. As one lunch at McDonald''s with Maurice turns into two, then into a weekly occurrence that is fast growing into an inexplicable connection, Laura learns heart-wrenching details about Maurice''s horrific childhood. The boy is stuck in something like hell. He is six years old and covered in small red bites from chinches--bed bugs--and he is woefully skinny due to an unchecked case of ringworm. He is so hungry his stomach hurts, but then he is used to being hungry: when he was two years old the pangs got so bad he rooted through the trash and ate rat droppings. He had to have his stomach pumped. He is staying in his father''s cramped, filthy apartment, sleeping with stepbrothers who wet the bed, surviving in a place that smells like something died. He has not seen his mother in three months, and he doesn''t know why. His world is a world of drugs and violence and unrelenting chaos, and he has the wisdom to know, even at six, that if something does not change for him soon, he might not make it. Sprinkled throughout the book is also Laura''s own story of her turbulent childhood. Every now and then, something about Maurice''s struggles reminds her of her past, how her father''s alcohol-induced rages shaped the person she became and, in a way, led her to Maurice. He started by cursing my mother and screaming at Less
The Pursuit of Happyness
Gardner, Chris
Soon to be a major film starring Will Smith, this is the inspiring rags-to-riches story of the chari... More
Soon to be a major film starring Will Smith, this is the inspiring rags-to-riches story of the charismatic Chris Gardner, a once homeless father who raised and cared for his son on the mean streets of San Francisco and then went on to become a crown prince of Wall Street. No sooner had Gardner landed an entry level position at a prestigious finance firm, Gardner found himself faced with challenging circumstances that left him homeless with his toddler son. Instead of giving in to despair, he toiled until he made the astonishing transformation back to the boardroom. Less
Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West
Harden, Blaine.
Shin Dong-hyuk was born inside Camp 14, one of five sprawling political prisons in the mountains of ... More
Shin Dong-hyuk was born inside Camp 14, one of five sprawling political prisons in the mountains of North Korea. This is the gripping, terrifying story of his escape from this no-exit prison-- to freedom in South Korea. Less
