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A Volcano Beneath the Snow: John Brown’s War Against Slavery. By Albert Marrin

Slavery was a well-established system of evil before, during and after the birth of America. Certainly there was no question that demons perpetuated this system, but there also were angels who worked to end slavery.

One such person was John Brown. Brown, a white man, believed that God had chosen him to right the wrong of slavery and he was willing to kill and die to do so. In 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry to start a liberation movement among slaves. His intention was to steal weapons there, and arm slaves in hopes they would start a rebellion. Seven people were killed and Brown’s attack failed. Tried for treason and inciting a slave insurrection, Brown was found guilty and hanged. Although Brown’s tactics still are being debated as terrorism, his actions, without a doubt, brought the issue of slavery and its abolishment to front of the nation’s collective mind.

The Antislavery Movement.By James Rogers

The Antislavery Movement chronicles the activism and civil-rights trends in North America from the earliest days of slavery until 1946, when President Truman appointed the Civil Rights Committee. Full of quotes and biographical information, the straightforward text paints a vivid picture of the struggle through the ages. It begins with chapters on slavery and the earliest abolitionist movement, followed by explanations that were used in defense of slavery. The book then takes readers through the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the nation's failure for many decades to allow freedoms to freed slaves and their descendants.

Read about other anti-slavery heroes.

Harriet Tubman risked her life escaping slavery, and guiding more than 300 slaves to freedom.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Hitler and His Henchmen. By Marylou Morano Kjelle

“Hitler” was once just a man’s name, but since World War II, it will forever be a word interchangable with “hatred.” Adolf Hitler and his Nazi henchmen ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945, and during that time, conducted brutal invasions of neighboring countries, exterminated more than six million people they considered inferior, and plunged the world into World War II. But who was Adolf Hitler and the men he ordered to bring about destruction and death? Hitler and His Henchmen, explores the lives of the Fuhrer and several key players in the Nazi reign, including Josef Mengele, known as “The Angel of Death;” Klaus Barbie, whose hatred of the French earned him the nickname, “The Butcher of Lyon;” and Heinrich Himmler, whose talent for organization and attention to detail propelled him to oversee the SS, the Gestapo and the concentration camps.

Oskar Schindler. By John F. Wukovits

Oskar Schindler was one of the most complex individuals to emerge from World War II. He was a member of the Nazi Party, even going so far as to spy for it, and yet, he evolved into someone who saved more than 1,200 Jews from certain death by employing them in his factory. This act was, of course, was no small feat. Schindler bribed Nazis to keep his workers from the gas chambers, and by the end of the war, Schindler had spent his entire fortune on bribes and buying food and clothing for his workers.

Schindler never recovered financially, but received help from the people he saved. He was named Righteous Among the Nations by Israel in 1963, and after his death in 1974 was buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, the only member of the Nazi Party to be honoured in this way.

Check out these other books about people with extraordinary stories of survival and bravery

during the Holocaust.

Henry VIII: Royal Beheader.By Sean Stewart PriceKing Henry VIII ruled England from 1509 to 1547 and is best known for his six wives (two of whom he beheaded), defying the Catholic Church by divorcing, and starting a new religion, the Church of England, of which he made himself leader. Henry ruled with an iron fist, and in addition to wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, he also beheaded top advisors when they failed to agree with him.

Henry introduced the theory that royals have divine powers, and despite taking money from Catholic monasteries, was always on the verge of financial ruin due to his extravagant spending and costly wars against France and the Holy Roman Empire.

At the end of his life, King Henry was obese and covered with sores that would not heal as the result of jousting accidents. He died at age 55.

Mary Tudor: Courageous Queen or Bloody Mary? By Jane Buchanan

Queen Mary was the daughter of King Henry VIII, and her reign (1553 to 1558) in England was just as, if not more than violent as her father’s, although for a different reason.

While Henry, in effect, banned Catholicism from England, Mary was intent on bringing back the religion. Mary’s determination was so strong that she ordered several hundred non-Catholics murdered by being burned alive. Thus she earned the nickname, Bloody Mary. Mary was the first ruling queen of England, which is ironic since her father, King Henry, divorced or killed those wives who didn’t produce a son. She was the daughter of Henry’s first wife, and she was considered illegitimate after her parents divorced. Mary regained favor, though, and became queen at 37 years old.

Mohandas K. Gandhi: Overcoming Adversity. By Charles ShieldsNot many individuals can make changes large enough to impact the direction of a country, let alone the world. But Mohandas Gandhi was one such person. Gandhi was a born into a poor family in India in 1869, and per local custom married young, at age 13. Trained as a lawyer, he began work in South Africa, where he soon experienced and fought against prejudice against people of color. When Gandhi returned to India, he brought back with him the same philosophy of equality, and joined the movement to push Britain out of his country. The goal was to have Indians govern India, not Britain. His philosophy was of non-violence, and he used civil disobedience to lead thousands of people in protest walks and in boycotts of English goods. Gandhi’s efforts worked, and Britain left India in 1947 -- 90 years after it had declared it a colony. But turmoil continued as Hindus and Muslims fought for control. Gandhi, a Hindu, preached cooperation between the two faiths, but the hatred between the two resulted in his death. A Hindu man, who opposed this peace, assassinated Gandhi in 1948.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life.By Marshall Frady

Author Marshall Frady closely watched Dr. Martin Luther King's journeys from Montgomery to Birmingham, and from the Lincoln Memorial to Memphis, and honors the minister's achievement and spirit in this meaningful biography.

Frady traces King's transformation from a withdrawn, unconfident child to the eloquent champion of the oppressed. Following Gandhi’s use of civic disobedience, King brought about the most significant change in American race relations since the end of slavery 100 years prior. King’s work was extremely hard, and Martin Luther King explores the man’s conflicts, contradictions, and triumphs, as well as the great personal cost he bore in urging nonviolent change in a singularly violent time.

Kim Jong Il’s North Korea.By Alison Behnke

Kim Jong Il, one of the world's most infamous dictators, rose to power in North Korea the mid-1990s after his father, Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s first leader, died.

Kim Jong Il remained in power until his death in 2011, and during his reign, he continued his father's tactics of building a powerful cult of personality around himself, while crushing criticism and opposition to his rule. The Kims’ harsh policies led to tragedy within the nation, contributing to devastating famine and creating a network of labor camps in which many North Koreans were and continue to be tortured and killed. Kim's secrecy and his strict control of information made the nation a largely mysterious place.

Kim Jong Il’s son, Kim Jong Un, took over from Kim Jong Il when he died, and he continues his father’s and grandfather's ways of oppression.

Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.By James R. Arnold and Roberta Wiener

Robert Mugabe, one of the world's most infamous dictators, rose to power in Rhodesia, the southern African region now known as Zimbabwe. As a leader in Rhodesia's nationalist resistance movement of the 1970s, Mugabe mobilized the struggle for control of the white-ruled African nation, and a bloody civil war finally ended with Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. As the president of the newly free nation, Mugabe was a beacon for black African self-rule, raising hopes on the continent and around the world. But Mugabe’s ill-conceived economic programs and a disastrously mismanaged land-redistribution scheme tossed the country into starvation and unrest. Mugabe’s answer to a growing list of critics was to unleash fear, brutality, and zero tolerance for opposition, and the police and military forces tortured and killed many people, some of whom had once supported Mugabe.

I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to The Blind Side and Beyond.By Michael Oher

A hero is not always someone on the world stage, but someone who makes the best out of life despite its challenges. Michael Oher, made famous in the hit film and book, The Blind Side, is one such person. In I Beat the Odds, Oher looks back on how he went from being a homeless child in Memphis to playing in the NFL, and talks about the goals he had to break out of the cycle of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness that trapped his family. Eventually he grasped onto football as his ticket out and worked hard to make his dream into a reality. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential people in mind, Oher describes the absolute necessity of seeking out positive role models and friends who share the same values to achieve one's dreams. Sharing untold stories of heartache, determination, courage, and love, I Beat the Odds is an amazing tale of one young man's quest to achieve the American dream.

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography.By Andrew Helfer and Randy DuBurkeMalcolm X was not a perfect man, but a man, nonetheless, who quested for racial justice. Born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Nebraska, Malcolm and his family, like many others, were on the receiving end of injustice and violence from white authority and the Ku Klux Klan. As a young boy, Malcolm’s father was killed and his mother was institutionalized after experiencing a mental breakdown. Malcolm was placed in foster care, and his behavior took a turn for the worse. As a young man, Malcolm shifted to crime and ended up in prison. It was in jail that Malcolm was introduced to the Nation of Islam (NOI), which preached black self-reliance. Once out of prison, Malcolm’s eagerness to learn and his natural leadership abilities propelled him to the top ranks of the NOI, and it was at this time that Malcolm changed his last name from Little to X. Malcolm began to see serious hypocrisies in NOI and left it to form his own group which taught harmony among all races. Malcolm’s work, though, was cut short by the 21 bullets assassins fired while he was giving a speech in New York with his wife and children in attendance. Three National of Islam members were charged and sentenced for the killing. Malcolm was only 40 years old.

If you’re looking for a fix of bad guy reading, these two books pack a punch. Tyrants and Conquerors: Eight Men Who Ruled by Terror and Violence (By Fon Boardman Jr.) describes the lives of many ancient leaders, such as the cold-blooded Emperor Nero who ruled Rome from 37 to 68 A.D. and had his mother, wife and other relatives murdered. Or, Shih Huang-ti, the first emperor of a united China (259-201 B.C.), whose way of governing came at the expense of the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers and soldiers. Outlaws, Spies and Gangsters: Chasing Notorious Criminals (by Laura Scandiffio) focuses on more modern individuals, such as John Dillinger, U.S. counter-spy Aldrich Ames and Osama Bin Laden, to name a few. What’s more, this book details how law enforcement eventually caught up with each of these people, and what happened to them after they were caught.

Desmond Tutu: Fighting Apartheid.By Samuel Willard Crompton

Bishop Desmond Tutu is a South African civil rights leader best known for his work to end apartheid, a strict set of racial laws that governed his country from 1948 to 1991. Such laws banned interaction between blacks, whites, those of mixed race, and Indians. Whites were in power at this time, and everyone else had to have identification on them at all times or risk being arrested, or worse. Most non-white people lived in deep poverty.The first black general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Tutu preached tirelessly against apartheid and for reconciliation between the races. Like Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Tutu’s philosophy was one of social change through non-violent confrontation, although Tutu often found himself in the midst of angry crowds. One such crowd was trying to kill an alleged informant, and Tutu successfully held off the crowd while at the same time rushing the man into his car for a safe escape. Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Tuto’s work, no doubt, contributed to apartheid’s demise in 1991.

Bono: Rock Star and Humanitarian.By Thom Winckelmann and Lynn AbushanabBono’s early life certainly fit the image of the bad boy rock star. As a kid, he had a ton of energy, and when his mother died when he was 14 years old, he took his anger out on the world. Bono began to ditch school, picked fights with students and teachers, and eventually was expelled. Enrollment at a second high school was a better fit for him, and he became friends with the three guys who would form the band U2. U2’s climb to world fame began in 1985 after it played at Live Aid, a concert to benefit famine-stricken Ethiopia. Fast fame came to the group, and Bono has used his celebrity to bring attention and money to not only the hungry, but to problems with human rights and the environment. In 2006, Bono and music producer Bobby Shriver formed RED, a partnership with companies like Beats by Dr. Dre, Apple and Starbucks to fund the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa. To date, RED has generated more than $500 million. “I’m amazed at how people can show love where it’s not expected and how love can conjoin disparate groups,” Bono has said. “I’m just amazed at human beings.”

Attila the Hun: Leader of the Barbarian Hordes. By Sean Stewart Price“Barbaric” is spray-painted across the cover of this book, and for good reason. Barbaric refers to extreme cruelty and brutality, and is a term quite fitting for Attila since he was the symbol of the rise of barbarism in wide areas of Asia and Europe. Attila, who lived between 406 and 453 A.D, was at war for most of his life and led the army of the Huns tribe to conquer new lands. At one time, his army had a quarter of a million men, which must have been a terrifying sight as they thundered through the countryside on horses that were outfitted for war. Many Huns were expert archers and they took whatever and whomever they wanted as they blasted through villages. Attila’s victims described him in terms of disease or a wicked storm, and found only one explanation for the suffering he caused -- he was a punishment sent from God. Although the mighty Roman Empire had troubles of its own, Attila and his Huns played a significant role in the empire’s eventual collapse.

Vlad the Impaler: The Real Count Dracula. By Enid Goldberg & Norman Itzkowitz

Did you know that Dracula is based on the real life of Count Dracula who lived in present day Romania? The real Dracula, however, was much scarier and downright more evil than the fictional one. Born in 1431, Vlad, as he was known, started his life in turmoil. His father, Vlad Dracul was a prince who played his friends and enemies off each other in the continuous, bloody war between the Christians and Muslims. At one point, Vlad the senior gave Vlad Jr. and another son as ransom to his enemy for his release from prison. Vlad Sr. eventually was killed and Vlad Jr. became prince, and the son wasted no time avenging his father’s death. With the appearance of a peace offering, Vlad invited hundreds of his father’s enemies to his castle for a feast. But after the meal, Vlad held them as prisoners and had each one impaled, or run through with a sharp stake.Thus, he became Vlad the Impaler. And from then on, Vlad killed many more people by impalement, taking pleasure in watching people die slow, painful deaths.

I Am Malala. The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot By the Taliban. By Malala Yousafzai

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. But in October 2012, when she was 15 years old, Malala almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range by a Taliban member while riding the bus home from school. Few expected her to survive. Malala not only survived, but her miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At 16, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes boys over girls.

My Life My Love My Legacy.By Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King was one of the most influential leaders in our world. Prepared by her family, education, and personality for a life committed to social justice and peace, she entered the world stage in 1955 as wife of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and as a leading participant in the American civil rights movement. Her remarkable partnership with Dr. King resulted not only in four children but also in a life devoted to the highest values of human dignity in service to social change. After Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, Mrs. King established the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, in Atlanta. The center provides local, national and international programs to train people in Dr. King’s philosophy and methods, and has reached thousands. Mrs. King worked tirelessly to establish her late husband’s birthday as a federal holiday, and crisscrossed the country, and the globe in the name of establishing social and economic justice for all people. Mrs. King died in 2006 of cancer and is buried next to Dr. King on the grounds of The King Center.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.By Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks was an unsung hero, who, unbeknownst to her or her family, was crucial to the development of the polio vaccine, cancer treatment, in vitro fertilization, gene mapping, and many other medical breakthroughs. Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without her knowledge while she was being treated for cancer in 1951. Sadly, the treatment did not work, and Lacks died at age 31. Her cells, though, thrived and multiplied in the lab and were used for research. Lacks’ cells kept multiplying throughout the years and her genetic material was bought and sold many times over, earning researchers and doctors millions of dollars. But neither Lacks or her family ever saw any profits, and were so poor they couldn’t afford health insurance. The story of the Lacks family is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of.

Cleopatra: A Life. By Stacy Schiff

Cleopatra is considered one of the great rulers during the time of the Roman Empire, but like other leaders of that age, her reign had a bloody and brutal side to it. Born into a family of pharaohs 69 years before the birth of Christ, Cleopatra was one in a line of people who was destined to lead Egypt. At 18 years old, Cleopatra served as co-leader with her father, and after his death, Cleopatra continued to co-rule with her 12-year-old brother, whom she married. But the set-up wasn’t meant to last long in Cleopatra’s eyes, for she soon had her brother killed by poisoning. Such brutality was nothing new to Cleopatra. Her two older sisters also died young at the hands of family members. Berenice was killed by their father after she overtook his position, and another sister, Cleopatra Tryphaena, died suspiciously, more than likely at the hands of Berenice. Apart from the family violence, Cleopatra was known as a wise strategist and a ingenious negotiator, who bravely defended Egypt from Rome until her suicide at age 39.

Catherine the Great: Empress of Russia. By Zu Vincent

Catherine the Great holds the distinction of the longest reigning female ruler of Russia (1762 - 1796), but she also was known for severe treatment of her enemies, similar to other leaders of her time. The first person on Catherine's bad list was her husband, Peter III, who became tsar, or king, of Russia after his Aunt Elizabeth stepped down. Catherine and Peter were a bad match before their marriage, and their strong dislike for each other only deepened after their wedding. Once Peter was crowned tsar, Catherine began plotting how she could take over. Many in the Russian army hated Peter, and Catherine used this ill will to remove Peter from the throne and send him into exile. There was, however, always the chance that Peter would try to take back the crown, and a few weeks later Peter was murdered. Although suspected for his death, Catherine was never charged with the crime.

The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden & the Trial of the Century. By Sarah Miller

“Someone has killed Father!"

August 4, 1892: Lizzie Borden called out frantically for help. When the maid and the neighbors came running, they found Lizzie's father lying murdered in the sitting room of the Borden’s Massachuestt home -- dead from an ax attack. Then the body of Lizzie's stepmother was discovered upstairs, also axed to death. Lizzie was the chief suspect. But how could a mild-mannered young woman from a prominent family be an ax murderer? In a compelling narrative, Sarah Miller investigates the chilling crime -- from the gruesome details of that fateful August day to Lizzie's dramatic court battles, to the role sensational newspaper headlines played in swaying public opinion. Enhanced by period photos, newspaper clippings, and, yes, even an image of the crime scene, this nonfiction book races like a true-crime novel. Prepare to devour it and to grapple with the same questions. Did Lizzie do it? And if not, who did?

AIDS Doctors: Voices from the Epidemic.By Ronald Bayer & Gerald Oppenheimer

When AIDS first burst onto the world scene in the early 1980s, doctors had no idea of what it was. Patients came into hospitals with a rare form of cancer and a host of other, unrelated ailments. Doctors found they couldnt’ cure what they didn’t know at the time was AIDS and all of the patients, who were mostly young and previously healthy men, died painful deaths. Not only did the medical field not know how to treat this yet-unnamed disease, but no one knew where it came from, or how people became infected. Some doctors flat out refused to work with these patients leaving them to die. However, a select group of courageous physicians persevered in this frightening time and not only cared for people with AIDS, but helped to discover treatments that prolonged their lives and improved their quality of life. If you have an interest in medicine, or stories of people fighting insurmountable odds, then this book is for you.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. By Michael J. Fox

Struck with Parkinson's disease -- a progressively worsening and debilitating disease with no cure -- Actor Michael J. Fox has taken what some people might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. Now, in Always Looking Up, Fox writes about the personal philosophy that has carried him through his darkest times. Fox writes about the hard-won perspective that has helped him see challenges as opportunities, and instead of building walls around himself, he has developed a personal policy of engagement and discovery. Fox, best known for his starring roles in the TV show, Family Ties, and the movie, Back to the Future, semi-retired from acting in 2000 due to disease’s progression. Since that time, Fox has worked toward raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease. He also has returned to acting on a limited basis.

Laughing At My Nightmare.By Shane Burcaw

With sarcastic wit and a hilarious voice, Shane Burcaw describes the challenges he faces as a 21-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that severely weakens the nervous system. Burchaw was born with this condition and has never walked, or even crawled. He has been in a wheelchair since he was 3-years-old. One realizes that Burcaw shares these and other tidbits with readers in Laughing At My Nightmare not to make people pity him, but to bring them up to speed about who he is. And who Burcaw is is a funny, smart-alecky and irreverent young man. For example, do you want to know how he met his girlfriend, Shannon? He’ll tell you. Want to know how he goes to the bathroom? He’ll tell you that too. But what most readers probably take away from Laughing At My Nightmare is how normal Burcaw is, despite his severe disability, and that’s comforting to know. Most people have some sort of obstacle to overcome, and it’s reassuring that there is joy and laughter and good times in life despite the pitfalls.

Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit. By J.R. MartinezJ.R. Martinez always had a strong spirit, and was well known at school for his good looks and smart mouth. His dream was to play college football, but he turned to the U.S. Army when his college dreams collapsed. A few months later, Martinez began serving in Iraq, and within a few weeks his humvee hit a mine and exploded. He was immediately evacuated and spent the next three years in grueling recovery. Seeing his disfigured face for the first time after the accident threw Martinez into a crushing period of confusion and anger. His spirits were low until he was asked to speak to another young burn victim. Martinez realized how valuable and gratifying it was to share his experiences with other patients and listen to theirs. He’d found a calling. Fellow soldiers, along with the media, soon latched onto his spirit and strength. Martinez’ 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 thirteen champion. Today, Martinez tours the country sharing his story and his lessons for overcoming challenges and embracing hope.

Al Capone. By Diane YanceyAl Capone is remembered as the quintessential gangster -- an arch criminal who was ruthless and brutal, but also charming and intelligent. This book chronicles Capone from a child growing up in a poor and rough Brooklyn neighborhood to when he began his criminal life in New York. Capone moved to Chicago 1920 to run prostitution, gambling, and drinking operations. Purchasing or drinking alcohol was illegal in America at this time -- an era known as Prohibition -- and Capone became a multi-millionaire by moving alcohol on the black market. He was known for his brutality against opponents, and was considered to be the mastermind behind the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, although he was never charged. Ironically, it was Capone’s failure to pay taxes that sent him to prison where he served a lengthy sentence. Capone died a confused, feeble man at age 48 after suffering from syphilis, which was never treated.

Billy the Kid: Wild West Outlaw. By Elaine Landau

Like Al Capone during Prohibition, Billy the Kid became a larger-than-life criminal during a distinct era in American history -- that of the Wild West. Born Henry McCarty, he was a good kid, but his behavior worsened after his mother died. His crimes started out as small thefts, like butter and clothing, but soon moved on to stealing horses and cattle, which was much more serious. And then, murder. Billy was charming and youthful-looking, and many thought he was much younger than 15-years-old. He was able to talk his way out of many scrapes, and escape pretty much every time he was jailed. Billy was on the run, traveling far distances to keep the law at bay, and his reputation grew. The law, though finally caught up to him, and he was shot to death by a sheriff in New Mexico. Billy was dead at 21 years old.

Noah Webster: Man of Many Words.By Catherine Reef

Noah Webster may be best remembered for the enormous and ambitious task of writing his famous dictionary, but for him, this accomplishment was a means to an end. His true goal was to streamline the language spoken in a newly-formed United States so that it could be used as a force to bring people together and be a source of national pride. Though people laughed at his ideas, Webster never doubted himself. In the end, his so-called foolish notions achieved just what he had hoped. In this biography, author Catherine Reef guides readers through Webster's remarkable life, from boyhood on a Connecticut farm through the fight for American independence, to his days as a writer and political activist who greatly influenced our Founding Fathers and the direction of the young United States.

When Breath Becomes Air. By Paul KalanithiDr. Paul Kalanithi’s situation was tragic and ironic. He was a non-smoker with lung cancer.He was a young man with an aggressive terminal illness. He was a talented surgeon who fell ill before he could realize his potential.He was a new father whose daughter would never know him.

Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air is his own account of his experience with Stage IV lung cancer, which was discovered just as he was about to finish medical school. It is the story of his life, his work, and the difficult, but rewarding process of coming to terms with his own death. In short, it’s one of those truth is stranger than fiction stories, and it pulls hard at readers’ heartstrings. If you’re looking for a way to appreciate each day, each minute of life, then this is your book.

could not pull at readers’ heartstrings more if it had been engineered in a lab. The fact that portions of the book were published as essays at high-profile media outlets like the New York Times while Kalanithi was still alive means that many readers will come to the text with a certain level of emotional investment. The book’s publication, which was posthumous, as well as Kalanithi’s dedication to writing it in the midst of his swift decline, lend his words a poignancy that’s undeniable.

The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories. By Marina Keegan.

Marina Keegan was one of those people who had a way of writing about what everyone was thinking, but couldn’t put into words. She was a talented writer whose star was on the rise when she graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in May 2012. She had a play that was to be produced in New York, and a job waiting for her at The New Yorker magazine. But tragically, five days after graduation, Keegan died in a car crash.

Keegan’s optimism, though, lives on in The Opposite of Loneliness, a series of her essays that was published after her death. “We can still do anything,” Keegan writes. “We can change our minds. We can start over…We’re so young. We can’t, we MUST not lose this sense of possibility because in the end, it’s all we have.”

Book Summaries Adapted From-Amazon-Booklist-Goodreads.com-Google Books-The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change-PBS.org-Perma-bound-RED.org-School Library Journal (Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System) -Wikipedia

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