Using the Library | Catalog/Account | eContent |  Research | Services | Events | About Us New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers January 27, 2019 1. Becoming by Michelle Obama The former first lady describes how she balanced work, family and her husband's political ascent. 2. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover The daughter of survivalists leaves home for university. 3. The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch The story of a secret plot to kill George Washington in 1776. 4. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris A memoir by a daughter of immigrants who was raised in Oakland, Calif., and became the second black woman ever elected to the United States Senate. 5. The Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors by Charles Krauthammer, edited by Daniel Krauthammer A collection of essays, speeches and unpublished writings by the late conservative columnist. 6. The Library Book by Susan Orlean The story of the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library provides a backdrop to the evolution and purpose of libraries. 7. Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking A collection of essays from the late scientist's personal archive that address 10 imponderables. 8. The Sopranos Sessions by Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall  Essays and interviews by former TV critics from New Jersey's Star-Ledger to mark the 20th anniversary of the show's debut. 9. Killing the SS: The Hunt for the Worst War Criminals in History by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard A look at the postwar manhunt for members of Hitler's inner circle. 10. Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World -- and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund A look at our biases and how the world is in a better state than we might think. 11. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson A straightforward, easy-to-understand introduction to the universe. 12. Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin The challenges that shaped the leadership abilities of four presidents. 13. The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis How the Trump administration staffs its federal agencies. 14. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou The rise and fall of the biotech startup Theranos. 15. Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward Debates and decision-making within the Trump White House. © 2019  All rights reserved by New York Times Syndication Sales Corp. This material may not be published, broadcast or redistributed in any manner.   A version of this list appears in the January 27, 2019 issue of The New York Times Book Review. Rankings reflect sales for the week ending January 12, 2019. Subscribe to other newsletters | View newsletter archives | Readers' Club on library website