LibraryAware May 5, 2019

New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers

May 5, 2019

1. The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life
by David Brooks

A New York Times Op-Ed columnist espouses having an outward focus to attain a meaningful life.

2. Becoming
by Michelle Obama

The former first lady describes how she balanced work, family and her husband's political ascent.

3. Educated: A Memoir
by Tara Westover

The daughter of survivalists leaves home for university.

4. Life Will Be the Death of Me...and You, Too!
by Chelsea Handler

The comedian chronicles going into therapy and becoming an advocate for change.

5. Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future
by Pete Buttigieg

A memoir by the current mayor of South Bend, Ind., and the first openly gay Democratic candidate to run for president of the United States.

6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
by Lori Gottlieb

A psychotherapist gains unexpected insights when she becomes another therapist's patient.

7. The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty
by Susan Page

A biography of the former first lady Barbara Bush, based on interviews and her private diaries.

8. Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir
by Ruth Reichl

A memoir by the former restaurant critic of The New York Times and editor in chief of Gourmet.

9. Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog
by Dave Barry

The humorist tries to emulate his dog's grace in contending with old age.

10. The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great
by Ben Shapiro

The conservative political commentator reflects upon what he considers most impactful to Western civilization.

11. Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing
by Robert A. Caro

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer shares insights into his craft.

12. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
by John Carreyrou

The rise and fall of the biotech startup Theranos.

13. A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win WWII
by Sonia Purnell

The true story of a Baltimore socialite who joined a spy organization during World War II and became essential to the French Resistance.

14. Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
by Bill McKibben

How unchecked climate change, robotics and artificial intelligence threaten human existence.

15. Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump
by Rick Reilly

A sportswriter handicaps the current president's character, based on how he plays golf.

A version of this list appears in the May 5, 2019 issue of The New York Times Book Review. Rankings reflect sales for the week ending April 20, 2019.