After
Fall River dreams
Bill Reynolds1994
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
5 of 6 directions open — nothing slower
More like it
humble → earnest, still underdog
- pace+1prose0bleak0
Truman
David McCullough1992
A chronological account of Harry Truman's life, from his Missouri upbringing to his unexpected presidency during the end of WWII and the Cold War.
pace+1·prose0·bleak0
- pace+1prose0bleak0
The Deviant's War
Eric Cervini2020
After being fired for his sexuality in 1957, astronomer Frank Kameny sues the federal government and begins a decade of activism.
pace+1·prose0·bleak0
- pace+1prose0bleak-1
Quiet
Susan Cain2012
This book examines the psychological differences between introverts and extroverts. It argues that Western culture overvalues outgoing traits.
pace+1·prose0·bleak-1
- pace+1prose0bleak-1
Hidden Figures
Margot Lee Shetterly2016
The history of Black female mathematicians at NASA. It follows their work as 'human computers' from World War II through the space race.
pace+1·prose0·bleak-1
1 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose0bleak-1
My Beloved World
Sonia Sotomayor2013
Sonia Sotomayor recounts her journey from a housing project in the Bronx to the United States Supreme Court.
pace+1·prose0·bleak-1
Denser prose
- pace0prose+2bleak-1
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Douglas R. Hofstadter1979
An exploration of how cognition emerges from hidden neurological patterns. It uses math, art, and music to explain self-referential systems.
humble → playful
pace0·prose+2·bleak-1
- pace0prose+2bleak0
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
humble → meditative
pace0·prose+2·bleak0
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose+2bleak-1
Confessions
Augustine of Hippo
A 4th-century bishop writes a spiritual autobiography addressed to God. He recounts his sinful youth and his eventual conversion to Christianity.
humble → meditative
pace0·prose+2·bleak-1
- pace+1prose+2bleak0
Antifragile
Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012
A philosophical exploration of systems that thrive under stress and disorder. It argues against fragility in economics and personal life.
humble → reflective
pace+1·prose+2·bleak0
- pace0prose+2bleak0
How to Read a Book
Mortimer J. Adler1940
This is a guide to active reading techniques for different genres. It outlines levels of reading from basic literacy to syntopical analysis.
humble → mysterious
pace0·prose+2·bleak0
To recover
- pace+2prose-1bleak-1
Redshirts
John Scalzi2012
Low-ranking crew members on a starship realize they are disposable characters in a sci-fi television show. They attempt to escape their fate.
humble → playful
pace+2·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown2003
A symbologist and a cryptologist flee the police while solving puzzles hidden in art. They search for a secret regarding the Holy Grail.
humble → propulsive
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-1bleak-1
Fifty Shades of Grey
E.L. James2000
A college student enters a sexual contract with a wealthy businessman. The story focuses on their power dynamics and BDSM encounters.
humble → earnest
pace+2·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
The Martian
Andy Weir2011
A man does arithmetic to stay alive on Mars. Problem, attempt, result, repeat.
humble → wry
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline2008
A teenager in a dystopian future hunts for a digital easter egg inside a massive simulation. The quest relies on 1980s pop culture trivia.
humble → propulsive
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
Faster
- pace+3prose-1bleak0
The Sun and Her Flowers
Rupi Kaur2017
A collection of short, illustrated poems organized into five stages of growth. It covers themes of loss, trauma, and self-healing.
humble → earnest
pace+3·prose-1·bleak0
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
Pillow Thoughts
Courtney Peppernell2016
A collection of short poems and prose pieces organized by emotional state. It focuses on themes of heartbreak, healing, and loneliness.
humble → tender
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Neil deGrasse Tyson2017
A summary of the origin of the universe, the laws of physics, and the nature of space and time.
humble → playful
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
Steal Like an Artist
Austin Kleon2012
A series of short, illustrated principles for creative work. It focuses on remixing existing ideas and establishing productive daily habits.
humble → playful
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+3prose-1bleak-1
Poke the Box
Seth Godin2011
A short manifesto encouraging readers to start projects and take initiative. It argues that the greatest risk is staying in place.
humble → earnest
pace+3·prose-1·bleak-1
Heavier
- pace+2prose0bleak+2
Animal Farm
George Orwell1945
Farm animals overthrow their human owner to run the farm themselves. The pigs gradually seize control and establish a new hierarchy.
humble → sardonic
pace+2·prose0·bleak+2
- pace+1prose0bleak+2
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank2001
A Jewish teenager records her daily life and thoughts while hiding from the Nazis in a secret annex in Amsterdam.
humble → earnest
pace+1·prose0·bleak+2
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-1bleak+2
A Child Called "It"
Dave Pelzer1987
A memoir of the author's childhood survival against severe physical and psychological abuse by his mother in California.
humble → bleak
pace+2·prose-1·bleak+2
- pace+2prose0bleak+2
Twelve Years a Slave
Solomon Northup1853
A memoir by a free Black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. He details twelve years of labor on Louisiana plantations.
humble → earnest
pace+2·prose0·bleak+2
- pace+2prose+1bleak+2
Hiroshima
John Hersey
The book follows six people in Hiroshima during and after the atomic bombing. It records their movements and physical symptoms.
humble → clinical
pace+2·prose+1·bleak+2
