After
Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
bell hooks
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
6 of 6 directions open
More like it
- pace0prose0bleak0
Free Will
Sam Harris2012
A neuroscientist argues that human choices are determined by prior causes. The essay examines how this view affects morality and law.
earnest → clinical, still philosophy
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- pace0prose0bleak-1
We Should All Be Feminists
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie2014
A short essay defining feminism through personal anecdotes and social observation. It originated as a TEDx talk.
Same earnest register, still essay
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- pace0prose0bleak-1
Ego Is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday2016
This book uses historical and biographical anecdotes to argue that internal pride is the primary obstacle to success and resilience.
Same earnest register, still philosophy
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- pace0prose0bleak0
Just Mercy
Bryan Stevenson
A lawyer recounts his work defending death row inmates in Alabama. He focuses on the case of a man wrongfully convicted of murder.
Same earnest register
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1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose0bleak0
1776
David McCullough2005
A narrative history of the Continental Army during the first year of the American Revolution. It follows George Washington and his soldiers.
Same earnest register
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Denser prose
- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → playful, still philosophy
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- pace-2prose+2bleak0
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
earnest → meditative
pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → meditative, still philosophy
pace-2·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.
earnest → reflective, still philosophy
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- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → mysterious, still philosophy
pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

To recover
- pace+1prose-1bleak-1
Artemis
Andy Weir2017
A porter and smuggler on a lunar colony takes a high-stakes sabotage job to pay off a debt. She uses technical knowledge to solve problems.
earnest → propulsive
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- pace0prose-1bleak-1
An Offer From a Gentleman
Julia Quinn2001
The illegitimate daughter of an earl works as a servant for her stepmother. She sneaks into a masquerade ball and meets Benedict Bridgerton.
earnest → playful
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3 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose-1bleak-1
King of Pride
Ana Huang2023
A buttoned-up billionaire heir falls for an impulsive bartender while trying to secure a CEO position. They navigate a forbidden workplace romance.
earnest → playful
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- pace-1prose-1bleak-1
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries
Emily Brightwell1993
A Victorian housekeeper and her staff secretly solve crimes for their employer, a clueless Scotland Yard inspector.
earnest → playful
pace-1·prose-1·bleak-1

- pace0prose-1bleak-1
Royally Screwed
Emma Chase2016
A crown prince visiting Manhattan pursues a bakery worker who threw a pie at him. The story follows their class-clash courtship.
earnest → playful
pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

Faster
- pace+1prose-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.
Same earnest register
pace+1·prose-1·bleak0

- pace+1prose-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.
earnest → tender
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose-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.
earnest → playful
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

- pace+1prose-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.
earnest → playful
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

- pace+1prose-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.
Same earnest register
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1
Slower
- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → playful, still philosophy
pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → meditative, still philosophy
pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-2prose+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.
earnest → mysterious, still philosophy
pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

- pace-2prose+2bleak0
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
earnest → meditative
pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

- pace-2prose+1bleak-1
The Upanishads
Anonymous1957
Ancient Sanskrit texts explore the nature of reality and the self. They document a shift from ritual sacrifice to internal spiritual inquiry.
earnest → meditative, still philosophy
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

Heavier
- pace-1prose+1bleak+2
Being Mortal
Atul Gawande2014
A surgeon examines how modern medicine handles aging and death. He argues for prioritizing quality of life over the extension of it.
earnest → tender, still philosophy
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- pace-1prose+1bleak+2
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
Chris Hedges2002
A war correspondent analyzes how societies use conflict to create a sense of national purpose. He uses history and personal experience.
earnest → elegiac, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+1·bleak+2

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+1bleak+2
Not That Bad
Roxane Gay2018
An anthology of essays by various writers documenting personal experiences of sexual harassment and assault.
earnest → elegiac, still essay
pace-1·prose+1·bleak+2

- pace0prose0bleak+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.
earnest → sardonic
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- 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.
Same earnest register
pace-1·prose0·bleak+2
