After
Good Calories, Bad Calories: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom on Diet, Weight Control, and Disease
Gary Taubes
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
6 of 6 directions open
More like it
- pace0prose-1bleak0
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health
T. Colin Campbell
A scientist examines the relationship between animal product consumption and chronic disease. It argues for a whole-food, plant-based diet.
Same clinical register, still popular science
pace0·prose-1·bleak0
- pace0prose0bleak0
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins1976
This text explains evolution from the perspective of the gene rather than the organism. It reinterprets altruism and behavior as survival tactics.
Same clinical register, still popular science
pace0·prose0·bleak0

- pace0prose-1bleak-1
Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It
Gary Taubes2011
The author argues that obesity is caused by hormonal responses to refined carbohydrates rather than a simple excess of calories.
Same clinical register, still popular science
pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

- pace0prose-1bleak0
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Matthew Walker
A neuroscientist explains the biological mechanisms of sleep and the physical consequences of sleep deprivation on the human body.
clinical → earnest, still popular science
pace0·prose-1·bleak0
1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose-1bleak+1
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
Eric Schlosser
An investigation into the development of the American fast food industry. It covers chemical flavoring, meatpacking, and labor practices.
Same clinical register, still whistleblower
pace0·prose-1·bleak+1
Denser prose
- pace-1prose+1bleak-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.
clinical → playful, still popular science
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+1bleak0
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
clinical → meditative
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+1bleak-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.
clinical → meditative
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace0prose+1bleak0
Antifragile
Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012
A philosophical exploration of systems that thrive under stress and disorder. It argues against fragility in economics and personal life.
clinical → reflective
pace0·prose+1·bleak0

- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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.
clinical → mysterious
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

To recover
- pace0prose-1bleak-1
Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It
Gary Taubes2011
The author argues that obesity is caused by hormonal responses to refined carbohydrates rather than a simple excess of calories.
Same clinical register, still popular science
pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

- pace+2prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → playful, still popular science
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose-2bleak-1
David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell2013
A series of case studies arguing that perceived disadvantages can become strengths. It covers topics from dyslexia to the civil rights movement.
clinical → earnest, still popular science
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

- pace+1prose-2bleak-1
Skinny Bitch: A No-Nonsense, Tough-Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous!
Rory Freedman
The authors use aggressive language to argue for a vegan diet and the elimination of processed sugar and caffeine.
clinical → sardonic, still health
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1
- pace+1prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → playful
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

Faster
- pace+2prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → playful, still popular science
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

- pace+2prose-2bleak0
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.
clinical → earnest
pace+2·prose-2·bleak0

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → tender
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

- pace+2prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → playful
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

- pace+2prose-2bleak-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.
clinical → earnest
pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1
Slower
- pace-1prose+1bleak-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.
clinical → playful, still popular science
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+1bleak0
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
clinical → meditative
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+1bleak-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.
clinical → meditative
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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.
clinical → mysterious
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

- pace-1prose+1bleak0
The Red Book: Liber Novus
C.G. Jung2009
A psychologist records his visions and internal dialogues in an illuminated manuscript created during a period of intense self-exploration.
clinical → dreamlike
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0
Heavier
- pace+1prose-1bleak+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.
clinical → sardonic
pace+1·prose-1·bleak+2

- pace0prose-1bleak+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.
clinical → earnest
pace0·prose-1·bleak+2

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose-2bleak+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.
clinical → bleak
pace+1·prose-2·bleak+2

- pace+1prose-1bleak+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.
clinical → earnest
pace+1·prose-1·bleak+2

- pace+1prose0bleak+2
Hiroshima
John Hersey
The book follows six people in Hiroshima during and after the atomic bombing. It records their movements and physical symptoms.
Same clinical register
pace+1·prose0·bleak+2
