Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table

Tracie McMillan

A reporter works undercover in farm fields, a Walmart grocery section, and an Applebee’s kitchen to examine the cost of the American diet.

pace0·prose0·bleak0

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

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-2

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

pace-1·prose+2·bleak-1

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

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business

Dick Van Dyke2011

Dick Van Dyke recounts his career from radio to sitcoms and film. He focuses on his work ethic, his co-stars, and his personal struggles.

earnest → warm

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13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success

Amy Morin2015

A psychotherapist lists thirteen habits to avoid to build mental resilience. Each chapter pairs a behavior with strategies for change.

Same earnest register

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Undefeated

Stuart Reardon

A professional rugby player returns home after a career-ending injury. He attempts to reconnect with a woman from his past while he recovers.

Same earnest register

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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-2

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

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Bad Blood

John Carreyrou2018

A journalist tracks the rise of Elizabeth Holmes and the eventual exposure of her multibillion-dollar blood-testing startup as a fraud.

earnest → propulsive, still journalism

pace+1·prose0·bleak-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

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-2

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

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

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.

earnest → dreamlike

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

And the Band Played on

Randy Shilts1987

A journalistic account of the early AIDS epidemic. It tracks the spread of the virus and the political response from 1980 to 1985.

Same earnest register, still journalism

pace0·prose0·bleak+1

My War Gone By, I Miss It So

Anthony Loyd1999

A journalist reports on the Bosnian War while grappling with his family's military legacy and a personal addiction to heroin.

earnest → bleak, still journalism

pace0·prose+1·bleak+1

Missoula

Jon Krakauer2015

A journalist investigates several sexual assault cases at the University of Montana. He follows the victims, the accused, and the legal process.

Same earnest register, still journalism

pace0·prose0·bleak+1