LitQueuelitqueue

After

Killing Thatcher

Rory Carroll2023

6 of 6 directions open

More like it

1 more ↓

  • The Billion Dollar Spy

    David E. Hoffman2015

    A Soviet engineer spends years passing military secrets to the CIA in Moscow. It details the technical tradecraft of Cold War espionage.

    Same tense register, still biography

    pace0·prose0·bleak+1

Denser prose

3 more ↓

  • Antifragile

    Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012

    A philosophical exploration of systems that thrive under stress and disorder. It argues against fragility in economics and personal life.

    tense → reflective, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

  • Memoirs of my nervous illness

    Daniel Paul Schreber1955

    A German judge documents his elaborate delusions and theological theories during his confinement in a mental asylum.

    tense → elegiac, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose+1·bleak+2

  • 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.

    tense → meditative

    pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

To recover

3 more ↓

  • 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.

    tense → propulsive

    pace+1·prose-2·bleak-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.

    tense → earnest

    pace0·prose-2·bleak-1

  • The Martian

    Andy Weir2011

    A man does arithmetic to stay alive on Mars. Problem, attempt, result, repeat.

    tense → wry

    pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

Faster

3 more ↓

  • 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.

    tense → playful

    pace+1·prose-2·bleak-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.

    tense → playful

    pace+1·prose-2·bleak-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.

    tense → earnest

    pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

Slower

3 more ↓

  • 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.

    tense → meditative

    pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

  • God's Junk Drawer

    fiyah Angelou2018

    tense → hopeful, still nonfiction

    pace-2·prose-1·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.

    tense → mysterious

    pace-2·prose+1·bleak0

Heavier

3 more ↓

  • Escape from Camp 14

    Blaine Harden2012

    The biography of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only person born in a North Korean political prison camp known to have escaped.

    tense → bleak, still biography

    pace0·prose-1·bleak+2

  • We're all doing time

    Bo Lozoff1985

    A guide to spiritual practice and meditation specifically written for people serving time in the prison system.

    tense → elegiac, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose0·bleak+2

  • Mother Hunger

    Kelly McDaniel2021

    A counselor analyzes the psychological impact of missing maternal nurturance, protection, and guidance during infancy.

    tense → elegiac, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose0·bleak+2