LitQueuelitqueue

After

Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell2008

5 of 6 directions open — nothing to recover from

More like it

1 more ↓

  • Braving the Wilderness

    Brené Brown2017

    A social scientist argues for the importance of personal integrity and belonging over fitting in. She uses research and anecdotes to define courage.

    Same earnest register, still psychology

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Denser prose

3 more ↓

  • The Righteous Mind

    Jonathan Haidt2012

    A social psychologist examines the intuitive origins of human morality. He explains how these instincts drive political and religious divides.

    earnest → analytical, still psychology

    pace-1·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, still psychology

    pace-2·prose+2·bleak+1

  • Seeing Like a State

    James C. Scott1998

    An analysis of how large-scale state projects fail by ignoring local knowledge. It covers forestry, city planning, and forced villagization.

    earnest → analytical, still sociology

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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.

    earnest → playful

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  • 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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  • 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

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Slower

3 more ↓

  • 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·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

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  • 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

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Heavier

3 more ↓

  • Mother Hunger

    Kelly McDaniel2021

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

    earnest → elegiac, still psychology

    pace-1·prose+1·bleak+3

  • Rough Sleepers

    Tracy Kidder2023

    A doctor and his team provide medical care to the homeless population of Boston, navigating the limits of the healthcare system.

    earnest → tender, still sociology

    pace-2·prose+1·bleak+3

  • Waking up white

    Deborah Kittredge Irving2014

    The author recounts her personal realization of her own racial biases and the systemic nature of white privilege in America.

    earnest → analytical, still sociology

    pace0·prose+1·bleak+3