After
The Book of Why: The New Science of Cause and Effect
Judea Pearl
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
5 of 6 directions open — nothing to recover from
More like it
Same earnest register, still popular science
- pace0prose-1bleak0
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Daniel Goleman
A psychologist argues that self-awareness and empathy are better predictors of success than IQ. He uses neuroscience to support his claims.
pace0·prose-1·bleak0
- pace0prose0bleak0
The Ancestor's Tale
Richard Dawkins2004
A biological history of life on Earth told in reverse. It starts with modern humans and meets 'concestors' at every major evolutionary branch.
pace0·prose0·bleak0

- pace0prose0bleak+1
A Universe from Nothing
Lawrence M. Krauss2012
A physicist explains how the laws of quantum mechanics and relativity allow for the universe to arise from a state of nothingness.
pace0·prose0·bleak+1

- pace0prose-1bleak0
Mastermind
Maria Konnikova2013
A psychologist uses the methods of Sherlock Holmes to explain cognitive science. She provides strategies for mindfulness and observation.
pace0·prose-1·bleak0

1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose-1bleak0
The Social Animal
David Brooks2011
A fictional couple's life story illustrates findings from sociology and neuroscience. It uses a narrative to explain how the subconscious works.
pace0·prose-1·bleak0

Denser prose
- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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 popular science
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

- pace-1prose+1bleak+1
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-1·prose+1·bleak+1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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-1·prose+1·bleak0

- pace0prose+1bleak+1
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
pace0·prose+1·bleak+1

- pace-1prose+1bleak+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-1·prose+1·bleak+1

Faster
- pace+2prose-2bleak0
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, still popular science
pace+2·prose-2·bleak0

- pace+2prose-2bleak+1
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+2·prose-2·bleak+1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-2bleak0
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+2·prose-2·bleak0

- pace+2prose-2bleak0
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+2·prose-2·bleak0

- pace+2prose-2bleak0
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+2·prose-2·bleak0
Slower
- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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 popular science
pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

- pace-1prose+1bleak+1
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-1·prose+1·bleak+1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+1bleak0
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-1·prose+1·bleak0

- pace-1prose+1bleak+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-1·prose+1·bleak+1

- pace-1prose+1bleak+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-1·prose+1·bleak+1
Heavier
- pace+1prose-1bleak+3
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
pace+1·prose-1·bleak+3

- pace0prose-1bleak+3
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
pace0·prose-1·bleak+3

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

- pace+1prose-1bleak+3
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.
Same earnest register
pace+1·prose-1·bleak+3

- pace+1prose0bleak+3
Hiroshima
John Hersey
The book follows six people in Hiroshima during and after the atomic bombing. It records their movements and physical symptoms.
earnest → clinical
pace+1·prose0·bleak+3
