The Courage to Be Disliked

Everything Is Tuberculosis

John Green2025

A history of tuberculosis and its impact on humanity. It follows the author's friendship with a patient in Sierra Leone and his work in advocacy.

philosophical → elegiac, still nonfiction

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Antifragile

Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012

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

philosophical → reflective, still nonfiction

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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.

philosophical → elegiac, still nonfiction

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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.

philosophical → meditative

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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.

philosophical → playful

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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.

philosophical → propulsive

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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.

philosophical → earnest

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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.

philosophical → 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.

philosophical → 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.

philosophical → earnest

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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.

philosophical → meditative

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God's Junk Drawer

fiyah Angelou2018

philosophical → hopeful, still nonfiction

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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.

philosophical → mysterious

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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.

philosophical → tender, still nonfiction

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Bellevue

David M. Oshinsky2016

A chronological account of America's oldest public hospital, detailing its evolution from a colonial almshouse to a modern medical center.

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Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity

Katherine Boo

A journalist follows several residents of Annawadi, a slum near the Mumbai airport. It tracks their efforts to survive amid corruption and poverty.

philosophical → eerie, still nonfiction

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