After
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
Jordan B. Peterson
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
6 of 6 directions open
More like it
- pace0prose0bleak-1
As a Man Thinketh
James Allen1902
A short 1903 essay arguing that a person's character and life circumstances are the direct result of their internal thoughts.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace0·prose0·bleak-1
- pace+1prose0bleak-1
Ego Is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday2016
This book uses historical and biographical anecdotes to argue that internal pride is the primary obstacle to success and resilience.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace+1·prose0·bleak-1

- pace+1prose0bleak0
The 48 Laws of Power
Robert Greene1998
This book presents 48 strategies for gaining and maintaining influence. Each law is illustrated with historical examples of success and failure.
earnest → cold, still self-help
pace+1·prose0·bleak0

- pace0prose0bleak0
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life
Susan Forward1989
A psychologist categorizes types of damaging parenting and provides exercises for adult children to set boundaries and heal.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace0·prose0·bleak0

1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose0bleak-1
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis1943
A series of radio transcripts explaining the core tenets of the Christian faith. It uses logic and analogy to define common moral ground.
Same earnest register, still philosophy
pace0·prose0·bleak-1

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

- pace-1prose+2bleak0
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+2·bleak0

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+2bleak-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, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+2·bleak-1

- pace0prose+2bleak0
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, still philosophy
pace0·prose+2·bleak0

- pace-1prose+2bleak0
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, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+2·bleak0

To recover
- pace0prose0bleak-1
As a Man Thinketh
James Allen1902
A short 1903 essay arguing that a person's character and life circumstances are the direct result of their internal thoughts.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace0·prose0·bleak-1
- pace0prose-1bleak-1
The Four Agreements
Don Miguel Ruiz1997
A guide to personal conduct based on four principles derived from Toltec traditions. It focuses on changing internal dialogue to reduce suffering.
earnest → warm, still self-help
pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose-1bleak-1
Skinny Bitch: A No-Nonsense, Tough-Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous!
Rory Freedman
The authors use aggressive language to argue for a vegan diet and the elimination of processed sugar and caffeine.
earnest → sardonic, still self-help
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+1prose-1bleak-1
Feel-Good Productivity
Ali Abdaal2024
A guide to productivity through the lens of positive psychology. It suggests that joy and play are the primary drivers of efficient work.
earnest → warm, still self-help
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+1prose-1bleak-1
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown2014
A guide to identifying vital tasks and eliminating the trivial. It focuses on the methodology of doing fewer things better.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1
Faster
- pace+2prose-1bleak-1
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Austin Kleon
A short guide to creativity through remixing and influence. It uses illustrations and lists to explain how to find and use inspiration.
earnest → playful, still self-help
pace+2·prose-1·bleak-1
- pace+2prose-1bleak-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.
Same earnest register, still self-help
pace+2·prose-1·bleak-1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+2prose-1bleak0
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-1·bleak0

- pace+2prose-1bleak-1
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-1·bleak-1

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

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

- pace-1prose0bleak-1
The Art of Happiness
Dalai Lama XIV1998
The Dalai Lama discusses his philosophy on mental discipline and suffering through interviews with a psychiatrist. It is a guide to secular ethics.
earnest → meditative, still self-help
pace-1·prose0·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+2bleak-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, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+2·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+2bleak0
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, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+2·bleak0

- pace-1prose+2bleak0
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+2·bleak0

Heavier
- pace0prose+1bleak+2
Being Mortal
Atul Gawande2014
A surgeon examines how modern medicine handles aging and death. He argues for prioritizing quality of life over the extension of it.
earnest → tender, still philosophy
pace0·prose+1·bleak+2

- pace0prose+1bleak+2
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
Chris Hedges2002
A war correspondent analyzes how societies use conflict to create a sense of national purpose. He uses history and personal experience.
earnest → elegiac, still philosophy
pace0·prose+1·bleak+2

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace+1prose0bleak+2
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·prose0·bleak+2

- pace0prose0bleak+2
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·prose0·bleak+2

- pace+1prose-1bleak+2
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-1·bleak+2
