Adrift

Feminism Is for Everybody

bell hooks2000

A primer on feminist theory that addresses class, race, and male participation. It defines the movement as an effort to end all oppression.

analytical → tender

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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.

analytical → 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.

analytical → 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.

analytical → meditative

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Lean In

Sheryl Sandberg2013

The COO of Facebook combines personal anecdotes and data to analyze why women are underrepresented in corporate leadership roles.

analytical → earnest, still business

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In the Plex

Steven Levy2011

A journalist uses internal access to document the history, engineering culture, and business strategies of Google.

analytical → clinical, still business

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Moneyball

Michael Lewis2003

The Oakland A's general manager uses statistical analysis to build a competitive baseball team on a budget. It follows the 2002 season.

analytical → wry, still business

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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.

analytical → tender

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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.

analytical → 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.

analytical → playful

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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.

analytical → 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.

analytical → mysterious

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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.

analytical → dreamlike

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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.

analytical → 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.

analytical → eerie, still nonfiction

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