
After
Doppelganger
Naomi Klein2023
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
6 of 6 directions open
More like it
Same tense register, still nonfiction
- pace0prose0bleak0
Consciousness Explained
Daniel C. Dennett1991
A philosopher uses neuroscience and AI to argue that consciousness is a series of parallel 'multiple drafts' rather than a unified stream.
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North of normal
Cea Sunrise Person2014
A woman recounts her childhood living in Canadian wilderness tipis under her grandfather's anti-establishment rules.
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- pace0prose0bleak-1
Killing Thatcher
Rory Carroll2023
A journalistic account of the IRA's 1984 attempt to assassinate Margaret Thatcher. It follows the bomber and the police investigation.
pace0·prose0·bleak-1

- pace0prose-1bleak0
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
John Perkins2004
A former consultant describes his role in convincing developing nations to accept large loans for infrastructure projects.
pace0·prose-1·bleak0

1 more ↓ ↑
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Set Boundaries, Find Peace
Nedra Glover Tawwab2021
A therapist provides a guide on how to identify and communicate personal limits. It includes exercises for dealing with family and work.
pace-1·prose0·bleak0

Denser prose
- pace-2prose+1bleak-2
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.
tense → playful
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-2

- pace-2prose+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.
tense → meditative
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+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.
tense → reflective, still nonfiction
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+1bleak+1
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.
tense → elegiac, still nonfiction
pace-1·prose+1·bleak+1
- pace-2prose+1bleak-2
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.
tense → meditative
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-2

To recover
- pace0prose-2bleak-2
Modern Romance
Aziz Ansari2015
A comedian and a sociologist examine how technology and infinite choice have changed the search for a partner. It uses data and interviews.
tense → playful, still nonfiction
pace0·prose-2·bleak-2

- pace0prose-2bleak-2
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.
tense → playful
pace0·prose-2·bleak-2

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

- pace0prose-2bleak-2
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.
tense → earnest
pace0·prose-2·bleak-2

- pace+1prose-2bleak-2
The Martian
Andy Weir2011
A man does arithmetic to stay alive on Mars. Problem, attempt, result, repeat.
tense → wry
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-2

Faster
- pace+1prose-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.
tense → earnest
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

- pace+1prose-2bleak-2
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.
tense → tender
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-2

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

- pace+1prose-2bleak-2
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.
tense → playful
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-2

- pace+1prose-2bleak-2
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.
tense → earnest
pace+1·prose-2·bleak-2
Slower
- pace-2prose+1bleak-2
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.
tense → playful
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-2

- pace-2prose+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.
tense → meditative
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

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

- pace-2prose-1bleak-2
- pace-2prose+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.
tense → mysterious
pace-2·prose+1·bleak-1

Heavier
tense → elegiac, still nonfiction
- pace-1prose0bleak+1
We're all doing time
Bo Lozoff1985
A guide to spiritual practice and meditation specifically written for people serving time in the prison system.
pace-1·prose0·bleak+1

- pace-1prose0bleak+1
Mother Hunger
Kelly McDaniel2021
A counselor analyzes the psychological impact of missing maternal nurturance, protection, and guidance during infancy.
pace-1·prose0·bleak+1

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-2prose0bleak+1
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.
tense → tender, still nonfiction
pace-2·prose0·bleak+1

- pace-1prose0bleak+1
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.
pace-1·prose0·bleak+1

- pace-1prose0bleak+1
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.
tense → eerie, still nonfiction
pace-1·prose0·bleak+1