LitQueuelitqueue

After

North of normal

Cea Sunrise Person2014

6 of 6 directions open

More like it

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  • The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

    Candice Millard

    Theodore Roosevelt and his son attempt to map an uncharted tributary of the Amazon. It covers the physical toll of disease and starvation.

    Same tense register, still biography

    pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

Denser prose

3 more ↓

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

3 more ↓

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

3 more ↓

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

3 more ↓

  • 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

  • God's Junk Drawer

    fiyah Angelou2018

    tense → hopeful, still nonfiction

    pace-2·prose-1·bleak-2

  • 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

3 more ↓

  • Escape from Camp 14

    Blaine Harden2012

    The biography of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only person born in a North Korean political prison camp known to have escaped.

    tense → bleak, still biography

    pace0·prose-1·bleak+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.

    tense → elegiac, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose0·bleak+1

  • Mother Hunger

    Kelly McDaniel2021

    A counselor analyzes the psychological impact of missing maternal nurturance, protection, and guidance during infancy.

    tense → elegiac, still nonfiction

    pace-1·prose0·bleak+1