After
Pillow Thoughts
Courtney Peppernell2016
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
4 of 6 directions open — nothing to recover from, nothing faster
More like it
- pace0prose0bleak+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.
tender → earnest, still poetry
pace0·prose0·bleak+1
- pace-2prose+1bleak0
The Poetry Pharmacy Returns: More Prescriptions for Courage, Healing and Hope
William Sieghart
An anthology of poems organized by the emotional ailments they are intended to soothe. Each entry includes a brief explanation of the selection.
Same tender register, still poetry
pace-2·prose+1·bleak0
- pace0prose0bleak0
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.
tender → playful
pace0·prose0·bleak0
- pace0prose0bleak0
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.
tender → playful
pace0·prose0·bleak0
1 more ↓ ↑
- pace0prose0bleak0
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.
tender → earnest
pace0·prose0·bleak0
Denser prose
- pace-3prose+3bleak0
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.
tender → playful
pace-3·prose+3·bleak0
- pace-3prose+3bleak+1
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
tender → meditative
pace-3·prose+3·bleak+1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-3prose+3bleak0
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.
tender → meditative
pace-3·prose+3·bleak0
- pace-2prose+3bleak+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.
tender → reflective
pace-2·prose+3·bleak+1
- pace-3prose+3bleak+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.
tender → mysterious
pace-3·prose+3·bleak+1
Slower
- pace-3prose+3bleak0
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.
tender → playful
pace-3·prose+3·bleak0
- pace-3prose+3bleak+1
Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
tender → meditative
pace-3·prose+3·bleak+1
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-3prose+3bleak0
Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu1842
A collection of 81 short poetic verses outlining the principles of the Tao. It focuses on balance, inaction, and the flow of the natural world.
tender → meditative, still poetry
pace-3·prose+3·bleak0
- pace-3prose+3bleak0
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.
tender → meditative
pace-3·prose+3·bleak0
- pace-3prose+3bleak+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.
tender → mysterious
pace-3·prose+3·bleak+1
Heavier
- pace-1prose+1bleak+3
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.
tender → sardonic
pace-1·prose+1·bleak+3
- pace-2prose+1bleak+3
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.
tender → earnest
pace-2·prose+1·bleak+3
3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose0bleak+3
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.
tender → bleak
pace-1·prose0·bleak+3
- pace-1prose+1bleak+3
Twelve Years a Slave
Solomon Northup1853
A memoir by a free Black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. He details twelve years of labor on Louisiana plantations.
tender → earnest
pace-1·prose+1·bleak+3
- pace-1prose+2bleak+3
Hiroshima
John Hersey
The book follows six people in Hiroshima during and after the atomic bombing. It records their movements and physical symptoms.
tender → clinical
pace-1·prose+2·bleak+3
