LitQueuelitqueue

After

Steve Jobs

Walter Isaacson2011

6 of 6 directions open

More like it

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  • Hammer of the Gods

    Stephen Davis1985

    This biography chronicles the formation, world tours, and eventual dissolution of the rock band Led Zeppelin.

    clinical → propulsive, still biography

    pace0·prose0·bleak0

Denser prose

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.

    clinical → meditative

    pace-2·prose+2·bleak-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.

    clinical → reflective

    pace-1·prose+2·bleak0

  • 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.

    clinical → mysterious

    pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

To recover

3 more ↓

  • The Code Breaker

    Walter Isaacson2021

    A biography of Jennifer Doudna and the development of CRISPR gene editing. It covers the laboratory race and the subsequent ethical debates.

    clinical → earnest, still biography

    pace-1·prose0·bleak-1

  • Anna

    Amy Odell2022

    A chronological account of Anna Wintour's life and her rise to the head of Vogue. It uses interviews to detail her management and influence.

    Same clinical register, still biography

    pace0·prose0·bleak-1

  • Dearie

    Bob Spitz2012

    A biography of Julia Child, from her early life and wartime service to her career as a television chef. It follows her move to France and back.

    clinical → warm, still biography

    pace0·prose0·bleak-1

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.

    clinical → playful

    pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

  • 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.

    clinical → playful

    pace+1·prose-1·bleak-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.

    clinical → earnest

    pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

Slower

3 more ↓

  • Confessions of a prairie bitch

    Alison Arngrim2010

    The actress who played Nellie Oleson recounts her time on Little House on the Prairie and her subsequent life in activism.

    clinical → tender, still biography

    pace-2·prose0·bleak0

  • 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.

    clinical → meditative

    pace-2·prose+2·bleak-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.

    clinical → mysterious

    pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

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.

    clinical → bleak, still biography

    pace0·prose0·bleak+2

  • Nagasaki

    Susan Southard2015

    A historical account follows five survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki across seven decades of their lives.

    clinical → elegiac, still biography

    pace-1·prose0·bleak+2

  • House of Sticks

    Ly Tran2021

    A Vietnamese girl grows up in Queens while working in her family's sweatshop. She navigates poverty, failing eyesight, and cultural isolation.

    clinical → elegiac, still biography

    pace0·prose+1·bleak+2