After
The Divided Self: An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness
R.D. Laing
- pace
- prose
- structure
- bleakness
6 of 6 directions open
More like it
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Existential Psychotherapy
Irvin D. Yalom1980
A clinical guide to therapy centered on four concerns: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. It includes several case studies.
Same clinical register, still psychology
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Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Judith Lewis Herman
A psychiatrist examines the commonalities between survivors of private abuse and public terror. It outlines stages of safety and remembrance.
Same clinical register, still psychology
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The Rape of the Mind: The Psychology of Thought Control, Menticide, and Brainwashing
Joost A.M. Meerloo
A psychiatrist examines the techniques used by totalitarian regimes to break the human will. It covers brainwashing and psychological pressure.
Same clinical register, still psychology
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Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness
William Styron2000
A novelist describes his descent into clinical depression. He tracks the loss of his senses and his eventual recovery.
clinical → elegiac, still descent into madness
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1 more ↓ ↑
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The Art of Loving
Erich Fromm1956
A psychoanalyst argues that love is a skill to be practiced rather than a feeling to be found. He categorizes love into five distinct types.
clinical → earnest, still psychology
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Denser prose
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The Righteous Mind
Jonathan Haidt2012
A social psychologist examines the intuitive origins of human morality. He explains how these instincts drive political and religious divides.
clinical → analytical, still psychology
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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.
clinical → playful, still philosophy
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3 more ↓ ↑
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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.
clinical → dreamlike, still psychology
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Either/Or
Søren Kierkegaard1992
A collection of papers presents two life philosophies: the aesthetic pursuit of pleasure and the ethical commitment to duty.
clinical → meditative
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- pace-1prose+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.
clinical → meditative, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-2

To recover
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Strengths Finder 2.0
Tom Rath2007
This book provides an access code to an online personality assessment. It categorizes the reader's professional talents into thirty-four themes.
clinical → earnest, still psychology
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The Four Agreements
Don Miguel Ruiz1997
A guide to personal conduct based on four principles derived from Toltec traditions. It focuses on changing internal dialogue to reduce suffering.
clinical → warm, still philosophy
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3 more ↓ ↑
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Vampires Are Forever
Lynsay Sands2008
A woman suspects her business partner is a vampire after he attempts to bite her. He tries to convince her they are fated mates.
clinical → playful
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The Mane Event
Shelly Laurenston2007
A female cop reunites with a childhood friend who is now a lion-shifter. They navigate a romantic attraction while he pursues her in New York.
clinical → playful
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Mile High
Liz Tomforde2023
A professional hockey player and a flight attendant clash on the team's private plane during a season-long road trip.
clinical → playful
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Faster
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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.
clinical → earnest
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- pace+2prose-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.
clinical → tender
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3 more ↓ ↑
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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.
clinical → 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.
clinical → playful
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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
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Slower
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Modern Man in Search of a Soul
C.G. Jung1933
A collection of essays exploring analytical psychology, dream analysis, and the spiritual limitations of modern Western society.
clinical → meditative, still psychology
pace-1·prose0·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+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.
clinical → playful, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-2

3 more ↓ ↑
- pace-1prose+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.
clinical → meditative, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-2

- pace-1prose+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.
clinical → mysterious, still philosophy
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

- pace-1prose+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.
clinical → meditative
pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

Heavier
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Being Mortal
Atul Gawande2014
A surgeon examines how modern medicine handles aging and death. He argues for prioritizing quality of life over the extension of it.
clinical → tender, still philosophy
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War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
Chris Hedges2002
A war correspondent analyzes how societies use conflict to create a sense of national purpose. He uses history and personal experience.
clinical → elegiac, still philosophy
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3 more ↓ ↑
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Mother Hunger
Kelly McDaniel2021
A counselor analyzes the psychological impact of missing maternal nurturance, protection, and guidance during infancy.
clinical → elegiac, still psychology
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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.
clinical → elegiac, still psychology
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The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide
Robert Jay Lifton
A psychological study of how physicians in the Third Reich rationalized their participation in the Holocaust. It uses interviews with survivors.
Same clinical register, still psychology
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