Tightrope

A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea

Melissa Fleming2017

A Syrian refugee flees her home and attempts to cross the Mediterranean. When her boat sinks, she fights to survive in the open sea.

pace0·prose0·bleak0

Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, Volume 1

Karl Marx2015

An analysis of the capitalist mode of production focusing on commodities, surplus value, and the exploitation of labor.

earnest → clinical

pace-1·prose+2·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.

earnest → meditative

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-2

Antifragile

Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012

A philosophical exploration of systems that thrive under stress and disorder. It argues against fragility in economics and personal life.

earnest → reflective

pace-1·prose+2·bleak-1

An Offer From a Gentleman

Julia Quinn2001

The illegitimate daughter of an earl works as a servant for her stepmother. She sneaks into a masquerade ball and meets Benedict Bridgerton.

earnest → playful

pace0·prose-1·bleak-2

King of Pride

Ana Huang2023

A buttoned-up billionaire heir falls for an impulsive bartender while trying to secure a CEO position. They navigate a forbidden workplace romance.

earnest → playful

pace0·prose-1·bleak-2

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries

Emily Brightwell1993

A Victorian housekeeper and her staff secretly solve crimes for their employer, a clueless Scotland Yard inspector.

earnest → playful

pace-1·prose-1·bleak-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.

earnest → tender

pace+1·prose-1·bleak-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.

earnest → playful

pace+1·prose-1·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.

earnest → playful

pace+1·prose-1·bleak-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.

earnest → meditative

pace-2·prose+2·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.

earnest → mysterious

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

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.

earnest → dreamlike

pace-2·prose+2·bleak-1

And the Band Played on

Randy Shilts1987

A journalistic account of the early AIDS epidemic. It tracks the spread of the virus and the political response from 1980 to 1985.

Same earnest register, still journalism

pace0·prose0·bleak+1

My War Gone By, I Miss It So

Anthony Loyd1999

A journalist reports on the Bosnian War while grappling with his family's military legacy and a personal addiction to heroin.

earnest → bleak, still journalism

pace0·prose+1·bleak+1

Missoula

Jon Krakauer2015

A journalist investigates several sexual assault cases at the University of Montana. He follows the victims, the accused, and the legal process.

Same earnest register, still journalism

pace0·prose0·bleak+1