18 books like How to Say No

What to read after How to Say No — books similar to it, matched on shared themes.

The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath · 1948 · ★ 4.5 · 272p · ≈ 9h · Challenging The Bell Jar is the only novel written by American poet Sylvia Plath. It is an intensely realistic and emotional record of a successful and talented young woman's descent into madness. Shares: Psychology

Brave New World Aldous Huxley · 1932 · ★ 4.0 · 235p · ≈ 7h · Challenging Originally published in 1932, this outstanding work of literature is more crucial and relevant today than ever before. Cloning, feel-good drugs, antiaging programs, and total social control through politics, programming, and media -- has Aldous Huxley accurately predicted our future? With a storyteller's genius, he weaves these ethical controversies in a compelling narrative that dawns in the… Shares: Community pick

Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury · 1953 · ★ 4.0 · 185p · ≈ 6h · Moderate Fahrenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book's tagline explains the title as "'the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns": the autoignition temperature of paper. The lead character, Guy Montag,… Shares: Community pick

Ubik Philip K. Dick · 1969 · ★ 4.1 · 304p · ≈ 10h · Moderate Named one of Time's 100 Best Books, Ubik is a mind-bending, classic novel about the perception of reality from Philip K. Dick, the Hugo Award-winning author of The Man in the High Castle. “From the stuff of space opera, Dick spins a deeply unsettling existential horror story, a nightmare you’ll never be sure you’ve woken up from.”—Lev Grossman, Time Glen Runciter runs a lucrative business —… Shares: Community pick

Death on the Nile Agatha Christie · 1937 · ★ 4.1 · 258p · ≈ 8h · Challenging The tranquillity of a cruise along the Nile was shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway ( Linnet Doyle) had been shot through the head. She was young, stylish, rich and beautiful. A girl who had everything... until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalled an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: 'I'd like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.' Yet… Shares: Community pick

In Cold Blood Truman Capote · 1965 · ★ 4.1 · 365p · ≈ 12h · Moderate On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. Shares: Community pick

It Stephen King · 1986 · ★ 4.2 · 1105p · ≈ 36h · Challenging "It" is a 1986 horror novel by American author Stephen King. "It" was his 22nd book and his 17th novel written under his own name. The story follows the experiences of seven children as they are terrorized by an evil entity that exploits the fears of its victims to disguise itself while hunting its prey. "It" primarily appears in the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown to attract its preferred… Shares: Community pick

The Shining Stephen King · 1977 · ★ 4.3 · 464p · ≈ 15h · Moderate The Shining is a 1977 horror novel by American author Stephen King. It is King's third published novel and first hardback bestseller; its success firmly established King as a preeminent author in the horror genre. The setting and characters are influenced by King's personal experiences, including both his visit to The Stanley Hotel in 1974 and his struggle with alcoholism. The book was followed… Shares: Community pick

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man James Joyce · 1818 · ★ 3.6 · 216p · ≈ 7h · Challenging Stephen Dedalus grows up in Dublin, feeling different from the other boys. His childhood and adolescence are shaped by bullying, his father's weaknesses and the growing realization that in order to make his way in the world he must reject a conventional life and boecome an artist. Penguin Popular Classics are the perfect introduction to the world-famous Penguin Classics series — which… Shares: Community pick

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Ken Kesey · 1962 · ★ 4.2 · 311p · ≈ 10h · Moderate One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey. Set in an Oregon psychiatric hospital, the narrative serves as a study of institutional processes and the human mind; including a critique of psychiatry, and a tribute to individualistic principles Shares: Community pick

Sometimes a Great Notion Ken Kesey · 1964 · ★ 4.4 · 628p · ≈ 20h · Moderate Sometimes a Great notion is a book about about the Stamper family. A tough crew who keeps getting pushed west by the youngest Stamper's whim after looking out the window. Finally they can not go any further west than a raging river on Oregon coast. Hank and the Father run a Logging operation against all odds to unionize Great characters Biggie Newton and Finally the youngest son Leland returns… Shares: Community pick

Living With It Bev Aisbett · 1995 · 160p · ≈ 5h · Moderate The classic guide for panic attack sufferers - now fully revised and updated. Panic attacks - approximately 5% of the population will experience them at some time or another. The dread of having an attack - they seemingly come out of nowhere - transforms the ordinary world of everyday life into a nightmare of anxiety and suffering. Bestselling author Bev Aisbett, a survivor of Panic Syndrome… Shares: Self-care, Psychology, Self help

The Witch's Book of Self-Care Arin Murphy-Hiscock · 2018 · ★ 3.9 · 224p · ≈ 7h · Moderate “From Wiccan author Arin Murphy-Hiscock comes this fantastic guide to spiritual self-care with a witchy bent. The Witch’s Guide to Self-Care contains recipes for products and spells for self-restoration.” —BustleSelf-care and magic work together in this guide to help you become the best version of yourself. You’ll learn how to nourish your body and spirit with herbal remedies, spells, and rituals… Shares: Self-care, Self help

The Other Significant Others Rhaina Cohen · 2024 · ★ 3.9 · 320p · ≈ 10h · Moderate Why do we place romantic partnership on a pedestal? What do we lose when we expect one person to meet all our needs? And what can we learn about commitment, love, and family from people who put deep friendship at the center of their lives? In The Other Significant Others, NPR's Rhaina Cohen invites us into the lives of people who have defied convention by choosing a friend as a life partner.… Shares: Relationships, Psychology, Self help

Polywise Jessica Fern · 2022 · ★ 4.3 · 336p · ≈ 11h · Moderate As polyamory continues to make its way into the mainstream, more and more people are exploring consensual nonmonogamy in the hope of experiencing more love, connection, sex, freedom and support. While for many, the move expands personal horizons, for others, the transition can be challenging, leaving them blindsided and overwhelmed. Beyond the initial transition to nonmonogamy, many struggle with… Shares: Relationships, Psychology, Self help

Coolmind David Keefe · 2011 · 120p · ≈ 4h · Moderate The demands of school, sports, exams, and relationships can be so stressful. This toolkit of simple mindfulness techniques can help! Designed to be used any time you are stressed or upset—or need to boost your energy and confidence—these short practices can help you feel calmer, happier, more focused, and more able to get the most out of life. Shares: Psychology, Self help

Help Yourself to Happiness Keith Were · 1999 · ★ 3.8 · 201p · ≈ 6h · Moderate Over a period of ten years, the author has been developing a programme for achieving self-fulfilment and happiness. This guide describes a way to sort out what works in an individual''s life and what needs to be reassessed.' Shares: Psychology, Self help

Introducing Confident Speaking Alan Woodhouse · 2014 · 224p · ≈ 7h · Moderate Introducing Confident Speaking, by voice, acting, communication and public speaking coach Alan Woodhouse, teaches you to express yourself more clearly, persuasively and confidently. Whether you want to ask your boss for a pay rise, chair meetings better, or deliver a faultless best-man speech, this book will teach you how to plan what to say, manage your anxieties and project your best self on… Shares: Psychology, Self help

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