Literary theme analysis, by a book like {foo}
Books about Social Dynamics
The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli
A timeless political treatise on the art of acquiring and maintaining power.
Machiavelli needs to be looked at as he really was. Hence: Can Machiavelli, who makes the following observations, be Machiavellian as we understand the disparaging term? 1. So it is that to know the ... (Goodreads)
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
by Franklin Foer
Exploring the political, economic and social ties between soccer and the world.
Soccer is much more than a game, or even a way of life. It is a perfect window into the cross-currents of today's world, with all its joys and its sorrows. In this remarkably insightful, wide-ranging ... (Goodreads)
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
by Malcolm Gladwell
An exploration of unlikely success stories, examining conventional wisdom and biases.
In his #1 bestselling books The Tipping Point , Blink , and Outliers , Malcolm Gladwell has explored the ways we understand and change our world. Now he looks at the complex and surprising ways the ... (Goodreads)
Euphoria
by Lily King
Three anthropologists in the 1930s study a tribe in New Guinea, leading to a complex love triangle and ethical dilemmas.
A New York Times Bestseller,Winner of the 2014 Kirkus Prize,Winner of the 2014 New England Book Award for Fiction,A Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award,A Best Book of the Year for:,, ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Player of Games
by Iain M. Banks
A game-player embarks on a journey to win a tournament in a distant world, uncovering secrets along the way.
The Culture - a humanoid/machine symbiotic society - has thrown up many great Game Players. One of the best is Jernau Morat Gurgeh, Player of Games, master of every board, computer and strategy. ... (Goodreads)
The Lottery
by Shirley Jackson
A small village's annual lottery reveals a dark secret, with sinister implications.
Details of contemporary small-town American life are embroidered upon a description of an annual rite known as "the lottery". In a small village of about 300 residents, the locals are in an excited ... (Wikipedia)
Marie Antoinette: The Journey
by Antonia Fraser
A biography of Marie Antoinette, from her childhood in Austria to her reign as Queen of France and eventual execution during the French Revolution.
Marie Antoinette's dramatic life-story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine méchante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; ... (Goodreads)
The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
by Neil Strauss
Journey of a journalist exploring the world of "pickup artists" and the seduction techniques they use.
Hidden somewhere, in nearly every major city in the world, is an underground seduction lair. And in these lairs, men trade the most devastatingly effective techniques ever invented to charm women. ... (Goodreads)
Scott Pilgrim, Volume 3: Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness
by Bryan Lee O'Malley
A comedic exploration of love, relationships, and modern life through the lens of a young man.
Scott Pilgrim, a 23-year-old slacker, lives in Toronto with his roommate Wallace Wells. He is the bass player for Sex Bob-omb, an unsuccessful band consisting of himself, guitarist Stephen Stills, ... (Wikipedia)
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
by Jared Diamond
Study of past societies' successes and failures in terms of environmental, economic, and political decisions.
Brilliant, illuminating, and immensely absorbing, Collapse is destined to take its place as one of the essential books of our time, raising the urgent question: How can our world best avoid ... (Goodreads)
The Devotion of Suspect X
by Keigo Higashino
A genius physicist helps his neighbor cover up a murder, while a relentless detective investigates the crime.
Yasuko lives a quiet life, working in a Tokyo bento shop, a good mother to her only child. But when her ex-husband appears at her door without warning one day, her comfortable world is shattered. ... (Goodreads)
Peyton Place
by Grace Metalious
A small-town scandal unravels, exposing secrets of the inhabitants.
First published in 1956, Peyton Place uncovers the passions, lies and cruelties that simmer beneath the surface of a postcard-perfect town. At the centre of the novel are three women, each with a ... (Goodreads)
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
by John Berendt
A journalist's exploration of a mysterious murder in Savannah, Georgia.
A sublime and seductive reading experience. This portrait of a beguiling Southern city was a best-seller (though a flop as a movie). ~ Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty, ... (Goodreads)
The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion
An awkward professor's journey to find love, discovering the true meaning of connection.
An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love. ... (Goodreads)
Ancillary Sword
by Ann Leckie
Space opera about a starship captain's struggle to survive a hostile imperial government.
Seeking atonement for past crimes, Breq takes on a mission as captain of a troublesome new crew of Radchai soldiers, in the sequel to Ann Leckie's NYT bestselling, award-winning Ancillary Justice. A ... (Goodreads)
Naked in Death
by J.D. Robb
A murder investigation set in a futuristic New York City, uncovering secrets about a criminal ring.
In 2058, Eve Dallas, Lieutenant in the NYPSD (New York Police and Security Department) Homicide division, is tasked with finding the culprit who killed Sharon DeBlass, a licensed companion (that is, ... (Wikipedia)
Ancillary Mercy
by Ann Leckie
A military captain confronts her past and enemies in a quest to save humanity.
Ancillary Mercy is the stunning conclusion to the trilogy that began with Ancillary Justice , the only novel ever to win the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Awards. For a moment, things seemed to ... (Goodreads)
Leaders Eat Last
by Simon Sinek
Explores the power of trust and how leaders can create a real connection with their teams.
The highly anticipated follow-up to Simon Sinek’s global bestseller, Start with Why, Simon Sinek is an optimist, a visionary thinker, and a leader of the cultural revolution of WHY. His second book ... (Goodreads)
The Death of the Heart
by Elizabeth Bowen
A young orphan girl is taken in by her half-brother and his wife, but struggles to find a sense of belonging in their cold and detached world.
At the beginning of the novel, Portia moves in with Anna and Thomas Quayne after her mother dies. Portia is Thomas's half sister. Mr. Quayne (Thomas's father) had an extramarital affair with Irene ... (Wikipedia)
Garcia Lorca: La Casa de Bernarda Alba
by Federico García Lorca
A group of women in rural Spain, oppressed by the matriarchal rule of a domineering mother.
Upon her second husband's death, domineering matriarch Bernarda Alba imposes an eight-year mourning period on her household in accordance with her family tradition. Bernarda has five daughters, aged ... (Wikipedia)
Reservoir 13
by Jon McGregor
A village's search for the truth behind a young girl's disappearance, uncovering secrets along the way.
Midwinter in an English village. A teenage girl has gone missing. Everyone is called upon to join the search. The villagers fan out across the moors as the police set up roadblocks and a crowd of ... (Goodreads)
Outline
by Rachel Cusk
A woman's journey of self-reflection, exploring relationships and the complexities of life.
An English woman writer flies to Athens to teach a summer writing workshop. On the plane, she meets an older Greek bachelor , who tells her about his two failed marriages. The next day she meets with ... (Wikipedia)
Too Like the Lightning
by Ada Palmer
A futuristic tale of utopian society and its secrets, as seen through the eyes of a young outcast.
Set in the year 2454, the novel is a fictional memoir written by Mycroft Canner, a brilliant, infamous, and paroled criminal who often serves the world's most powerful leaders. Mycroft frequents the ... (Wikipedia)
The Wisdom of Crowds
by James Surowiecki
Examining the power of collective intelligence to solve problems, make decisions and drive innovation.
In this fascinating book, New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea: Large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant–better at ... (Goodreads)
The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home
by Dan Ariely
Examines how irrational behavior affects our decisions and yields surprising outcomes.
Lẽ phải của phi lý trí không phải là một cuốn sách hàn lâm khô khan chỉ toàn lý thuyết, mà nó được sử dụng dữ liệu từ những thí nghiệm thú vị và độc đáo dẫn đến những kết luận hấp dẫn về cách thức – ... (Goodreads)
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
by Elena Ferrante
Two friends navigate the changing relationships of their youth and adulthood, and the consequences of their choices.
In this third Neapolitan novel, Elena and Lila, the two girls whom readers first met in My Brilliant Friend, have become women. Lila married at sixteen and has a young son; she has left her abusive ... (Goodreads)
Someone to Watch Over Me
by Lisa Kleypas
A wealthy businessman hires a bodyguard to protect his daughter, but their attraction complicates matters.
Alternative cover editions for this ISBN can be found, here, and, here,. Grant Morgan is one of London's most eligible and unattainable bachelors. He's also a powerful member of the Bow Street ... (Goodreads)
Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes
A mentally-challenged man's journey to become a genius, only to fall into despair.
The story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases ... (Goodreads)
The Insulted and Humiliated
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
A story of revenge, focusing on morality and redemption.
Natasha leaves her parents' home and runs away with Alyosha (prince Alexey) – the son of Prince Valkovsky. As a result of his pain, her father, Nikolai, curses her. The only friend that remains by ... (Wikipedia)
Morality for Beautiful Girls
by Alexander McCall Smith
A tale of adventure and morality as a young woman navigates complex relationships.
Mma Ramotswe's business, the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, has clients but needs to cut costs and increase revenue from fees. To reduce costs, she and her fiancé Mr JLB Matekoni decide to move the ... (Wikipedia)
Real Friends
by Shannon Hale
A story of friendship, exploring the highs and lows of navigating relationships.
“Fresh and funny.” —,New York Times, Book Review Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Stand: Captain Trips
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Mankind's battle against a pandemic virus that threatens to wipe out the entire population.
Exclusive hardcover edition, collects The Stand: Captain Trips series of comics (#1-5) into one Hardcover volume. It all begins here: the epic apocalyptic battle between good and evil. On a secret ... (Goodreads)
All's Faire in Middle School
by Victoria Jamieson
A young girl navigates the social struggles of middle school while embracing her love of renaissance fairs.
The author of, Roller Girl, is back with a graphic novel about starting middle school, surviving your embarrassing family, and the Renaissance Faire., Eleven-year-old Imogene (Impy) has grown up with ... (Goodreads)
The Wave
by Todd Strasser
A high school teacher's experiment to illustrate the dangers of authoritarianism spirals out of control.
The setting of the book is Gordon High School in Spring 1969. The plot revolves around a history teacher Mr. Ben Ross, his high school students, and an experiment he conducts in an attempt to teach ... (Wikipedia)
Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection
by Nick Seluk
A collection of comics featuring the internal struggle between the logical Brain and the impulsive Heart, hilariously depicting everyday situations.
New York Times best seller, Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection illustrates the relationship between the sensible Brain and its emotionally driven counterpart, the Heart. Boasting more than ... (Barnes & Noble)
Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey Into Manhood and Back Again
by Norah Vincent
A woman disguises herself as a man and lives among them, exploring the differences in gender roles and expectations.
Having gone where no woman (who wasn't an aspiring or actual transsexual) has gone for any significant length of time, let alone eighteen months, Norah Vincent's surprising account is an enthralling ... (Goodreads)
The Good Daughters
by Joyce Maynard
Two girls born on the same day, but from different worlds, grow up together and discover secrets that will change their lives forever.
The bestselling author of Labor Day returns with a spellbinding novel about friendship, family secrets, and the strange twists of fate that shape our lives. They were born on the same day, in the ... (Goodreads)
Rocannon's World
by Ursula K. Le Guin
Rocannon, an ethnographer, travels to a distant planet to make contact with its inhabitants and prevent an impending war.
The novel begins with a prologue called "Semley's Necklace", which was first published as a stand-alone story titled "Dowry of the Angyar" in, Amazing Stories, (September 1964). A young woman named ... (Wikipedia)
Models: Attract Women Through Honesty
by Mark Manson
A guide to attracting women through honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity, rather than manipulation or deceit.
Models is the first book ever written on seduction as an emotional process rather than a logical one, a process of connecting with women rather than impressing them. It's the most mature and honest ... (Barnes & Noble)
Eighth Grade Bites
by Heather Brewer
A teenage vampire navigates the confusing and awkward transition to high school.
Junior high really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was ... (Goodreads)
Cycles
by Brian K. Vaughan
A young man's escapist journey to a magical island, discovering himself and his family's secrets.
On July 17, 2002, all living mammals with a Y chromosome —including embryos and sperm —simultaneously die, with the exception of a young amateur escape artist named Yorick Brown and his Capuchin ... (Wikipedia)
A Stranger in the Mirror
by Sidney Sheldon
The rise and fall of a handsome and successful man, haunted by his past and struggling to find true happiness.
A retired captain recalls the cruise where he decided to retire, which involves the famous celebrity, Jill Castle. The book then goes back to the beginning of the lives of the two main characters: ... (Wikipedia)
Games People Play
by Eric Berne
A psychological exploration of the ways people interact, creating meaningful relationships.
We think we’re relating to other people–but actually we’re all playing games. Forty years ago, Games People Play revolutionized our understanding of what really goes on during our most basic social ... (Goodreads)
You Think It, I'll Say It
by Curtis Sittenfeld
Collection of stories exploring the human condition, relationships, and the power of words.
A suburban mother of two fantasizes about the downfall of an old friend whose wholesome lifestyle empire may or may not be built on a lie. A high-powered lawyer honeymooning with her husband is ... (Goodreads)
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior
by Ori Brafman
A fascinating exploration of the irrational forces that shape our decisions and behavior, and how we can learn to recognize and resist them.
A fascinating journey into the hidden psychological influences that derail our decision-making,, Sway, will change the way you think about the way you think., Why is it so difficult to sell a ... (Goodreads)
Seating Arrangements
by Maggie Shipstead
A weekend wedding on a New England island brings together a dysfunctional family and their secrets.
Winn Van Meter is heading for his family’s retreat on the pristine New England island of Waskeke. Normally a haven of calm, for the next three days this sanctuary will be overrun by tipsy revelers as ... (Goodreads)
Bonita Avenue
by Peter Buwalda
A family's secrets unravel as a daughter's boyfriend becomes embroiled in a scandal. A gripping tale of betrayal, love, and the consequences of our actions.
Siem Sigerius is a beloved, brilliant professor of mathematics with a promising future in politics. His family—including a loving wife, two gorgeous, intelligent stepdaughters and a successful future ... (Goodreads)
Methuselah's Children
by Robert A. Heinlein
An exploration of the implications of living a long life, as a group of people defy aging.
After the fall of the American Ayatollahs as foretold in Stranger in a Strange Land and chronicled in Revolt in 2100 , the United States of America at last fulfills the promise inherent in its first ... (Goodreads)
The Star Scroll
by Melanie Rawn
A magical scroll holds the key to restoring a kingdom's power, but it comes with a dangerous price.
While on the island of Dorval, the Sunrunner Meath uncovers ancient scrolls in the ruins of an ancient Sunrunner keep. Concerned about the content and odd star symbols, Meath decides to these "Star ... (Wikipedia)
Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization
by Dave Logan
A guide to understanding and utilizing the power of tribes within organizations to create a successful and thriving workplace culture.
“ Tribal Leadership gives amazingly insightful perspective on how people interact and succeed. I learned about myself and learned lessons I will carry with me and reflect on for the rest of my life.” ... (Goodreads)
Because I'm Worth It
by Cecily von Ziegesar
A group of privileged teenagers navigate their way through the ups and downs of high society in New York City.
The wickedly funny fourth book in the #1, New York Times, bestselling series that inspired the original hit CW show and the new series coming to HBO Max's Spring 2020 launch season (alongside hit ... (Barnes & Noble)
Last Man in Tower
by Aravind Adiga
A group of residents in a Mumbai apartment complex are offered a large sum of money to vacate, but one man refuses to sell.
A tale of one man refusing to leave his home in the face of property development. Tower A is a relic from a co-operative housing society established in the 1950s. When a property developer offers to ... (Goodreads)
Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence
by Rosalind Wiseman
A guide for parents to help their daughters navigate the complex social dynamics of adolescence and avoid the negative effects of cliques and gossip.
When Rosalind Wiseman first published Queen Bees & Wannabes , she fundamentally changed the way adults look at girls’ friendships and conflicts–from how they choose their best friends, how they ... (Goodreads)
Not Quite a Husband
by Sherry Thomas
A separated couple is forced to confront their past and rekindle their love while on a dangerous mission in British-occupied India.
The novel starts the summer of 1897, three years after a married couple, Bryony Asquith and Leo Marsden, have been estranged. Dr. Asquith is required at her home in England, and her family has asked ... (Wikipedia)
The Angry Tide
by Winston Graham
The seventh book in the Poldark series, set in 18th century Cornwall, England, follows the lives of the Poldark family and their acquaintances during a time of social and political upheaval.
The Angry Tide is the seventh novel in Winston Graham's classic Poldark saga, the major TV series from Masterpiece on PBS. Cornwall, towards the end of the 18th century. Ross Poldark sits for the ... (Barnes & Noble)
1808: The Flight of the Emperor: How a Weak Prince, a Mad Queen, and the British Navy Tricked Napoleon and Changed the New World
by Laurentino Gomes
A fuga da família real portuguesa para o Rio de Janeiro ocorreu num dos momentos mais apaixonantes e revolucionários do Brasil, de Portugal e do mundo. Guerras napoleônicas, revoluções republicanas, ... (Goodreads)
The Clique
by Lisi Harrison
A new girl tries to fit in with the popular clique at school, but learns the cost of popularity.
Mean Girls, meets, Middle School, in, The Clique,... The only thing harder than getting in, is staying in. Enter Claire Lyons, the new girl from Florida in Keds and two-year-old Gap overalls, who is ... (Goodreads)
I Never Liked You
by Chester Brown
A graphic memoir exploring the author's childhood and teenage years, including his difficult relationship with his mother and struggles with social anxiety.
In one of the best graphic novels published in recent years, Chester Brown tells the story of his alienated youth in an almost detached, understated manner, giving the book an eerie, dream-like ... (Goodreads)
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