Recs if you like When Breath Becomes Air...

Books that are part of 3 or more quests ✨for easier planning! Initially thought of making this on my shelf, hope the members of pb find this helpful!! (The list is incomplete, I'm working on checking & adding new quest books🙌🏻 thanks for the love ❤️🥹)

Death will unfailingly find every person to have ever lived, yet is treated as a taboo topic in some cultures, causing extreme, pervasive anxiety. This nonfiction list aims to broaden understanding of this inevitability, both to hopefully negate some of the anxiety as well as satisfy some of our more morbid curiosities. It also aims to show that death is another, still useful, stage in the life cycle, aiding those that remain by helping to advance medicine, solve crimes, or understand art.

medical nonfiction written like the most engaging action novels that will expand your knowledge without pain let me know if i should add anything here!

These are some of my favorites and books I want to read--nonfiction that reads like fiction or is otherwise compelling. If you're intimidated by books on history, science, memoir, or other subgenres in nonfiction, start here.

Books about death, dying, grief and what remains.

Short books that you can read in a sitting, to help you achieve your yearly reading goal 🤭🥳 Feel free to mention anything else from the list, I'm so glad to add & check them out 😁

Here's every book so far from BOTM's monthly shortlist since February 2015 for anyone who wants to read them all like I do!

books that are part of 3 or more quests, for those readers with a completionist streak within and a personal plague of Too Many Books, Too Little Time.

A mix of reader favorites and editorial picks from The New York Times—100 books that defined the 21st century.

Do you love collecting tiny shiny objects (badges)? These books will count towards THREE quests, helping you collect all the shiny objects!

Ever felt overwhelmed by Quests? Well, we currently (August 1st 2026) have over 100 of them, totaling 4000+ different books. Ofc you’re overwhelmed.

Whether you’ve already worked through the ones on top, or just want more of a challenge, here I’m giving you a list of every book on Pagebound that’s in 3 Quests. Hopefully you’ll find it helpful. NB: Time limited Quests not included. Too much upkeep, sorry.

Enjoy, and happy questing

NYT Top 100 of the 21st Century: Reader's Choice. In order as published in 2024

Books with short chapters!!! I started a challenge where I read a super long book a chapter-a-day and annotate it using a study guide! I found that annotating short chapters is super accessible and not overwhelming at all for me, so I wanted to share this list with anyone that wants to start over-analyzing their books :) I included a variety of stories because HOW you read is as important (if not more) than WHAT you read!!!!

for when you’re craving an emotional hangover.

Non-fiction books about health and how our body works, from anatomy to mental health, from healing to studying medicine. 😷 [Note: Some of these books might be controversial or resonate with some more than with others. Pick and choose what works for YOU. :)] Recommendations welcome

Culture, biology, psychology, history. What makes us HUMAN?

Books to read to get quest badges quicker. The books on this list can be found in 3+ quests (not counting limited-time event badges). Inspired by @AsiminaTriloba. Bring home the Badges!

Books that leave a lasting impression long after you’ve returned them to the shelf. Romance is not required to break your heart - this list also includes fantasy, fiction, and nonfiction compiled by my own heartbreak, friends, and social media recommendations to hurt your feelings. Happiness? Don’t know her, I need to call my therapist for a higher antidepressant dose. [Never take these away from me.]

If any of these novels or authors are problematic in any way please let me know.