Books like The Secret to Superhuman Strength

A wry, deeply intellectual exploration of how we use physical exertion to outrun our own mortality. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Secret to Superhuman Strength.

contemplative
restless
introspective
wistful

01
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · 2006
A darkly funny, deeply literary graphic memoir that dissects the complicated legacy of a closeted parent and a daughter's own queer awakening.
Shares:
- wry
- earnest
02
Are you my mother?
Alison Bechdel
A deeply cerebral, visually intricate excavation of the mother-daughter bond through the lens of psychoanalysis and literature.
Shares:
- contemplative
- introspective
- wry
- intellectual
03
The Secret History of Wonder Woman
Jill Lepore
A deeply researched, wildly fascinating unearthing of the radical, polyamorous, and feminist roots of a pop culture icon.
Shares:
- wry
04
Gender Queer
Maia Kobabe
A deeply vulnerable, beautifully illustrated journey through the messy, confusing, and ultimately joyful process of finding the right words for who you are.
Shares:
- introspective
- earnest
05
The terrible and wonderful reasons why I run long distances
Matthew Inman
A hilarious, illustrated exploration of the absurd lengths we go to in order to justify our love of eating and napping.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
06
SuperMutant Magic Academy
Jillian Tamaki
A deadpan, magical-realist snapshot of the agonizing, hilarious boredom of being a teenager.
Shares:
- wry
07
Marbles
Ellen Forney
A kinetic, deeply vulnerable exploration of the terrifying intersection between mental illness and creative identity.
Shares:
- wry
08
Solutions and Other Problems
Allie Brosh
A hilarious and gut-wrenching exploration of life's darkest moments, told through crude drawings and devastatingly sharp observations.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
09
Drop dead healthy
Jacobs, A. J.
A hilarious, immersive dive into the exhausting and contradictory world of modern wellness.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
- neurotic
10
Tomboy
Liz Prince
A funny, heartfelt exploration of the messy middle ground between boyhood and girlhood, fueled by punk rock and adolescent angst.
Feels:
- angsty
- rebellious
- nostalgic
11
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Feels:
- nostalgic
- chaotic
- cozy
12
Good Talk
Mira Jacob
A sharp, tender, and deeply relatable exploration of the impossible questions we ask the people we love.
Shares:
- wry

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