I really want to get into Zen Buddhism (as a form of spirituality that meshes better with my atheism), but after that first chapter the Alan Watts book becomes pretty dense and I need serious time and dedication to unpack its arguments. I probably need something easier to digest.
I'm an atheist like you, and there is one book that clicked for me: "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
It has an excellent part about "rebirth", illustrated by waves and water. I now look at the world through different eyes. That is to say, I'm still atheist, love science, and that book never conflicts with reality. But I admit I was wrong on how I saw the world, and now I see it differently.
Zen Buddhism for me is a different way on how to look at the world.
As a recommendation, I found Alan Watts' "You're It" much easier to digest and come back to multiple times. It really can be considered as a Zen way of thinking, whether you are religious, spiritual, or atheistic. Alan Watts also tends to leave judgment aside, which is helpful when coming at his works with different (or no) specific beliefs.
I really want to get into Zen Buddhism (as a form of spirituality that meshes better with my atheism), but after that first chapter the Alan Watts book becomes pretty dense and I need serious time and dedication to unpack its arguments. I probably need something easier to digest.