Here is the complete, updated style.css file. I have applied the "Warm Paper" theme to reduce eye strain, softened the text color, and maintained the block layout you wanted.

You can replace the entire content of your style.css file with this:

CSS
/* =========================================
   1. Global Page Styles (Warm Theme)
   ========================================= */
body {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  /* "Warm Stone" background - easier on the eyes than gray */
  background-color: #eae8e3; 
  /* Serif font for academic look */
  font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
  /* Soft Charcoal text - high contrast but not harsh black */
  color: #2b2b2b;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

/* =========================================
   2. Layout Container
   ========================================= */
.main-container {
  max-width: 800px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 40px 20px; /* Top/Bottom: 40px, Left/Right: 20px */
}

/* =========================================
   3. The "Block" Design (Ivory Cards)
   ========================================= */
/* Applies to the main Header and all Sections */
header, section {
  /* "Ivory/Eggshell" background - mimics paper */
  background-color: #fdfbf7; 
  
  padding: 2rem;             /* Inner spacing */
  margin-bottom: 2rem;       /* Spacing between blocks */
  border-radius: 8px;        /* Soft rounded corners */
  box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); /* Subtle shadow */
  border: 1px solid #dcdad5; /* Soft border definition */
}

/* =========================================
   4. Typography
   ========================================= */
h1 {
  margin-top: 0;
  color: #1a1a1a; /* Slightly darker than body text for emphasis */
  font-size: 2rem;
}

h2 {
  margin-top: 0;
  color: #444;
  /* A subtle separator line under headings */
  border-bottom: 2px solid #eae8e3; 
  padding-bottom: 10px;
  font-size: 1.5rem;
}

p {
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

/* =========================================
   5. Links & Buttons
   ========================================= */
a {
  color: #2c5aa0; /* Academic Blue */
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: bold;
}

a:hover {
  text-decoration: underline;
}

/* Navigation Buttons (CV / arXiv) */
nav a {
  display: inline-block;
  /* Warm gray button background */
  background-color: #e6e4df; 
  color: #2c5aa0;
  padding: 6px 12px;
  border-radius: 4px;
  margin-right: 10px;
  font-size: 0.95em;
  font-weight: normal;
  transition: background-color 0.2s ease;
}

nav a:hover {
  background-color: #d6d4cf; /* Slightly darker on hover */
  text-decoration: none;
}

/* =========================================
   6. Lists (Publications & Talks)
   ========================================= */
ul {
  padding-left: 20px;
  margin-top: 0;
}

li {
  margin-bottom: 15px; /* distinct separation between items */
}

/* Optional: Make the footer text smaller if you add one */
footer {
  text-align: center;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: #666;
  padding-bottom: 20px;
}