The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Did novels stop mattering in the 2010s?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7343 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Impact Novels Cultural influence Publication
  1. Cultural impact of novels is more than just sales figures; it's about influencing discourse and defining eras.
  2. Recent literary novels may have lacked the same level of cultural impact as those from previous decades like the 2010s.
  3. Novels like 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney were noted for their importance in millennial writing, but their cultural impact may have been less significant compared to previous literary giants.

Book review: "Power and Progress"

Noahpinion • 8706 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book review Economics Innovation Critique History
  1. The impact of technological innovation on human welfare depends on how society chooses to use these innovations, highlighting the importance of social decisions.
  2. The book discusses how power dynamics in society influence the choices made regarding technology, with recent decisions leaning towards negative impacts.
  3. Society can shape technology to distribute benefits more widely by focusing on inventions that complement workers instead of replacing them, presenting a controversial but essential concept.

My sci-fi novel recommendations

Noahpinion • 25588 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
📚 Literature Sci-fi Fantasy Short Stories
  1. The post provides recommendations for sci-fi novels from a personal favorite list.
  2. The recommendations cover a wide range of subgenres and themes, from space adventures to post-apocalyptic worlds.
  3. There are also fantasy book suggestions included as a bonus at the end of the post.

Troubled is a National Bestseller—But Weirdly, Not a New York Times Bestseller

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4697 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews
  1. Making it to different bestseller lists can vary based on different criteria and sources, showing how subjective the process is.
  2. Bestseller lists reflect sales velocity for a week, not the overall success of a book. This can lead to various books making the lists based on short-term sales spikes.
  3. Elite opinions, including those of individuals who read a lot and care about bestseller status, can significantly influence public opinion, policies, and societal functioning.
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Book Review Contest Rules 2024

Astral Codex Ten • 4749 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
📚 Literature Book review Fiction Nonfiction Poetry
  1. Book review contest for 2024 on www.astralcodexten.com. Participants can write reviews between 2,000 and 10,000 words, with no word count requirement. Entries must be submitted through a Google Form by May 5th.
  2. Contest rules emphasize blinding the judging process to ensure fairness. Personal information that could identify participants should not be included in the Google Doc submissions.
  3. Diversity in review topics encouraged through affirmative action. A quarter of finalist slots reserved for books from nontraditional categories like fiction, poetry, or older works.

How to write

Striking 13 • 2475 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing Journalism Non-fiction Curiosity Emotions
  1. Writing is about being in touch with your feelings and having confidence in sharing them.
  2. Good non-fiction writing starts with curiosity and understanding that everything can be interesting if approached correctly.
  3. Boredom and frustration when writing is a guide to improve the content for readers by finding ways to present information in engaging ways.

Prophesy's lullaby

Patti Smith • 7527 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Authors Reading Biographies
  1. Patti Smith shares her daily activities and wishes readers a good night.
  2. She prepared cod, purple sweet potatoes, and micro greens for the evening meal.
  3. Patti Smith's publication is reader-supported, and readers can subscribe to support her work.

April Bookclub reveal

The Shift With Sam Baker • 279 implied HN points • 13 Apr 24
📚 Literature Bookclub Novel Author
  1. The Shift Bookclub has revealed its April selection, and it includes a discussion event with the author, Emily Howes. You can find more details on their Substack page.
  2. The book being featured is inspired by the fascinating story of Styllou Christofi, a woman who was hanged in Britain. The narrative sheds light on lesser-known historical figures like her.
  3. Paid subscribers get exclusive access to this content, so consider subscribing if you want to uncover more about the bookclub's pick and related discussions.

The 12 new idea books to launch 2024

Granted • 11240 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mental health Connection Leadership Thinking Burnout
  1. Mental Health and Well-Being: Discover how a little therapy can lead to lasting change and how to move from languishing to flourishing.
  2. Connection and Community: Learn about the power of being like-hearted without needing to be like-minded and practical steps for unity in a divided world.
  3. Leadership and Power: Explore resources on fixing organizational problems, finding purpose after major life transitions, and improving critical thinking for wiser decisions.

On Writing

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4886 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Creativity Authors Memoirs Books
  1. The key to writing is having a point of view and putting in the effort consistently, regardless of any specific method or process.
  2. Creativity involves both insight and persistence; don't underestimate the value of persistent effort in generating creative ideas.
  3. Writing regularly may involve accepting that initial drafts may not be perfect, embracing bad writing as part of the process, and persisting through writer's block.

We've Come a Long Way

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Publishing Book Sales Writing
  1. The author shares their journey from financial struggle to success, highlighting how generosity from readers helped him transition to writing full-time.
  2. Pre-ordering a book can significantly impact its success by influencing bookstore orders, placement, and potential to become a bestseller.
  3. The book "Troubled" contains personal narratives about foster care, social class, and challenging societal norms, aiming to promote important conversations in the culture.

The soul moved the pen, and broke it.

The Common Reader • 1275 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📚 Literature Style Art Consciousness Tragedy Letters
  1. Flaubert's intense and disturbed personality was essential to his artistic style and work.
  2. Flaubert's commitment to creating a perfect novel like 'Madame Bovary' involved intense emotional investment in his writing.
  3. Flaubert's belief in detachment for the sake of art and the importance of creating style through observation rather than raw emotion are key aspects of his writing advice and artistic process.

Manjula Martin Tells Us

Cheryl Strayed • 6368 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Memoir Personal Growth Advice
  1. Manjula Martin shares about the importance of taking advice, whether it turns out to be good or bad.
  2. Her book, 'The Last Fire Season,' explores the wildfire crisis in the American West and personal experiences.
  3. Manjula talks about personal transformation and the joy of roller skating, pointing out the value of trying slow and rounding up when it comes to pain.

Book giveaway

Granted • 19806 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
📚 Literature Social Commentary
  1. Gratitude book giveaway for loyal readers on Hidden Potential launch
  2. Interesting insight from Hidden Potential quiz results on key character skills
  3. Variations in character strengths based on gender, age, work, and country

Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class is Available Now!

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2632 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book release Book Reviews
  1. The author's book, 'Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class' is now available, containing new material and insights on social class, upward mobility, and luxury beliefs.
  2. Support for the book is welcomed through social media posts, physical bookstore purchases, and leaving reviews on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads.
  3. The author also shares podcast appearances discussing the book and related topics, providing various links for listeners to access.

My Year in Reading

The Audacity. • 5188 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Memoir Poetry Novel
  1. Favorite book: _All the Sinners Bleed_ by S.A. Cosby - a gripping Southern noir.
  2. Second favorite: _Family Meal_ by Bryan Washington - a poignant story of grief and finding love.
  3. Not every book is great - it's okay to have differing opinions on what you read.

The life of a common reader

The Common Reader • 1027 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Biography Reading Novels Writers
  1. Remember the importance of nurturing your inner self and being uniquely you instead of blindly imitating others.
  2. Biographies can reveal controversial and intimate details, sparking debates on how much should be shared, yet some believe in telling everything.
  3. Common readers play a vital role in keeping great works alive, shaping a legacy of love for reading that extends across generations.

What a world

Letters of Note • 2810 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Letters Family Death Memories
  1. A grieving father shares a heartfelt letter to close friends about his son's passing and the emotional moments leading to his organ donation.
  2. The letter depicts the father's pain, the family's love, the decision to donate organs, and the bittersweet beauty of the world amidst tragedy.
  3. The story highlights the depth of familial love, the emotional intensity of saying goodbye to a loved one, and the impact of organ donation.

For my Subscribers

Patti Smith • 2299 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Visual Arts Poetry
  1. The post titled 'The New Jerusalem' by Patti Smith is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content for a specific audience.
  2. The post delves into deep philosophical or spiritual themes, referencing biblical verses and provoking thought on the nature of time and existence.
  3. The content presented appears to be rich in imagery and poetry, inviting readers to explore complex concepts within the author's perspective.

How Emilia Hart Wrote Her Debut Novel While Working As A Lawyer

Changing The Channel • 1136 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📚 Literature Historical Fiction
  1. Emilia Hart, a former lawyer, successfully published her debut historical novel, Weyward, which received critical acclaim and commercial success.
  2. The novel Weyward explores the lives of women in different time periods like a woman in contemporary Cumbria, another in 1942, and one on trial for witchcraft in 1619.
  3. Language, its use, and its power are central themes in Emilia Hart's novel, as described by The Shift With Sam Baker.

Strange things

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2436 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Novel Authors Book Reviews
  1. The author rediscovered and reread her own novel, which had been set aside for years, reflecting on the transformative power of myth and fairy tales in her work.
  2. A new online fairy tale psychology training program will be offered at Pacifica Graduate Institute, focusing on narrative techniques for therapy and personal development.
  3. Recommendations for thought-provoking novels are shared, emphasizing the importance of being open to unsettling stories and the beauty of rich prose styles.

The First and Best Writing Advice I Ever Received

Counter Craft • 1991 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Advice Fiction
  1. Finishing your writing projects is crucial - don't get stuck tinkering, but complete and move on to the next
  2. The best writing advice is often simple - just finish your work before worrying about other aspects like querying agents or publicity
  3. Failure is part of the process - finishing means making mistakes, learning from them, and improving your writing over time

After the Epic's End

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 119 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
📚 Literature Greek mythology Literary Analysis Book Discussion Classical Studies
  1. The author discusses their transition to using Substack as a platform for their work, focusing on deepening their engagement with the epic Iliad.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of sharing and promoting scholarly work, aiming to reach a broader audience beyond traditional academic circles.
  3. Through their Substack posts, the author explores various themes and new scholarship related to the Iliad, offering insights and analyses for readers interested in the epic.

Roxane Gay Presents...

The Audacity. • 2594 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📚 Literature Essays Authors Books
  1. Roxane Gay is launching a new project called 'Roxane Gay Presents' in partnership with Everand.
  2. The series features long essays by different writers, starting with Julia Turshen's essay on powerlifting.
  3. Upcoming essays will cover topics like single motherhood, psychedelics, and American gun culture.