The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Substack Tenets (and viva Sarah Fay!)

Castalia • 979 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Self-Expression Creativity Communication
  1. Writing helps us deal with the feeling of being alone. It's surprising that more people don't use writing to fill their time instead of playing games on their phones.
  2. Writing allows people to express themselves without any restrictions from publishers or institutions. It gives a sense of freedom and responsibility in what you say.
  3. Writing can be a personal journey for self-discovery. It lets you explore who you are and find a purpose beyond just making money.

Listening to audiobooks

Austin Kleon • 1738 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📚 Literature Books Audiobooks Reading Authors Narration
  1. Audiobooks are easy to access through apps like Libby and Hoopla, making it simple to enjoy books while doing other activities like walking or cleaning.
  2. Finding the right audiobook can be tricky because you need to enjoy both the story and the narrator's voice, which can really affect your experience.
  3. Recording audiobooks can help you connect more deeply with the text, just like reading out loud can give you a different perspective on a story.

My Friends Aren't Reading

Notes from a Small Press • 84 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
📚 Literature Publishing Reading Writing Books Culture
  1. Many people aren't reading books as much as they used to. This makes it tough for publishers to find audiences.
  2. Publishers need to think creatively to reach new readers. They might need to change their marketing strategies.
  3. Creating engaging and relevant content could help get more people interested in reading again. Finding fun ways to share stories may attract new fans.

Hope is a Book In Hand

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
📚 Literature Author Events Diversity Storytelling
  1. Books have a powerful ability to help people understand and care about different experiences. They can bring hope in tough times, especially when diverse stories are told.
  2. Indigenous authors are important because they share stories that show their real lives, not just stereotypes. Their books help everyone learn about different cultures and perspectives.
  3. Seeing people come together at book events is inspiring. It reminds us that books can create community and spread joy and compassion.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Stories from the Center of the World (w/ Jordan Elgrably) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 75 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Cultural Studies Creative Writing
  1. Stories from the Middle East show the real lives and struggles of people in that region. They remind us that they are just as human as we are.
  2. The themes of exile and longing for connection are common in these stories. Many characters face loss of identity and struggle with being seen as outsiders.
  3. Reading these stories can open the door to understanding Middle Eastern culture. They serve as an introduction to many talented writers and their experiences.

Iris Murdoch, a novelist for now.

The Common Reader • 1630 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Art Gender Human experience
  1. Iris Murdoch's novels focus on shocking readers out of themselves rather than offering consolation.
  2. Murdoch's works cover a wide range of themes like adultery, repression, homosexuality, and existential struggles.
  3. She believed art should entertain while also delving into the battle between good and evil, urging readers to escape the 'fat relentless ego.'

Two Singal Years

Yassine Meskhout • 471 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Non-fiction
  1. The author reflects on their writing journey over two years
  2. Receiving validation and guidance from an established professional can boost confidence and motivation
  3. Balancing writing with other responsibilities can be a challenge, but it's important to keep pursuing passions

"A Christmas Carol"

Story Club with George Saunders • 43 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Essays Reading
  1. Reading can lead to powerful experiences that inspire and motivate us for the future. It's great to share suggestions with others as we plan our reading lists.
  2. Reflecting on what we've read helps us connect with the stories and their meanings. It's important to engage with good literature to enrich our lives.
  3. Sharing good books with friends and community can create a sense of bonding and support. Recommendations can help others discover wonderful new reads.

Writing the personal as political

Men Yell at Me • 181 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
📚 Literature Essays Feminism Creative Writing Education
  1. Writing about personal experiences can expose and critique bigger political issues. It's about connecting your life to the systems that affect everyone.
  2. It's important to remember that the 'political' includes various topics like racism, healthcare, and immigration, not just party politics. Your story can shine a light on these issues.
  3. Sharing our stories helps create understanding and change. Your words can make a difference by including all voices and challenging oppressive systems.

Come say hell-o

Thoughts on Writing • 159 implied HN points • 24 May 24
📚 Literature Book launch
  1. The author invites readers to a book launch in London and encourages them to leave their names for entry.
  2. Social proof is used to influence decisions by showcasing other buyers of the book.
  3. Readers are encouraged to leave ratings and reviews on Amazon to boost the book's visibility and encourage independent shops to stock it.

Wildfire

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
📚 Literature Fiction Speculative Transhumanism Environmental
  1. In the future, resources are scarce, and people need skills to survive and gain citizenship. It's about contributing to help create a better world.
  2. The story highlights the struggle to save the last forest and the dangers of climate change. Technology must improve to protect what little nature is left.
  3. Even in desperate situations, human connection and community can be powerful, suggesting there may be hope despite the dire circumstances.

"A Christmas Carol"

Story Club with George Saunders • 34 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Essays Classic
  1. Structure in storytelling helps to present arguments clearly and logically. It's like the backbone that holds the whole story together.
  2. Exploring significant questions through a structured approach can deepen our understanding of the narrative and its characters.
  3. Understanding how to use structure can make writing more effective and engaging for readers. It guides them through the story smoothly.

"The space between me and me is you"

Five’s Substack • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Narrative Analysis Critique
  1. The narrator in the novel grapples with loss and hunger, representing a deep yearning for something unattainable. This desire leads to a cycle of violence towards the living, as she substitutes each victim for what she's truly searching for.
  2. Hunger is described not just as a physical need, but as a longing for hope and connection that can never be fully satisfied. Each meal offers a temporary escape, yet the true craving remains unfulfilled.
  3. The journey of the narrator shows that her ultimate goal is not to regain what she lost but to revisit a single perfect memory from her past. This reflects how memories shape our identities and the complex relationship we have with loss.

From Zero to $1,300 Writing on Medium — Interview with Michelle Teheux

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 799 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing Memoir Essays Personal Stories Online Publishing
  1. You can start writing on Medium without any experience and still earn money, like Michelle who made $1,300.
  2. Sharing personal stories and opinions can help connect with readers and increase your chances of success.
  3. Engaging with your audience through comments and emails can inspire new ideas and keep you motivated.

The books that moved me in 2023

The Shift With Sam Baker • 758 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
📚 Literature History Memoir Fiction Women Humor
  1. The article discusses the author's favorite books of the year, focusing on ones that left a lasting impact on them emotionally.
  2. The books mentioned cover a range of topics, from a unique perspective on history to candid memoirs, and thrilling fiction with humor and rage.
  3. The author reflects on the importance of books that evoke strong emotions and provoke new thoughts, highlighting the power of storytelling.

Three self editing tips

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
📚 Literature Writing Editing Books Authors Creativity
  1. Give your writing some time before editing. Letting it sit for a day helps you see it with fresh eyes and improve it better.
  2. Try printing your draft to edit it on paper. This makes the work feel new and helps you spot mistakes more easily.
  3. Reading your writing out loud can help you catch errors and awkward phrases. It’s a great way to make sure your writing flows well.

Libertarian Poems

David Friedman’s Substack • 107 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Libertarianism Creative Writing Political themes Social Commentary
  1. Libertarian values emphasize personal freedom and individual rights. This means people should be able to live their lives as they choose.
  2. Poetry can be a powerful way to express political ideas and feelings. It helps share important messages in a creative way.
  3. The writings of famous authors contribute to the understanding of libertarian themes, showing how these ideas have been explored in literature.

Liz and John Radcliffe

So Here’s a Thing • 865 implied HN points • 19 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction AI Art Creativity Imagination
  1. The story presented about Liz and John Radcliffe is a fictional creation written as an experiment by the author to explore the impact of storytelling with AI-generated images.
  2. The author discusses the implications of AI in the creative field, questioning the boundaries of creativity, ownership, and authenticity in art.
  3. AI presents both challenges and opportunities for creators, raising questions about control, skill acquisition, and the evolving landscape of artistic expression.

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.

Four Classes of Readers

Timeless & Timely • 471 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Readers have different reading speeds and habits.
  2. People read for various reasons like entertainment, education, and challenge.
  3. There are four main categories of readers based on Coleridge's classifications.

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 419 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Fiction Non-fiction Publishing Cultural critique
  1. Labatut's book 'The MANIAC' explores the dangerous implications of artificial intelligence and how certain brilliant figures, like John von Neumann, led to a shift in human consciousness towards a more logic-driven existence.
  2. Nocera and McLean's 'The Big Fail' argues that the pandemic revealed serious flaws in America's systems, especially in public health, and critiques the profit-driven mindset that worsened the crisis.
  3. The authors emphasize the importance of trust in government and public health responses during the pandemic, highlighting that a lack of open dialogue and transparency led to deep societal divisions.

a lifelong partnership | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 14 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
📚 Literature Poetry Fiction Essays Criticism Prose
  1. Long-term relationships often carry a sense of stability and permanence. It's nice to grow old together and reflect on life's journey.
  2. As couples age, they start to ponder deeper questions about their lives. They might think more about what really matters to them.
  3. Even after many years, love can feel fresh and impactful. The bond formed can leave lasting impressions, like a swan gliding gracefully on water.

My Annual Impossible Question For You

Story Club with George Saunders • 63 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing Authors Book Reviews Literary Analysis
  1. It's important to think about big questions that seem impossible to answer. They can help us reflect on what really matters to us.
  2. Sharing our thoughts and ideas with others can create meaningful conversations. Talking about difficult topics can bring people closer together.
  3. Being open to different perspectives can enrich our understanding of the world. It's good to listen and learn from others' experiences.

What I'm reading (April 2024 edition)

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Non-fiction Science Statistics
  1. Statistics and probability have a complex history that affects many sciences today. It's important to understand that probability is more about uncertainty than just measuring how often something happens.
  2. Books like 'Normality' explore how the idea of normal has been used to marginalize certain groups of people. The meanings of normal have changed over time and can be harmful.
  3. The connection between different thinkers and ideas can help us understand reality better. Books like 'The Rigor of Angels' look at these links and ask important questions about what we truly know.