The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Narcissism in Reflection

Holodoxa • 179 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
📚 Literature Mythology Satire Identity
  1. Greek mythology, particularly the story of Narcissus, has influenced art and literature for centuries, serving as a cautionary tale about self-absorption and solipsism.
  2. The novel 'The Portrait of a Mirror' by A. Natasha Joukovsky explores themes of identity, desire, and the impact of technology on individualism, offering a modern interpretation of the Narcissus myth.
  3. The book delves into the lives of affluent urbanites, focusing on manners and relationships, while also incorporating elements of satire, art criticism, and the concept of recursion to examine human nature and self-reflection.

The English Major is Dead. Long Live... Statistics?

Litverse • 598 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📚 Literature Education Critique Analysis Humanities Culture
  1. The traditional focus on English majors and humanities is declining in college, with more students opting for fields like statistics and focusing on tangible results and financial outcomes.
  2. There is a shift towards valuing passion over privilege in the humanities, while statistics and data-driven analysis gain popularity in educational pursuits.
  3. The current generation is redefining education and career paths, emphasizing skills and practical knowledge over the traditional humanities subjects, reflecting a cultural shift in how knowledge is valued and applied.

Cases of Phobokenosis

The Lifeboat • 172 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Criticism Surrealism Psychological Dark humor
  1. Fear and fearlessness seem very different, but they are connected. Fearlessness can come from realizing that being afraid doesn’t help us in the end.
  2. In modern society, fear is often overlooked or normalized. The way we interact with fear can change how we live our lives.
  3. The concept of social criticism has lost its power. Today, it often feels like just entertainment rather than a meaningful discussion about important issues.
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Free story for all: SHIT HAPPENS...

So Here’s a Thing • 589 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
📚 Literature Short Story Fiction eBooks
  1. The featured story 'Shit Happens' is available for free to all subscribers, offering a light and fun reading experience.
  2. Readers can access the story in different formats like Apple Books-tailored ePub, Generic ePub, Kindle, and PDF by downloading from provided links.
  3. Subscribers are reminded not to share the stories outside the platform to maintain the exclusivity and value for paid subscribers.

Notes on Memoir Structure

The Fairest Writer • 259 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Writing Non-fiction Creative Process Storytelling
  1. Start writing by keeping a memory journal. Write down significant moments to help you remember what to include in your memoir.
  2. Listen to your material while writing. The best structure for your story often comes from how you feel about your experiences, so be flexible and adjust as needed.
  3. During revisions, be willing to cut parts that don't fit. Always ask if you can make it better, instead of just wanting to be done with it.

How to Write a Novel

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 31 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Tips Self-Publishing Novel writing
  1. Writing a novel doesn't require a detailed outline. It's more about moving from scene to scene and discovering the story as you go.
  2. Keep writing even if you're unsure about the plot or ending. It's important to finish the work and worry about the details later.
  3. You should write for yourself and not focus on markets or trends. A novel is an expression of your creativity, and it should feel meaningful to you.

a boy at a bookshelf

if not, Paris • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Art
  1. The story revolves around a boy at a bookshelf reflecting on historical events
  2. The significance of memories and family heirlooms in shaping identity
  3. Exploration of the themes of history, memory, and understanding through personal experiences

Recommended Books

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📚 Literature Biography Historical Analysis
  1. Brutus: The Noble Conspirator by Kathryn Tempest explores the life and legacy of Marcus Junius Brutus, the key conspirator against Julius Caesar.
  2. Tempest uses letters from Brutus and other figures like Cicero to offer insights into personal and political struggles of that time.
  3. The book raises questions on friendship, duty, and the ethics of tyrannicide, leaving readers to ponder Brutus' true motivations.

Talking Heads is now published...

Brain Pizza • 1258 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
📚 Literature Conversation
  1. New book 'Talking Heads' by Shane O'Mara explores how conversations shape our world
  2. Readers can support O'Mara's work by becoming free or paid subscribers to Brain Pizza
  3. Get a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives of Brain Pizza

A Time To Kill

Vicky Ward Investigates • 379 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Thriller Espionage War
  1. Lea Carpenter's novel Ilium tells a story of complexity and shades of grey in humanity amidst espionage and revenge.
  2. The book explores the theme of moral vengeance in war, questioning the idea of who deserves to die.
  3. The narrative suggests that at the start of any war, each side believes they are right, emphasizing the perpetual nature of violence.

My 1500th Published Story - 10 Kickass Medium Writing and Monetization Tips

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 859 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Monetization Online Content Creative Process
  1. Online writing requires mastering the craft to improve your skills. Practice makes perfect, so writing regularly is important.
  2. Monetizing your writing can be achieved through different strategies. Finding the right approach will help turn your passion into income.
  3. Engagement with your audience is key to success. Building a strong connection can lead to more readers and better reach.

Book-Objects

coldhealing • 569 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
📚 Literature Identity Objects Art Medium Curation
  1. When discussing a book, the physical object itself is the book-object, not just the text.
  2. Book-objects are unique because they are portable and self-contained, allowing for powerful expression of identity.
  3. People use book-objects in photos and bookshelves to curate identity and express themselves, creating 'reading scenes' and bookshelves as reflections of who they are.

The Rotor

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 21 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Creativity Personal essays Art
  1. Writing can be a source of freedom. Unlike sports, where failure can weigh you down, writing allows for exploration without fear of public judgment.
  2. Persistence is key to success in writing. It’s important to keep trying, even when faced with rejection, and to keep showing up to do the work.
  3. Minimize distractions to enhance your writing experience. Put away technology when you need to focus, and embrace the urge to write whenever it strikes.

Creative Writing as Philosophy

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 622 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing Philosophy Pedagogy Imagination Fiction
  1. There can be a philosophy of whatever we intuitively imagine there can be a Form of, which is close to saying whatever is universal.
  2. Introducing a creative dimension into philosophy is urgent in an era where machines handle knowledge tasks, making it necessary to reconceive humanities as partly creative endeavors.
  3. Philosophy can also be seen as incitement of the imagination through creative means, presenting a valuable approach to understanding the world in different ways.

Nevédomosti №2

The Lifeboat • 172 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Literary Analysis Fiction writing Cultural Commentary
  1. The author has a new book called 'Deleted Scenes from the Bestselling Utopian Novel' that's doing well on Reedsy Discovery. They encourage readers to upvote it for better visibility.
  2. They recently participated in a zine fair in London where their book was stocked in a bookshop, expanding its physical reach to readers.
  3. The author discovered a new favorite writer, Valeria Narbikova, whose work deeply resonates with them. They feel a strong urge to share Narbikova's work with others after her recent passing.

A Small Press Conundrum

Lit Mag News Roundup • 491 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📚 Literature Publishing Writers Books
  1. Dilemma of dealing with publishers exploiting writers while also publishing quality work.
  2. Questioning how to balance calling out unethical practices of publishers with supporting good literature.
  3. Uncertainty on how to address publishers that mistreat writers yet produce valuable content.

State of the Nation

Fragmentary • 550 implied HN points • 22 May 23
📚 Literature Politics Writing Themes Reviews
  1. The author feels calm after book publication
  2. The political situation is described as chaotic and filled with nonsense fatigue
  3. The author dreams of living in a wood-frame passive house by a lake or sea, but worries about dramatic weather events

Reading as a warning light

Theory Matters • 25 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Education Literacy Culture
  1. Many adults don't read for pleasure anymore, and literacy rates are declining. This affects young people the most, with few kids enjoying reading or owning books.
  2. Reading long texts helps us think deeply and reflect on our ideas. Without it, we risk becoming shallow thinkers who can't fully understand complex issues.
  3. The decline in reading is a sign of bigger problems in society. We need to figure out why reading and thinking critically matter for our democracy and lives.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 239 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The protagonist is preparing for a dangerous encounter with his former team and reflects on his past life as a Gigahero.
  2. The story delves into themes of betrayal, regret, and the complexities of friendship within a superpowered world.
  3. The narrative explores the internal struggles of characters facing uncertain futures and the consequences of their actions.

All these fucking books

The Leftovers • 219 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📚 Literature
  1. It's okay to declutter books you no longer enjoy or plan to read, even if it feels disloyal.
  2. Reading should be a pleasure, not a chore. Don't feel obligated to finish books that don't captivate you.
  3. Critically assessing books and not blindly elevating them all as inherently good is essential. It's important to question the value of what we read and not give everything undue respect.

Horseshoe Fortune

The Recovering Academic • 336 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
📚 Literature Poetry Fiction
  1. The post features a poem titled 'Horseshoe Fortune.'
  2. The poem describes the experience of pitching horseshoes at twilight, focusing on the imagery of the surroundings and the aim for precision.
  3. The speaker expresses their determination to achieve the perfect toss, emphasizing the importance of hitting the mark with the horseshoe ring.

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet

Do Not Research • 239 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Internet Authors
  1. The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet is a 208 page book documenting how we adapted to an adversarial internet over five years.
  2. The anthology includes eleven pieces from various authors, covering topics like the Dark Forest Theory, the Cozy Web, and generative AI.
  3. The book is available for purchase, offering a print edition and PDF version on Metalabel.

"Theft"

Story Club with George Saunders • 54 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Storytelling Narrative
  1. The story explores deep feelings of loss and how they impact our lives. It shows that remembering past losses can affect our present emotions.
  2. Katherine Anne Porter's 'Theft' invites readers to think about the nature of storytelling. It provides insights that can help us understand stories better.
  3. There’s an interesting trivia piece related to the story that sheds light on its themes. Learning these little facts can enhance our appreciation of the narrative.

Unpacking My Digital Library

What Is Called Thinking? • 45 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Criticism Art Culture
  1. Curating and sharing links can connect different ideas and inspire thought. It's a fun way to mix academic work with popular culture.
  2. Communicating the truth requires care; it's not just about saying what you think, but also about making sure others understand you. This highlights the importance of good rhetoric.
  3. Having strong convictions can guide important decisions in life, like investing. Knowing when to be passionate and when to be calm is a valuable skill.