The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Two or Three Sides of Caledonia

Euro Desk Paris • 79 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📚 Literature Poetry Enlightenment
  1. Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was a complex figure with contradictory elements in his life and work.
  2. Burns was known for his poetry, including love songs and political commentary, while also exploring the rebellious side of working-class life.
  3. To become a national poet, one may need to come from humble beginnings, engage in heavy physical work, have interest in politics, and embrace risky positions.

Exhumations and Resolutions

The Lifeboat • 149 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Prose Music Art Expression
  1. Art is a way to express our feelings and ideas, even if it feels abstract or confusing. It's important to keep creating, no matter the medium.
  2. Writing music and poetry can be a fun challenge. It’s good to learn the skills needed to improve and enjoy the process.
  3. Setting resolutions helps to focus on creative goals, like finishing a project or getting others to read your work. Sharing those goals can motivate you and others.

On Reading More Books

The Analog Family • 239 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
📚 Literature Books Reading Authors Fiction Nonfiction Literary culture
  1. Setting aside time to read each week can help you finish more books. Avoid distractions like TV during the week to make reading a habit.
  2. Using a library's online catalog is a great way to explore new books without spending money. You can try different genres and authors without worrying about costs.
  3. Taking notes while reading can enhance your understanding and retention of the material. Mark important sections and keep them organized for future reference.
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The Third Person

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 170 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Education Voice Identity Self-Expression
  1. Writing in the third person can feel freeing because it allows for distance from personal emotions. It helps some writers feel less vulnerable and more objective in their work.
  2. Many people struggle with expressing personal views in writing, often feeling it's arrogant to use 'I'. This can create a barrier to authentic self-expression in writing.
  3. Finding one's true writing voice can come from personal growth and life experiences over time, rather than just practice in writing. It's an ongoing journey of self-discovery.

Audio version of Reality is Breaking

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
📚 Literature Essays Reading Audiobooks Accessibility Publishing Author
  1. An audio version is provided to make the piece accessible to blind readers and to serve people who prefer listening.
  2. Reading is recommended because some paragraphs need time to digest and reading lets you pause and follow your own pace, while audio forces the narrator's timing.
  3. Subscribers are thanked and invited to consider switching to a paid subscription, and there's a brief personal note about having a bad cold.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fantasy Storytelling Fiction Characters Plot
  1. Berenice's sword is a significant symbol tied to the memory of her child, and she must carry it until her death, representing her burden and the only memory allowed to her.
  2. The story delves into themes of love, grief, and sacrifice, highlighting the depths people are willing to go for those they care about.
  3. Death and its mysteries are pondered upon, emphasizing the unique ways individuals cope with loss and the different beliefs they hold about the afterlife.

A Doublet Disposed

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Poetry Narrative Analysis Metaphor Comparison
  1. The death of Euphorbus in Homer's Iliad serves to resolve narrative tension and bring order to the story, illustrating how loose ends are handled in epic poetry.
  2. Homeric similes in stories like the Iliad engage with thematic elements, advancing the plot while also providing insight into the tension between the overall narrative and specific details.
  3. The brief life and death of Euphorbus in the Iliad can be seen as a way to resolve a narrative paradox, showcasing how Homer's poetry works within the boundaries of established narrative traditions.

Background for The Ingarie Files

Carefree Sketches • 59 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Sci-fi Storytelling Fiction Writing World Building
  1. The Ingarie Files is a collection of stories that present a world set in a post-breakup Nigeria, featuring themes of espionage and cyborg soldiers.
  2. The narratives explore the intricacies of a fictional world through interconnected stories, essays, and reports, weaving a complex and immersive experience for the readers.
  3. The concept of THE INGARIE FILES acts as a jigsaw puzzle where each story piece enriches the depiction of the country across different time periods, offering a deep understanding of the setting.

The Leaves Turn. Recapping Q3 2023

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Books Reviews Podcasts Vacation Science
  1. The author reflects on the books they've consumed, with 67 completed in the year and 21 in the last three months. They share book recommendations like 'Albion's Seed' and detail upcoming reviews and reading plans.
  2. The author started a series on cancer genomics to make the science accessible. The topics covered so far are hereditary cancer syndromes, with more to come.
  3. The author shares podcast recommendations, especially after the news of Google shutting down its podcast app. They highlight new shows to listen to and specific episodes worth checking out.

Reading and Teaching Homer

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 119 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Teaching Analysis Recommendations
  1. Prepare to read Homer by starting with something else first, like an overview or graphic novel, to familiarize yourself with the characters and stories.
  2. When reading Homer for the first time, focus on the main story being told and don't get bogged down by every detail or reference that may not be crucial to understanding the overall tale.
  3. Understand the unique aesthetics and structure of Homeric poetry by exploring the language, repetitions, and devices like metonymy, which adds to the richness and depth of the epic.

George Orwell, Snobby Truthteller

Litverse • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
📚 Literature Biography Criticism Themes Impact Analysis
  1. George Orwell's descriptions of poverty and working-class conditions often came across as snobbish and elitist to some critics.
  2. Orwell's upbringing in a family benefiting from the Empire's sins influenced his perspectives on injustice and societal change.
  3. Through his gardening, Orwell showed a commitment to beauty and resistance, highlighting the importance of finding beauty in life despite its cruelties.

On Disliking Stories

Castalia • 219 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Modernism Storytelling Narrative Criticism
  1. Stories can often be seen as practical jokes, repeating the same patterns that people fall for over and over. This can make writing feel cheap or formulaic.
  2. Some writers want to break free from traditional story structures to explore deeper, more honest experiences. They think the best writing comes from simply sharing real-life observations.
  3. There's value in both traditional storytelling and more experimental writing. Each has its way of connecting with readers, whether through polished craftsmanship or open exploration of truth.

Rescuing the Bod(ies)

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📚 Literature Narrative Traditions Performance
  1. Book 17 of the Iliad offers important details and character development, adding depth to the narrative beyond just advancing the plot.
  2. The discussion of the Epic Cycle and Neoanalysis highlights the complexities of understanding how different narratives influence each other in ancient storytelling traditions.
  3. The rescue of Achilles' body in Book 17 showcases the richness and depth of oral traditions, and raises questions about the relationships between various epic traditions.

Publishing Amid the AI Deluge

Risk Musings • 458 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction AI Publishing Writing Career
  1. During the pandemic, there was a surge in manuscript submissions to publishers.
  2. AI technology like ChatGPT is being used to generate online book content, affecting discoverability and quality.
  3. The future of novel-writing as a career is uncertain due to AI's impact on the industry, with potential polarization into superstars and hobbyists.

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.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Imagination Characters World Building
  1. Preparing for a dangerous journey involves seizing every advantage available, including acquiring knowledge and resources
  2. Exploring unfamiliar territories can reveal unexpected challenges and wonders, urging one to adapt and stay cautious
  3. Encounters with unique individuals can lead to unexpected gifts or insights, even if they challenge one's beliefs or perceptions

Dante's Medieval Transhumanist Fantasy

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Classics Transhumanism Religion
  1. Dante's vision of heaven in 'Paradise' shares similarities with contemporary transhumanist ideas like digital immortality and superhuman knowledge.
  2. Both Dante's medieval perspective and modern transhumanist ideas emphasize the urgency of living to secure a better future, whether in heaven or in a digital afterlife.
  3. Dante and transhumanist engineers are committed rationalists but diverge in their approach to ideal futures, with bookish utopias focusing on intellectual bliss.

2025 Year in Books

From the Desk • 9 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
📚 Literature Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Book Reviews Reading habits Libraries Classics
  1. Thirty-three books were read in 2025, more than in 2024 and 2023, and the year had the highest average rating so far.
  2. Libraries and Little Free Libraries were a big part of the reading life—twelve books came from the library and seven from Little Free Libraries—encouraging serendipity, saving money, and cutting down on shelf clutter.
  3. There was a clear reading strategy: abandon books that aren’t working, follow impulse picks when they catch interest, and curate favorites across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and a small did-not-finish list.

Let's Fly! Become a Verified Book Author and Promote Your Book on Medium

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 219 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Authors Books Online Platforms
  1. Medium now offers a free blue 'Book Author' badge that verifies authors. This can help writers stand out and promote their work on the platform.
  2. To get the badge, authors need to apply with their book's details and they'll be verified if everything checks out.
  3. If you're writing regularly on Medium, you might already have the beginnings of a book. Consider compiling your posts into a full book project!

Moscow, Gooseberries, and Inexorable Motion of Time

The Lifeboat • 183 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature Drama Philosophy Narrative Existentialism History
  1. Time keeps moving forward, and people often struggle with how to cope with it. Some try to ignore it, while others seek to enjoy the present moment more.
  2. Desires and dreams are a big part of being human, but many people end up feeling regret for what they didn't achieve. This can make life feel empty or unfulfilled.
  3. Stories like 'Three Sisters' and 'Gooseberries' show how people can become trapped by their dreams or stuck in routines, realizing too late that time has passed without them taking action.

Mouth to Mouth

Eliot Peper • 117 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
📚 Literature Thriller Author Future Sci-fi
  1. Eliot Peper has a new novel coming out called 'Foundry' on October 11th.
  2. AI will increase the value of in-person human connections due to the rise of machine-generated content online.
  3. People often share things that make them look good, leading to the misconception that everyone is always doing well. Remembering that everyone faces challenges can help reduce anxiety.

When I Got Knifed

Sundman figures it out! • 117 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
📚 Literature Memoir Short Stories Fiction Novels Book promotion
  1. The author shared a story about being confronted by a knife-wielding assailant and how he managed to defend himself.
  2. The author reflected on experiences during the dot-com era and how a particular website played a role in spreading rumors about failing companies.
  3. Personal anecdotes about travels, encounters, weightlifting, and book promotions were seamlessly woven into the storytelling.

Review of "Mathematica" by David Bessis

Silicon Reckoner • 117 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
📚 Literature Mathematics Books Authors Philosophy Metaphor
  1. The book 'Mathematica' by David Bessis emphasizes the idea that everyone is already an accomplished mathematician, promoting awakening and emancipation from misconceptions about math.
  2. Mathematics is viewed as a sensual and carnal experience by mathematicians like Bill Thurston, focusing on understanding over logical reasoning.
  3. The concept of 'elephantitude' in the book highlights the importance of human understanding in mathematics, contrasting with the focus on reasoning in technology like deep learning.

chaotic good

practiceprocesscraft • 117 implied HN points • 01 May 23
📚 Literature Creativity Writing Chaos Romanticism Philosophy
  1. Embrace chaos in your writing process, it can help you find your unique voice and create with more enthusiasm.
  2. Don't be afraid of messy first drafts, let your thoughts flow freely on the page without self-judgment.
  3. Start with chaos to eventually reach a state of unity in your writing, as all creation stems from chaos and energy.

Stephen King's 'Fairy Tale' Has Some Issues

diabolical • 117 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Authors Books
  1. The narrator of Stephen King's 'Fairy Tale' may not feel like a believable teenager from 2013 due to outdated pop culture references.
  2. Political messaging in the book, 'Fairy Tale', seems out of place and does not fit well with the overall story or characters.
  3. Including random political notations in the narrative can weaken the story's immersion and impact for readers.

Writing Topical Satire Quickly

Shades of Greaves • 117 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
📚 Literature Satire Writing Workshop Author Book
  1. Writing topical satire quickly involves reacting to timely headlines and translating them into jokes efficiently.
  2. Teaching topical satire allows for therapeutic exploration of real-world issues through humor and camaraderie.
  3. Efficiently turning around satire pieces involves quick brainstorming, drawing from familiar topics, and utilizing available templates.

The Shades of the Gothic Sublime

To Asra • 117 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
📚 Literature Poetry Color Theory Death Symbolism
  1. Both Poe and Dickinson explored themes of death and loss in their poetry, embodying the Gothic genre.
  2. The poets paid particular attention to color in their poems, inspired by Burke's concept of the sublime evoked by certain colors.
  3. Colors like purple, black, and white were used by both poets to represent the sublime and mystery, reflecting the Gothic tradition in their work.

Hello darkness, my old friend

quite useless • 117 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
📚 Literature Fiction Art & Illustration
  1. The post shares an excerpt from Julia Fine's novel, Maddalena and the Dark.
  2. The excerpt delves into the dynamics and complexities of relationships among young girls in a historical setting.
  3. The author creates a vivid backdrop of Venice and the Ospedale della Pietà, painting a rich picture of the characters' lives.

Disfiguring the Fallow Earth

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classical Studies Criticism Themes Characters Narrative structure
  1. The final book of the Iliad, Book 24, ties up major tensions, transitions between the living and dead worlds, and revisits themes like reciprocity and mourning, notably in the meeting of Priam and Achilles.
  2. Zeus serves as a figure of justice in Book 24, intervening to settle the dispute between gods over giving Hektor a proper burial; this showcases a different approach to politics and the separation between mortals and gods.
  3. The opening scene of Iliad 24 sets the stage for the return of Hektor's body by emphasizing the importance of divine intervention and the resolution of conflicts, presenting Zeus as a symbol of ethical thinking and justice.

The Beginning of His Trouble

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📚 Literature Analysis Characterization Plot Narrative Techniques
  1. Book 11 of the Iliad is critical to the plot as it leads to a turning point in the Trojan War, with notable Greeks getting wounded.
  2. Achilles' interest in the battle showcases his complex character, sparking discussions among ancient scholars about his motivations.
  3. Ancient scholars note that Achilles sends Patroklos to investigate a wounded man, setting the stage for future events and highlighting the limits of human knowledge.