The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

The Appalachian Nature Poetry of P.E.B.C.

To Asra • 78 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
📚 Literature Nature Poetry Family Life Heritage
  1. The grandmother was deeply connected to nature, teaching her granddaughter to appreciate and respect the natural world.
  2. The grandmother's love for writing and poetry was a significant part of her life, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful nature poems.
  3. The Appalachian Nature Poetry of P.E.B.C. reflects a deep love and devotion to the mountains and the land.
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The Conspiring Seasons

To Asra • 78 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Seasons Nature Observation
  1. Keats personifies the natural world in his poems, viewing seasons as entities with agency
  2. Observing the intricacies of nature, Keats depicts the characters of seasons and other elements in his poems
  3. The poems showcase an interconnected relationship between seasons and non-human beings in the natural world

get your own MFA!

practiceprocesscraft • 78 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Reading Creative Writing Books
  1. The best thing about an MFA program is the dedicated time for writing, but you can prioritize your writing time without waiting for external validation.
  2. Having a community of supportive, like-minded friends to discuss and share your writing with is crucial for growth and creativity.
  3. Reading is essential for writers, and while an MFA program offers valuable reading lists and resources, you can curate your own reading curriculum to inspire and inform your work.

Unwritten Books

Mister Slang • 78 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📚 Literature Slang Vocabulary Philosophy
  1. Slang provides a unique perspective on language, often delving into taboo subjects and incorporating dirty words.
  2. The word 'shit' holds a significant place in slang, with approximately 650 slang terms related to defecation in English.
  3. The slang term 'shit' is versatile, appearing in a wide range of phrases and expressions, both literal and figurative.

Lincoln Green

Mister Slang • 78 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📚 Literature Memoir Books History Childhood
  1. The author reflects on their childhood in Lincolnshire in the 1950s, sharing memories of the county's unique features and their experiences growing up there.
  2. Growing up as one of the few Jewish families in Lincoln, the author reminisces about the challenges and adventures of maintaining their religious customs in a predominantly non-Jewish community.
  3. Despite the passage of time, revisiting one's childhood home can evoke a mix of nostalgia and reality, with familiar places often transformed or lost.

Unwritten Books #3

Mister Slang • 78 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
📚 Literature Slang Animals Imagery Symbolism
  1. Language, especially slang, often uses animal imagery to enrich its vocabulary.
  2. Slang's menagerie of animal-related terms is deep and varied, encompassing both positive and negative connotations.
  3. Exploring animal imagery in slang can provide rich material for a book, drawing parallels to medieval Bestiaries and offering insights into cultural perceptions.

America's first dystopian novel

WORLD GONE WRONG • 78 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📚 Literature Dystopian Race relations Social Dynamics Racism
  1. America's first dystopian novel, 'Sojourn in the City of Amalgamation,' was written in 1835 by Jerome Bonaparte Holgate under the pseudonym 'Oliver Bolokitten.'
  2. The novel focuses on a society where interracial reproduction is encouraged as a solution to racial prejudice, reflecting the racial tensions and debates of the time.
  3. Dystopian fiction often explores social dynamics, and in America, race plays a significant role due to its powerful impact on society and the fears associated with racial supremacy.

The Black Prince

Regress Studies • 78 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📚 Literature Reviews Authors Themes Critique Writing
  1. Iris Murdoch wrote the novel 'The Black Prince' which explores the relationship between love and art.
  2. Martha Nussbaum and Clare Coffey discuss animal welfare and the philosophical approach of 'capabilities'.
  3. Isaac Wilks examines the sociological effects of distinctively Zoomer ills in his work 'The Zoomer Question'.

The Very Flowers of Imperialism

To Asra • 78 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
📚 Literature Romanticism Victorian Imperialism Nature
  1. Romantic poets like Wordsworth explored imperial themes in response to political events and societal changes.
  2. Wilde's work reflected the Victorian era's pinnacle of British imperial power and the strain of sustaining it.
  3. The shift from nature-based Romanticism to artificiality in literature symbolized the decline of humanity's connection to the natural world.

What I've Been Reading | September 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy
  1. No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners is a clear and practice-focused introduction to secular Buddhism
  2. The Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger offers a descriptive perspective on war without much introspection on its futility
  3. On The Marble Cliffs by Ernst Jünger explores ways to respond to tyranny and decay through notable character examples

Book Review: Almost Nowhere

Record Crash • 78 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
📚 Literature Sci-fi Character development
  1. Almost Nowhere is a complex but original sci-fi story with a lot of content to unpack.
  2. The characters in the story are well-developed and engaging, with various personalities and interactions.
  3. The detailed explanations of fake physics and complex concepts could be a bit long, but add depth to the narrative.

Some Notes on Notes

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 522 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Artists Creativity Procrastination Discipline
  1. Writers often procrastinate due to fear of difficult subjects, exposure, rejection or mistakes.
  2. Social media has become a common distraction for writers, but its impact on creativity seems to be diminishing.
  3. Discipline plays a key role in creativity, and writers can start creating with just a pen and paper, bypassing the need for a perfect setup.

Blue Skies

Nice Try • 19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
📚 Literature Essays Narratives Reflections Poetry Personal
  1. Looking up at the sky can remind us to appreciate the simple things in life. It's a healthy practice to slow down and notice what's around us.
  2. Taking time to breathe and reflect can bring peace and clarity. We often forget to pause and enjoy the moment amidst our busy lives.
  3. Setting small, personal goals, like looking at clouds more often, can lead to greater happiness. It's about finding joy in our everyday experiences.

Hemiphytophilia

Passing Time • 301 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Personal Essay
  1. The writer defies the doctor's advice and keeps a plant in the room due to a strong affinity for plants.
  2. The plant, a heartleaf philodendron, symbolizes a zest for life with its slow growth and eventual white flowers.
  3. The writer contemplates switching to dark mode on the blog and shares a personal story intertwined with plant symbolism.

Why You Should Write

salondao • 178 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Reading Language Communication Expression
  1. Regularly writing is essential for a healthy life, regardless of the genre.
  2. Some modes of writing can be harmful, like short-form rapid communication that discourages nuance.
  3. Writing regularly not only changes our minds but also enhances our experience of life and improves our oral communication skills.

Merely the Third To Kill Me

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Narrative Techniques Character analysis Prophecy Epic poetry
  1. Patroklos' death in the Iliad is a pivotal moment that redirects Achilles' rage towards Hektor and explores themes of hubris and fate.
  2. The use of apostrophe in Homer, like directly addressing characters, creates emotional impact and immersion for the audience.
  3. Hektor's role in Patroklos' death raises questions about heroism, fate, and the ambivalence towards excellence in warfare.

Book Review: "TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 59 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
📚 Literature Public Speaking Book review Writing Ideas
  1. Being a good public speaker takes hard work and dedication; it's about more than just the final performance.
  2. Public speaking is powerful as it allows us to transfer ideas from one mind to another.
  3. The book offers valuable tips on public speaking, backed by years of TED experience and real examples from TED talks.

Reviews for November 2023

Record Crash • 58 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews
  1. The Exorcist movie is better than expected, with competent horror.
  2. Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey is less tightly plotted but features creative sets.
  3. The Talos Principle II game has disappointing puzzles compared to the original and lacks plot depth.

Progress Report for Paid Subscribers #2

Trantor Publishing • 39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Fiction Short Stories Feedback
  1. Author has been busy in January with multiple chapters published and an exclusive short story for paying subscribers.
  2. Author is planning a raffle for paying subscribers to win signed paperback copies of their book as a thank you gesture.
  3. Author is seeking input from subscribers on potentially re-working the ending of one of their works and is open to suggestions for future content.

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews Addiction History Philosophy Cultural analysis
  1. Addiction is complex and can't be understood through simple ideas like 'it's a disease' or 'a moral failing.' The book presents how different approaches to addiction have changed over time.
  2. Historical connections show that societal issues like alcohol abuse and drug addiction were often linked to exploitation and broader social problems, not just personal choices.
  3. The transition from ancient to modern worldviews reveals how beliefs about power and divinity shifted, influencing everything from politics to personal struggles with addiction.

A Story, Refined

Story Club with George Saunders • 46 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Essays Writing
  1. George Saunders highlights the beauty of storytelling and invites readers to discuss it. It's great to share thoughts on what makes a story resonate.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of Grace Paley's work and how it influences storytelling. Appreciating other writers can deepen our understanding of stories.
  3. The post encourages interaction and discussion among readers. Engaging with others about a story can lead to new insights and ideas.

On Thornton Wilder's Town and Moments in Eternity

Vremya • 59 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
📚 Literature Plays Authors Theater Narrative Philosophy
  1. Thornton Wilder's play _Our Town_ shows everyday life in a small town, focusing on universal themes like love, death, and the passage of time. It's a unique look at how special everyday moments can be.
  2. The play highlights how people often miss the beauty of life while they are living it. Characters in the story find it hard to appreciate their lives until it's too late.
  3. Wilder suggests that artists, like saints and poets, can capture and share the meaning of life. Their work helps us pause and reflect on life's significance, making it easier to appreciate our experiences.

True Fiction

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 437 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction Memoir Writing Voice
  1. The line between fiction and non-fiction is becoming less significant.
  2. The way a story is told is more important than the actual facts in memoirs or literature.
  3. Writing is subjective, changing based on moods and perspectives, but it's the voice and sensibility that truly matters in storytelling.

Processing: How Rita Bullwinkel Wrote Headshot

Counter Craft • 265 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing process Structure Character development
  1. Rita Bullwinkel's novel 'Headshot' showcases a unique structure, following the format of a sports competition but blending it with deep character exploration.
  2. The use of third-person narration in 'Headshot' creates a collective voice for the characters, allowing for a deeper exploration of time manipulation in the story.
  3. Bullwinkel's research background in competitive youth sports informed the authenticity of the novel, particularly in capturing the psychological dynamics of characters in a boxing setting.

What to Do?

Story Club with George Saunders • 117 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Reading Art Philosophy
  1. Finding peace in difficult times can come from focusing on positive systems and relationships in your life. It's important to connect with people and activities that align with your values.
  2. Art and writing can be a powerful way to express feelings and connect with others. Creative work can serve as a positive outlet and a source of meaning.
  3. Even when overwhelmed, small acts of kindness, like writing, can make a big impact. Taking little steps each day can help bring happiness and presence into your life.

How to keep writing

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
📚 Literature Writing Authorship
  1. Sharing ideas about writing with others can be a rewarding experience, even if you're not a professional writing tutor.
  2. Keeping up with the practice of writing can be difficult, but it's important to persist and find ways to continue.
  3. Engaging in informal occasions where you can share your work and ideas with an audience can be inspiring and motivating.

Fiction seekers, your search ends here!

The Lifeboat • 275 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Short Stories Novels Sci-fi Fantasy Romance
  1. The post provides a curated index of fiction works by the author, spanning various genres like sci-fi, fantasy, dark comedy, and romance, making it easy for fiction seekers to explore based on their interests.
  2. The author emphasizes sharing similar lists as a way to support fellow writers and engage with a community of fiction enthusiasts.
  3. The post also mentions the availability of both digital and physical versions of the author's work, with an invitation to readers to sign up for updates and leave comments.

The Performance of Pride

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 85 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
📚 Literature Fiction Novels Authors Narrative Themes
  1. Shuggie Bain learns to dance as a way to escape his tough life, but he still feels the pressure of others watching him. His mother encourages him to keep dancing despite the difficulties.
  2. The novel highlights how appearances can hide deeper sorrows, like Shuggie's mother trying to maintain a sense of pride even in hard times. It's about how people present themselves to the world, even when they are struggling inside.
  3. Shuggie feels different and vulnerable due to his sexuality and difficult home life. The story shows how environments can trap people, making it hard to break free from poverty and pain.