Castles in the Sky

Castles in the Sky, authored by Charlie Becker, traverses themes of personal growth, the profound impact of literature, embracing idiosyncrasy, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. It blends introspection with inspirational narratives, examining life's ordinary moments, the value of authentic experiences, and the journey of creativity and self-discovery.

Personal Growth Literature Idiosyncrasy Life Fulfillment Creativity Self-Discovery Authentic Experiences

The hottest Substack posts of Castles in the Sky

And their main takeaways

I was selected for a $100,000 O'Shaughnessy Ventures Fellowship to empower used bookstores with AI.

102 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Technology Innovation Education Culture
  1. A person received a $100,000 fellowship to create a tool for used bookstores using AI. This tool aims to help identify and preserve old and rare books.
  2. The project is inspired by a need to protect literary history and make it easier for bookstores to archive valuable books. The goal is to create a big database with details about every book.
  3. The project will also focus on building a community of people who care about preserving books, along with sharing related content through a blog and videos.

This is not an About page.

31 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📚 Literature Writing Essays Storytelling Creative Process Reading
  1. Writing is about taking action, not just thinking. It's important to dive into the work instead of getting stuck in planning.
  2. Reading inspiring essays can spark creativity and help us understand complex feelings. They can make us feel less alone and give us new perspectives.
  3. It's okay to let go of perfection and focus on being curious. The best way to create meaningful work is to experiment and share it with others.

You're not Simon Sarris.

98 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Philosophy Writing Personal Growth Technology
  1. Trying to copy someone else's lifestyle, like Simon Sarris's, might actually take you further away from the unique life you want. It's better to reflect on your own values and create a life that feels true to you.
  2. Success comes from understanding the process behind someone's choices rather than just imitating their outcomes. True fulfillment happens when you take deliberate actions based on your own beliefs and desires.
  3. Looking up to someone can be inspiring, but it's important to realize that you are not them. Being aware of who you truly are can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

You need to be wholesome-maxxing.

46 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Self-Improvement Philosophy Lifestyle Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Being wholesome means doing happy, simple things that bring joy. It can be as easy as taking fun photos or enjoying a favorite drink.
  2. Avoiding clichés or common interests doesn’t lead to happiness; embracing them can actually make life better. Trying things that seem cheesy can be freeing and rewarding.
  3. Wholesome-maxxing is about being true to yourself and not worrying about others' judgments. It's okay to enjoy what you love, even if it seems mainstream or silly.

Orson Welles as Falstaff on Late Night TV

15 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Theater Film Television Literature Art
  1. Orson Welles performing Shakespeare on late-night TV was a bold and unique choice. Today, it would be surprising to see such dramatic performances on those shows.
  2. The film 'Chimes at Midnight' creatively combines multiple Shakespeare plays, which is a clever idea that could inspire others to mix classic storytelling with modern interpretations.
  3. There’s a desire to read all of Shakespeare’s plays, and a group reading challenge could make it more enjoyable. Having a community can motivate people to explore Shakespeare together.
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The map is clear but the road is bumpy.

41 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Mental health Personal Growth Recovery Goal setting
  1. Training for a half marathon has shifted my view on what's possible. I used to think certain goals were unreachable, but now I'm running regularly and feeling empowered.
  2. Reflecting on my past goal-setting has shown me the value of having big goals. It's interesting how I used to see myself as driven by small goals, but I might shift back to aiming higher.
  3. Understanding ADHD has been a journey filled with mixed feelings. During testing, I felt shame for past behaviors, highlighting the need to see these challenges in a more compassionate light.

Courage and Moonshots

29 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Science Humanism
  1. Big, crazy ideas can spark real change. Even if they seem impossible, they can lead to groundbreaking outcomes, like space travel.
  2. Dealing with the unknown is key to growth. Embracing humility, curiosity, and courage helps us face challenges and pursue innovative ideas.
  3. It's important to focus on practical steps for achieving goals. Even the most visionary thinkers made their mark by doing the hard, everyday work.

A Pilgrimage for Book People

302 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Books Memoirs Traditions Community History
  1. The annual pilgrimage to the Brandeis Book Sale was a significant tradition for the author's family, highlighting the reverence for books and the impact of the sale on their lives.
  2. The pilgrimage involved a long road trip, unique family dynamics, and a deep appreciation for books, as seen through the eyes of the author growing up around book people.
  3. Brandeis Book Sale represented more than just a sale - it was a cultural phenomenon where book people gathered, making it a sacred space and a reflection of civilization preserved in books.

How I Make Room for the Year

13 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Parenting Nostalgia Home Family Personal Growth
  1. Clearing out clutter can help create more space and positive energy in your life. It’s important to take time to remove unnecessary things, both physically and mentally.
  2. Planning for the future is good, but it helps to be flexible and accept that things might get messy. Life often doesn't go exactly as we plan, and that's okay.
  3. Connecting with memories and family stories can provide comfort and perspective. Reflecting on past experiences can inspire how we approach our future.

Castles in the Sky's Seven Most Underrated Essays

10 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📚 Literature Essays Parenting Writing Review Creativity
  1. Reflecting on past essays can be a valuable exercise for writers and bloggers. It helps them see how their style has changed and what topics resonate with their audience.
  2. Understanding fatherhood often teaches important lessons about self-care and responsibility. Writers can convey deep emotions through relatable experiences with family.
  3. Exploring complex ideas in a simple way can lead to misunderstandings, so it's essential to keep an open mind. Just because something is hard to explain doesn't mean it's wrong or unworthy.

The Unlikely Link Between Travel and Fiction

48 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
📚 Literature Travel Fiction
  1. Reading fiction and traveling can enrich your life in profound and unpredictable ways.
  2. Reading a long novel can immerse you in a different world and change your perspective.
  3. Fiction and travel provide opportunities to experience new people, places, and emotions that can deeply impact and change you.

The Bookseller's Register #1

71 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Books Writing Family History Documentary
  1. The series is about a second-generation secondhand bookseller building the bookstore of the future
  2. Each issue will include a feature, update on inventory, and interesting book world links
  3. The goal is to assemble an inventory of 25,000 hand-picked books with updates on the progress

Beautiful and Ordinary

74 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Family Daily Life Social gatherings Food Friendship
  1. The author describes a beautiful and ordinary day filled with simple joys and connections.
  2. The day included moments like visiting a farmers' market, attending a birthday party, and playing games with friends.
  3. Gratitude, presence, and appreciation are highlighted as tools to fully enjoy moments and cherish memories.

Cathedral: Year Forty-Six

52 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
⚔ Fiction Short Story Writing Books Creative Writing Storytelling
  1. The pilgrims on the Ark journeyed towards their promised land of Proxima Centauri-XR-4, embracing life as their religion.
  2. The importance of the observation deck on the Ark went beyond engineering; it symbolized the connection of the passengers to their purpose.
  3. Through personal stories and shared moments, relationships and perspectives evolved on the Ark, shaping individuals' sense of purpose and duty.

Small Oven Syndrome

60 implied HN points • 25 May 23
📖 Philosophy Productivity Career
  1. Small Oven Syndrome is when people do things without questioning why they do them.
  2. Resisting Small Oven Syndrome can lead to improved productivity, career, and life.
  3. Investigating the rationale behind our choices and confronting Small Oven Syndrome can make our lives more meaningful, happy, and intellectually rich.

Questions Lead to the Good Life

48 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meaning Happiness Uncertainty
  1. Seek psychological richness by embracing novel experiences and complex perspectives.
  2. Psychological richness is distinct from happiness and meaning, but can lead to a good life.
  3. Living with uncertainty and focusing on questions can bring richness to life beyond mere happiness or meaning.

CATHEDRAL | Chapter One - Four Years Out

24 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
📚 Literature Fiction Family Space Emotions Relationships
  1. The protagonist and their family face a life-changing decision of joining an interstellar mission aboard the Ark spaceship.
  2. The family's emotional journey showcases love, gratitude, and tough choices as they prepare to leave Earth behind.
  3. The story highlights themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of monumental change.

Good Lessons from Bad Men

52 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Masculinity Morality Lessons
  1. Gangster movies can offer lessons on being a better man and person, despite the characters' flaws.
  2. Being a good man involves being a protector and provider, different from just being a good person.
  3. Contrasts in character arcs in gangster movies highlight the distinction between being a bad person and a bad man.

The Third Year Online Creator Playbook

3 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🚌 Education
  1. Make your own canon by being both a fan and a critic, celebrating what you love and studying greatness.
  2. Create as a habit to let your best work emerge from consistent practice instead of chasing after one perfect piece.
  3. Promote your aesthetic proudly, share what inspires you, value your art by making it easy for people to support and engage with, and build an audience by treating fans well and experimenting across platforms.