The hottest Books Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Wit's Guide to Euphemism

Get Wit Quick • 393 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Euphemisms were traditionally used for sensitive topics like sex and death
  2. Euphemisms are often used in real estate listings to mask negative attributes
  3. Euphemisms can be seen as a way to soften harsh truths or navigate social situations

Welcoming the cool change

Highlighted by Highly Enthused • 239 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Books
  1. The post discusses ways to survive hot summer days, like making cold brew and running through sprinklers.
  2. A book recommendation is shared for 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison, describing it as a powerful and captivating read.
  3. The writer shares the joy of owning a Cuisinart Ice Cream machine and making sorbet, recommending a mango sorbet recipe.

Seattle Walks - Update

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. The author is updating their book about walks in Seattle to reflect changes in the city since it was first published in 2017. They are looking for feedback on the routes and any changes that need to be made.
  2. Readers are encouraged to share their experiences with the walks, including any errors or areas where the directions could be clearer. The author wants to ensure the book is as helpful as possible.
  3. The author plans to remove two walks and add three new ones, and they are asking for opinions on which walks should stay or go.

A Luminous, Brave, and Unputdownable Article about Blurbs

Counter Craft • 470 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. Blurbs, or quotes of praise on book covers, are often seen as necessary but can be annoying to writers and readers alike. They take up a lot of time and often sound overly exaggerated.
  2. While blurbs can be helpful in promoting books, especially for authors who are just starting out, there's a growing conversation about their relevance. Some believe they may not be needed at all as readers can judge books on their own.
  3. To make blurbing better, suggestions include limiting the number of blurbs per book, avoiding requests for manuscripts that haven't sold yet, and stopping requests from already successful authors, letting newer voices shine instead.
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5000 Musical Terms

Dada Drummer Almanach • 9 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
📚 Literature Books
  1. Turning thousands of musical terms into a text treats vocabulary itself as a formal experiment, where word lists become poetic material.
  2. Found texts and playful repetition are used to show how repeated statements can start to feel true.
  3. Careful letterpress design and small‑press production frame the project as a crafted art object and connect it to experimental literary circles.

DeFi Education's Holiday Book List

DeFi Education • 1079 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
💰 Finance Books
  1. Reading is important for investors. It helps you understand new information and gain different viewpoints.
  2. The recommended book list includes diverse topics, not just crypto, to foster a well-rounded understanding of finance and business.
  3. Books like 'Digital Minimalism' and others help readers refine their focus and learn important historical lessons about money.

The Essential Cybersecurity Skillsets for 2024

Rod’s Blog • 257 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Books
  1. Cybersecurity professionals should have curiosity and critical thinking skills to question and understand cyber events.
  2. A strong technical foundation in IT, cybersecurity, and cybercrime is crucial for protecting digital assets.
  3. Cybersecurity professionals need impactful problem-solving abilities to make a difference in people's lives by safeguarding their data and privacy.

Contra Hanania: Why Reading Books is Good, Actually

Mind & Mythos • 539 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Reading books helps with remembering and understanding ideas better than just quick posts or tweets. It's about taking time to fully grasp concepts.
  2. Books can connect new ideas with what we already know, making them more meaningful and easier to recall later.
  3. Not every book is worth reading, but the long tradition of books shows they still have a special value in learning and reflection.

Oops, I optimized my bath again

Trying In Public • 259 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Reflect on your writing style and embrace both your strengths and weaknesses
  2. Utilize tangible tools like index cards to organize and connect your thoughts
  3. Flow in writing comes from showing up, focusing, and consistently practicing your craft

My Recommendations for 2026

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 22 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. A wide-ranging set of cultural recommendations spans movies, books, albums, articles, and podcasts to explore in 2026.
  2. Many picks center on modern themes like loneliness, identity, political change, masculinity, feminism, and the effects of technology and AI.
  3. The selection mixes mainstream hits with overlooked multilingual and niche works and models swapping phone scrolling for more deliberate reading and listening.

Diary: Ian Frazier, Favorite Book

Book Post • 353 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. True Grit is a beloved book about a quest for justice and faith.
  2. The novel explores complex religious themes like Predestination and Election.
  3. The characters in True Grit reflect the diverse and often rugged nature of frontier America.

Overjoyed to Let You Know That...

Story Club with George Saunders • 175 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. A new novel titled 'Vigil' will be released on January 27, 2026, focusing on a fictional oil company head confronting his past actions on climate change during his last night alive.
  2. Writing can be challenging, and moments of doubt or frustration are common, but these struggles can lead to personal growth and new insights in the writing process.
  3. It's important to let go of perfectionism and focus on simply writing, even if it means producing something that feels less than perfect at first.

The [Tuesday] Media Diet with Paul Theroux

Why is this interesting? • 1327 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. Paul Theroux emphasizes the ease of staying updated on world events via online news sources and the convenience of assessing contradictions.
  2. Theroux recommends starting with Shakespeare for reading and emphasizes the satisfaction of diving into his works.
  3. Theroux prefers trains over planes for travel and advocates for road trips for the sense of freedom they offer.

Best summer books 2023

The Shift With Sam Baker • 359 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. The article recommends some intriguing summer reads for 2023, including 'August Blue,' 'I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home,' and 'The Guest.'
  2. There are also mentions of engaging family sagas like 'Watch Us Dance,' 'Hello Beautiful,' and 'Family Lore,' each with unique storylines and captivating settings.
  3. The post highlights assorted novels that delve into themes like female desire, mysterious disappearances, and self-discovery, such as 'Mrs S,' 'Killingly,' and 'The Late Americans.'

NEW EVENT: Helen Lewis tickets now on sale!

Odds and Ends of History • 268 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Helen Lewis is speaking at an event on July 29th, and tickets are available now. It's a great opportunity to hear from a well-known writer and author.
  2. Lewis is known for her work in The Atlantic and her podcasts, which are popular among many listeners. If you enjoy insightful conversations, this event should be intriguing.
  3. She also has a new book called 'The Genius Myth' that discusses interesting ideas about rebels and rule-breakers. The event will likely dive into themes from her book.

What else is there to say?

Wild Holy & Free • 739 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Books
  1. The author expresses exhaustion and frustration over the ongoing need to advocate for her humanity and her community's wellbeing.
  2. Despite the weariness, the author commits to continuing the fight for dignity, joy, and a better life for her community.
  3. The post concludes with information about the author's upcoming events and book, emphasizing the importance of persistence and habit in writing.

Fall Talks and Walks

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 339 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. There are several upcoming public events focused on nature and local history. People are encouraged to attend and connect with the speaker.
  2. The speaker will discuss various topics, including their book on the history of Puget Sound and interesting places in Seattle.
  3. There will also be a book launch for a new book on fossils in Washington State, highlighting the state's diverse natural history.

The strange afterlife of books (Nevédomosti №4)

The Lifeboat • 217 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. A published book can have a surprising life after its release. It can gain new readers and interest even when the author thinks it's faded away.
  2. The role of an author doesn't end with publishing; they can also be a guardian for their work, helping it to stay relevant and connecting with readers.
  3. Readers often shape the understanding and appreciation of a book, sometimes knowing its importance better than the author does. Feedback from readers can deeply impact an author's view of their work.

The Tusks of Extinction

Eliot Peper • 176 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. Celebrate things you love and share them with others.
  2. Create things that you would love, even if you have to make them yourself.
  3. Be patient with your early efforts as skills develop over time.

A ticket to the freak show

Austin Kleon • 1458 implied HN points • 27 May 22
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Reading can be a great way to escape tough times. Enjoying books like 'Three Men in a Boat' can really lift your spirits.
  2. Connecting with art and culture through activities like museum tours can be inspiring and help you appreciate history.
  3. Taking care of your creative self is important. Good advice includes protecting your time, reading good books, and spending time alone.

#153: Rethinking “weekend plans”

Maybe Baby • 1960 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Modern weekends often blur between productive tasks and fun plans.
  2. Embracing slow errands can bring calm and intimacy to social interactions.
  3. Efficiency in tasks can lead to a never-ending cycle of more to do, despite faster completion.

Harry Potter and the Magical Phone

After Babel • 1471 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Harry Potter story reimagined for Gen Z revealing the impact of social media on mental health.
  2. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can contribute to issues like depression, distorted views, and unrealistic expectations.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of protecting young individuals from the potential dangers of unrestricted access to online content.

The rise of New Statesman Man

Odds and Ends of History • 2010 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. New Statesman Man is a character who is well-educated and politically engaged, but tends to focus more on image and status than actual ideas or beliefs.
  2. He is critical of capitalism and advocates for degrowth, but has a smug attitude and lacks concrete solutions for improving the lives of actual poor people.
  3. Despite claiming to be focused on materialism, New Statesman Man's actions and beliefs often betray a disconnect from the reality of poverty and inequality.

The Joshua James reader

The Reader Crew • 157 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. Joshua James writes smart thrillers for smart sci-fi fans
  2. Joshua James has 5 main series, 3 are near-future and 2 are far-future
  3. Each series by Joshua James features a diverse and entertaining cast of characters

Four unpersuasive arguments against TikTok

Read Max • 1132 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. There are four unpersuasive arguments for banning TikTok, including concerns about Chinese manipulation, user data security, trade war retaliation, and societal impact not related to China.
  2. MrBeast's transparency with his audience about YouTube business models and growth strategies sets a new standard for authenticity in online content creation.
  3. The future of YouTube and media content creation may shift towards authenticity and relatability, reminiscent of TikTok's success, moving away from the professionalized approach of current YouTube stars like MrBeast.

A chat with John Grisham

The Watch • 529 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. John Grisham focuses on wrongful convictions and the flaws in the criminal justice system. His new book, 'Framed', sheds light on these issues and emphasizes the importance of reform.
  2. The conversation around the innocence movement highlights the challenges in getting justice for those wrongfully convicted. There's a lack of accountability among those involved in these cases, making it hard to address systemic mistakes.
  3. Everyday people can make a difference by engaging with those in prison, whether through writing letters or supporting innocence organizations. Small acts of kindness can provide hope to those who feel forgotten.

Win A Copy Of ‘Stop All the Clocks,’ A Great And Extremely Original Novel

Singal-Minded • 185 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. The novel 'Stop All the Clocks' blends interesting themes like artificial intelligence and poetry into a mystery. It sounds really engaging and original.
  2. The author is encouraging readers to join a giveaway for five copies of the book, making it accessible for new readers and those who support the newsletter.
  3. Supporting first-time authors, especially by buying their books, can create a big difference in their success within the challenging world of publishing.

My Ten Favourite Books of the Year

The Ruffian • 485 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. The author shares their top ten book recommendations for the year. These books are meant to inspire and entertain readers.
  2. There are special offers like discounts for subscriptions available until Christmas. This can be a good time to treat yourself or someone else to a subscription.
  3. The post includes links to podcasts and additional content, keeping readers engaged with a variety of topics related to culture and politics.

Stuff I found interesting in October

Samstack • 1422 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Be open to asking dumb questions and embrace both thinking and doing.
  2. Stay updated with insightful articles and media, like the New Yorker pieces or the book 'Going Infinite'.
  3. Consider exploring various subjects like education's impact on IQ, political science degrees, and the performance of Bank CEOs.

Diary: Atul Gawande, On Oliver Sacks

Book Post • 294 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Atul Gawande was inspired by Oliver Sacks for his inquisitiveness and ability to capture both medical and human sides of illness.
  2. Oliver Sacks emphasized the importance of understanding the human experience beyond just medical knowledge.
  3. Sacks viewed patients not as collections of deficits, but as unique individuals with their own stories and struggles.

Issue 07 – A Holiday Wrap Up

Unbox Inbox • 198 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. The post discusses the art of gift wrapping, showcasing unique and creative wrapping paper designs suitable for all occasions.
  2. The author shares the best books they read in the year, highlighting diverse genres and providing personal insights and recommendations.
  3. The post includes a festive section with various holiday-related inspirations, from Austrian holiday cards to peppermint bark chocolate bars, contributing to the holiday spirit.

The poetry of the cosmos in two books

The Global Jigsaw • 198 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. 2023 was a year of introspection, focusing on what makes a life well lived and the beauty in the mundane.
  2. The rise of AI prompts questions about what it means to be human, highlighting the significance of emotional experiences and characteristics.
  3. Books by Maria Popova and Ted Chiang fuse science with poetry, exploring the beauty of the cosmos and the blend of rationality and emotionality.

‘A good novel is like a holiday for the brain’

NN Journal • 159 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. A good novel can provide a mental escape, like a holiday for the brain.
  2. Success in writing often involves perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities, as seen in author N V Peacock's journey.
  3. Collaborating with a writing community and mentors can be invaluable for aspiring writers to develop skills and navigate the publishing industry.

One year of my work, printed

The Novelleist • 510 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. A yearly collection of writing is printed to show the progress and creativity of the author. It's exciting to see your work in a real book format.
  2. The 2024 volume has a unique design inspired by the idea of creating connected communities. It reflects deep themes about society and its future.
  3. The author offers subscriptions for collectors to receive this printed work, along with other benefits at a lower cost this year.

An easygoing hippie noir series; a fantastic, dark serial-killer movie; and an album of retro-pop bangers

Read Max • 500 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. There's a new easygoing hippie noir series to check out. It's in the style of cool stories like 'Inherent Vice.'
  2. A dark, thrilling serial-killer movie set in Hong Kong is being praised as one of the best of the decade. If you like thrillers, this one is a must-see.
  3. A fresh album featuring '90s-style retro-pop songs has been released. It’s perfect for anyone looking for fun and catchy music.