The hottest Books Substack posts right now

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A bank holiday bonanza of things to read, watch & listen to this weekend

The Shift With Sam Baker • 878 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. The post shares a bank holiday bonanza of things to read, watch, and listen to, providing a variety of recommendations for entertainment and information consumption.
  2. It features insights on effort, productivity, and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of giving it your all but also learning to tolerate unknowns and knowing when to give up on certain endeavors.
  3. Recommendations include books read, shows watched, and podcasts listened to, offering a diverse range of content suggestions for different tastes and interests.

SIGNED BOOKS FOR SUBSCRIBERS!!!

History, etc • 1474 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. The author is giving away signed copies of their books to subscribers.
  2. To enter the giveaway, subscribers need to comment 'DOGS' or 'WOLVES' and be a paid subscriber.
  3. Being a paid subscriber gives perks like participating in giveaways and supporting the newsletter.

RKUL: Time Well Spent, 1/1/2026

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 154 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Read a few rigorous interdisciplinary books this year; they are a small, high-value way to learn durable ways of thinking about science, history, and culture.
  2. Political activism is reshaping academic norms and sometimes sidelines traditional methods like philology; the worth of scholarship should rest on the usefulness of its methods and insights, not scholars' personal politics.
  3. New ancient DNA and genomics studies are steadily sharpening our view of human history by revealing deep regional roots, admixture, and selection, but in some regions more modern samples give diminishing returns so careful interpretation matters.

Remembering what you want out of books

Austin Kleon • 1918 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Different writers can evoke different feelings. Some are frustrating to read but still valuable, while others are delightful and can leave you feeling a bit lost.
  2. Knowing what you don't want to read is just as important as knowing what you do want to read. It helps you focus on the books that truly matter to you.
  3. Reading can be both a joy and a discipline. It's about finding the balance between what you think you should read and what you actually want to read.

A Reading List for America's Birthday.

Breaking the News • 1295 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Books
  1. The book 'Breakneck' by Dan Wang offers a fresh perspective on the similarities and differences between American and Chinese systems. It makes you think twice about the way we view international relations.
  2. The film 'Facing Tyranny' explores Hannah Arendt's ideas on totalitarianism and their relevance today. It reminds us of the importance of truth in governance and how it's often twisted for political gain.
  3. Bill Moyers, a respected journalist and former press secretary, recently passed away. His reflections on the changing standards of honesty in politics serve as a poignant reminder of the integrity needed in public communication.
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Purple Rage? A Book to Offend Almost Everyone

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1238 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. Alice Walker's 'The Color Purple' is beloved, banned, and has won prestigious awards.
  2. The book faced controversy due to its explicit content, anti-religious sentiment, and depiction of domestic violence.
  3. Despite being a source of offense, the novel has deeply resonated with readers, including individuals who have experienced trauma.

Seventieth anniversaries. 1955 was a very good year.

The Common Reader • 3295 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. 1955 was an important year for literature, with many significant books published. It featured works from renowned authors like Nabokov and Tolkien.
  2. Beyond literature, 1955 marked key moments in American history and science, including the approval of the polio vaccine and the start of McDonald's.
  3. We should celebrate anniversaries, not just of centenary events, but also of important years like 1955 that shaped culture and society.

The Week In Recommendations 1.31.24

Rich Text • 1218 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. The post discusses recommendations for shows, podcasts, and products.
  2. Various book, podcast, TV show, and product recommendations are shared by Emma and Claire.
  3. The content includes insights on eye cream, rom-com shows, books, and food recipes.

The Audiobook Is Out!

Injecting Freedom • 33 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
📚 Literature Books
  1. The audiobook Vaccines, Amen! is now available on Audible/Amazon.
  2. There are 25 free US and 25 free UK promo codes up for grabs — comment with your preferred marketplace to request one, and eligible readers will receive a private Substack message; codes are first come, first served.
  3. Readers are asked to leave quick, honest reviews and to share or post about the book, and a few trolls have already posted negative reviews.

On Buying (and Selling) Books

CRAFT TALK • 2279 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Pre-orders are important for books to indicate interest and potentially get on bestseller lists.
  2. Advice and how-to books may have a longer sales trajectory compared to fiction.
  3. People can buy books whenever they want, but pre-ordering can support authors and their books.

What's got my attention this week #43

The Shift With Sam Baker • 698 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus highlights the power of aging and questions the overrating of youth.
  2. Exploration of diverse topics like quilting for emotional sustenance and benefits of working with hands.
  3. Insightful discussions on various issues including gaslighting, book publishing, and the evolving roles of women.

Don't Let Good Ideas Get Away

Range Widely • 2279 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Having a grab bag for ideas can help save you from distraction and preserve your thoughts.
  2. Stimulate curiosity by keeping a list of facts, ideas, and experiences that intrigue you.
  3. Organize ideas and spark creativity by keeping a repository for interesting things you come across.

Open Thread 362

Astral Codex Ten • 3303 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. This is a space for open discussions where you can share anything or ask questions. It's great for connecting with others about various topics.
  2. Jimmy Carter, the former president, has passed away, and there was a biography about him that many people found interesting.
  3. Happy New Year to everyone! Regular updates and posts will be coming back soon.

17 underappreciated political(ish) thrillers

Read Max • 1027 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
📚 Literature Books
  1. There is a list of 17 underrated thrillers that focus on politics, covering topics like conspiracy and espionage. They are great for anyone looking for exciting movies that explore hidden plots.
  2. Subscribers can access a master list of all movie and book recommendations that have been made, which is regularly updated to include new picks.
  3. Supporting the newsletter through subscriptions allows for continuous updates and content creation, making it possible to recommend good movies and take breaks occasionally.

"Virginia Doesn't Care"

Range Widely • 1847 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Virginia Woolf persevered through criticism and self-doubt to publish multiple books.
  2. Virginia Woolf's ability to care deeply about her core project made criticism seem less significant.
  3. Drawing inspiration from Virginia Woolf, one can channel inner strength to overcome challenges in pursuing important projects.

Links for December

By Reason Alone • 114 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. AI is a major focus, covering its history, the recent scaling era, and interpretability research like toy models of superposition, alongside practical debates about preserving old model weights and deployment economics.
  2. There is a strong emphasis on Irish culture, history, and civic work, from essays on Protestant magic to infrastructure reform and active local reading and maths initiatives.
  3. The post is a wide-ranging media roundup with clear recommendations across books, films, music, and podcasts, highlighting specific discoveries and thoughtful reactions to each.

Best of The Ruffian 2025

The Ruffian • 165 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Most-read pieces mixed practical life advice (on ageing, happiness, and reading) with cultural criticism and technology commentary (music, AI, and online movements).
  2. Readers are invited to engage actively by sharing posts, suggesting topics for the year ahead, and asking questions in an AMA.
  3. Content came in varied formats—essays, lists, reviews and podcasts—showing a wide range of topics and styles that resonated with the audience.

Morning Stretches

CRAFT TALK • 2083 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. This newsletter is about writing and creativity.
  2. The author is working on finishing two books.
  3. To get back into writing, the author is doing morning stretches like reading shorter novels and taking care of their health.

Addendum: The Most Banned Book

Anarchonomicon • 1218 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🚌 Education Books
  1. Finding banned works online may be easier than expected, even controversial ones.
  2. The memoirs of Augusto Pinochet are extremely difficult to find, despite the numerous works written about him.
  3. Pinochet's own memoirs are virtually non-existent in libraries, showing efforts to hide his perspective.

A Calming Low Winter Sky of Links & Recs

Culture Study • 2846 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. It's nice to spend time doing things that make you feel relaxed and at home, like gardening or cooking. Simple activities can bring joy and comfort, especially in winter.
  2. Trying new things, like a fun game or a good book, can be a great way to break the routine and keep things interesting. Sharing these experiences makes them even better.
  3. Enjoying time with family and friends, such as skiing and having fun moments together, helps strengthen relationships and creates memorable experiences.

2025 Is Finally Over—But Not Soon Enough

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 154 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Conservative media is cannibalizing itself. Influencers often attack one another because they won’t challenge their leader, and politics has largely turned into entertainment rather than a real contest of ideas.
  2. Pop culture feels stuck and fragmented — the old monoculture is gone, nostalgia is everywhere, and streaming plus AI are devouring and hollowing out the internet; still, you can find unexpected gems if you bother to hunt for them.
  3. Keep writing and creating even when you feel malaise, because it helps clarify thought and can be its own reward; small humane acts and humor in hard times also give real inspiration and steadiness.

Still Going...

Story Club with George Saunders • 60 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
📚 Literature Books
  1. Travel is hectic with a packed schedule of events across multiple cities, but a pause is coming soon.
  2. Long posts are apologized for and blamed on the rushed pace, with a wish there had been more time to write shorter, tighter pieces.
  3. This post is behind a paywall and directs readers to subscribe or sign in as a paid subscriber.

Hello From Taiwan!

Am I Doing This Right? • 1081 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Books
  1. The author is in Taiwan working on their third book and finalizing edits on the second book.
  2. The second book's official announcement occurred a few weeks ago, with more details to come in upcoming months.
  3. Paid subscriptions to the author's work will resume soon, providing access to exclusive content and updates on their upcoming projects.

Episode Four: Old-Fashioned Strawberry Cake

a newsletter • 1906 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Books
  1. The newsletter features an Old-Fashioned Strawberry Cake recipe that tastes like a donut.
  2. Alison Roman shares details about her new book, Sweet Enough, and her media appearances.
  3. The team behind the book, including photographer, designer, and friends, is highlighted in the post.

Join Me Tomorrow On Substack Live For A Book Update And Q&A

Singal-Minded • 111 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
📚 Literature Books
  1. There's a live video update and Q&A tomorrow at 5:00 PM Eastern, with the join link sent five minutes beforehand to premium subscribers. It will start with a roughly 10-minute update and then move to audience questions for an estimated 45 minutes, and the recording will be available afterward.
  2. A book about the debate over youth gender medicine is nearing its deadline, which has caused delays in responding to reader questions.
  3. Readers are encouraged to post questions about youth gender medicine now, with the most upvoted questions prioritized during the live session, and the newsletter will have changes announced later this month or in early February.

Happy Sunday to You All

Story Club with George Saunders • 103 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📚 Literature Books
  1. An interview ran in The New York Times and is available in written, video, and podcast formats.
  2. The post is behind a paywall and directs readers to subscribe or sign in to access the full content.
  3. The announcement greets readers and points them to the newly released interviews with links to each format.

What Are You Reading?!? (In January)

Culture Study • 2436 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Taking a break from social media can help you find more time to read. Less screen time often leads to more focus on books.
  2. A historical romance that feels genuine and avoids clichés can be very enjoyable. A well-researched story makes it easier to connect with the characters.
  3. Engaging with others about books can spark new reading interests. Sharing what you're reading helps build a community around literature.

The Week In Recommendations 1.17.24

Rich Text • 1022 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. Engaging content recommendations and reviews from Emma and Claire
  2. Discussion on diverse topics like polyamory, TV shows, podcasts, and fashion
  3. Real-life experiences with products like sweatpants, jeans, brownies, and soup

Harvard Betrayed Its Mission

Glenn Loury • 1130 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🚌 Education Books
  1. Harvard and other elite universities are facing institutional problems.
  2. Maintaining high academic standards is crucial for college presidents.
  3. Institutions reflect their failings through their leadership choices.

"Discipline is Destiny"

Range Widely • 1768 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Self-imposed limits can free rather than restrict us
  2. Proactively structuring our lives can enhance creativity
  3. Having discipline involves saying no to distractions to focus on the main thing

A quieter issue | #319

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 95 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Books
  1. The newsletter is shifting to a shorter, less-frequent format so more time can be spent on book-length projects instead of trying to constantly produce new, novel pieces.
  2. There are curated reading and listening recommendations—books and essays about freelancing, change, habits, and experimental ways of living—plus a podcast aimed at creators balancing full-time work.
  3. Readers are asked to complete a short survey to help shape future content, and there’s an open invitation to join a global community along with a list of recommended tools and services for creators and travelers.

Summer Reading

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. Summer is a time when many people take breaks from work and enjoy vacations, especially in education. It's a chance to relax and step away from the usual busy schedule.
  2. Reading books during the summer can be a great way to unwind and enjoy downtime. It’s a good opportunity to explore different genres and authors.
  3. Having a stack of unread books can sometimes feel overwhelming but also exciting. It shows that there are many stories and ideas waiting to be discovered.