The hottest Literature Substack posts right now

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How to like everything more

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 8860 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Enjoyment is a skill that can be improved by focusing on the details and layers in experiences, whether it's music, food, or art. Try to look for different aspects that you might usually overlook.
  2. Being curious and open to new sensations can transform how you experience intense music, food, or art. Instead of resisting strong stimuli, embrace their intensity and see them as opportunities for enjoyment.
  3. Creating a connection with the creator of a work can enhance your enjoyment. Think about the effort and emotion they put into their creation, which can make you appreciate it even more.

Censored by Britain

Wrong Side of History • 512 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The Online Safety Act and similar rules are making platforms restrict content and add age checks, which risks silencing writers and breaking the link between creators and readers.
  2. Rapid demographic change and mass immigration are reshaping Britain and Europe, changing politics and social cohesion. Current policies to expand legal migration risk fueling political backlash and security worries.
  3. Cultural institutions and habits are weakening—fewer people study or read English literature and trust traditional media is falling. At the same time, citizen archivists are uncovering neglected histories and social problems that mainstream outlets often miss.

I Hate 28 Days Later for Killing Off Supernatural Zombies

Freddie deBoer • 3743 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The movie '28 Days Later' changed zombies from slow, traditional creatures to fast, scary ones. This shift makes the horror feel more immediate and intense.
  2. Most modern zombie stories now explain zombies as a result of a virus, moving away from the idea of supernatural resurrection. Many people miss the spooky appeal of classic, magic-based zombies.
  3. Fast zombie stories often focus on finding cures and dealing with infections, which can make the plot feel less about true zombie horror and more like a medical crisis. Fans of classic zombies argue that supernatural elements add depth and charm.

David Mamet: Back When We Gave a Fuck

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2508 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Profanity can be powerful and meaningful, used originally to add emphasis rather than just to shock. It was a way to express yourself vividly, not merely to curse.
  2. David Mamet found inspiration in the raw language of everyday people, particularly those living in tough environments. Their unique speech motivated him to create his plays.
  3. The use of strong language has changed over time, becoming less about direct challenges and more about legal threats. This shift has made everyday language feel less impactful.

The life of Samuel Johnson's servant

The Common Reader • 2799 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Frank Barber, who was originally born a slave in Jamaica, later moved to England and became a servant for Samuel Johnson. His life shows a unique journey from slavery to a more privileged position in society.
  2. Samuel Johnson treated Frank Barber with more kindness than many others of his time, often caring about his well-being and education. Their relationship was complex but ultimately supportive.
  3. Despite receiving money after Johnson's death, Frank Barber struggled financially and faced many hardships in his later life, including poor health and challenges in managing his finances.
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Make bad art & read terrible books

Austin Kleon • 5995 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. It's okay to make bad art; everyone should try creating without worrying about being perfect.
  2. Reading bad books can also be beneficial; it helps you discover what you don't like and why.
  3. Joining a community of creative people can support your growth, even if you feel unsure about your own work.

The Engine

The Chip Letter • 8299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Literature
  1. Jonathan Swift's 'Engine' in Gulliver's Travels resembles a modern language model, using a setup to create phrases like today's AI would. It's an early version of computing that predicts how machines can generate language.
  2. The 'Engine' is set up to show how books can be made easier to create. It suggests that anyone could write on complex topics, even without talent, a concept similar to how AI helps people produce text now.
  3. Swift's work critiques the idea of replacing human creativity with machines. It humorously shows that while technology can produce text, true creativity still involves deeper human thought.

The Monday Media Diet with Dalya Benor

Why is this interesting? • 603 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Dalya enjoys reading a mix of newsletters and news articles, usually including notable sources like the NYT and WSJ. She likes to read books both in the morning and at night.
  2. One of her recommended books is Solvej Balle’s 'On the Calculation of Volume', which features a unique story of a woman reliving the same day. She appreciates the author's clean and engaging writing style.
  3. Dalya finds pleasure in discovering hidden gems while traveling, mentioning the Hunterian Museum in London as a must-visit, especially for its unique exhibits on surgery.

Boy, Have I Got Some "Stuff" for "You"!

CAFÉ ANNE • 2810 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The opposite of paranoia is pronoia, where people believe the world conspires to do them good.
  2. Destroying currency is a federal crime, but it may be protected as free speech under certain conditions.
  3. Libraries face challenges in acquiring and sharing digital copies of ebooks, impacting availability for users.

Bathtime in Bulgaria

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 639 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Ivan Vazov is a key figure in Bulgarian literature and his work sparked a sense of national identity. His poetry, especially about freedom, shaped how many Bulgarians see their history.
  2. Baths in Bulgaria are more than just places to get clean; they hold cultural and spiritual significance. They serve as social spaces where people connect and share, reflecting the blend of history and community.
  3. The experience of bathing has evolved through different political contexts, from Ottoman influence to socialist ideals and now into capitalist commodification, affecting how people relate to these traditions and spaces today.

What we lose when AI creates art

Subtle Digressions • 559 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. AI art lacks the emotional depth of human-created art. Art reflects human experiences, feelings, and suffering that AI does not possess.
  2. There's a difference between art and content. True art comes from deep human connections and experiences, while content is often just a product of efficiency.
  3. Using AI in art risks commodifying creativity. If we let machines create art, we lose the value and meaning that come from the human struggle and process of creation.

The Forever Mitzvah

Singal-Minded • 496 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Dovi connects with Jesse during their unexpected encounter, leading to a deep conversation about life and experiences. Their bond grows as Jesse shares personal struggles, which shows how meaningful connections can arise from chance meetings.
  2. The act of smoking the shredded Torah represents a transformative experience for Jesse, symbolizing a new perspective on life and spirituality. It reflects a journey to confront fears and learn about oneself in unusual ways.
  3. The story culminates in a unique twist where Jesse contemplates a change meant to connect him more to his Jewish identity, showing how identity and belonging can create powerful feelings of connection and urgency in relationships.

The snail trail

Austin Kleon • 2817 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Snails teach us the importance of taking our time and moving at our own pace. They remind us that it's okay to slow down and be idle sometimes.
  2. Snails leave a trail behind them, which symbolizes the journey we've taken in life and art. This can inspire artists to reflect on their past experiences.
  3. Observing small creatures like snails can help us find purpose and meaning in our lives. They show us that even the seemingly insignificant can have a big impact.

The humanities help us find the people we want to know.

The Common Reader • 3614 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The humanities help us connect with like-minded people. Discussing books is a great way to make friends and enhance our lives.
  2. Sorting, selecting, and signaling are important benefits of studying the humanities. They help us find the right group and show others our interests.
  3. Reading great literature, like works from Jonathan Swift, can improve our understanding of each other and create a sense of community.

Can You Really Learn the Humanities in 52 Weeks?

The Honest Broker • 7480 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Literature
  1. You can learn the humanities in a year by following a structured plan with about 250 pages of reading each week. This makes it manageable and not overwhelming.
  2. The course covers a wide range of topics, including literature, art, and music, allowing you to explore human culture broadly.
  3. It's flexible; you can do it at your own pace and even join a reading group if you want to learn with others.

Why is Rear Window so tense?

The Common Reader • 2268 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. _Rear Window_ shows a mix of different people's lives, creating a sense of tension and curiosity. Even before any crime happens, you feel like something important is unfolding.
  2. Instead of loud actions typical in murder stories, the film is quiet and uses visual cues to hint at danger. This makes the audience question what they truly see and understand.
  3. The film plays with genre expectations. It's not just about solving a crime; it also explores themes of voyeurism and our curiosity about others' lives, making you think about what you watch and why.

UFOs are a soft sci-fi genre

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7615 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🔬 Science Literature
  1. UFOs are often seen as a type of soft sci-fi that mixes imaginative stories with poor evidence. This suggests that many UFO enthusiasts focus more on fantasy than reality.
  2. Real first contact with aliens is more likely to be through indirect evidence over long distances, rather than physical visits. Scientists think we might find signs of alien civilizations from far away.
  3. As science progresses, we might enter a stage of uncertainty about aliens, leading to debates without clear answers for a long time. This means we could be questioning the existence of aliens for hundreds of years.

More ideas from the garden

Austin Kleon • 2857 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Sometimes, taking a little from others can lead to beautiful growth, just like how clippings can sprout into new plants.
  2. It's hard to tell at first if a new idea is good or bad, like wondering if a weed will become a flower - you have to wait and see.
  3. Great things can come from messy situations; even a tiny seed can become a beautiful tree if given the right conditions.

I Had to Say Something at My Son's Wedding

The Honest Broker • 17819 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Literature
  1. The author struggled to find the right passage to read at his son's wedding and ultimately turned to a Kierkegaard text he had read at his own wedding many years ago.
  2. The author found sentimental value in the passage, realizing its deeper meaning as he read it in 2024, bringing a new perspective to his understanding of marriage.
  3. By revisiting a piece of paper he saved from years ago, the author was able to share a touching and meaningful passage with the wedding guests, connecting past and present moments.

Publish your enthusiasm

Austin Kleon • 5755 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Sharing your excitement can be really powerful. When you show your enthusiasm, it inspires others too.
  2. Reading a good book can transport you to another world. Dive into your favorite stories for a little escape and joy.
  3. Engaging in creative activities like drawing or painting is rewarding. They combine thinking and pleasure, making it enjoyable and satisfying.

Late autumn is lit!

Austin Kleon • 3636 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Late autumn is a wonderful time for bike rides and enjoying the changing leaves. It's a nice reminder to take advantage of the season's beauty.
  2. Shopping for the holidays can be stressful, but planning ahead and seeking out specific gift guides can make it easier. Consider gifts that reflect the recipient's interests, like books or food-related items.
  3. Year-end lists can be a great resource for discovering new movies and music. Checking out critics' favorites can help you find something cool to enjoy during the holiday season.

Reading Homer After October 7

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2990 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Teaching classic texts like the 'Iliad' can take on new meaning when the students are soldiers. They relate deeply to the themes of war and sacrifice in the stories.
  2. Personal connections to war can be profound, as seen when students like Amir transition from studying literature to facing real-life battles.
  3. The contrast between a warrior's public role and their private life is significant. Characters like Hector highlight the dual nature of being committed to duty while also longing for family and peace.

Retrograde rocket

Austin Kleon • 3437 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Owls are fascinating creatures, and it's nice to enjoy their presence, especially during the season. There's a book that shares beautiful stories about an orphaned owl that might be worth checking out.
  2. Getting better at drawing can be a fun challenge, and there are helpful books for beginners. It's great to engage with art and connect with others who share the same interest.
  3. It's important to carve out time for your creative hobbies, especially during busy holidays. Taking a moment to reflect on your art practice can really help keep your passion alive.

The Broken Day

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 587 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The author feels disconnected from contemporary culture and has a nostalgic attachment to memories and objects from their past. They spend a lot of time reflecting on their personal experiences and the things they've collected over the years.
  2. Despite being housebound for a long time, the author creatively envisions life outside by 'nightwalking' in their imagination, exploring places they remember.
  3. There is a sense of infinite exploration in the author's journey through memories and objects, leading them to think about uncovering deeper meanings from their past.

The spectacle sickened me

Letters of Note • 2790 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. George Bernard Shaw once wrote a letter to 'The Times' criticizing a woman's hat at the opera.
  2. Shaw was disgusted by a woman wearing a large white bird on her head at the opera.
  3. Shaw argued that such flamboyant hats in theaters should not be allowed.

Mrs Warren's Profession. A splendid play performed almost pefectly.

The Common Reader • 2090 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Imelda Staunton gives an amazing performance in 'Mrs Warren's Profession.' She really captures the emotions and nuances of the play without just being loud or intense.
  2. The production is mostly well done, but the director added unnecessary elements like ghosts and emotional music that distract from Shaw's original message.
  3. Despite these flaws, the play is still worth seeing. Staunton's talent makes it a wonderful experience that shouldn't be missed.

Kraków

Cosmographia • 1597 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Literature
  1. The founding legend of Kraków involves a cobbler's apprentice named Krak who cleverly defeated a dragon that terrorized the land.
  2. Kraków has been an inspiration to many artists, poets, and writers, with its beauty and history influencing pieces of literature, art, and photography.
  3. Poland's history is marked by partitions and invasions, leading to a period of Great Emigration, and subsequent efforts by Poles to fight for freedom and independence.

What works of the humanities should undergraduates read?

The Common Reader • 2587 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🚌 Education Literature
  1. Undergraduates should read a broader range of humanities works, not just traditional literature like plays and novels. This can include philosophical texts and historical writings too.
  2. There's a belief that knowing about different important thinkers, like Plato and Shakespeare, can enrich our understanding of both literature and philosophy. They shouldn't be seen as separate subjects.
  3. The idea is to keep the humanities relevant in education by encouraging a diverse syllabus, allowing students to explore many types of important texts together.

Hazlitt's Committed Disinterest; Wuthering Lows; Dark Enlightenment's fell philosopher

Unpopular Front • 27 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. A great landscape painting can unify mood and scene so strongly that nature feels vast, strange, and freshly alive, pulling you into one atmospheric feeling.
  2. Myths like Orion’s journey from blindness to the rising sun show how art can serve as an awakening, restoring clarity and changing how you see things.
  3. Contemporary cultural writing often blends criticism, interviews, and event promotion, and frequently depends on subscriptions or reader support to sustain the work.

Weekender 01

Vague Blue • 599 implied HN points • 16 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Shitposting may not be the best engagement strategy for writers as it may not lead to meaningful connections.
  2. Watching Bridgerton is like enjoying smooth brain content, but its familiarity can make it less engaging.
  3. Exploring classic works like Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence can provide insight into historical societies and social dynamics.

Mr. Autumn Man, activated

Austin Kleon • 4656 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Traveling to places can be a lot of fun, especially when you get to catch up with friends and explore local shops and events. It's great to discover new books and enjoy the surroundings.
  2. Listening to music while driving can really enhance the experience. Whether it's a rainy night drive or a flight, the right tunes make everything feel more exciting.
  3. It's nice to find joy in simple things, like favorite teas, walks, and creative projects. Sharing and learning about good experiences can make everyday life better.

The Universal Mirror

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 501 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The Hinternet is becoming a paid subscription service starting January 1, and there are discounts available until the end of the year. It's a good opportunity to join the community while saving money.
  2. Writing and friendship are important themes, as they can lead to personal growth and happiness. Having supportive friends makes a significant difference in overcoming struggles.
  3. The goal of The Hinternet is to explore and reflect on everything in the universe, aiming to cover a vast range of topics and ideas, both real and imaginary.

Cruising for Classical Music in LA

The Honest Broker • 7879 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Dana Gioia's passion for modern classical music started in his teenage years when he sought out composers like Stravinsky and Copland instead of popular music.
  2. Today, technology has made it much easier to access a wide variety of music, unlike the past when finding new pieces required significant effort and was often limited.
  3. Diving into music discussions and experiences with friends helped shape individual tastes, and exploring art personally is more meaningful than relying on others' opinions.

The Dumbest Cover Story Ever

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 16432 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The article criticizes New York Magazine's cover story, describing its support for children's access to sex-changing medical care as extreme and problematic.
  2. The author argues that the piece promotes a radical rejection of norms like the nuclear family and patriarchy, advocating for a collective reimagining of society.
  3. The concept of child liberation and absolute political agency for children is highlighted as a controversial and concerning aspect of the cover story.

The Audacious Roundup

The Audacity. • 2653 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. Book club selection for January is 'Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook' by Sohla El-Waylyy.
  2. Professional conundrums? Send questions to [email protected].
  3. Issues discussed include dire situation in Gaza, eviction of Bluestockings bookstore, and controversies around Substack platform.

Things Worth Remembering: The Empathy of J.K. Rowling

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6969 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. J.K. Rowling reminded everyone how powerful imagination can be during her speech at Harvard. It's a great reminder of the importance of creativity in our lives.
  2. Rowling is praised for being a brilliant and successful writer, despite facing controversy in recent years. Her talent and impact on literature shouldn't be overlooked.
  3. It's essential to appreciate remarkable people like Rowling while they are still alive. We often wait too long to celebrate the contributions of influential figures.