The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Do more people write poetry than read it?

The Common Reader • 2374 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. More people read poetry than write it; surveys put poetry readers at roughly 9–12% of American adults (tens of millions) and poetry book sales remain substantial in places like the UK.
  2. Editors’ anecdotes are skewed by a prolific minority who submit a lot, so their inboxes make it seem like more people write than read; many readers are “silent” and don’t submit, attend readings, or subscribe to magazines.
  3. Poetry consumption and publishing have diversified—readers often use books, archives, and online platforms, and many poets publish directly online—so traditional magazines act as a winnowing filter and don’t necessarily reflect most readers’ tastes.

Further thoughts on some of the topics from my 'Conversation with Tyler'

The Common Reader • 1488 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. A major English-language religious novel could appear much sooner than expected, possibly within a few years rather than decades.
  2. Dostoevsky’s short works can be excellent, but his long novels often feel melodramatic and nationally biased, and readers’ temperaments strongly shape how they respond to him.
  3. Shakespeare wrote for both the stage and the page, with a substantial contemporary print readership, so reading his plays is a legitimate and sometimes preferable way to experience them.

The Ritual of Writing.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 65 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Using short prompts to write regularly turns journaling into a simple ritual that beats writer's block and gives daily life more meaning.
  2. Paying close attention—like noting the ten images that defined your day—creates a pause between stimulus and response where you can choose how to act and grow.
  3. Writing lets you reframe problems, change inherited stories, and process deep emotions like grief, so it becomes a tool for personal agency and healing.

Text is king

Experimental History • 118726 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. The idea that reading is dead is exaggerated; surveys show only modest declines while book sales and independent bookstores remain robust.
  2. Writing and books uniquely enable complex, precise thinking and long-term influence, because putting ideas into text makes them testable and lasting.
  3. Digital distractions matter but they haven’t erased the human appetite for deep reading. Attention-sapping tech may be peaking, and other recorded formats also help preserve knowledge.

I'm Embarrassed to Admit This...

Between a Rock and a Card Place • 5801 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Many people have books they find embarrassing to read or display. These can be titles that they enjoy but feel ashamed of for various reasons.
  2. The emotional reaction to certain books, like embarrassment, can reveal deeper feelings and interests of a person. It’s okay to enjoy books that might seem cheesy or awkward.
  3. Starting a book club focused on these 'embarrassing' reads can create a safe space for discussing and sharing those hidden interests, allowing people to connect over their unique reading experiences.
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The Monday Media Diet with Tom Junod

Why is this interesting? • 1266 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Writing comes first: a steady daily writing and journaling practice shapes reading habits, with reading and listening used mainly to support and inspire work.
  2. A deep love of books and local bookstores: physical books, poetry, and specific recommended titles (like Frank O’Hara’s Lunch Poems and Joe Brainard’s I Remember) are central, and there’s active support for independent bookshops.
  3. A careful blend of old and new media: strong preference for magazines and print routines (even reading back-to-front), modest social media use for promotion, and a skeptical but curious attitude toward generative apps and AI (for example, enjoying Brian Eno’s Bloom).

George Steiner breaking my heart with his description of the way people used to memorise poems, Bible passages, classic works.

The Common Reader • 4536 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Memorising poetry and classic texts used to be central to educated life, giving people a shared store of quotations and echoes that shaped public speech and culture.
  2. That routine memorisation has largely faded in modern schooling and many teachers no longer practise it, though pockets of the habit survive in some places and among some people.
  3. Making a personal effort to memorise poems and to copy out passages (ruminatio) deepens understanding of texts and is a worthwhile, rewarding practice to revive.

On reading Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The sea and why kids these days can't read

Wondering Freely • 991 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Many students today struggle to read long novels and often rely on summaries instead. This shift shows how reading habits have changed in recent years.
  2. Reading literary fiction can be a journey that helps us grow as people. It lets us explore complex characters and their lives, which can lead to self-reflection.
  3. We often feel pressured to be constantly productive, which makes it hard to enjoy reading. It's important to slow down and allow ourselves to simply enjoy a good book.

How I Learned to Love Reading

The Honest Broker • 10838 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🚌 Education Reading
  1. Leisure reading among teens has collapsed in recent years, and that decline is alarming to teachers and parents.
  2. Loving reading matters more than any teaching method or test score; if a child doesn’t develop affection for books, instruction alone won’t stick.
  3. Warm early experiences—like being read to by a caring adult—can create a lasting love of books, so parents and educators should try to recreate those moments.

The very best nonfiction books

Residual Thoughts • 178 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. It's nice to tell friends what they're good at; it makes them feel appreciated. Everyone likes a little encouragement!
  2. When recommending books, aim for those that are either fun or impactful. This way, you'll enjoy the reading experience more.
  3. Listening to audiobooks can enhance the experience, especially with personal stories or adventures. They can feel really intimate and engaging.

Ten reasons to read great literature in 2026

The Common Reader • 8363 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Literature offers unique, deep pleasures and stretches your imagination through the force of language.
  2. Great books help you understand human character, grapple with moral questions, and pursue meaning in life.
  3. Reading cultivates solitude, focus, and intellectual freedom, and preserves a civilization's highest achievements across time.

Donkey work

Austin Kleon • 6154 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Writing can feel like hard work, but it's satisfying when a piece takes on a life of its own. Those moments when creativity flows can make all the effort worth it.
  2. Many writers find joy in finishing something rather than the writing process itself. It can take a long time to feel that payoff, but it's really rewarding when you finally do.
  3. Being in between drafts can be a peaceful time for a writer. It's a chance to relax without worrying about the next steps until the next draft comes back.

Is fiction too female-coded?

Jeff Giesea • 2814 implied HN points • 22 Sep 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Fiction seems to be more associated with women, which might keep men from engaging in reading and writing it. It's important for men to feel welcome in this space too.
  2. Statistics show that many more women read fiction compared to men, creating a gap that might negatively impact how stories are told and understood in society.
  3. The publishing world tends to favor female voices now, which can push male writers away and lead to fewer stories that explore male perspectives, hurting cultural conversations.

How Naomi Kanakia read the Great Books

The Common Reader • 2161 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Anyone can read the Great Books — they aren’t just for snobs or scholars.
  2. If you spend enough time with these books, they’ll probably change you in some way; the fear of slogging through them and getting nothing is usually unfounded.
  3. Practical, down-to-earth reading habits make the Great Books doable even with a busy life, and reading widely and persistently is how people actually get the most out of them.

An economist asks: What is the value of reading great literature like Eliot and Tolstoy?

The Common Reader • 5563 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Long novels let you live inside many characters' minds, so you can see how people are absorbed in their own concerns and how that shapes their actions.
  2. They let you watch decisions play out over years, revealing long-term and second-order consequences and the slow moral formation you don't get from short films or posts.
  3. Experiencing the book yourself matters because summaries can't recreate the immersive detail, and different passages will resonate with different readers in different ways.

Always have a book with you

Austin Kleon • 3197 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Always carry a book with you. Keeping a book on hand helps you use spare moments for reading instead of reaching for your phone.
  2. Read multiple books at once. Mixing up your reading can create interesting connections between different ideas.
  3. Leave books in various spots around your home. This way, you'll find opportunities to pick one up and read a bit whenever you see it.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 563 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. A long, immersive read about psychedelic therapy (ketamine, DMT, LSD) can feel deeply pleasurable and worth savoring.
  2. A big dim sum spread at Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown was a standout food experience this week.
  3. Two aphorisms from family landed this week, showing how short sayings can stick and resonate.

How I taught my 3-year-old to read like a 9-year-old

The Intrinsic Perspective • 26836 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🚌 Education Reading
  1. Teaching a child to read early can lead to them enjoying books and reading for pleasure. This habit can help with their brain development and emotional well-being.
  2. Using methods like reading together, fun activities, and spaced repetition can make learning to read more effective and enjoyable for kids.
  3. The process of teaching reading requires patience and flexibility, as each child learns at their own pace. Making it fun is key to keeping them interested.

Why read novels?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1546 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Novels let you explore characters' inner lives and deliver a single writer's clear vision, giving access to thought and nuance that other media often can't match.
  2. Reading is an active, focus-building activity that trains sustained attention and usually feels more rewarding than passively consuming short-form phone content.
  3. Novels create shared cultural touchstones and are a realistic, high-quality way to spend limited free time when great conversations or other ideal experiences aren’t available.

What should Tyler Cowen ask me?

The Common Reader • 1417 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. An upcoming Conversations with Tyler episode will focus on Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, with the guest taking the lead in the discussion.
  2. Tyler plans to ask about the value of literature and specific writers and works such as Jane Austen, Adam Smith, and Bleak House.
  3. He will also ask about the guest's book on late bloomers and other topics, and listeners are invited to suggest what Tyler should ask.

What is "Comfort," Anyway?

Story Club with George Saunders • 67 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Comfort often comes from facing the truth, even when it’s painful, because admitting reality can reduce anxiety and open possibilities.
  2. Sometimes reassuring a frightened person—especially a child—means offering a gentle untruth, since calming them in the moment can be the kinder, more useful choice.
  3. Turning your attention outward to help someone else can steady you and remind you who you want to be, and honest appraisal of problems often frees you to find new solutions.

Ink in the Stomach

The Map is Mostly Water • 1353 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. When you study or work deeply on something it becomes a kind of sense—an "ink in the stomach" that builds intuition and changes how you see and respect the world.
  2. Chasing only novelty leads to shallow disappointment, but persistent attention and curiosity reveal endless layers of detail in people and places that repay long-term care.
  3. Collecting memories and practicing sustained attention—through photos, craft, or relationships—creates a reservoir of understanding and pleasure, and many things only make sense in hindsight.

On Writing #2

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2464 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Using AI tools for writing can be tricky. Sometimes, they're not very helpful in improving the writing itself, but they can be good for checking grammar and spotting errors.
  2. It's easier to write longer posts since people expect less from them. However, writing a shorter piece can actually require more effort to make every word count.
  3. Most people hear about a piece of writing from others instead of reading it themselves. So, how a message spreads can be just as important as the content itself.

The Edge Index

Austin Kleon • 1938 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. The fore-edge of a book is important for understanding its structure. By making an edge index, you can see how the book is organized and breaks down into sections.
  2. Making an edge index can also give insight into the author's writing process. For example, understanding how a long novel like Middlemarch was serialized helps appreciate its structure.
  3. Books like Dilla Time show that unique structures can enhance storytelling. Alternating chapters allow for a deeper exploration of the subject, making it more engaging.

Prophesy's lullaby

Patti Smith • 7527 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Patti Smith shares her daily activities and wishes readers a good night.
  2. She prepared cod, purple sweet potatoes, and micro greens for the evening meal.
  3. Patti Smith's publication is reader-supported, and readers can subscribe to support her work.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 607 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. A weekly roundup highlights things consumed across media like articles, podcasts, and apps, and includes tips for podcast apps and listening strategies.
  2. A featured essay revisits the “Wages for Housework” movement, focusing on its internal conflicts and personal reflections on mothering.
  3. Most of the full content is behind a paywall, so a subscription is needed to read the complete list.

No more paid writing here

The Common Reader • 4571 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. All future writing will be free for everyone, with no paywall. Anyone can read the content without paying.
  2. The paid subscription now only gives access to past archives and is not required for regular updates.
  3. The writer encourages readers to unsubscribe if they don't want archive access and emphasizes that writing was never about making money.

A Life With Less Pleasure Reading

Culture Study • 3565 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. Reading for pleasure is declining, with many people spending less time on it than before. We need to think about how busy lives are affecting our reading habits.
  2. People might still be reading, but it's often not in the form of traditional books. Many are consuming content online, through social media or podcasts, which isn't always counted as reading for fun.
  3. The pressures of adult life and parenting make it hard to find time to read. Balancing work, family, and leisure can make reading feel like a low priority, even if it's valuable for relaxation and enjoyment.

Willa Cather's case for reading the great books

The Common Reader • 3047 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Reading classic literature connects us with the feelings and experiences of people from the past. It gives us a glimpse into their lives and challenges.
  2. Great books can influence our thoughts and ambitions, inspiring us to pursue different paths in life. Just like reading can make someone want to become an architect.
  3. Engaging with literature helps us understand ourselves and our relationships better. It opens our minds to new perspectives and ways to see the world.

Boys, Flesh, Christie, Hours, Trollope, Diana, Perfection, audiobooks

The Common Reader • 4040 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Some new books are getting lots of attention, but not all deserve it. It’s important to read critically and think for yourself.
  2. Certain novels well capture the complexity of life and character growth. Books like 'Flesh' show how transformative experiences can shape a person.
  3. Biographies can be engaging, especially when they thoughtfully connect a writer's life to their work. Good biographies help readers appreciate the author more.

The 25 best British and Irish novels of the 21st century?

The Common Reader • 2622 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. The top five British and Irish novels of the 21st century include 'Bring Up the Bodies' and 'The Line of Beauty.' These books are highly praised.
  2. There is some debate on the list, with some suggesting it would be better if it focused only on British novels. A few books, like 'Piranesi,' are considered missing from the top spots.
  3. The list has sparked ideas for new reading and shows a range of choices, though it may not generate as much discussion as similar lists from other cultures.

Choose Nonbook Review Finalists 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 4611 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. There are 141 entries for a Non-Book Review Contest that need to be narrowed down to about a dozen finalists. Everyone is encouraged to help out by reading and rating these entries.
  2. You should try to read different reviews randomly to get a fair spread of votes. If you read them in order, early reviews might get too many votes compared to the later ones.
  3. The voting deadline is June 20, and the finalists will be announced after counting the votes. So make sure to participate before then!

Literature needs young men more than young men need it

The Intrinsic Perspective • 9247 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Literature is becoming more popular with women, while fewer young men are writing and reading it. This shift raises concerns about the future of literary culture.
  2. Many believe that this decline in male readers is harmful, as reading novels can help improve emotional intelligence and personal understanding.
  3. The argument is made that contemporary literature actually needs young men more than they need literature, suggesting a crucial void in the literary landscape.

Goodbye to the Age of the Book

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 565 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. Reading long books has declined in cultural importance, with fewer people reading for pleasure and fewer whole books assigned in schools.
  2. Digital snippets on smartphones and oral formats like podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and audiobooks are replacing deep reading as the dominant way people consume information.
  3. Even so, long books still offer unique depth and remain well worth the time for those who seek it.

How I Write Posts

Construction Physics • 21087 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Reading
  1. The author's writing process involves mainly two types of posts: explanation-driven and exploratory. They often write to understand complex topics themselves and then share their findings.
  2. Extensive research is a crucial part of the author's writing process. They gather information from a variety of sources like books, dissertations, and online resources.
  3. The author follows a structured approach starting from research, reading, and thinking, then moves on to compressing and structuring content, before finally drafting, editing, and posting their work.

My favorite articles of 2025

Maybe Baby • 524 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. A yearly roundup highlights fifteen favorite articles of the year. The selections come from reading many pieces and applying a picky, rigorous standard.
  2. The recurring "15 Things" format usually showcases exactly five articles, and it sometimes drops to four when the choices don’t meet the standard.
  3. The full post is behind a paywall and requires a paid subscription or sign‑in to read.

The Lonesome Dove Edition

Why is this interesting? • 2352 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Reading 'Lonesome Dove' slows you down and helps you appreciate details in life. It takes time for the story to unfold, teaching you patience.
  2. The characters are deep and relatable, each showcasing different aspects of human experience. Their friendships and struggles make them memorable.
  3. The book combines beauty with harsh realities, showing how the myth of the West fades away. It challenges what you think you know about Westerns.

Summer reading assignment

Austin Kleon • 7713 implied HN points • 30 May 23
đź“š Literature Reading
  1. Get a library card to access tons of free resources. Libraries offer books, movies, and more without any cost!
  2. Don’t hesitate to ask a librarian for help. They can give you a tour and show you how to use all the library services.
  3. Try to borrow something from the library. It's a great way to support local libraries and start reading!