The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Risk Reading for the Holiday Season

Risk Musings • 458 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🚌 Education Reading Risk Books Writing
  1. Stephanie's risk-focused reading list includes books on AI, cyber-weapons, corporate influence, economic disparities, and hopeful history.
  2. The books cover topics like AI risk, cybersecurity, corporate influence, economic disparities, and hope for humanity.
  3. Stephanie is interested in forming a risk book club and reading books in a group setting.
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Are Small Books The Future? | #256

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 150 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Writing Podcasts Authors Reading
  1. Writing shorter books can be a hidden market with high reader satisfaction as people tend to recommend books they finish.
  2. Experimenting with different ways to package writing and breaking traditional book length norms can lead to new perspectives on what a book can be.
  3. Launching a podcast series interviewing diverse individuals about their work challenges and offering free coaching sessions can be engaging and informative.

⬜ Waiting for books

One Thing • 336 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📚 Literature Library Books Reading Newsletter Authors
  1. Waiting for books from the library can be a slow and unpredictable process, but it adds a layer of excitement and anticipation to reading.
  2. Having multiple books on hold at a time allows for a diverse selection and prevents the pressure of reading one book quickly.
  3. The time it takes for a book to arrive from the library creates a low-stakes adventure and allows the reader to engage with the content without external influences.

reading / writing

bookbear express • 132 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
📚 Literature Reading Writing
  1. The author is experimenting with splitting weekly recommendations into reading and writing sections to share what they've been reading and writing, and encouraging readers to share their own recommendations.
  2. The author mentions one of the books they are looking forward to is 'Splinters' by Leslie Jamison, which is going to be released soon. They express admiration for Leslie Jamison's writing.
  3. The content of the post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusivity and special access for those who subscribe.

LIZARD MODE: ACTIVATED

History, etc • 1218 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🏝 Travel History Reading Culture
  1. The author is currently on vacation in Crete, enjoying the hot weather and relaxing by swimming, guzzling cold beer, and lounging around.
  2. The author shared pictures of a Byzantine church in Crete with 13th-century wall paintings that they visited during their holiday.
  3. The author reviews several books they have read during their vacation, sharing their thoughts on each one.

Further Reading

Material World • 164 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Books Science History Research Reading
  1. There is a wide range of reading materials available to delve deeper into the topics discussed in the book.
  2. Various books and resources are recommended for exploring different aspects of material science, such as sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium.
  3. Authors and specific books are highlighted as excellent starting points for those interested in learning more about specific material-related subjects.

📚Salon: Reading for Pleasure and Going Beyond Words: Events, Practices

Neckar’s Notes • 117 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Reading Practices Events Wisdom Writing
  1. Reading for pleasure is a rare and fulfilling experience in a world dominated by social media and short attention spans.
  2. Engaging in concrete practices beyond mere words is crucial for finding meaning, connection, and balance in life.
  3. Exploring various practices like breathwork and attending events can help cultivate wisdom, balance, and a deeper connection with oneself and the world.

Five Links to Read (March 2024)

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 56 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Reading Music Podcasts People
  1. The post is about sharing five interesting links for March 2024, covering topics like buying a pro sports team, the business of check cashing, and how time influences career choices.
  2. The post includes bonus content like podcasts on SaaS sales strategies and investing for a higher purpose, as well as articles discussing potential threats like rogue billionaires making nuclear weapons.
  3. Additional recommendations in the post include books to read, notable tweets, and a graph highlighting that spending on security does not always equate to high security levels.

Turning another page

thegreataffair • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Journalism Fiction Reading Creativity
  1. The author is reflecting on a new creative phase in her life, feeling the need to break away from previous patterns and explore new ways of storytelling.
  2. She is grappling with the challenges of being a freelancer in the journalism industry, contemplating the balance between passion for writing and the practicalities of making a living.
  3. The author is prioritizing following her heart in her writing endeavors, embracing curiosity and a broader approach to storytelling, even if it means taking risks and stepping outside conventional journalism.

My Year In Reading

The Ruffian • 184 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📚 Literature Books Authors Reading
  1. The post discusses the books the author read in 2023, focusing on those related to physics and science writing.
  2. Carlo Rovelli's books 'Helgoland' and 'Reality Is Not What It Seems' are highlighted as excellent reads for those interested in the quantum world.
  3. Benjamin Labatut's novel 'When We Cease To Understand The World' is mentioned for its fictionalized portrayal of brilliant minds in science and mathematics.

Zeus and 'Righting' the Divine Constitution

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mythology Politics Classics Reading Epic poetry
  1. Book 15 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus reestablishing his authority among the gods and reigniting his plan.
  2. The actions and conversations among the gods in Book 15 offer insights into divine politics and how they mirror human political dynamics.
  3. Zeus' leadership style in Book 15 contrasts with human governance, showcasing the implausibility of replicating divine autocracy on earth.

Borges and the Essay

Orbis Tertius • 546 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
📚 Literature Essays Authors Reading Writing Culture
  1. Essays used to be more popular in literary circles than stories, according to Borges and Eliot Weinberger.
  2. The rise of journalism led to a decline in free-ranging essays, but the internet and platforms like Substack may bring back the golden age of the essay.
  3. Substack's network structure fosters criticism, experimentation, and avant-garde essays, revitalizing the demand and development of the essay form.

Scatterbrain: a letter from the end of times

The Leftovers • 119 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
📚 Literature Writing Books Reading Predictions Publishing
  1. The author reflects on their writing journey in 2023, touching on the challenges and aspirations of writing for a living but not yet making enough income from it.
  2. The author shares their top ten favorite pieces written in 2023, discussing various topics from AI in art to the struggles of indie writers in the literary world.
  3. Predictions for 2024 include memoirs and Substacks created by AI, highlighting the evolving nature of technology's impact on self-expression and literature.

Fifteen-reader books

The Leftovers • 179 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing Authorship Reading
  1. Facing challenges and performing for small audiences is a common struggle for content creators like writers and comedians.
  2. Experiencing setbacks, rejections, and small turnouts is part of the writing journey. Writers often face low audience numbers and sparse attention.
  3. Writing entails persistence and understanding that obscurity and tumbleweed moments are a normal part of the process, requiring dedication and resilience.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 79 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Storytelling Books Characters
  1. The readers expect a cohesive story to lead them in a certain direction, answering questions as they arise.
  2. In writing with multiple points of view, the author should feel the book's need for additional voices rather than adding characters for the sake of it.
  3. One approach is to give each character enough backstory to make the current moment make sense, without unnecessary elaboration.

An Unhinged History of American Publishing, episode 3.3: The Crown Publishing Group, or: Look At That Trash Panda Go 😭

How to Glow in the Dark • 196 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📚 Literature Publishing Authors Reading Book Sales
  1. The Great Depression had a significant impact on the American publishing industry.
  2. During tough times, unconventional strategies and adapting to the audience's needs can lead to success.
  3. Observing consumer behavior and offering affordable options helped Crown Publishers thrive post-Depression.