The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

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Bookish words,& their surprising stories

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 30 May 25
📚 Literature Writing Books Reading Language Criticism
  1. Reading around a subject can deepen your understanding, even if it doesn’t directly relate to what you're studying. For example, exploring historical or literary contexts can provide valuable insights.
  2. The book 'Bookish Words' explains the origins and meanings of certain words and phrases that we often use. It makes learning about words fun and interesting.
  3. 'Bookish Words' is short and easy to dip into whenever you want to know more about language. It can also be a neat reference for impressing friends with your word knowledge.

Listening to audiobooks

Austin Kleon • 1738 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📚 Literature Books Audiobooks Reading Authors Narration
  1. Audiobooks are easy to access through apps like Libby and Hoopla, making it simple to enjoy books while doing other activities like walking or cleaning.
  2. Finding the right audiobook can be tricky because you need to enjoy both the story and the narrator's voice, which can really affect your experience.
  3. Recording audiobooks can help you connect more deeply with the text, just like reading out loud can give you a different perspective on a story.

Luxuriating, Heretical Questions, The Age 30 Crisis

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Podcasts Literature Science Health & Wellness Reading
  1. Social media use habits can reveal gender differences, like adding 'o' to 'so' which is a strong predictor of being female.
  2. Verbal intelligence among college graduates has decreased over 40 years, implying a college degree doesn't represent the same verbal ability as before.
  3. The ratio of unmarried men to women varies by age, with more men at younger ages, but fewer men as age increases.
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"A Christmas Carol"

Story Club with George Saunders • 43 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Essays Reading
  1. Reading can lead to powerful experiences that inspire and motivate us for the future. It's great to share suggestions with others as we plan our reading lists.
  2. Reflecting on what we've read helps us connect with the stories and their meanings. It's important to engage with good literature to enrich our lives.
  3. Sharing good books with friends and community can create a sense of bonding and support. Recommendations can help others discover wonderful new reads.

I want more people to read books. I also want to be able to call a bad book a bad book

Christopher’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
📚 Literature Books Criticism Reading Genres Cultural Discourse
  1. More people should read books to appreciate different styles and genres. Reading can open up new ideas and experiences for everyone.
  2. It's okay to have different opinions about books, even if some people love them. Being able to say a book is bad doesn't mean you're elitist; it's just preference.
  3. Friendly debates about books help create a healthy discussion around literature. Everyone should feel free to express their views and enjoy talking about their favorites.

Four Classes of Readers

Timeless & Timely • 471 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Readers have different reading speeds and habits.
  2. People read for various reasons like entertainment, education, and challenge.
  3. There are four main categories of readers based on Coleridge's classifications.

What I'm reading (April 2024 edition)

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Non-fiction Science Statistics
  1. Statistics and probability have a complex history that affects many sciences today. It's important to understand that probability is more about uncertainty than just measuring how often something happens.
  2. Books like 'Normality' explore how the idea of normal has been used to marginalize certain groups of people. The meanings of normal have changed over time and can be harmful.
  3. The connection between different thinkers and ideas can help us understand reality better. Books like 'The Rigor of Angels' look at these links and ask important questions about what we truly know.

Read More Books

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 353 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
📚 Literature Reading Books Education Writing Personal Development
  1. Reading more books can really help you learn and grow. It improves your focus, memory, and how you connect ideas.
  2. Even busy people like Warren Buffett and Barack Obama make time to read daily. It's all about priorities and choices.
  3. By reading widely and thoughtfully, you can build a better understanding of the world and find connections between different ideas.

The [Tuesday] Media Diet with Paul Theroux

Why is this interesting? • 1327 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Authors Novels Reading Writing
  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.

Here Lies Reading

Holodoxa • 259 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Reading Cultural Shifts Media Consumption
  1. Young people are reading less for pleasure, leading to a decline in critical reading skills.
  2. There is a convergence in reading behavior between academically inclined and disinclined individuals.
  3. Cultural shifts and technology, like the rise of smartphones and internet media, can impact reading habits and intellectual curiosity.

Before the police arrives: Bookstores on Saturdays

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 1132 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Bookstores Reading Memoirs Classics Social Commentary
  1. Allocating a fixed amount for book purchases can help maximize pleasure and choice.
  2. Exploring bookstores on Saturdays armed with book reviews can lead to thoughtful decisions on what to buy.
  3. Exposure to diverse literary works, especially during intellectually stimulating periods, can strongly influence individual interests and perspectives.

The life of a common reader

The Common Reader • 1027 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Biography Reading Novels Writers
  1. Remember the importance of nurturing your inner self and being uniquely you instead of blindly imitating others.
  2. Biographies can reveal controversial and intimate details, sparking debates on how much should be shared, yet some believe in telling everything.
  3. Common readers play a vital role in keeping great works alive, shaping a legacy of love for reading that extends across generations.

Reading as a warning light

Theory Matters • 25 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Education Literacy Culture
  1. Many adults don't read for pleasure anymore, and literacy rates are declining. This affects young people the most, with few kids enjoying reading or owning books.
  2. Reading long texts helps us think deeply and reflect on our ideas. Without it, we risk becoming shallow thinkers who can't fully understand complex issues.
  3. The decline in reading is a sign of bigger problems in society. We need to figure out why reading and thinking critically matter for our democracy and lives.

Notebook: (2) Classroom Libraries

Book Post • 314 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Reading Libraries Literacy Pedagogy
  1. New legislation is being introduced to protect library collections from political interference.
  2. Efforts are being made to provide free books and support for restricted books through private initiatives.
  3. There is a debate over teaching methods in early childhood education, with concerns about prioritizing 'Science of Reading' and its impact on student-directed reading and diverse classroom libraries.

How to Get Kids Reading More Books

The Analog Family • 319 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Reading Literacy Child development Parenting Books
  1. Kids are reading less because of distractions like smartphones and a focus on analytical approaches in school. It's important for them to enjoy reading whole books to gain emotional connections and confidence.
  2. Setting up an environment full of books helps encourage reading. Having books available everywhere can make reading more appealing to kids.
  3. Parents should model reading habits. When kids see their parents reading, they may be more inclined to pick up a book themselves and find enjoyment in it.

⬜ 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.

WITI community chat

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community Books Writing Reading Engagement
  1. The author wants to connect better with readers in 2025. They feel that getting feedback from readers will improve the publication.
  2. There will be more subscriber chats this year to discuss books and reading habits. This will help create a community among readers.
  3. To join these chats, readers need to use the Substack app and turn on notifications. It's a simple way to engage in discussions about topics of interest.

Guide to Punctuation

Castalia • 479 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing Grammar Reading Language
  1. Periods are like your own voice, giving rhythm to your writing. They bring a sense of closure.
  2. Commas are your dependable partners, helping to organize ideas and making them clearer, even when there are little disagreements about how to use them.
  3. Dashes add excitement and new possibilities to your writing. They let you explore long thoughts in a fresh way, even if they feel a bit chaotic.

Why I Write (An Invitation)

Neckar’s Notes • 150 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Creative Process Expression Literary Criticism
  1. Writing can be a way to understand ourselves better. It helps us process our thoughts and experiences by putting them on the page.
  2. Writing allows for a connection with others and can express feelings that are hard to communicate otherwise. It's a way to share our truths and experiences.
  3. Engaging in writing regularly can be transformative and fulfilling. It offers a method to explore our inner thoughts and feelings while keeping us present in our lives.

Pleasure lists

Vague Blue • 299 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
📚 Literature Lists Short Stories Books Reading Writing
  1. The post discusses pleasure lists and opening lines that hold significance.
  2. It includes a curated list of opening lines from various literary works.
  3. The author references past reading reviews and offers a 7-day free trial to continue reading their content.