The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Best summer books 2023

The Shift With Sam Baker β€’ 359 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Books Reading Book Club
  1. The article recommends some intriguing summer reads for 2023, including 'August Blue,' 'I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home,' and 'The Guest.'
  2. There are also mentions of engaging family sagas like 'Watch Us Dance,' 'Hello Beautiful,' and 'Family Lore,' each with unique storylines and captivating settings.
  3. The post highlights assorted novels that delve into themes like female desire, mysterious disappearances, and self-discovery, such as 'Mrs S,' 'Killingly,' and 'The Late Americans.'

Do English professors think of themselves as priests?

The Recovering Academic β€’ 237 implied HN points β€’ 29 Aug 23
🚌 Education Literature University Reading Critical Thinking
  1. English professors are encountering ideological shifts, with a significant decrease in conservative representation in the field.
  2. Debates about the importance of humanities education and literature often arise in the context of changing university priorities.
  3. There's a growing concern about the impact of identity politics and activism on literature education and the declining enrollments in humanities programs.

Cranking The Learning Machine Up To 11

Neckar’s Notes β€’ 436 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 23
🚌 Education Learning Reading Continuous Learning Information Consumption
  1. Focus on learning and growing every day through voracious reading and lifelong curiosity.
  2. Avoid the trap of consuming information to feel smarter without truly understanding or applying the knowledge.
  3. Seek balance between input, output, and periods of disengagement for optimal processing and application of information.

Updating Your Operating Software

The Voyage β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Books Reading Learning
  1. Books are like software updates for your mind: each one makes small improvements, but together they can lead to real change.
  2. Reading many books can help you find the ones that truly impact your life and worldview.
  3. Some books are like major software updates, revolutionizing your entire perspective and trajectory.
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Weekend Theorys No. 3

Working Theorys β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Social media Reading Writing
  1. People often wear athleisure to appear fit and sporty, but might not actually engage in athletic activities. Similarly, many people want to be seen with books, but may not read them, showcasing a desire to appear well-read.
  2. Substack's 'Notes' feature is akin to Twitter posts, causing issues for writers trying to share links on Twitter. Simply mentioning or sharing Substack links on Twitter can lead to shadow banning.
  3. The desire for image and perception may drive actions like wearing athleisure or displaying books, even if the underlying activity isn't as prevalent. It's about the appearance rather than the actual engagement in the activity.

Monday reading #1

well, actually β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Reading Writing Nonfiction Internet Art
  1. The articles discussed in the post are about Amish witches, deep sea dives, and EMDR therapy.
  2. The writers in the articles shared personal experiences and sought deeper understanding in their work.
  3. The structure of a braided essay, blending personal narrative with research and reporting, is a common format in contemporary nonfiction writing.

How I Write

Rough Diamonds β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing Reading Style Editing Blogging
  1. The author's writing process involves minimal editing and a lot of continuous writing from years of experience.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of clear, concise writing using strong, plain language.
  3. In addition to focusing on logic in writing, the author also highlights the importance of evoking the right emotions and associations in the reader.

7 Embarrasingly Wrong Predictions about the Future of Books

Litverse β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 31 Dec 22
πŸ“š Literature Predictions eBooks Writing Publishing Reading
  1. Books have not necessarily gotten shorter as predicted due to digital influence. In fact, the average book length has increased.
  2. The envisioned innovative ways for writers to monetize books, such as through related content packages and modular literature, have not been widely implemented.
  3. The shift towards short stories as a marketing tool and the importance of visibility from magazines and e-zines over cash prizes did not become mainstream trends as predicted.

The Number One Thing You Need To Pay Attention To

Day One β€’ 2116 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 20
🚌 Education Reading Self-Improvement Action Learning Strategies Growth mindset
  1. Focus on growth as the number one priority, and reading is a key step towards it.
  2. Extract the most value from books by identifying and focusing on the key 20% of content that brings 80% of the value.
  3. Reading and learning are important, but taking action based on what you learn is crucial for progress and success.

How do you know if your Eureka moments are real?

The Recovering Academic β€’ 178 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Reading Character analysis Writing Style
  1. Eureka moments may not always happen instantly; often, taking a break or diverting attention can lead to a breakthrough.
  2. Resilience and growth mindset are crucial in the pursuit of one's dreams, even if faced with setbacks or challenges.
  3. Finding meaning and purpose in life, even after loss or disappointment, can help in navigating through difficult times and moving forward.

Start the week #60

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing Reading Reflections Constraints Workshop
  1. When sharing posts or newsletters, make sure comments are open to everyone, not just paid subscribers.
  2. Taking care of your health is essential, especially during times of illness. Don't forget to rest and prioritize your well-being.
  3. Writing about personal experiences can involve overcoming inner doubts. It's okay to wait for the right moment for your thoughts to flow naturally.

Eat a Bit of Candy

Path Nine β€’ 37 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Reflections Product Reading Listening
  1. Don't take life too seriously, indulge in what you love like Charlie Munger enjoyed candy.
  2. Explore the Cognitive Bias Codex for a roadmap to understanding how we think, live, and work.
  3. Check out reading material like 'Seeking Wisdom' or 'Poor Charlie's Almanack' to enhance decision-making skills and become a better thinker.

Audio Dispatch for paid subscribers (2)

The Joyous Struggle β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 28 Sep 23
πŸŽ™ Podcasts Reading
  1. The post discusses an audio dispatch for paid subscribers that includes personal musings and a reading of a draft on the idea of Planetization.
  2. To access the full post and archives, a 7-day free trial to The Joyous Struggle subscription is offered.
  3. Existing paid subscribers can sign in to listen to the audio dispatch discussed in the post.

get your own MFA!

practiceprocesscraft β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing Reading Creative Writing Books
  1. The best thing about an MFA program is the dedicated time for writing, but you can prioritize your writing time without waiting for external validation.
  2. Having a community of supportive, like-minded friends to discuss and share your writing with is crucial for growth and creativity.
  3. Reading is essential for writers, and while an MFA program offers valuable reading lists and resources, you can curate your own reading curriculum to inspire and inform your work.

2023 Year in Books

From the Desk β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Non-fiction Books Reading Authors
  1. The author read 37 books in 2023, reflecting on the struggle to find time for focused reading in the age of distractions.
  2. There are book recommendations categorized as 'Must Reads', 'Worth It', and 'Skip It', providing insights and reviews for a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles.
  3. The act of reading is viewed as a commitment to deeper thinking and nuance, contrasting with the instant gratification of social platforms.

The Bookless Future Foretold by Joan Didion

Litverse β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 22
πŸ“š Literature Books Essays Reading Writing Literary Analysis
  1. Americans are reading fewer books each year, with a decline in the number of people reading 10 books or more.
  2. College students and women are also reading fewer books compared to previous years, with distractions like phones and TV taking up a significant amount of time.
  3. Joan Didion's insightful observations on media manipulation and the evolving reading habits in a technology-driven society offer a unique perspective on the future of literature.

[Review] Move First, Think Later: Sense and Nonsense in Improving Your Chess

Arjun Panickssery β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 18 Sep 23
🚌 Education Chess Learning Reading Problem Solving
  1. The book challenges traditional chess teaching methods by emphasizing pattern recognition over structured thinking.
  2. Verbal descriptions may not be effective in teaching chess moves, as examples show that pattern familiarity is crucial.
  3. The effectiveness of absorbing chess patterns quickly is compared to language learning, emphasizing the importance of practical application.

Why Learning the Piano is Hard

Daniel Golliher β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 23
🚌 Education Music Language Reading
  1. Learning to play the piano is difficult because it involves multiple sub-skills that many people overlook.
  2. Composite skills, like playing the piano or learning languages, are made up of several components that must be understood and developed.
  3. Recognizing composite skills and breaking them down into manageable parts can help improve one's learning and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Start the week #53

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Books Writing Authors Literary Analysis Reading
  1. The author shares humorous anecdotes about going to the dentist and the changes in dental practices over the years.
  2. The author reflects on the challenges of resisting overeating during the holidays.
  3. The author experiments with intentionally making typos in their writing, leading to engaging reader interactions.

Audio Dispatch for Paid Subscribers (6)

The Joyous Struggle β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
πŸŽ™ Podcasts Audio Reading Subscribers
  1. The author shared an audio recording of their open letter to the human rights movement for a keynote talk at FORGE in NYU Law School, focusing on preparation and clarity in their arguments.
  2. The talk's title is 'The Inner Life of the Future: Governing with Collapse and Transformation in Mind', as the author prepares for a speech in New York.
  3. The author invites feedback on their audio reading and letter, emphasizing the importance of distillation and clarity in narrative.

Chapter 15, pp.304-310 - Reading Club posting 55

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 13 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Reading Evolution Consciousness Humanity Philosophy
  1. The evolving part of organic life is humanity, but it seems to be at a standstill, leading to a circular path of progress and downfall.
  2. Humanity can only change its course at certain 'crossroads' or pivotal points, and if these opportunities are missed, changes may become impossible.
  3. While there may be a conscious force working against humanity's evolution, a small group of about two hundred conscious individuals could potentially transform life on earth.

On the Spectator Urge

Autoscriptorium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Reading Analysis Criticism Writing
  1. The concept of mimetic desire in reading involves imitating the desire itself, not just external representations.
  2. In literature, the mimetic interpretive lens involves subjecting characters to social criticism and evaluating them based on our own experiences.
  3. The mimetic urge in reading can be a way of seeking out desire, constantly evaluating and comparing, possibly as a protective mechanism in the current media-saturated world.