The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The annual post: 2023 edition

Nonlinear • 235 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🚌 Education Reading
  1. If you're serious about something, the universe works quietly to make it happen.
  2. Have faith in yourself and the world, opportunities and luck will guide you through.
  3. In 2024, prioritize writing, reading, health, and relationships, and embrace intentional lifestyle design.

Luxuriating, Heretical Questions, The Age 30 Crisis

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education 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.

Contra Hanania: Why Reading Books is Good, Actually

Mind & Mythos • 539 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reading books helps with remembering and understanding ideas better than just quick posts or tweets. It's about taking time to fully grasp concepts.
  2. Books can connect new ideas with what we already know, making them more meaningful and easier to recall later.
  3. Not every book is worth reading, but the long tradition of books shows they still have a special value in learning and reflection.

Oops, I optimized my bath again

Trying In Public • 259 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reflect on your writing style and embrace both your strengths and weaknesses
  2. Utilize tangible tools like index cards to organize and connect your thoughts
  3. Flow in writing comes from showing up, focusing, and consistently practicing your craft
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

"Paper Pills"

Story Club with George Saunders • 32 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Small, strange details—little bumps and excesses—are often what give a story its particular meaning and make it memorable.
  2. Keep a running list of distinctive elements you notice as you read so you can spot patterns and see how they shape the story.
  3. Re-reading and unpacking a story slowly, and discussing it with others, helps reveal deeper layers and makes the reading richer.

The [Tuesday] Media Diet with Paul Theroux

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

Best summer books 2023

The Shift With Sam Baker • 359 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📚 Literature Reading
  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.'

Some things are worth preserving. | #98

Castles in the Sky • 31 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
📚 Literature Reading
  1. The annual holiday open house is the bookstore's main way of making community visible. It brings together long-time customers, family, and new faces and serves as a yearly anchor.
  2. The store's messy, unhurried approach to used books is a feature, not a flaw. Letting books sit and avoiding rapid "churn" can uncover rare finds and lasting value.
  3. Small traditions and nonprofitable rituals build meaning and connect generations. Keeping those rituals—food, jokes, and gatherings—preserves community even when they don't make money.

The Tusks of Extinction

Eliot Peper • 176 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Celebrate things you love and share them with others.
  2. Create things that you would love, even if you have to make them yourself.
  3. Be patient with your early efforts as skills develop over time.

My 2024 in Reading (Plus Lessons from Tokarczuk's Prose)

Counter Craft • 464 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reading logs can help track what books you've read and reflect on them at the end of the year. It's a nice way to see your habits and preferences over time.
  2. Books can offer unique storytelling methods like flexible perspectives and summarization that differ from film and TV. These features help create a richer narrative experience.
  3. It's important to diversify your reading choices, including different genres and authors. This can naturally lead to a more balanced reading year without feeling forced.

My Ten Favourite Books of the Year

The Ruffian • 485 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. The author shares their top ten book recommendations for the year. These books are meant to inspire and entertain readers.
  2. There are special offers like discounts for subscriptions available until Christmas. This can be a good time to treat yourself or someone else to a subscription.
  3. The post includes links to podcasts and additional content, keeping readers engaged with a variety of topics related to culture and politics.

Pride and Prejudice book club

The Common Reader • 354 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
📚 Literature Reading
  1. There is a book club meeting about 'Pride and Prejudice' scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. UK time.
  2. Participants can ask questions or share their thoughts in the comments or a dedicated chat thread.
  3. A link to join the meeting is provided, along with information on local dial-in numbers.

The life of a common reader

The Common Reader • 1027 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Reading
  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.

A Note on Literacy from Brother Martin XoPo

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 345 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Literacy is changing in our fast-paced world. It's important to keep up with how people read and share information.
  2. New publications, like The Metropolitan Review, are trying to bring fresh ideas to the boring literary scene. They aim to shake things up and inspire new conversations.
  3. Engaging with technology and machine evolution is crucial for the future of reading. We need to blend the old ways with new innovations to thrive.

INTRODUCING: Essay Club

Mind & Mythos • 239 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Essay Club offers a relaxed way to engage with essays instead of long books. You can read short essays and still discuss deep ideas with others.
  2. The club meets every two weeks, and you can suggest and vote on new essays to read. Everyone can join the discussion by sharing their thoughts online.
  3. The first essay for the club is George Orwell's 'Why I Write.' It's a good start for anyone who enjoys exploring interesting topics.

On Bonfire Night

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 449 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reading and literacy are changing, and many people seem less interested in understanding where their information comes from. This could mean we're heading back to a time when knowledge is just for a few elite people instead of everyone.
  2. Our relationship with reading might be vital right now, especially in a world filled with distractions. We should focus on the best literature and ideas to maintain the depth of our reading experience.
  3. It's important to share the value of reading with others. Like early believers sharing their faith, we must show people how reading has transformed our lives and encourage them to experience that too.

Paper time capsules

Austin Kleon • 759 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Finding old clippings in books can be a fun surprise. It shows how books can hold memories from different times.
  2. Storing clippings in books makes them special little time capsules. Each time you open the book, you can discover something new inside.
  3. Preserving these memories in books adds a touch of joy. It's like giving your future self a little gift whenever you read.

How I Learned To Read Books Again

Everything Is Amazing • 1194 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reading can be a way to find solace in difficult times and rediscover empathy and kindness.
  2. Struggling with reading can happen due to life circumstances, but it is possible to regain the ability over time.
  3. Consider investing time and effort into re-learning activities that are important to you, even if it feels self-indulgent at first.

A cluster map of books

Austin Kleon • 1079 implied HN points • 10 May 22
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Books influence us more as a group than as individual titles. Reading a cluster of related books can amplify their impact on our lives.
  2. The connection between books can create a deeper understanding and shape our perspectives. Sometimes one book leads to others that enhance its message.
  3. When we reflect on our favorite books, it's often the combination of them that defines our experiences. This web of influences guides our creativity and thoughts.

Do English professors think of themselves as priests?

The Recovering Academic • 237 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🚌 Education Reading
  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.

7 Embarrasingly Wrong Predictions about the Future of Books

Litverse • 319 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
📚 Literature 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.

Introducing The Generalist's Reading and Deal Clubs

The Generalist • 260 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Reading
  1. The Generalist has started two clubs: a Reading Club and a Deal Club to share interesting articles, books, and startups.
  2. Every Friday, members can participate in the Reading Club by sharing and discovering new information and insights together.
  3. On Mondays, the Deal Club will focus on interesting startups and funding news, allowing members to discuss and learn from each other.

Fifteen-reader books

The Leftovers • 179 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
📚 Literature 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.

Read More Books

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 353 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
📚 Literature Reading
  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.

Turn Off Social Media

Pizza Party • 28 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Reading
  1. Social media can waste a lot of your time, leading to unproductive debates without any real benefits.
  2. By deleting social media apps from your home screen and turning off notifications, you can control how and when you use them.
  3. Limiting social media usage has helped increase productivity and allowed more time for reading and other activities.

Turning another page

thegreataffair • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📚 Literature Reading
  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.

Notes on Writing

Splitting Infinity • 138 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Writing every day is crucial to improve and establish a habit.
  2. Write about topics that genuinely interest you, not what you think others want to read.
  3. Simplify your writing by omitting unnecessary words and continuously refine your work.

Monday reading #1

well, actually • 196 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Reading
  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.

Escape to the Beach

Restoring Truth • 196 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Reading
  1. Nature provides a refreshing escape from the chaos of daily life.
  2. Beaches offer a sense of unity and camaraderie amongst diverse people.
  3. Spending time at the beach can bring a sense of contentment and new perspectives on life.

Read at Whim!

Austin Kleon • 979 implied HN points • 22 Mar 22
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Reading should be fun and spontaneous, like following your mood. Don't feel pressured to read what others think is good.
  2. Don't feel guilty about your reading choices. Enjoy what makes you happy, even if it's considered a 'guilty pleasure.'
  3. It's important to reflect on your reading habits and think about how to improve them for the future. Make your reading life more enjoyable.

Coming to the U.K....

Story Club with George Saunders • 31 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
📚 Literature Reading
  1. George Saunders is excited to visit the U.K. in February for conversations about his book, 'Vigil', and to meet friends.
  2. Paula, his wife, is celebrating her birthday and promoting her novel, 'Starting From Here', with events coming up where she'll be speaking.
  3. Saunders is receiving a special award for his contributions to American literature at the National Book Awards, which brings back fond memories for him.

How We Read

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 11 May 24
📚 Literature Reading
  1. Great writing is more than just being understood; it's about how effectively it communicates complex ideas. Sometimes, what we call 'great' can actually be harder to grasp.
  2. We read not just to learn, but to judge the author's skill. Good writing shows intelligence, while mistakes can hint at a lack of it.
  3. Bad writing can still be easily understood, but it doesn't impress us. Great writing often challenges us and makes us think differently.

Scatterbrain: a letter from the end of times

The Leftovers • 119 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
📚 Literature Reading
  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.

The Number One Thing You Need To Pay Attention To

Day One • 2116 implied HN points • 13 May 20
🚌 Education Reading
  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.