The hottest Reading Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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[crosspost] the nameless sorrow at the bottom of your heart

Thicket Forte • 79 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📚 Literature Fiction Fantasy Magic Reading
  1. The book 'So You Want to Be a Wizard' has great ideas about magic that can inspire readers. It's enjoyable when a book makes you think deeply about the world.
  2. One of the spooky ideas in the book is about what happens when you decide to give up magic. It can bring up feelings of loss or emptiness.
  3. Sharing favorite books can create connections with others who enjoy similar themes and ideas. It’s nice to find common ground over stories we love.

Bite-Sized Self-Care Challenge Day 11

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Reading Personal Growth Lifestyle
  1. Reading is a great way to relax and can take you to new worlds or teach you new things. Whether it's a book or an article, reading can feel like a mini-vacation for your mind.
  2. Spending just five minutes reading something you enjoy can boost your mood and stimulate your brain. It's a simple self-care practice anyone can do.
  3. Everyone has different reading preferences, so it's fun to explore different genres. Whether you like fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, there's a whole world of stories waiting for you.

Letter to Rebecca #25-02

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
📚 Literature Books Writing Reading Education Humor
  1. Making New Year resolutions can lead to feeling bad if you don't stick to them. Instead, not making any can help avoid that pressure.
  2. Advertisements can sometimes highlight the wrong details. It's often better to focus on what really matters to customers, like comfort and reliability.
  3. Books and reading are enjoyable, and finding interesting ones in second-hand shops is a fun adventure. Plus, discussing what you read with others can make it even better.
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Eat a Bit of Candy

Path Nine • 37 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🏥 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.

A Roundup (November Roundup)

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Podcasts Reading Projects Innovation Travel
  1. Check out some great podcasts like 'Priority Bicycles' and 'How I Built This' to learn about interesting people and their journeys.
  2. Reading is important! Articles like Carlos Pendas's open letter and books like 'Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore' offer fresh insights and unique stories.
  3. Building cool projects can be fun. Websites like 'Pi Site' and 'iPodify' can showcase your creativity and help you learn while making something enjoyable.

To-be-read piles

The Leftovers • 39 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
📚 Literature Books Reading Habits
  1. To-be-read piles can reveal more about a person's reading habits than the books they've actually read.
  2. Having a pile of unread books may indicate a preference for reading non-fiction over fiction.
  3. The length of time a book sits in the to-be-read pile can be surprisingly long, up to twelve years in some cases.

Too many books

The Leftovers • 39 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
📚 Literature Books Publishing Authors Reading Memoir
  1. The publishing industry often thrives on the thievery of our time and brain cells, with many books being published that may not bring value to humanity.
  2. Not every book is a noble object, and the world wouldn't lose much if a vast majority of books disappeared, leading to more trees and less ideological issues.
  3. Consider subscribing to The Leftovers for more insightful content and a 7-day free trial to explore the full post archives.

How I Write

Rough Diamonds • 23 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 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.

An Autumn Roundup (Fall 2023)

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Podcasts Reading Projects Personal updates Recommendations
  1. There's a great selection of podcasts to explore, including ones on creativity, writing, and urban development. These could spark new ideas or inspire your own projects.
  2. Some fascinating reading recommendations dive into the worlds of notable authors and cultural critiques. They offer interesting insights into writing and creativity.
  3. A personal update shares work on a new web app called Printernet, aimed at making printing and saving online content easier. It sounds like a useful tool for anyone who loves reading and sharing.

On books

PartiallyNerdy, sometimes fully too! • 2 HN points • 03 Jul 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Knowledge
  1. Books are physical manifestations of potential and represent the hopes and dreams of humanity materialized.
  2. Saying goodbye to unread books can evoke a sense of loss and regret for the untapped knowledge and experiences they contain.
  3. Despite the pain of leaving behind unread books, the act of holding onto physical books serves as a symbol of hope and the possibility of transformation.

Weekend Theorys No. 3

Working Theorys • 23 implied HN points • 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.

Audio Dispatch for Paid Subscribers (6)

The Joyous Struggle • 19 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎙 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 • 19 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
📚 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.

Read Again

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Gurdjieff Studies Teachings Reading Guidance
  1. Gurdjieff's writings can lead to a change in the reader, beyond just theoretical grounding, if read in the right way.
  2. Studying Gurdjieff's secondary literature alongside his own works can greatly enhance understanding of his teachings.
  3. Collecting and examining fragments from different texts can help form a new whole, aiding in the acquisition of real knowledge in various aspects of life.

Diary #12

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Reading Art
  1. The use of grammar-checking features in text-based applications is becoming dominant, which can be frustrating.
  2. The rise of AI-generated content, like GPT-4, poses challenges in maintaining human creativity and authenticity.
  3. Exploring mnemonic devices and cognitive tools to enhance memory and cognitive abilities can be tempting but requires simplification due to time constraints.

Letter to Rebecca #24-24

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Correspondence Music
  1. Weather can cause unexpected delays, like cancelled trains, and it brings a lot of funny stories. Sometimes people take travel warnings too lightly.
  2. Writing letters can be a fun way to communicate, and planning them with a checklist makes it easier. Everyone has their own way of writing, and it's interesting to compare styles.
  3. Music and opera can be really enjoyable experiences, even if it's your first time. It's great to explore new interests, like attending performances and trying out different genres.

Debugging to Unplugging: 5 Powerful Ways to Unwind After Hours of Coding

Weekend Developer • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Relaxation Exercise Nature Socialization Reading
  1. It's important to take breaks after long coding sessions to recharge your mind and reduce stress.
  2. Engage in active relaxation activities like playing a sport, enjoying nature, meeting friends, reading fiction, or doing something with your hands.
  3. Unwinding after coding is essential for personal well-being, productivity, and long-term success as a developer. Find what works best for you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

2023 Year in Books

From the Desk • 18 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📚 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.

Questions about Questions

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
📚 Literature Writing Essays Publishing Reading Creativity
  1. Questions can lead to deeper thinking and understanding. It's important to ask the right questions to explore a topic thoroughly.
  2. External influences like a good book or song can inspire creativity. Sometimes, a simple change in our environment can spark new ideas.
  3. Writing can be a great way to reflect on thoughts and feelings. Putting ideas down on paper helps clarify and develop them further.

First we read, then we write

Austin Kleon • 99 implied HN points • 28 May 21
📚 Literature Reading Writing Books Authors Publishing
  1. To write well, it's important to read a lot first. Reading helps improve writing skills and creativity.
  2. Keeping track of your reading materials can boost your productivity. Good indexing and filing systems let you find and use your resources easily.
  3. Old books have timeless insights. They remind us that human experiences are often funny and relatable, even centuries later.

10 good books I read this summer

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 24 Sep 21
📚 Literature Books Reading Authors Writing Literary Criticism
  1. Reading good books can really inspire and help us through tough times. It's great to find a list of books that resonate with you.
  2. Creating and sharing your own projects, like a zine, can be a fun and rewarding experience. Plus, making it available for others to enjoy is special.
  3. Success can come with advice, like not being afraid to take breaks or 'disappear' for a while. It's important to prioritize your well-being.

recommendations

Nice Try • 39 implied HN points • 29 Aug 22
📚 Literature Books Reading Writing Essays Philosophy
  1. Reading can be a community experience. Finding another person's notes in a book can spark a connection, and even lead to creative projects like podcasts.
  2. Exploring different cultures through literature can be eye-opening. Reading classical texts like 'The Odyssey' and 'Tao Te Ching' helps understand different philosophies and life lessons.
  3. It's important to balance life and creativity. Engaging with stories while also finding ways to be present can enhance our understanding and give peace in a busy world.

How to eat a book

Austin Kleon • 99 implied HN points • 05 Mar 21
📚 Literature Books Writing Reading Poetry Authors
  1. You can enjoy books more by engaging with them deeply, like thinking of them as something to 'eat'.
  2. Finding creativity can come from unexpected places, like trash or common experiences.
  3. It's important to keep practicing and challenging yourself to improve your skills, no matter how small the steps are.

A Roundup (March 2023)

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎙 Podcasts Recommendations Tools Projects Reading Updates
  1. Listening to good podcasts can be really rewarding and inspiring. There are many amazing shows with valuable insights out there.
  2. Discovering new projects and interesting people online can broaden your horizons. It's great to find communities and creators that resonate with you.
  3. Reading recommendations are important for personal growth. Regularly exploring new books and articles keeps your mind engaged and informed.

Experiments in style extra

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Literary Analysis Creative Writing Storytelling
  1. The project is about rewriting the same story in different styles, with 85 versions created so far. It's a fun way to explore creativity and storytelling.
  2. There is a competition where subscribers can guess a mangled story to win a year's paid subscription. It's a playful way to engage readers.
  3. The author reflects on the quirky twists of writing and humor, suggesting that sometimes nonsense might make more sense than the original. It's all about enjoying the writing process.

10 must-read books

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 2 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
📚 Literature Books Reading Writing Nonfiction Reviews
  1. Reading a good book can bring joy for a long time, not just for a special occasion. It's about enjoyment and lasting value.
  2. The recommended nonfiction books are all easy to read and informative, making them great for casual reading.
  3. These books are not a fleeting trend but rather timeless choices that continue to provide pleasure over the years.

Books that suck you in and spin you out

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 02 Apr 21
📚 Literature Books Reading Authors Literary Criticism Storytelling
  1. Some books pull you in and make you feel deeply connected, while others push you out to explore new ideas or authors. It's a fun way to think about how stories can affect us.
  2. Maps in storytelling can really enhance your reading experience. They help you visualize imaginary worlds and can inspire you in your own writing.
  3. Art can be a way to express gratitude and create meaningful souvenirs. It reminds us of experiences or people that matter to us.

August Reading Review

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 02 Sep 21
📚 Literature Reviews Reading Books
  1. The author indulged in reading 17 books and 2 plays in August, showcasing dedication to consuming a variety of content
  2. The author expresses a keen interest in continuously reading, analyzing, and discussing books, indicating a deep passion for literature
  3. The post encourages readers to reflect on their own reading habits and consider the impact of books on their lives

Start the week #60

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 9 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 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.