The hottest Recommendations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The very best nonfiction books

Residual Thoughts • 178 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. It's nice to tell friends what they're good at; it makes them feel appreciated. Everyone likes a little encouragement!
  2. When recommending books, aim for those that are either fun or impactful. This way, you'll enjoy the reading experience more.
  3. Listening to audiobooks can enhance the experience, especially with personal stories or adventures. They can feel really intimate and engaging.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 576 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A long magazine piece examines a new crop of "agentic" young men in Silicon Valley and paints an unsettling, despairing picture of their behavior and influence.
  2. The trailer for the upcoming season of Jury Duty, called Company Retreat, provoked shock and strong reactions.
  3. The roundup is distributed behind a paywall for paid subscribers, with clear subscription and sign‑in prompts.

The World's Worst Influencer

Total Rec • 10983 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. Value unbiased opinions over affiliate links and kickbacks when considering product recommendations.
  2. Discover joy in unconventional purchases that may not align with the flashy trends pushed by influencers.
  3. Find satisfaction in budget-friendly options like Trader Joe's sunscreen and Topo Chico drinks rather than expensive alternatives.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 563 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A long, immersive read about psychedelic therapy (ketamine, DMT, LSD) can feel deeply pleasurable and worth savoring.
  2. A big dim sum spread at Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown was a standout food experience this week.
  3. Two aphorisms from family landed this week, showing how short sayings can stick and resonate.
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15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 667 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A devastating first-person account of abuse by a public figure teaches important lessons and feels essential reading.
  2. A rediscovered interview with a leading philosopher on moral fragility shows how older ideas can still feel relevant and illuminating.
  3. This is a personal weekly roundup that mixes product picks, long reads, and some paywalled items, functioning as both recommendations and an invitation to subscribe.

A perfect action flick set in Kowloon Walled City, a brilliant literary debut, and more

Read Max • 395 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. Recommendations include a near-perfect martial-arts film set in Kowloon Walled City and a strong debut novel about friendship and ambition in 2000s New York City.
  2. The picks also point to varied longform pieces — essays on Jeffrey Epstein, Infinite Jest, and Criss Angel’s restaurant — plus four music tracks currently in heavy rotation.
  3. Full access is behind a paid subscription that includes weekly emails, curated master lists of good movies and books, merch discounts, and small affiliate commissions on purchase links, and readers are invited to send recommendations by email.

The 2025 Culture Wrap-Up Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A community pooled personal recommendations to create a year‑end roundup of favorite books, films, and TV shows.
  2. Many standout picks explored history, power, and political systems — from wartime espionage and CIA scandals to historical myth‑making and authoritarianism.
  3. The list mixed new releases, indie and horror cinema, ambitious TV, and older classics, with readers enjoying surprise discoveries and revisiting overlooked works.

An eerie, unforgettable new-age conspiracy drama; a sweeping, gripping true-crime book; and more

Read Max • 579 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. This is a weekly roundup that curates overlooked books, articles, movies, and music for readers to check out.
  2. Current highlights include a sweeping true‑crime book about frauds, gangsters, oligarchs, and blood money, plus a fourth‑wall‑breaking New Age conspiracy drama that explores healing, grief, and memory, along with four recommended tracks.
  3. Full access to the weekly emails and comprehensive 'good movies' and 'good books' master lists is for paying subscribers who also get perks, and readers are invited to recommend things or reach out, with purchases possibly earning a small commission.

Masculine Mystique, Human Character, Discourse Lab

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 909 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. There are live and recorded appearances tied to the project — a public talk and a meetup in Austin, plus a podcast conversation and a published discussion available online.
  2. Readwise is recommended as the primary reading app because it aggregates highlights across platforms and resurfaces them daily; a 60-day free trial is offered.
  3. Curated links emphasize three striking findings: strong partisan social avoidance among college students, female immigrants tend to boost native happiness while male immigrants lower it, and elites shift fashions to maintain status; a memoir called Troubled is now available in paperback from major retailers.

Eleven books we read this year we'll be thinking about for a while

Read Max • 895 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. A curated set of roughly eleven to fifteen books that left a lasting impression over the year.
  2. These aren’t presented as the year’s definitive 'best' or all-new releases; they were chosen because people kept returning to them mentally afterwards.
  3. The recommendations are part of a paid newsletter that offers weekly essays, updated master lists of books and movies, and subscriber perks like discounted merchandise.

#250: My best and my worst

Maybe Baby • 845 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A new archive organizes nearly 700 newsletters into 16 clear categories and formats so older pieces are easier for readers to find.
  2. Ten episodes of the Dear Danny advice podcast have been unlocked for free, making that content easy to share and listen to without a paid subscription.
  3. The year-end roundup includes a limited-time 25% off annual subscription sale, lists of the most and least popular essays and comment records, and a big, categorized compilation of reader recommendation threads across media, shopping, food, seasonal tips, and more.

12 Outstanding New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now

The Honest Broker • 5086 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🎶 Music Recommendations
  1. The new album by Cymande is a fantastic comeback after a long break, bringing back their strong groove from the past. It's one of the best releases this year, so listeners shouldn't miss it.
  2. The author recommends a diverse selection of new albums, highlighting tracks from various genres and regions. This gives listeners a chance to explore different musical styles.
  3. Supporting creators through subscriptions is encouraged, with options available for fans wanting to access more content. It’s a great way to stay updated on new music while helping artists.

Substack and Other Blog Recommendations

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3404 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🚌 Education Recommendations
  1. Writing on Substack can help you gain subscribers, especially through recommendations from other blogs. It's a system that works well for networking.
  2. Choosing which blogs to recommend is important, and it's better to focus on quality over quantity. Recommendations should be meaningful and relevant to your audience.
  3. Engaging with diverse perspectives is valuable. Reading voices you don't always agree with can provide new ideas and challenge your thinking.

My favorite articles of 2025

Maybe Baby • 524 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A yearly roundup highlights fifteen favorite articles of the year. The selections come from reading many pieces and applying a picky, rigorous standard.
  2. The recurring "15 Things" format usually showcases exactly five articles, and it sometimes drops to four when the choices don’t meet the standard.
  3. The full post is behind a paywall and requires a paid subscription or sign‑in to read.

If you're missing the Culture Study Gift Guide....

Culture Study • 500 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A huge Culture Study Gift Guide lives on Patreon with over 168 curated recommendations from small businesses, covering gifts, classes, jewelry, food, cards, calendars, and a special section for Canadians.
  2. There are clear steps to move subscriptions from Substack to Patreon with specific instructions for paid annual subscribers, comp subscribers, and free subscribers, plus links to submit support requests if you can’t find your transfer link.
  3. If you run into problems, Patreon support or the provided email address will help sort it quickly, and subscribers are thanked for their patience and support.

Issue 15 – Toothpaste

Unbox Inbox • 1506 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Recommendations
  1. Toothpaste packaging can reflect the product inside, from minimalist whites to colorful designs.
  2. There is a variety of toothpaste options for different preferences, from classic white tubes to bold, colorful packaging.
  3. Innovations in toothpaste include sustainable options like tablets and refillable packaging, offering alternatives to traditional tubes.

Spotify’s Plans For AI Generated Music, Podcasts, and Recommendations, According To Its Co-President, CTO, and CPO Gustav Söderström

Big Technology • 5879 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Recommendations
  1. Spotify is embracing AI to enhance creativity in music and podcasts. They see these tools as ways to help artists express themselves better rather than replacing them.
  2. The company is focusing on improving how users find new music and podcasts. They want users to feel like they have control over their recommendations and can provide feedback.
  3. Spotify aims to create a more personal experience by using AI. They envision a platform where users can interact like friends with the app, making the recommendations feel tailored and engaging.

The Children’s Books That Changed Our Lives

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 301 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. Most adults can instantly name a childhood book that stuck with them and helped shape who they are.
  2. There’s concern that screens and other distractions mean today’s kids may not pick up books or develop strong reading habits.
  3. Giving children books can spark imagination and a lifelong love of reading. Some books also teach deeper themes and narrative complexity that stay with readers.

Summer Roundup (2024)

polymathematics • 99 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
🎙 Podcasts Recommendations
  1. Each month, a roundup is shared featuring the best podcasts, readings, and creative projects discovered recently. It's a great way to find new interests.
  2. The summer roundup focuses on personal updates and some engaging new projects, like a physical internet phone book and a digital sidekick prototype.
  3. The author enjoys curating content and interacting with creative individuals, and there's an invitation for readers to recommend their own favorite finds.

My Ten Favourite Books of the Year

The Ruffian • 356 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. The list includes ten favorite books, showcasing a mix of three novels and seven non-fiction titles. This variety can help you discover new reading material.
  2. There's a brief note on all the other books read throughout the year, which gives deeper insights into the reading journey.
  3. A limited-time discount is offered for new subscriptions, allowing access to a full archive of posts and recommendations.

My Other Favorite Poets

David Friedman’s Substack • 80 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. A wide range of poets is recommended, from religious modernists and lyricists to narrative and folk versifiers, showing appreciation for many eras and styles.
  2. Specific poems are singled out to illustrate each poet's strengths—Hopkins for inventive, intense language; Dylan Thomas for fiery villanelle passion; Yeats for lyrical reflection; Housman for dark elegy; and Service and Banjo Patterson for storytelling and popular verse.
  3. The selections serve as a practical reading guide, pointing readers to poems that showcase different forms, tones, and techniques worth exploring.

29 "Beach Read" recommendations

Read Max • 1106 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. There are 29 recommended 'beach reads' that are fun and engaging for summer vacations. They include genres like mystery, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy.
  2. This list is an update from a previous one, adding new books while keeping popular past recommendations.
  3. The newsletter relies on subscriptions to keep running, allowing the author to provide regular content and even take vacations.

17 underappreciated political(ish) thrillers

Read Max • 1027 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. There is a list of 17 underrated thrillers that focus on politics, covering topics like conspiracy and espionage. They are great for anyone looking for exciting movies that explore hidden plots.
  2. Subscribers can access a master list of all movie and book recommendations that have been made, which is regularly updated to include new picks.
  3. Supporting the newsletter through subscriptions allows for continuous updates and content creation, making it possible to recommend good movies and take breaks occasionally.

2025: My Year in Books

American Dreaming • 123 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. A busy year made leisure reading harder, so a yearly Goodreads goal was used to stay on track; the initial target was lowered to 30 books and 24 brief reviews are shared.
  2. Nonfiction choices focus on race, politics, privacy, and rational thinking, with several books praised for clarifying recurring social patterns and behind-the-scenes political dynamics.
  3. Fiction highlights show wide taste—darkly comic crime (Dexter), time-travel and alternate history, psychological dystopia, and epic fantasy—with a few standout favorites earning especially high praise.

Things Are Getting Heated

Holodoxa • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. The author recaps their activities during the second quarter of 2024, including reading, writing, and podcast launch plans.
  2. The author set a reading goal of 75 books for 2024 and shared top book recommendations from Q2, such as 'How the World Became Rich' and 'Everything is Predictable'.
  3. The author shared a list of written content produced in Q2, highlighting posts on topics like narcissism, genetics, and cancer, along with a reiteration of consistently reviewing completed reads on Goodreads.

The B.L.I.S.S. List

Blackbird Spyplane • 2218 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. The B.L.I.S.S. List provides recommendations on beautiful life-impoving staples.
  2. The list includes various items like incense, socks, bar soap, lip balm, and more.
  3. The recommendations are carefully curated and not influenced by sponsorships.

Bric-a-Brac 44

Yolo Intel • 1218 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🏝 Travel Recommendations
  1. The post covers a Swiss winter road trip from St. Moritz to Gstaad and tips for packing.
  2. Driving through the Alps can provide stunning views and options for dining in special places.
  3. The Bric-a-Brac 44 also includes insights on packing hacks like carrying adaptable basics and utilizing pouches for organization.

My Favorite Music of 2023

In the Flash • 899 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🎶 Music Recommendations
  1. The author shares their favorite music of 2023 including a variety of artists and genres.
  2. Music has played a significant role in the author's life, from childhood experiences to discovering new artists and albums.
  3. The post provides links to the Spotify playlist of the best music of 2023 and recommends other music writers on Substack.

Reasonably Happy, Intelligent Partner, NYC event

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 757 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🎙 Podcasts Recommendations
  1. Even with new technologies, people in America aren’t feeling happier overall. Our social lives are falling apart, which seems to take away from any advances we might have made.
  2. Babies need to be close to their caregivers to feel secure, a trait built into us over thousands of years. They often have trouble sleeping alone because of this natural instinct.
  3. Younger people today seem to have a more negative view of certain groups compared to older generations. This shows a shift in attitudes over time that might be concerning.

Books Gave Me the World

The Biblioracle Recommends • 511 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. The author recounts their experience of reading all Newbery Medal winning books in sixth grade.
  2. Reading books as a child provided adventurous and insightful stories that shaped the author's love for literature.
  3. The author reflects on the impact of books on their life and the importance of reading for personal growth.

First Floor #200 – That's a Lot of Newsletters

First Floor • 432 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎶 Music Recommendations
  1. First Floor newsletter celebrates its 200th edition without making a big deal about arbitrary milestones.
  2. The newsletter content includes a recap of electronic music news, new release announcements, and track recommendations.
  3. The author highlights notable happenings in the electronic music world, such as industry news, artist spotlights, and new album releases.

Recommendations

Nice Try • 379 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Recommendations
  1. A writing workshop can be a great way to get feedback on your work and discuss ideas with others. Learning and sharing in a group setting helps boost creativity and energy.
  2. Teaching workshops outside of a traditional school setting can be rewarding and fun. Planning future workshops can lead to even more opportunities for writers to grow.
  3. Books and movies can deeply influence our lives, and sharing recommendations can help others find quality stories. Building a list of favorites can make it easier to discover new reads and films.

I'm giving away 100 notebooks + all my digital versions with the hardcover

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 63 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
📚 Literature Recommendations
  1. Free physical notebooks are being given away for Black Friday — you just pay US shipping and a discount is applied at checkout.
  2. Buying the premium hardcover bundle includes all digital editions (PDF, EPUB, Kindle), audiobook codes or links, and other freebies if purchased before Christmas; email your receipt to get the files.
  3. This approach mixes price-tiered bundles and gift-giving as experiments in generosity and audience-building, and it comes with a curated list of recommended reads.