Substacks recommended by Joel Cuthbertson

Recommended by Joel Cuthbertson

Substack-ships On Fire, Off The Shoulder Of Orion

British writer Adam Roberts on various things

Bach is the greatest, and I haven't yet heard his complete catalog, so in 2024, I'm listening to every Bach composition and writing about it here.

The best casual, at-length, online introduction to Bach I've ever come across. A wonderful, delightful reprieve.

- Joel Cuthbertson

All Predictions Wrong

By Gregg Easterbrook

All Predictions Wrong offers eclectic commentary on science, sports, politics, economics, faith, movie plot holes, cars and my hometown of Buffalo New York. During the NFL season, Tuesday Morning Quarterback is included.

Substack was made for Gregg Easterbrook, a writer who finds ever new ways to enliven his hobbyhorses. I don't think there's anyone better on football.

- Joel Cuthbertson

Washington Review of Books

Becoming literate is a lifelong task, but it shouldn’t take your entire day.

Infinite Jest? Pale Fire? No no no. This is the literary outlet which finally proves footnotes can be an artform. Essential reading.

- Joel Cuthbertson

The Tourist

By Phil Christman

This is a public notebook of the stuff I've been reading, thinking, and publishing recently.

I assume everyone is already reading Phil Christman. He's one of our best living essayists.

- Joel Cuthbertson

On The Off Chance You Want My Opinion

By Bill Coberly

Book reviews, lukewarm socialist takes, and significant quantities of grouchiness.

Literature, law, culture, anecdotes about getting stuck naked in the hallway of a hotel—Bill will never disappoint you.

- Joel Cuthbertson

Prufrock

By Micah Mattix

The best in books, arts, and ideas.

If only I opened one newsletter until the day I died, this might be it. The first great "links" newsletter I ever read, and still the best.

- Joel Cuthbertson

sweater weather

By Brandon

essays about literature, culture, and so many feelings.

Perhaps the only contemporary novelist besides Zadie Smith most likely to prove that writing great criticism doesn't mean you can't also write fiction.

- Joel Cuthbertson

Very Distant Lands Newsletter

By Adam Fleming Petty

A newsletter about religion and pop culture, going into the sort of detail that others may miss.

My favorite take-artist. The only writer I can imagine even pitching Raymond Carver as "Kmart horror" while insisting that Young Sheldon is fine, actually. Humorous, even!

- Joel Cuthbertson

Notebook

By B.D. McClay

About books, TV, movies, and higher etiquette. Also God sometimes. Also Taylor Swift.

I only care about Taylor Swift when I'm reading McClay. I now also care about CAT PEOPLE (1942) all of the time. She can write about anything, often does, and it's always worth reading.

- Joel Cuthbertson

Commonplace Bert

Recommended by Joel Cuthbertson