Substack on the other hand, by virtue of being long-form editorial writing first, is a less efficient pawn in the attention economy, which means it is still relatively free from everything that makes the other social media apps ‘evil’. Writing is cumbersome, so is reading- the friction of it all is not very 2026, or so I thought.

Since I joined the app in 2023, the community here has only been growing; it seems like the girlies are in fact reading and writing! Some of the most promising writers of my generation are building their careers here, and many older established writers have also found comfort in the app’s infrastructure. The ever-growing subscriber counts on some popular Substack channels clearly show that the space is thriving.

I spend most of my waking hours lurking on this app, and my many rabbit-hole explorations have acquainted me with some of the coolest writers here. Lucky for you, I don’t gatekeep! If you are new to Substack or just looking for new reads, I present to you a CoughDropReadingList to get you started:

1. India Unfiltered

Culture Cafe by Anurag Minus Verma

Essays on culture, life, and politics. And on the rest, which matters in its own useless way.

No one understands Indian internet culture quite like Anurag Minus Verma- the guys written a whole-ass book about it (which I highly recommend). His Substack Culture Cafe further elaborates on his musings on the absurdities of contemporary India through clever, well-researched think pieces, excerpts from his book, and hilarous personal anecdotes. His dry humour and lived understanding of what life is for the average middle-class Indian gives you a vivid picture of the country’s reality.

2. Vogue for the neurodivergent fashion aficionado with a moral compass and a big, big heart

Blackbird Spyplane | Unbeatable Recon | Style•Culture•Travel

Your No. 1 source for “unbeatable recon” into style, travel & culture

Blackbird Spyplane is an acquired taste- not every high-brow fashion enthusiast would include the word ‘swaggerjacking’ in their sartorial vocabulary, nor rate loafers on a ‘sauce-o-meter’. But behind the hilarious idiosyncratic tone of voice lies one of the most serious fashion writings on the internet right now. Run by journalist couple Jonah Weiner and Erin Wylie, the newsletter is truly dedicated to the craft of garment creation, sustainable production and quality design; covering more than just trends and the latest drops. The articles are all about niche labels from around the globe, deep cuts from the art and design world, and some truly unique perspectives on the industry's future.

3. Society through food

Vittles

Vittles is an online magazine based in the UK and India, publishing new food and culture writing.

Most food publications are too preoccupied with sponsored restaurant reviews or long, winding think pieces on culinary trends- this type of culinary writing rarely interests me. Vittles on the other hand, uses food as a lens to dive deeper into human stories through fascinating cultural observations. From dissecting the relationship between food and kink to tracing the history of India via biscuits, every essay on here leaves me filled with wonder and often down multiple rabbit holes. They have many contributors, from leading journalists to sociologists and historians, ensuring some really high quality stuff.

4. OG Internet Princess

internet princess

writing to make you feel crazier & writing to make you feel sane

By rayne fisher-quann

To have Rayne on this list is but obvious. She is the prototype for modern-day internet writing and the undisputed queen of the personal essay. The Internet Princess Substack is about a lot of things- it’s Rayne’s musings on everything from politics, culture, 21st-century feminism, AI and society at large. She also sprinkles in deeply personal writing on her struggles with mental health, her friendships and sexuality. Everytime I need to ground myself, or feel out of touch with reality Rayne’s writing brings me an immense amount of comfort. This is my fav substack on this list.

5. An essential guide to what’s good on the internet

Embedded

Your essential guide to what’s good on the internet. Written by Kate Lindsay and edited by Nick Catucci.

By Nick Catucci

As a genZ, I literally grew up on the internet. That should make me a digital native, but tbh I often feel lost in the juggernaut. Embedded is like my atlas- Kate Lindsey and Nick Catucci’s snappy newsletter is a one stop shop to understanding wth is going on across the web, update you on the newest (weirdest) genz slang and get some valuable foresight on where we are headed. They also do interviews with some of the coolest names in new media which are as educational as they are messy. Highly recommend.

6. Teethsmash

TEETHSMA5H

writer/journalist/chronic yearner

By Saachi

Saachi's 'about' section is still just placeholder text autogenerated by the app — their writing displays the exact opposite of this carelessness. I've been following their work on Vogue India for a while, so when I saw they joined Substack, following was a given. As an Indian woman my age navigating a big, bustling city like Bombay, their lived experience feels deeply relatable. I absolutely adore seeing the world through their eyes: brutally honest takes on womanhood, mental health, and self-esteem alongside beautiful odes to friendship, love and work. The way their anecdotes find wonder in the most mundane corners of life leaves me feeling genuinely hopeful. I can't wait to watch her grow. A true gem on this platform.

7. The real runway notes

brendstack

the brendaverse includes the brendawareness podcast, brendahashtag socials and this brendstack :)

By brenda

If you’re a fashion girly, Brenda Weisher has definitely popped up on your Instagram feed. Draped in the drippiest all-black designer outfits, the Berlin-based fashion writer and influencer is an internet microcelebrity better known by her handle Brendahashtag, pretty much an industry household name at this point. From Rick Owens to Dior, she’s front row at the top shows across European fashion weeks, and her bylines on platforms like Vogue and 032c speak to her writing chops. Her Substack, however, is a different beast entirely: a casual, unfiltered tell-all on the fashion industry — insider secrets, PR agency disasters, rants on gatekeeping, the realest scoops. As someone who works in fashion and art PR myself, it’s a genuinely fun ride to peek into the same industries in the West and find the similarities startlingly familiar. The chaos is also dotted with glimpses into her personal life, her past, and the winding road to becoming who she is today. But even if fashion isn’t really your thing, Brenda’s writing offers something rarer: a refreshing snapshot of what contemporary internet writing can look like. Messy, casual, raw — the typos and wacky sentence structures aren’t accidents. They’re part of the poetry.

So yeah, those are my recommendations. Substack is delightful, but you can already notice the platform quietly shifting away from its original identity as a home for editorial writing toward something more resembling a conventional social media app. The recent influx of brand accounts doesn't help. I fear it's only a matter of time before this place is flooded with AI-generated content pushed by marketing teams chasing engagement. I just hope the founders hold their ground and resist letting the algorithm turn ad-centric, because what makes Substack worth being on right now is precisely what they'd be giving up. Until then, happy reading!

This past month, I was fortunate enough to encounter more than one chair that exceeded its mere utilitarian purpose, becoming an object of genuine aesthetic delight. While I know there is an entire world of Eames and Jeanneret out there, nerding out over furniture had never been my cup of tea, so this sudden admiration for the humble chair even took me by surprise. I think I have unlocked yet another annoying, obsession ;()

❇️ Supernormality ❇️

Speaking of aesthetic delight, I recently came across the concept of ‘Supernormal Design’. A term coined by goat designers Naoto Fukasawa and Jasper Morris, it basically refers to objects designed so well that we just use them intuitively without even noticing their form. More ‘real, lasting, and pleasing things’ that ‘the designer’s trap of placing too much importance on how things look’. Think the average scissor, a moka pot, the bottle opener.

So intrigued by the concept, I want to get the words ‘Supernormal’ tatted. The idea expands beyond design for me, I think it can refer to all aspects of life, that are so ideal we just take them for granted. The clouds that pass above our heads, the comfort of a home-cooked meal, conversations with friends… the mundane, the supernormal. Its an ode to the little things that make us whole.

❇️ The most underrated vibe setter ❇️

I cannot believe I have been sleeping on community radios all this while. I always knew they existed, but I did not realise that private live sets by some of the coolest upcoming DJs in the world are at my fingertips, that too for FREE! That’s right folks, cosy nooks of the internet like the Berlin-based music label and radio Refuge Worldwide and London’s NTS live just let you hop on their websites and listen to live sets, all day, anytime. Jamming to sets here has been a ritual these days, and many of the early evening ambient sets make for a great soundscape while I work. Its discoveries like these that restore my faith in the internet⋆˚꩜｡

❇️ Quest for the perfect Negroni ❇️

The snob and gourmand that is me! But it’s the truth… nothing makes me happier than a perfect Negroni. Encountering both of the above is no small feat, though, so every time my path crosses one, I make a note!

A perfect Negroni feels like your first love. Bittersweet, slow-burning, vibrant and nostalgic.* The beauty of classic cocktails is the simplicity. This simplicity is often lost on the million so called sPeaKeaSys and experimental cocktail lounges that have cropped up across Delhi. It all boils down to quality and precision, an input of just 3 ingredients- some top shelf gin, a fresh bottle of premium sweet vermouth and campari, in equal ratios stirred with ice, strained on a cold hard rock and served with a citrus twist. Tamper with the quality or quantity of either of the above in minute doses, and you’ve messed up. But I’m no puritan- some of the top negronis of this month also enjoyed an occasional splash of brine or some salted plum syrup, Dirty Negronis if you will!

* Inspiration to write an ode to the Negroni here came from Alice Slater’s beautiful piece on martinis

❇️ Round the Mulberry Bush! ❇️

Delhi is abundant with fruiting mulberry trees right now. I cannot help but notice as plump purple berries fall from the sky and stain my shirts or as I see passing school children attack the trees with their slingshots. It’s heartening to see the joy the trees bring to neighbourhoods in their very short fruiting months of March and April, their cooling shade becomes a haunt for gossiping aunties and the berries are gobbled or collected by every passerby. Businesses like my favourite coffee shop in the city, also use these mulberries in some innovative recipes, like their scrumptious Mulberry toast with creamy ricotta and fresh berries from a tree that grows right outside the cafe. Making memories surrounding the humble mulberry is ever Delhites right of passage, and I hope these trees stay around for decades to come.

Those are the lil tit bits from my week, hope they sparked something in your brain or led you to a rabbit hole. I’ll be back with many more soon- see you around!

With my days rendered breadless and beer-free, I’ve had to look elsewhere for joy—outside the divine comfort of carb-loading. And you know what? It hasn’t been all bad.

Here are a few things getting me through:

❇️ Climbing ❇️

Damn—I wish I’d discovered the thrill of grabbing tiny plastic nubs on vertical walls earlier in life. There’s something raw and grounding about pulling your own weight upwards, muscles squeaking in protest, palms chalky, brain blissfully blank. When you’re climbing, there’s no space for your inner monologue to go off. Just: Where’s my foot going? Where do I grip next? That kind of presence is rare.

As someone who lives inside their head a lot, those couple hours of TV static and adrenaline while climbing were pure, uncut relief. I even prepaid for two more sessions this month to make sure I go back.

❇️ Homemade Granola ❇️

Gluten-free, oaty, cinnamon-scented goodness. Too easy to make. Honestly, why is anyone still buying this stuff at the store? Smh.

Here’s the recipe I used—feel free to riff.

❇️ Solange ❇️

Yes, I know she’s been it for a while. But I’m guilty of sleeping on Queen B’s little sis. That is—until last week, when I stumbled on a Solange radio station during a drive home. The Bad Girls drum break kicked in and I literally levitated out of my seat at the Green Park traffic jam and almost hit the divider.

Been on a Solange binge ever since. She’s currently soundtracking my life. Let’s gooo.

❇️ Kitchen Confidential ❇️

‘Parts Unknown’ has been my go-to comfort watch for awhile now (start with Marseille, Hanoi, Southern Italy). But I finally got my hands on Anthony Bourdain’s infamous autobiographical novel, Kitchen Confidential.

It’s a brilliant, brash dive into Tony’s psyche: the loudmouth wit with deep empathy, navigating the underbelly of NYC’s restaurant scene while battling addiction and some serious mental health demons. Knowing how his story ends adds a layer of sadness to every sharp sentence, but what I admire most is the delivery—no self-pity, no grand dramatics. Just a matter-of-fact, stream-of-consciousness style that strangely mirrors my own.

Where Tony and I differ is in his incomparable work ethic and his appetite for debauchery; accounts of both are detailed gloriously in the book, giving readers VIP seats to the wild, wild culinary world of ’80s New York. The gourmand in me was also salivating—porc mignon, galantines, boudin noir with caramelized apples? Oof. Mama. But also be prepared to have all the razzmatazz of fine dining be obliterated as the book also reveals the dark, ghastly and sometimes gross secrets of the restaurant bizz.

❇️ Meeting People In Person ❇️

Phone calls are alright, but they are not a substitute for meeting homies in the flesh.

As an introvert who can flourish in my solitude for days, I often have to push myself to make plans. I used to fool myself thinking I am doing just fine not chilling with a friend for 5 days straight, and tbh it was not like I wasn’t thriving.

But then I noticed how I felt after a wholesome lunch date or an aimless hang in the park with a homie, and OMG.

Meaningful social connection is the most underrated activity ever.

It’s not just about belonging—it’s about how in-person conversations light up your brain in ways books, podcasts, or even the best films never could. Your homies are walking encyclopedias of strange wisdom. The conversation does not need to be intellectual… even if you are just kicking it talking shit, humans are portals to infinite knowledge.

Watching someone’s dimples appear as they laugh, the way they gesticulate while trashing their boss, the way their voice rises when they talk about something they love… it’s everything. It’s what makes life feel alive. And no, FaceTime doesn’t count. Pixels are poor translators of real human presence. Plus, anything happening on a screen is already tainted with distraction- You can’t truly be present on the same device you’re doomscrolling Cappuccino Assassino reels or bingeing The Office reruns on.

That’s all for now. Breadless but blissful, your girl’s finding her groove. If you're gluten-free, sweaty, or just searching for a little slice of daily joy—I see you.

I think it’s worth jotting down the happenings of my week here, especially slivers of insightful learnings- that could benefit you (dear reader!) or provide voyeuristic pleasure from glimpsing into my psyche and my little life. So here we go-

1. I just finished reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of One’s Own and cannot recommend it enough! It provides a vocabulary for some complicated experiences of being a woman, and even though she wrote it in 1928, they remain pertinent. It’s also a banger commentary on classical literature in general and it makes you want to read more because it's literally a love letter to writing. Not to mention, Woolf is hilarious—I was surprised at how much she made me giggle—essential reading 101.

2. One should go out for a drink alone more often. Now look, I ain’t talking about getting pissed alone in the corner barstool- we can save that for rock bottom. I am talking a cheeky pint or a sangria or two at a sexy bar, with good music and beautiful human beings that will make for great people-watching. I had the privilege of gifting myself one such night this week, where I sipped a pint, while reading on substack, eavesdropping on the surrounding date-nights and shoptalkers. It was fkn delightful!

3. Doechii and SZA’s latest drops are what DiVinE FeMiniTy means to me. Powerful, sexy and brutally honest. Also Doechii’s Tiny Desk Performance?!?! 🤯 Just go watch it man- literal highlight of my week.

4. I have officially discovered the best soup recipe on Earth🥘! My mum found it and sent it to me and OMG, already made it thrice this week. Trust me, this is liquid gold, will heal your aching soul, cleanse all your sins + it’s oh-so delicious. Thank me later.

5. Parts Unknown is the best food+travel show. I have been an Anthony Bourdain fan for a while, but it is only recently that I have started watching the show sincerely. Seeing places and cultures through Bourdain is truly magical because unlike some other shows, you are not served a whitewashed touristy scenery with scripted hogwash. He brings a raw integrity to the table, a childish curiosity that reveals the destinations in their truest form. I also particularly love how the show is shot and edited- choppy and intimate, with an exquisite soundtrack. Its a thoughtful show, which is sure to fill you with warmth and wonder.

Thats all folks! Nothing more to report from this side of the coin. Hope you have a sweetass week ahead <3 Stay up, stay woke, stay blessed.

See ya next SUnday.