The literary world is buzzing with captivating stories and thought-provoking discussions on Lit Hub Daily, and December 12, 2025, is no exception! Prepare to be inspired and challenged by these highlights:
A Creative Journey Across Time and Genres: Peter Mishler's interview with Maurice Riordan delves into the power of imagination, from ancient cave paintings to modern rap, and its influence on mathematics, science, and even morality. But wait, there's more! Riordan also shares his unique writing rituals. (https://lithub.com/maurice-riordan-on-writing-rituals-the-creative-imagination-and-his-journey-as-a-poet/)
Unraveling the Myth of Progress: Samuel Miller McDonald takes readers on a thought-provoking journey, questioning the notion of civilization's steady progress while exploring Black liberation and the abolition of slavery. (https://lithub.com/can-we-really-claim-that-civilization-is-on-the-steady-path-of-progress/)
Holiday Romance Recommendations: Haruka Iwasaki curates a cozy list of holiday romance novels, perfect for snuggling up with this winter. Discover captivating stories by Hannah Grace, Lana Ferguson, Lucy Score, and others! (https://lithub.com/seven-holiday-romance-novels-to-keep-warm-with-this-winter/)
Surprising Creative Routines: Six writers, including Shelby Van Pelt and Tracy K. Smith, reveal unexpected aspects of their writing processes. Prepare to be intrigued by their unique habits! (http://lithub.com/six-writers-on-the-most-surprising-parts-of-their-writing-routines)
The Rise of a Counterculture Icon: Learn how Sam Shepard became New York's counterculture playwright, and discover the captivating experiences that shaped his work. (https://lithub.com/how-sam-shepard-became-the-star-playwright-of-new-yorks-counterculture/)
A Literary Debut: Dive into the captivating world of Fátima Vélez's debut novel, 'Galapagos', with a captivating excerpt that will leave you wanting more. (https://lithub.com/galapagos/)
A Beloved Author's Passing: The literary community mourns the loss of Madeleine Wickham, known for her Shopaholic series written under the pseudonym Sophie Kinsella. (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/books/sophie-kinsella-dead-madeleine-wickham.html)
Artistic Influences: Horst Bredekamp uncovers the artistic heritage behind Frank Gehry's iconic sketches, offering a fascinating insight into his creative process. (https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/frank-gehry-and-the-art-of-drawing/)
Tourism's Impact: Francesco Pacifico's piece on American tourists in Rome sparks reflection. Are we selling out local cultures for the sake of tourism? (https://www.thedial.world/articles/news/american-tourists-rome)
Learning from the Unseen: Larissa Diakiw presents an intriguing perspective on what humans can learn from bats, shedding light on the often-overlooked world of the night. (https://hazlitt.net/longreads/soul-blind)
The Paranormal Pioneer: Discover how Art Bell, a renowned paranormal radio host, paved the way for the podcasting world as we know it today. (https://thepointmag.com/examined-life/into-the-american-night/)
And there you have it—a day packed with literary delights and intellectual adventures. But here's where it gets controversial: Are some of these creative routines just quirky habits, or do they hold the key to unlocking our own creative potential? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
