Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Knowable Magazine

The Untapped Potential of Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood

Long overlooked, menstrual stem cells could have important medical applications, including diagnosing endometriosis.

Quartz

The Forgotten Art of Squatting Is a Revelation for Bodies Ruined by Sitting

In much of the world, squatting is as normal a part of life as sitting in a chair.

Literary Hub

20 Short Novels To Stay Up All Night Reading

Unputdownable books you can finish in bed tonight.

The Guardian

You Used to Be Close – But Are You a ‘Fringe Friend’ Now?

It’s not fun to realize you may be an ‘always welcome but never invited’ pal. But experts say it’s not all bad.

The Washington Post

This Pasta Dish Makes Brussels Sprouts Taste Positively Indulgent

A recipe from Ed Barrow’s “The Monday Pasta Club” bathes the shredded sprouts in generous amounts of butter, cream and cheese.

Apartment Therapy

7 Sneaky Things to Check for in Every Airbnb Listing

Here’s what to look for in every Airbnb listing, according to hosts and frequent guests.

Culture Study

How Email Became Work

The inbox devours everything it comes in contact with, especially leisure time.

Darius Foroux

10 Practical Answers to 10 Powerful Questions

The other day I received an email from a reader with 10 questions she wanted me to answer. No introduction. No small talk. Just a list of questions and “Thanks for your time” at the bottom.

Afar

11 Lost Cities You Can Actually Visit

Rediscover these abandoned cities by traveling to see their ruins, where you can readily imagine their lost-to-time structures and civilizations.

Bloomberg Businessweek

The Hottest Thing on Menus Across America? Next-Level Peppercorns

Chefs and diners alike love the way they can change the character of a dish with just a few cracks.

Popular Science

For Better Sleep, Borrow the Bedtime Routine of a Toddler

Three easy steps that should help you get some much-needed rest.

Outside

The Case for Killing the Campfire

Outdoor tradition or dangerous, polluting, wasteful relic of the past?

Popular Collections

Curated guides to the best reads on the web

Pocket Collections

The Art of Navigating Thorny Office Politics

From bad bosses to gossipy colleagues and, of course, office refrigerator drama.

Today’s Pocket Hits

Thursday, August 14

Stat News

Insecure About Their Looks, More Men Than Ever Are Getting Plastic Surgery

Insecure about their looks, more men than ever are getting plastic surgery.

New York Magazine

The Crypto Maniacs and the Torture Townhouse

How two men charged with an outrageous kidnapping scheme introduced a new kind of crime to the city.

BBC

A Dating App, a Niqab and a 9mm Gun—How a US Woman Was Hired to End a UK Family Feud

US woman Aimee Betro was hired to come to the UK to kill a Birmingham man as part of a family feud.

SF Standard

An Alleged Killer Is Living Near Golden Gate Park in a Facility Where Patients Go Missing

Michael Jacobs’ story illustrates how even a ‘homicidal’ defendent can end up living right next door.

BBC

How Kentucky Bourbon Went From Boom to Bust

Tariffs, oversupply and teetotaling Gen-Zs have all contributed to the downfall of one of America’s most iconic liquors.

Psyche

Why Do We Hesitate to Talk About Our Own Good Deeds?

Disclosing acts of kindness could encourage even more altruism – if we can find a way around the awkwardness.

Slate

Rise of the “Marinade Truthers”

Put down those Ziploc bags!

Food & Wine

Cornish Hens Made Dinner Feel Fancy — So Why Did We Stop Serving Them?

These mini chickens rose to fame in the 1970s. Now they’re poised for a comeback.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

The Atlantic

Americans Are All in on Cow-Based Wellness

Beef-tallow moisturizer is just the beginning.

Smithsonian Magazine

A Meteorite Tore Through a Georgia Home’s Roof. It Turns Out the Space Rock Is Older Than Our Planet

A planetary geologist finds that the meteorite, which fell in June, came from the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Essence

We Built the Culture, but Where’s the Investment? The State of Black Reality TV.

Despite huge cultural impact and loyal audiences, Black reality TV is at a crossroads. This story uncovers why Black shows are disappearing.

Rest of World

These Countries Want to Be the Next Big Semiconductor Hubs

Manufacturing powerhouses Mexico, Malaysia, and India want to become less reliant on expensive imports — without competing with Nvidia or TSMC.

USA TODAY

Can This Book Teach Your Dog to Talk? How to Use the Button Method With Your Pup.

Stella isn’t an ordinary pup. The Blue Heeler/Catahoula mix doesn’t just whine and bark. She uses her words to communicate her frustration to Hunger, who told her it was time to come inside to start the work day. 

Martha Stewart

8 Bedroom Décor Mistakes That Make It Hard to Relax

Bedrooms are meant to be relaxing—but these décor mistakes will make them feel cluttered and unrefined.

SF Standard

A Conversation With the SF Chef Taken Down by a TikTok Influencer

Luke Sung speaks for the first time after leaving Kis Cafe following a blowup with the scorned Karla Marcotte.

The Markup

We Caught Companies Making It Harder to Delete Your Personal Data Online

Dozens of companies are hiding how you can delete your personal data, The Markup and CalMatters found.

Literary Hub

How Charlotte Brontë’s Shyness Helped Make Her a Storyteller

“What is this new book of Miss Brontë’s, do you know?” Elizabeth asked Janet. “It will be very interesting to hear more of her sisters but rather difficult for her to do it well a…

Fast Company

Why Leaders Should Prioritize Outcomes Over Hours

Focusing on outcomes over hours helps leaders build smarter teams, support Gen Z’s need for flexibility, and eliminate performative busyness.

Inc. Magazine

How I Raised $10 Million While Beating Breast Cancer

Culina Health co-founder Vanessa Rissetto managed a health crisis while helping her telehealth nutrition startup bring in $5.7 million in revenue last year.

ESPN

MLB Rank 2025 Update: What Did We Get Right -- and Very Wrong?

Who is still too low in our update? Who did we miss in our initial list? Our best -- and worst -- rankings revisited.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

USA TODAY

Gas Prices Are Down From Last Year. Here’s Where They Could Head Next.

July gas prices were down 2.2% from June and 9.5% from the year prior, according to the latest CPI report from the Labor Department. Why prices at the pump could continue to slip in the months ahead.

Culture Study

The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

No, it’s not infinite bouquets.

BBC

Should We All Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?

Vitamin supplements can be an efficient way to add vitamins lacking in our diet. But they're not a silver bullet.

Axios

Companies Embrace in-Person Interviews to Dodge the Chatbots

If you’re a knowledge worker on the job hunt, you might want to upgrade your interview wardrobe to include pants.

The Guardian

Why Do I Feel So Much Worse After a Nap – and How Can I Avoid It?

Waking up from a nap feeling groggy, tired or ill? Experts say it’s common. Here’s what could be going wrong.

NPR

What’s the Deal With Claims That Birth Control Is Dangerous?

Social media is full of videos saying hormonal contraception can hurt you and promoting natural alternatives. How did the treatments get such a bad reputation and do alternatives work?

SELF

9 Exercises for Knee Pain to Help You Move (and Feel) Better

Strengthen and stretch your way to happier joints.

Yahoo Finance

How to Build a Six-Figure Net Worth on a Five-Figure Salary

You don’t have to be a high earner to build wealth.

CNBC

These States Have Sales Tax Holidays in 2025. Here’s Who Stands to Benefit, Tax Experts Say

Some states are offering sales tax holidays to boost spending as President Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to hike prices. Here’s what shoppers need to know.

Outside

How Canicross Saved My Relationship with My Unruly Rescue Dog

I couldn’t fix my dog’s behavior until we started running toward a shared goal—literally.

PBS News

Why New College Graduates Are Facing One of the Toughest Job Markets in a Decade

PBS News asked recent grads about their job searches, and John Yang speaks with Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer at Handshake, for more on the current state of the job market and advice for first-time job seekers.

CNBC

Travel Card Benefits Are ‘Getting Harder to Maximize,’ Analyst Says. What to Know Before You Apply

Travel credit cards may be worth the cost as long as it fits your lifestyle. Otherwise, it may not make sense to have an expensive credit card in your wallet.