Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

It Actually Takes a Lot Longer Than You’d Think to Lose Muscle From Not Working Out

In other words, relax—a week or two off when you’re sick or traveling isn’t a dealbreaker.

Literary Hub

These Are the 5 (Er, 10?) Best Parentheses in Literature.

From someone who can’t get enough parentheticals.

Popular Science

How Scientists Are Bringing People Back From the Dead

Pressing pause could mean the difference between life and death.

Scott Young

What is Productivity Guilt? (And How Can You Prevent It?)

Pushing yourself to be productive is good. Being hard on yourself for not meeting every possible goal isn’t.

Apartment Therapy

The Easiest Way to Sanitize Your Bed Sheets, According to a Laundry Expert

Sanitizing linens without access to a washing machine is easier than you might think.

The Guardian

Can I Learn to Love Weightlifting in Six Weeks?

It builds muscle mass, improves bone density and is good for your heart, mood and sleep. But how easy is it to get started at 49, when you haven’t entered a gym for decades?

Atlas Obscura

Abalonia: The Island Nation That Never Was

It was meant to be a seafood paradise.

SELF

Actually, ‘Bed Rotting’ Can Be a Very Legit Form of Self-Care

It’s called rest, people.

Bon Appétit

Your Dishwashing Style Says a Lot About Who You Are

There are two types of cooks: Those who clean as they go and those who let it all pile up for later.

BBC Worklife

Why Airlines Make Flights Longer on Purpose

Ever wondered why flight times seem to be getting longer? It’s called “padding,” a phenomenon that helps airlines arrive on time—but at a cost.

Aeon

How the Marvel of Electric Light Became a Global Blight to Health

Our bodies evolved under the assumption that nightime would always be dark. Now, we must confront reality.

Delish

Apple Pie Cheesecake

It’s the best of both worlds.

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

Sunday, July 13

The Guardian

‘It’s the Only Thing Between Me and a Divorce!’ The Remarkable Rise of the Big Family Planner

Many households would descend into chaos without somewhere to jot down work commitments, after-school activities, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries … But do you run the planner, or does the planner run you?

Substack

The Death of Partying in the U.S.A.—and Why It Matters

Young Americans today spend 70 percent less time attending or hosting parties than they did at the beginning of the 21st century. Why?

Texas Monthly

At 40, She Discovered She Was One of America’s Best Free Divers

Sara Burnett went from an introductory course to a world championship in just over a year.

Texas Monthly

The River House Broke. We Rushed in the River.

On July 4, the Guadalupe ripped our home from its pillars, pulling my family into its waters and into the night. Then morning came.

The New York Times

How a Single Overdose Unraveled an Empire of Heroin

A man’s death after using “Flow” in a small Vermont city exposed a drug operation that spanned continents and sent a New York prosecutor on a heartbreaking journey.

The New Yorker

How to Save a Dog

For nearly a year, a motley crew scoured New Orleans for a shaggy white mutt named Scrim.

WIRED

AI Is a Lousy Chef

I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals.

Elle

How a ‘Breakup Moon’ Trip Helped Us Say Goodbye

My boyfriend and I knew our relationship was over. We decided to go to New Zealand anyway.

Why Everyone You Know Is Suddenly a Birder

A pandemic pastime has grown into something deeper.

ESPN

LeBron James to Luka Doncic: Inside the Most Delicate Superstar Transition in NBA History

For months, publicly and privately, the Lakers have been signaling their desire to begin the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, even if it meant ending the LeBron James one.

Axios

Trinity Test-Area Residents to Finally Get Reparations 80 Years Later

It also comes before the 80th anniversary of the Trinity Test next week.

Parents

Okay, Do I Really Need a Bath Water Filter?

If you’re considering a bath water filter for your home, here’s what to know about the benefits, drawbacks, and if they really help.

ESPN

Who Are the NFL’s Best Interior Offensive Linemen? Execs, Coaches and Scouts Help Rank 2025’s Top 10

Execs, coaches and scouts from around the NFL ranked their top 10 interior offensive linemen in our annual summer series.

Business Insider

I Live in India and Have Traveled All Over the Country — but There’s Just One City I’d Revisit Again and Again

I live in India and have traveled all over, but Varanasi is my favorite city. I love its street food, history, river, and easy day trips like Sarnath.

Business Insider

AI Models Aren’t Made Equal. Some Nonprofits Are Creating Their Own Tools Instead.

Nonprofits, including Education Above All and Tech To The Rescue, are using AI to address global inequities and promote prosperity.

Vogue

Why Is Everybody Standing on Vibration Plates?

Medical experts weigh in on the trend.

Business Insider

Our Daughters Are Named Kyle and Cameran. People Are Often Confused, but We Don’t Care.

Nicole Johnson and her husband have two girls, Kyle and Cameran, and two sons, Brooks and Zachary. Though it's caused confusion, they don't regret it.

Fast Company

Why AI-Powered Hiring May Create Legal Headaches

Many companies are turning to generative tools like ChatGPT to streamline hiring. But new research shows these systems may introduce bias—and open businesses up to serious risks.