Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

MIT Press Reader

Did HAL Commit Murder?

The HAL 9000 computer and the ethics of murder by and of machines.

Darius Foroux

Get Rid Of Your High Expectations

Set difficult goals and strive for great accomplishments, but keep reality in mind or you’ll likely be disappointed.

Aeon

This Ancient Mnemonic Technique Builds a Palace of Memory

If you’re seeking better memory, this could be the secret.

Outdoor Life

Camping Hacks: 51 Tips and Tricks for Your Next Camping Trip

These hacks and tips will make for an even more successful season outside.

Narratively

She Was Once the Biggest Star in Jazz. Here’s Why You’ve Never Heard of Her.

Hazel Scott was a piano prodigy who wowed the worlds of music, TV, and film. But when she stood up for her rights, the establishment took her down.

BBC Worklife

The Harmful Ableist Language You Unknowingly Use

Some of our most common, ingrained expressions have damaging effects on millions of people – and many of us don’t know we’re hurting others when we speak.

The Conversation

Why Stretching Is (Still) Important for Weight Loss and Exercise

How to sort through the confusion of whether to stretch or not.

The Kitchn

How to Make Kung Pao Chicken That Tastes Better Than Takeout

Time to fire up the wok.

Outside

Are You an Elk Parent or a Bison Parent?

The fine line between holding on and letting go.

Knowable Magazine

The Tender Art of Tadpole Parenting

From poison frogs to worm-like caecilians, some amphibians are hardworking and surprisingly creative caregivers.

Architectural Digest

12 Boutique Hotels Outside Major U.S. Cities That Make the Case for a Road Trip

There’s something restorative about spending a weekend at a historical mansion in a small town.

The Hustle

The Great Dollar Store Backlash

Communities around the country are fighting back against the chains’ supercharged growth. But does banning dollar stores actually work?

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

Vogue

The Weird and Wonderful World of Emma Stone

In an acrimonious era during which it’s near impossible to achieve critical unity on any being or concept, the 36-year-old actress and producer has reached a rare altitude of public goodwill.

The Dial

The Future of Climate Change Is on Mauritius

Freak tornadoes, “explosions” of jellyfish, flash floods and dried up pumps.

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.

Condé Nast Traveler

Inside the Leather Workshops of Andalusia

With a history dating back almost 1,000 years, leatherwork remains at the heart of Andalusian life—thanks to the modern-day artisans working diligently to preserve the craft.

BBC

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

The investigation into the Wisconsin native revealed her to be “fairly unexceptional” with virtually no “criminal footprint”. And it remains unclear why she became a would-be contract killer.

Slate

Rise of the “Marinade Truthers”

The time has come to accept that marinades are a scam. But don’t worry: There’s an alternative seasoning source that will actually work—if you’re bold enough to try.

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.

The Conversation

Can Air Conditioning Really Make You Sick? A Microbiologist Explains.

Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

Parents

Why Mel Robbins Says Parents Must Fix Their Own Screen Time First

The author and podcast host gets candid about her own ‘screen time’ struggles and shares her best tips for parents to model a healthier digital balance.

Esquire

Leonardo DiCaprio Unfiltered

How do you get the actor talking? Put him in a room with Paul Thomas Anderson. During hours of conversation, two era-defining men—on the record together for the first time—went deep. They cracked some jokes, too.

Outside

Beyond Everest: Nepal Waives Climbing Fees on 97 Different Peaks

As a way to promote tourism to under-visited corners of the country, the government wants to entice climbers to venture beyond Mount Everest

Den Of Geek

Bob Odenkirk Thinks ‘Some Version’ of Late Night Comedy Will Survive Streaming

Exclusive: The Nobody 2 star and veteran comic considers the future of comedy, late night, and SNL.

Business Insider

Spirit Airlines’ Financial Woes Could Make Your Flight With a Competitor More Expensive

Spirit Airlines stock plummeted 40% after it warned it could go out of business, while Frontier rose 29%. Less competition could mean higher prices.

CNET

The 20 Best PS4 Games

Sony’s eighth-gen console is just as relevant as ever. These are the all-time best games on the PS4.

Martha Stewart

11 Natural Ways to Keep Pests Away From Your Garden—for Good

Protect your garden the natural way with these effective methods that don’t rely on commercial pesticides to keep pests away from your garden for good.

Real Simple

10 Lessons I Learned in Culinary School That I Use Every Day—and You Should Too

REAL SIMPLE’s food director shares the cooking tips she learned in culinary school that can help home cooks be more efficient and turn out more delicious food.

Scientific American

Why ChatGPT Shouldn’t Be Your Therapist

Using AI chatbots for “therapy” is dangerous, mental health experts say. Here’s why.

Vox

The Health Risks From Climate Change That Almost No One Talks About

Rising temperatures are rewriting the earliest stages of life.

USA TODAY

Be the Smartest Person at the Dinner Party: Niche Nonfiction Books to Read

Want to be the most interesting guest at a dinner party? Be the most well-read.  There are many earnest, unpretentious reasons to be a regular reader, from stepping into someone else’s shoes to escaping from the stress of day-to-day life.

CNN

The ‘Godfather of AI’ Reveals the Only Way Humanity Can Survive Superintelligent AI

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI,” fears the technology he helped build could wipe out humanity — and “tech bros” are taking the wrong approach to stop it.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

CNBC

The Top 10 Colleges for Financial Aid, According to the Princeton Review

The Princeton Review ranked colleges by how generous their financial aid awards are and how satisfied students are with their packages.

CBS News

Staffing Shortages at VA Health Systems Are on the Rise, Watchdog Finds

The VA’s Office of Inspector General found facilities reported 4,434 staffing shortages this fiscal year, which is a 50% increase from fiscal year 2024.

Harvard Business Review

Leading Is Emotionally Draining. Here’s How to Recover.

You have to lay off a team member, deliver hard feedback in a tense meeting, or end the day absorbing the resignation of a top performer. No crisis. Just another Tuesday.

USA TODAY

These Are the Wealthiest Suburbs of America’s Biggest Cities

New York’s wealthiest suburb is Scarsdale, a name long linked to affluence. Wellesley, the most well-heeled Boston suburb, is known for academia. McLean, a high-earner enclave outside the nation’s capital, houses diplomats and spies. 

USA TODAY

Can You Afford Your Friends? That Active Social Life Can Come at a Steep Price

Maria Stevens’ credit cards are maxed out, in part because she relied on them when she was laid off, but she thinks it’s also largely because she struggles to say no to invites from her friends.

CNBC

Nearly 1 in 5 Older Student Loan Borrowers Are Seriously Delinquent As Trump Steps up Collections

More older student loan borrowers are struggling to pay their monthly bill, as the Trump administration ramps up its collection efforts.

CBS News

Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment Could Be 2.7% in 2026, According to New Estimate

One advocacy group estimates that Social Security recipients will get a 2.7% cost-of-living increase in 2026.

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.

Culture Study

The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

No, it’s not infinite bouquets.

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.

The Associated Press

A Driver Faces up to $110,000 in Fines for Speeding on a Swiss Street. But He Can Afford It

A wealthy driver caught for going way too fast on a Swiss city street is facing a fine of more than $110,000.

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.