Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

BBC Future

Can You Delay Aging by Refusing to Act Your Age?

When old age starts depend on where you live in the world. But it may also partly depend on how you view aging. Can you delay it with a positive attitude?

Quanta Magazine

A Child’s Puzzle Helped Unlock the Secrets of Magnetism

People have known about magnets since ancient times, but the physics of ferromagnetism remains a mystery. A familiar puzzle is getting physicists closer to the answer.

Popular Science

For Better Sleep, Borrow the Bedtime Routine of a Toddler

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

MEL Magazine

Why Is It So Much Harder to Be Nice to Ourselves Than to Other People?

Psychologists have the answer — and, for once, a fairly straightforward solution.

Smithsonian Magazine

Seven of the Wildest and Weirdest Attempts to Curb Animal Pests

Why use fences or traps when you can use deadly viruses or lustful snakes?

Homes & Gardens

12 of the Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots – Easy Crops for Spaces of Any Size

There is a wide selection of vegetables that will happily grow in pots and provide you with a fantastic harvest.

Mental Floss

13 Supposedly Haunted Castles Around the World

The grisly details of these castles’ pasts paint a horrific story—and lend themselves to contemporary hauntings.

Smithsonian Magazine

South to the Promised Land

Before the Civil War, numerous enslaved people made the treacherous journey to Mexico in a bold quest for freedom that historians are now unearthing.

The Drive

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

Hint: More often than you do now.

Scientific American

Who Created Maslow’s Iconic Pyramid?

An investigation into the real origins of Maslow's pyramid.

Fatherly

How to Raise a Child Who Feels at Home in Their Body

A psychologist’s advice on how to talk to kids about their bodies and physical insecurities.

The Kitchn

The Best Way to Cook Salmon

After trying 5 different methods for cooking salmon, the winner is clear.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

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.

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.

Grist

The Art of a Plastics Treaty: How Sculptures, Collages, and Poetry Have Influenced Global Talks

As countries try to find agreement on plastic pollution, creative interventions are turning heads — and turning the conversation to health harms, fossil fuels, and false solutions.

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.

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.

Big Think

What Our Shelves of Unread Books Teach Us About Ourselves

Many readers buy books with every intention of reading them, only to let them linger on the shelf. The Japanese call this practice tsudoku.

Scientific American

Why ‘Use Your Words’ Can Be Good for Kids’ Health

Studies show that writing or expressing what we are feeling can help adults mentally and physically. Kids are no different

Real Simple

4 Smart Ways to Cut Down on Indoor Humidity

Humidity inside the home isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also lead to mold growth and rot that can deteriorate your home and furniture and worsen your health over time. Here are four of the most effective ways that experts say you can cut down on humidit

Food & Wine

How to Make the Fluffiest Pancakes, According to Chefs

Here’s the problem with pancakes: they’re deceptively difficult. Whether you’re preparing them from a boxed mix or scratch, there are so many small mistakes you can make along the way that can lead to dense, bland, or burnt flapjacks.

BBC

‘We Had Too Much Drama’ - Meet the Real Housewives of London

The Real Housewives franchise has spread around the world, with viewers lapping up the partying and catfighting of wealthy socialites in locations from Orange County to Sydney to Nairobi. But there hasn't been a series based in London - until now.

Kiplinger

Which of These Four Withdrawal Strategies Is Right for You?

Your retirement savings may need to last 30 years or more, so don’t pick a withdrawal strategy without considering all the options. Here are four to explore.

Los Angeles Times

There’s One ‘SNL’ Impression Bowen Yang Tried to Talk His Way Out Of. (It Didn’t Work.)

Yang has emerged as a fan favorite on the venerable NBC sketch show, for which he just received his fourth Emmy nomination, by creating unexpected viral moments.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

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.

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. 

Scientific American

Why ChatGPT Shouldn’t Be Your Therapist

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

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

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.

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.

The Associated Press

Why Many Americans Are Rethinking Alcohol, According to a New Gallup Poll

After years of being told that red wine was good for heart health, more Americans appear to be heeding warnings that even moderate alcohol consumption can be unhealthy.

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.

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.

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.

Culture Study

The Unexpected Benefits of Starting a Small-Scale Dahlia Operation

No, it’s not infinite bouquets.

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.