Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Scientific American

Going Barefoot Is Good for the Sole

Walking without shoes builds calluses, but that does not limit sensation.

The Guardian

Can’t Sleep? Tell Yourself It’s Not a Big Deal

There’s growing evidence that thinking of yourself as an insomniac is a major part of the problem.

The Kitchn

Recipe: Creamy French Mustard Chicken

Believe it or not, this elegant dish comes together in about 30 minutes using only one skillet.

Knowable Magazine

Why Isn’t Dental Health Considered Primary Medical Care?

Ailments of the mouth can put the body at risk for a slew of other ills. Some practitioners think dentistry should no longer be siloed.

Nautilus

Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body

From our knees to our eyeballs, our bodies are full of hack solutions.

Glamour

The Wild Stories Behind Casting Your Favorite Rom-Coms

“It was a nightmare…you name a British guy, and we saw him.”

Bloomberg Businessweek

How to Keep Uber and Lyft Rides Affordable and Make Drivers Happy

In the absence of federal legislation for app-based drivers, US cities and states have turned into gig-economy battlegrounds. Is there a better way?

Afar

10 Sanity-Saving Tips for Camping With Young Kids

Taking a baby camping? Intimidating, yes—but if you equip yourself with a bit of know-how, mitigate risk, and practice overall good judgement, a night in the woods with a tot in tow is not only possible, but is also actually rollicking good fun.

Popular Mechanics

What’s the Chemical Difference Between Hot- and Cold-Brew Coffee?

Scientists put on their barista aprons and found out.

Literary Hub

The 10 Books That Defined the 1970s

Books that paint a fair picture of the landscape of literary culture for the decade.

Quanta Magazine

In the Universe of Equations, Virtually All Are Prime

Equations, like numbers, cannot always be split into simpler elements. Researchers have now proved that such “prime” equations become ubiquitous as equations grow larger. Prime numbers get all the love.

Esquire

Creed Bratton Has a Story to Tell

He left The Grass Roots in ’69 and showed up on The Office in ’05. What the hell happened in between? Some highs, some lows, a little music, and a lot of pain.

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

Tuesday, July 22

Virginia Quarterly Review

The Game Is Played With Great Feeling

How Pokémon can save the world, one Pikachu at a time.

Maclean’s

My Classroom Will Be AI-Free This Fall

A humanities education is vital in this polarized world. But students need to read the books.

The New Yorker

In an Age of Climate Change, How Do We Cope with Floods?

The deaths in the Texas Hill Country are a tragic testament to the force of a raging river. Flood-stricken Vermont has a radical plan to counter the threat it faces.

New Lines Magazine

Waiting for Justice in South Africa

Families of those killed and tortured for political reasons under apartheid are searching for the truth about why the perpetrators have gone unpunished.

WIRED

A Head-to-Toe Breakdown of Social Media’s Billion-Dollar Remedies

Bad mood? Puffy face? Immune issues? Across TikTok and Instagram there are scores of influencers ready to sell you some products—without ever sending you to a doctor.

Olive

I’m a Gut Health Dietitian – These Are the Questions People Are Too Embarrassed to Ask Me

From sudden attacks of diarrhoea to problematic wind, our expert answers all the questions you were too embarrassed to ask.

Boston

Blood Feuds: The Fight Over Who Gets to Be Native American

A Rhode Island tribe’s quest for state recognition has sparked a controversy.

NBC News

A Cross Between a Nicotine Pouch and an Energy Drink: What to Know About Caffeine Pouches

Teen-friendly promotion of the product is spreading on social media. Adding to the concerns is a caffeine pouch startup from a former Juul marketing executive.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

Discover

This Neanderthal Gene Might Be Holding Back Your Athletic Performance

Genetic legacy of our ancient cousins could be making it harder for some people to reach their athletic potential.

Epicurious

How to Turn an Almost-Empty Peanut Butter Jar Into Dinner

Transform it into a sauce for noodles, vegetables, or dessert, right in the jar.

Zócalo Public Square

Someday We Will Leave This Garden

Night-blooming cereus and magenta alstroemeria, meyer lemons and sweet pea vines have made magic in an L.A. yard.

The Spruce

6 Things You Can Find in Every Stylish Room, According to Interior Designers

Designers say these six items are found in every stylish room; learn what they are to make the most out of your decor choices.

Condé Nast Traveler

The Glitz, Glam, and Grit of Entertainment on a Cruise Ship

The cruise industry’s ever-expanding entertainment programming requires a vast workforce—and an almost uncountable number of dance shoes.

Martha Stewart

5 Ways to Use Apple Cores in Your Garden to Boost Plant Growth

Apple cores can provide an abundance of nutrients to your garden. Explore these methods for using apple cores and peels in your garden to help plants grow and thrive.

Axios

How Trump’s Game-Planning for the 2026 Midterms

Trump’s ability to accomplish more big things in Congress — and avoid impeachment — hinges on keeping the GOP’s razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate in his last two years in office.

CNET

What Makes Cheap Earbuds a Real Value? Here’s How I Find the Hidden Gems

You can turn up plenty of earbuds under $100 that are surprisingly decent. The hard part is finding those that qualify as under-the-radar keepers.

National Geographic

For Icelandic Vibes Without the Crowds, Head to This Canadian Destination

The Yukon Territory glows—but not with city lights. “Everywhere you look is like a painting” here, with auroras that last for hours, hot springs, and volcanic canyons.

NBC News

Why the Viral Sylvanian Drama Soap Operas Have Gone Quiet Online

A Japanese company has sued the creator of the Sylvanian Drama social media accounts alleging copyright infringement after its children’s toys were used without permission in a long-running series of viral skits.

Martha Stewart

The Surprising Design Changes That Keep Pests Away From Your Home

Don’t let pests take over your home. These smart home design tweaks repel insects while making your house look and feel better.

Polygon

No Other Superman Story Will Scratch the Post-Superman-Movie Itch Like This Animated Series

It hits a lot of the same notes, but with anime flair

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

Time

10 Questions to Help You Plan for the End of Life

Talking about death is often life-affirming.

CBS News

COVID-19 Cases Are Rising in These States Amid Summer Wave, CDC Data Shows

The data, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also showed a significant increase in COVID-related emergency room visits for young children.

The Walrus

Can Office Tools Help Couples Optimize for Domestic Bliss?

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the colour-coded Google Calendar.

CNBC

Student Loan Bills Could Double for Some Borrowers As Biden-Era Relief Expires

Many student loan borrowers could see their monthly bills more than double now that the Biden-era SAVE plan is defunct.

CNBC

What a Trump, Powell Faceoff Means for Your Money

Tensions are escalating between the White House and the Federal Reserve, with consumers caught in the middle.

Stylist

Managers, Here’s How to Have an Effective 1-to-1, According to Career Experts

How to help your team members get the most from your meetings.

The Walrus

Before You Share That Health Tip, Read This

Misinformation is everywhere. And yes, some of it has probably gotten to you.

Fast Company

I’m a Two-Time Tech Founder. but Restaurants Are Where I Learned to Lead

The surprising lessons the conveyor belt sushi business taught me. Sudden equipment failures. Supply chain surprises. Retaining staff as the goalposts move in real time. These aren’t challenges I’ve faced as a tech founder—but I have faced them running restaurants.

The Week

How Can You Get the Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit?

For many, Social Security benefits are a key part of their retirement plan. So it makes sense that you would want to get the most possible from this monthly source of income.

Money.com

Why You Probably Need Flood Insurance — Even if You Don't Live Near Water

Over the Fourth of July weekend, parts of central Texas were devastated by flash floods after the region was hit with the equivalent of four months' worth of rain in just a few hours. At least 134 people were killed, and more than 100 are still missing as of press time.

Yahoo

What Is ‘Revenge Saving,’ and Should You Hop on the Trend?

“Revenge saving” emphasizes making up for poor financial habits by being aggressively frugal or restrictive with your current spending.

GQ

What to Wear to a Job Interview, According to Hiring Experts

Make sure your suit fits, don’t dress too sexy, and other essential advice from professionals in law, tech, finance, and marketing.