Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Afar

A Blind Man’s Trip Will Change the Way You Think About Safaris

A visually impaired traveler journeys through the wilds of Zimbabwe and discovers a side of the safari experience that very few know.

The Kitchn

10 of Our Easiest Slow Cooker Drop Dinners Ever

Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Let the slow cooker do it for you.

Scientific American

Facial Expressions Do Not Reveal Emotions

The emotion AI industry, courts and child educators are unknowingly relying on a misunderstanding of Darwin’s ideas.

Nir Eyal

When Distraction is a Good Thing

Sometimes letting our minds wander is the best course of action.

Literary Hub

On the Mystery Novel Written by A.A. Milne, Creator of Winnie-the-Pooh

In 1922, he published a clever locked-room whodunnit that caught the attention of Raymond Chandler.

Greater Good Magazine

How Cultural Differences Shape Your Gratitude

Americans say thanks a lot, but other cultures may have a deeper understanding of gratitude.

Smithsonian Magazine

A 16-Million-Year-Old Tree Tells a Deep Story of the Passage of Time

The sequoia tree slab is an invitation to begin thinking about a vast timescale that includes everything from fossils of armored amoebas to the great Tyrannosaurus rex.

The Atlantic

Parents Are Sacrificing Their Social Lives on the Altar of Intensive Parenting

Inequality has seemingly caused many American parents to jettison friendships and activities in order to invest more resources in their kids.

BBC Culture

The Rise of the ‘No-Wash’ Movement

There’s a growing cohort of people who believe in washing clothes less – or not at all.

Slate

Daryl Bem Proved ESP Is Real

Which means science is broken.

The Washington Post

How Do We Get Our 4-Year-Old To Stop Negotiating and Respect Our Rules?

She’s only 4, but she’s already trying to negotiate the rules and her punishments with her parents.

Mental Floss

The Dark and Mysterious Origins of 10 Classic Nursery Rhymes

Mother Goose has got a bit of a dark streak, as evidenced by the unexpectedly sinister theories surrounding the origins of these well-known nursery rhymes.

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, August 17

ESPN

The Predatory Web of Sextortion Increasingly Ensnares Young Athletes

A Michigan teen was goaded into sharing an intimate photo that scammers threatened to expose unless he paid up.

CBS News

This Car Ranks as America’s Most-Stolen Vehicle

Here’s why one Chevrolet model is the most-stolen type of car, according to a new report.

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.

NPR

Why the Origin of the Word ‘Dog’ Remains a Mystery

They’re known as man’s best friends, fur babies, pooches. But the most widely used word for these beloved animals — “dog” — is also a great linguistic mystery.

BBC

Why ‘Best Time to Visit’ No Longer Applies

Climate change is rewriting the rulebook for trip planning – and travellers need to adapt.

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.

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.

The New York Times

He Announced His Intention to Die. The Dinner Invitations Rolled In.

In early December, a 28-year-old Ghanaian artist and entrepreneur named Joseph Awuah-Darko announced on Instagram that he wanted to die.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

CNET

Have a Headache? These Are the Best Foods to Help Relieve It

Dealing with headaches regularly? Your diet may be a factor. These foods can help.

Lifehacker

How to Use a Windows Keyboard on Your Mac Without Getting a Headache

It can be a headache to use a Windows keyboard with your Mac. There’s an easy fix for that though, built right into macOS.

CNET

HBO Max: The 28 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch

Check out these highly rated series on HBO Max, plus a look at what’s coming out in August.

GQ

The Best Video Games of 2025 (So Far)

From AAA blockbusters to out-of-nowhere indies, these are the 2025 RPGs, platformers, and puzzle games that have made us thankful to have thumbs.

Architectural Digest

The Best Home Theater Ideas for Elevated Binge-Watching

Designers explain how to style a room for memorable movie nights.

Time

You Can Now Vaccinate Yourself Against the Flu

You no longer need a doctor to administer FluMist, the nasal flu vaccine.

Popular Mechanics

Italy Is Building the Longest Suspension Bridge Ever—in an Earthquake Zone

The bridge will measure over 2 miles long from end to end, stretching across the Strait of Messina.

Nature

Summer 2025 Is Roasting Hot: These Charts Show Why It Matters

Data reveal how this year’s back-to-back heatwaves are affecting populations and economies across Europe.

Real Simple

Not All Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad for You—These 8 Are Actually Healthy

Ultra-processed foods make up the majority of what's in your grocery store. But while ultra-processed foods have been linked in studies to serious health risks, there's a wide spectrum as far as safety profile. Choose from the "green-flag" foods from the American Heart Association—including nuts, whole grain breads, and soy milk—to limit your risks.

Business Insider

The AI Spending Boom Is Boosting US GDP — and Potentially Hiding Looming Problems

Donald Trump has welcomed the news of massive AI-related investments, but the spending spree might be hiding troubling signs elsewhere.

Axios

“Abundance” Movement Sparks Dems’ Identity Fight for 2028

The escalating feud is a preview of the 2028 presidential primary, as the Democratic Party grapples with its identity.

Food & Wine

Salmon Candy Isn’t Just a TikTok Trend — Here’s What You Need to Know

Candied salmon is having a moment on TikTok, thanks to Solovey Kitchen’s sweet, smoky take. But this isn’t new — Indigenous and Native communities have been smoking and candying salmon for centuries to preserve their catch. You can still find it today from Indigenous producers, if you know where to look.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

NPR

Private Equity and Crypto Could Be Heading for Your 401(K). Here’s What to Know

A recent executive order paves the way for retirement accounts to include a lot more than stock and bond funds.

The Week

What Is an Upside-Down Car Loan and How Do You Get Out of It?

This happens when the outstanding balance on a car loan exceeds the vehicle's worth.

NPR

Electricity Prices Are Climbing More Than Twice As Fast As Inflation

Electricity prices are rising more than twice as fast as overall inflation. That's especially costly during the dog days of summer when air conditioners are working hardest. In addition to hot weather, a variety of factors are causing power bills to climb, including the high cost of natural gas used to generate electricity and soaring demand from data centers.

NBC News

Why Investors Shouldn’t Try to Be a ‘Hero’ in This Economy, Analyst Says

In other words: Stick to your long-term investment plan, including an appropriate asset allocation and time frame to reach your goals.

Allure

Why Is the FDA Suddenly Calling Out Foam Sunscreens?

The agency issued warnings to two beloved brands regarding alleged regulatory violations. What gives?

NPR

8 Essential Conversations to Have With Your Aging Parents

There comes a time when it’s the kid’s turn to take care of mom and dad. Here’s how to broach this sensitive subject with your parents, and what to talk about.

The Local

On the Front Lines of the War Against ‘Super Lice’

With the emergence of drug-resistant nits, lice removal has become a booming business, catering to harried, itchy parents willing to pay for relief.

The Associated Press

FACT FOCUS: No, Taxpayers Will Not Receive New Stimulus Checks This Summer

This is false. Taxpayers will not receive new stimulus checks of any amount this summer, an IRS official said.

The Hustle

How Private Equity May Affect Your 401(k)

A new executive order allows employer retirement funds to be invested in private equity. Here’s what that could mean for your investments.

KFF Health News

AUDIO: A Wild Health Insurance Hustle

A couple in New York thought they bought insurance. Instead, they got fake “jobs.”

CBS News

AT&T Customers Could Get up to $7,500 in a $177 Million Settlement. Here’s How to File a Claim.

AT&T customers whose data was compromised in either of two data breaches, or both, are eligible to file a claim that could provide up to $7,500.

The Walrus

How to Trick Your Brain into Making Life Feel Longer and Richer

Forget anti-aging creams. The secret is living like you’re not in a hurry.