Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

The Kitchn

Light & Fluffy Peach Upside-Down Cake

This beautiful peach upside down cake is light, fluffy, and infused with nutmeg.

Narratively

Confessions of a Failed Self-Help Guru

I traveled around the country telling strangers how to better their lives—until I learned that those offering to solve your problems are often the ones who need help.

MEL Magazine

The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of MSG

You probably know monosodium glutamate from its link to so-called ‘Chinese Restaurant Syndrome’ — and that’s precisely the problem.

Smithsonian Magazine

The Illuminating Science Behind Fireflies

A dedicated ornithologist with a passion for lightning bugs scours bogs and beaches to discover previously unknown species.

BBC Future

How to Teach Children About Risk

Lessons in the rational appraisal of danger may be the secret to a happier, healthier life – and they can be mastered through a few simple steps.

The Marginalian (formerly Brain Pickings)

Growing Through Grief

Derek Jarman on gardening as creative redemption, consecration of time, and training ground for presence.

Smithsonian Magazine

The Texas City Where Mermaids Inspire River Conservation

“Aquamaids” were once the stars at an amusement park in San Marcos. Now, they are making a comeback to help the environment.

Mental Floss

What ‘Sic’ Means—And How To Use It Correctly

The way writers use the word ‘sic’ is a little more nuanced than its literal meaning.

BBC Worklife

How the Busiest People Get ‘Deep Work’ Done

For busy people, finding time for uninterrupted work may feel utterly unrealistic. But there are methods we can use to optimise what limited ‘deep work’ time we have.

The Hustle

How Costco Gained a Cult Following — by Breaking Every Rule of Retail

Costco has found immense success by prioritizing the interests of its customers and employees over those of its shareholders.

Teen Vogue

Where Did All The Tween Fashion Go?

“A lot of teens are buying clothes that they’re not necessarily interested in, but it’s what the people around them like.”

Aeon

Will We Ever Know the Difference Between a Wolf and a Dog?

With variables like evolution and upbringing, the line blurs rather quickly.

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

Friday, August 15

The Guardian

‘The Forest Had Gone’: The Storm That Moved a Mountain

On a small ledge in the Swiss mountains, 200 people were enjoying a summer football tournament. As night fell, they had no idea what was coming.

The Conversation

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

If an air conditioning system malfunctions or isn’t properly maintained, it can become contaminated with infectious microbes.

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.

Serious Eats

5 Ways You Should Be Using Salt (But Probably Aren't)

Salt is the spice of life.

GQ

Travis Kelce on His Upcoming Season, Post-NFL Ambitions, and Life With Taylor Swift

After a grueling Super Bowl loss, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end spent his summer vacation focused on coming back stronger than ever.

Food & Wine

I Tracked a Wild Salmon From Sea to Plate — What I Learned Surprised Me

Wild salmon is abundant in Alaska and coveted by chefs — but most Americans eat the cheaper, milder farmed kind. Journalist Kim Cross set out to learn why — and how to cook the real thing right.

ESPN

How Happy Are You As a Fan? Find Out Where You Score in Our Sports Misery Index.

Whether there’s confetti falling from your team’s last title or you’re still waiting to see your first, you probably have an idea of how satisfied - or miserable - you are as a fan. But could you put a number on it?

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.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

Mental Floss

The Surprising Reason Behind Slimy Deli Meat (and Whether It’s Safe to Eat)

What to do when you discover a sheen on your salami.

Outside

Exploring Tennessee’s Top Lakes

The state’s most famed fishing legend partners with its most beloved lakes to protect and improve premier destinations for angling adventures

Fast Company

The Quiet Ban That Could Change How AI Talks to You

With no federal rules in place, Illinois, Nevada, and Utah are crafting their own protections for patients.

Smithsonian Magazine

Third Places Are Being Reimagined—and Welcoming Travelers in the Process

Outside of home and work, spaces like parks, food halls and libraries are stepping up with social offerings.

Vox

The 25 Pieces of Culture That Explain the Last 25 Years

From Lord of the Rings to the ramen craze to Ozempic, the cultural touchstones that help us understand the 21st century.

Homes & Gardens

Get Bigger and Better Pumpkins by Planting Them With These 7 Companion Crops

Plus, discover what not to plant with your pumpkins

Vox

Are We Living in the Movie ‘Her’ yet?

AI will undoubtedly shape the next 25 years. We just don’t know how yet.

Vox

What a 62-Year-Old Maid Explains About Childhood

This quietly subversive book has been captivating kids for generations.

Time

More Americans Are Playing Sports—Especially This One

A new survey finds that 80% of Americans are active. One sport in particular is exploding.

MakeUseOf

I Turned My Phone’s Back Tap Into Productivity Gold and Now I Get More Done

This simple feature makes everyday iPhone tasks twice as fast.

The Guardian

Premier League: 10 Things to Look Out for on the Opening Weekend

Another new era at Tottenham, De Cuyper can shine for Brighton and Aston Villa remind us this is a business.

BBC

How Language Is Hiding the Real Internet From You

Most of the internet is out of your reach, but the barrier isn’t just algorithms. In another language, the same platforms turn into whole other worlds.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

KFF Health News

AUDIO: A Wild Health Insurance Hustle

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

The Guardian

Ozempic Didn’t Work for Me. I Was Furious – and Ashamed

Everyone taking the ‘skinny shot’ was losing weight, but my scales didn’t change. My inner dialogue became toxic.

The Marginalian

Wonder, Play, and How to Be More Alive

We build our lives around structures of certainty — houses to live in, marriages to love in, ideologies to think in — and yet some primal part of us knows that none abides, knows that we pay for these comforting illusions with our very aliveness.

GQ

Buying Stuff Online Is About to Get a Lot More Expensive. Here’s Why.

The answer has to do with tariffs, synthetic opioids, and something called the de minimis exemption.

The Cut

Are You Rude With Money?

Our readers share annoying financial scenarios to avoid when splitting the bill.

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 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.

CNN

Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest Level in 10 Months

Would-be home buyers and homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages got a rare break this week after months of stubbornly high borrowing costs.

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.

Yahoo Finance

4 Ways to Increase Cash Flow and Pay Off Debt Faster

Improving cash flow is key to aggressively paying down debt.

USA TODAY

‘The Tooth Fairy Sticks to a Budget:’ Kids Are Finding Less Under Their Pillows for Lost Teeth

Times are tough, even for kids.

NPR

Counting Steps for Health? Here’s How Many You Really Need

Counting steps is easy using a phone, a wearable or fitness tracker. And scientists have lots of data to figure out how many daily steps you need to improve health. Here’s what they’ve found.