Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Knowable Magazine

Why Probation and Parole Don’t Work as Advertised

The current system of supervised release may do more harm than good, some experts say. How can society rehabilitate law-breakers while keeping them from re-offending?

Greater Good Magazine

Six Tips to Avoid Being Overwhelmed by the News

Here’s how to cope when all the negative news is triggering you.

Atlas Obscura

The Dirty Secret of ‘Secret Family Recipes’

Surprisingly often, they’re copied from mayo jars and famous cookbooks.

MIT Press Reader

The Extraordinary Ways Rhythm Shapes Our Lives

Rhythm plays an important role in how we perceive — and connect with — the world.

Popular Science

Why Do People Say the Moon is Made of Cheese?

The moon-cheese nexus may have started with a fable about a hungry wolf and a crafty fox.

The Marginalian

How to Criticize with Kindness

“Just how charitable are you supposed to be when criticizing the views of an opponent?”

Nautilus

The Strange Blissfulness of Storms

Is there a biochemical reason that extreme weather makes us happy?

Slate

Well-Behaved Women Make History Too

What gets lost when it’s only the rebel girls who get lionized?

Smithsonian Magazine

Why Are Some People Left-Handed?

Scientists identify rare genetic variants that may be linked to the trait.

Fast Company

5 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Accept Any Job Offer

It’s exciting to get a job offer, but there’s good reason to hesitate before accepting. Ask these questions first.

Inc.

The Beginner’s Guide to Recognizing and Changing Negative Thoughts

This strategy will help you recognize and replace the negative thoughts that can hold you back in life.

The Conversation

The Discovery of Insulin: A Story of Monstrous Egos and Toxic Rivalries

Meet the feuding scientists who battled for credit over the discovery of insulin.

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

Saturday, July 5

New York Magazine

'People Want That African Euphoria'

Black Americans are moving to Ghana — and driving up the cost of living for everyone around them.

The New York Times

He’s Ringo. And Nobody Else Is.

As he turns 85, one of the last surviving Beatles is still musically curious, dispensing his signature wisdom, and preaching the gospel of peace and love.

Bon Appétit

An Inside Look at the Best Snack Trends at the Summer Fancy Food Show

At the Comic Con of snacks, we track down the latest in sweet treats, sauces, and drinks.

Smithsonian Magazine

In a Milestone for Manhattan, a Pair of Coyotes Has Made Central Park Their Home

For six years, two photographers have carefully followed the canines and documented their secret lives.

Boston

Did We Ruin Summer Camp by Making It Safe?

The kids are all right—but are they missing out?

CNN

A Couple Tried for 18 Years to Get Pregnant. AI Made It Happen.

As artificial intelligence shapes fertility care, it’s now helping doctors find hidden sperm.

Reuters

They Tried Made in the USA. It Was Too Expensive for Their Customers.

Tens of thousands of American small and midsize manufacturers are facing the choice between paying steep tariffs on Chinese imports or taking on significantly higher domestic production costs.

The Atlantic

The Feminine Pursuit of Swoleness

A new book considers how weight lifting can help you unlearn diet culture.

Recommended Reads

Curated by Pocket

Inverse

40 Years Ago, One Addictive Computer Game Pioneered a Subgenre

In June 1985, ‘The Way of the Exploding Fist’ hit the Commodore 64. Here’s why it was such a big deal.

Business Insider

The NCAA Settlement Is a Big Win for Football Players. for Other Athletes, the Picture Is Murkier.

The recent NCAA settlement enables direct athlete payments from schools and raises concerns about non-revenue sports and Title IX compliance.

Big Think

Why Your Microbiome May Matter More Than DNA for Your Lifelong Health

We need to stop waging war on all germs and start working with our microbiomes that keep us healthy and make us who we are.

Gizmodo

The Stars of ‘Superman’ Claim to Have No Knowledge of Their DC Futures

io9 spoke with David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult about the upcoming film franchise.

Bustle

This Cash Hack Lets You Enjoy a Fun Weekend on a Budget

Cash only weekends are a good way to stick to a budget without having FOMO.

Fast Company

Pop, Soda, or Coke? a Look at the History Behind the Soft Drink’s Many Names

The long-standing debate over what to call a generic soft drink boils down to what region of the United States you’re from.

Time

Bald Eagles Are Thriving. Could Trump Change That?

America’s national bird is doing great. The government’s proposed cuts to nature protections could put that at risk.

Fast Company

Employees Are Crashing Out All Over TikTok. Here’s Why

Crashing out at work is all over TikTok—but why? A new report lays out why employees feel like work isn’t working for them.

CBS News

Tariffs Could Surge on July 9 With 90-Day Pause Set to End. Here’s What Experts Think Could Happen.

Trump administration faces pressure to clinch more trade deals, with a temporary tariff freeze on dozens of countries set to expire.

Entertainment Weekly

The Best Movies of 2025 So Far

From a battle for survival and a fighting robot (nope, not THAT one) to a supernatural horror and 180-mph thrills, these are the 10 movies that make our list of the best to open so far in 2025.

Essence

Venus Williams Shares Her Battle With Fibroids and How She Was Dismissed by Doctors

The tennis icon had her symptoms dismissed by doctors for years before learning she had fibroids. Now she’s sharing her story.

Outside

These New Rules of Outdoor Etiquette Will Save You This Summer

While some organizations offer outdoor etiquette guidelines, they don’t always tell you what you really want to know. Here are some tips from our editors.

Life Hacks

Tips for better living

Inc. Magazine

Half of Remote Employees Nap During the Workday, a Survey Says 

Employers might want to keep an eye open for any visible facial creases, suspiciously mussed hairdos, or groggy comments during video meetings with remote staff. It turns out nearly half of people working from home admit to taking naps on company time.

Men's Health

How Long It Should Take to Walk a Mile—and How That Can Help to Improve Your Fitness

Whether you're looking to move more or you want to upgrade your daily stroll, these tips will help you pick up the pace.

Lifehacker

Five Psychological Tricks You Can Use to Make Yourself Feel Happier

It’s easy to see why being happy is such a challenge these days. People are working jobs they hate, struggling to pay bills, and living in an increasingly isolated, digitally driven world.

Fast Company

Why Office Gossip Can Be Good for the Workplace (If It’s the Right Kind of Gossip)

Gossip at work is inevitable. But what exactly workers gossip about can be key in dictating company culture. Rumor has it that gossip can be a positive force in workplace cultures, under the right circumstances.

The Conversation

Self Determination Theory: How to Use It to Boost Wellbeing

A foundational idea in self-determination theory is that we have three basic psychological needs: for autonomy, competence and relatedness.

The New York Times

Illness Took My Mother’s Independence, but It Gave Us Something Precious

An immune condition changed my mom’s life — and taught us to see art differently.

The Guardian

How Sorry Are You? Why Learning to Apologize Well Could Save Your Relationships

Got something to say sorry for? Here are words that have no place in your apologies, according to those who have spent years analysing them.

Fast Company

How to Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation

Plan to connect with loved ones and plan to disconnect from work.

The New York Times

Better Half

The midpoint of the year is an opportune moment to look back at where we’ve been, and set our sights for where we want to go.

The New York Times

Gen Z, It Turns Out, Is Great at Saving for Retirement

Brynnley Beckman is only 23, but she is already thinking about retirement. She teaches ninth grade biology at the Shelton School in Dallas and contributes 3 percent of her salary to an employer-sponsored retirement fund. She hopes to increase her contribution by 1 percent each year.

Money.com

The Ultimate Guide to Paying Less for College

Running the numbers on typical college costs can leave you feeling breathless and wondering how you’re going to afford it. Sticker prices look staggering these days, especially for private colleges.

Time

Are You Just Tired or Truly Burned Out?

Fatigue and burnout are similar, but one requires more serious attention.