Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

BBC Worklife

How a ‘Beginners’ Mindset’ Can Help You Learn Anything

Although our ability to easily pick up a new skill declines with age, harnessing a specific type of mindset can help you learn effectively as an adult.

Prevention

How to Remove a Tick Head—the Right Way

Experts explain exactly what to do in a critter crisis.

Greater Good Magazine

Five Reasons Why Intellectual Humility Is Good for You

Recognizing that your beliefs may be inaccurate could help you learn more and build better relationships.

Inverse

The Sound of ‘The Birds’

How Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece revolutionized sound design and film scoring.

The Conversation

Are Our Thoughts ‘Real’? Here’s What Philosophy Says

René Descartes said the only thing we can be certain about is that we think. But what is the nature of thoughts? Philosophers have pondered this for centuries.

Popular Mechanics

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

Scientists put on their barista aprons and found out.

Quartz

Your Cotton Tote is Pretty Much the Worst Replacement for a Plastic Bag

You have to use a cotton tote thousands of times to make up for its environmental impact.

Elle

What If You Could Reverse Gray Hair?

You might be able to preserve your natural hair color longer than you thought.

CityLab

Parking Has Eaten American Cities

A study documents the huge amount of space taken up by parking, and the astronomical costs it represents, in five U.S. cities.

The War Zone

The World’s Largest Airshow As Seen From Space

There is nothing like AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and the massive aviation gathering looks remarkable when viewed from orbit.

Delish

Are The Rusty Spots On Lettuce Safe To Eat?

Read this before you throw away the whole head.

Truly*Adventurous

The House of Lost Souls

When a down-and-out doctor finds his rundown mansion is haunted, he pulls the quintessentially American move: opening the house to the public for a fee. Everything goes wrong from there.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Walrus

Can Office Tools Help Couples Optimize for Domestic Bliss?

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

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.

BBC

How a Fatal Accident Ended Ted Kennedy’s Presidential Hopes

In July 1969, Senator Edward Kennedy pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of an accident where a young aide died. But many questions about the ‘Chappaquiddick incident’ went unanswered.

The Guardian

Where the Wild Things Are: How to Immerse Your Kids in the Great Outdoors This Summer

Some of the most priceless holiday memories cost next to nothing – as my four-year-old son and I have found on our forays into nature.

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.

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.

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.

The Walrus

Before You Share That Health Tip, Read This

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kiplinger

I Want to Buy an Annuity, but I’m Scared I’ll Get Ripped Off. Should I Get One Anyway?

An annuity is a way to achieve lifetime income in retirement, but you need to understand how this product works before making a purchase.