Why This Octavia Butler Page-Turner Is the Ultimate Book Club Pick
Octavia E. Butler’s 1993 novel *Parable of the Sower* topped the latest 101 Best Book Club List, earning the most votes for 2026 selections. Founder Nikki High of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena explains the novel’s renewed appeal, citing its themes of youthful agency, climate crisis, and the imperative to “embrace diversity or die.” Readers report that each reread aligns with contemporary challenges, making the book a catalyst for vigorous club dialogue. The story’s protagonist, Lauren Olamina, is portrayed as a Gen‑Z‑like figure whose radical optimism inspires action.
The Restaurant Inside L.A.'s Best New Food Hall Is a Triumph. It Could Be a Revelation
Rose Previte’s Maydan Market opens in West Adams as a 10,000‑square‑foot food hall featuring seven casual vendors and a full‑service restaurant, Maydan L.A. The restaurant centers around a $95‑per‑person family‑style tawleh menu that showcases Eastern Mediterranean and North African dishes,...
K-Pop Conquered Coachella. Now It's Bini's Turn to Show Off the Philippines
Filipina girl group Bini will become the first act from the Philippines to perform at Coachella, taking the Mojave stage on Friday at 4:15 p.m. The eight‑member ensemble, already a pan‑Asian pop sensation, is leveraging the festival’s global platform to showcase...
There's a Thomas Pynchon Book for Everyone. Here's Which One to Read Next
The LA Times Festival of Books article pairs each of Thomas Pynchon's novels with a specific book‑club theme, from travel to romance, showing his work can serve any niche discussion. It lists titles such as *Gravity’s Rainbow* for travel, *Slow...
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Follow in the Footsteps of the Founders and Have a Drink Where They Planned the Revolution Over a Few Beers
The article spotlights nine surviving colonial‑era taverns that served as political hubs, military planning sites, and social centers during the American Revolution. It details each venue’s historic moments—from Wright Tavern’s militia gatherings to Fraunces Tavern’s George Washington toasts and the...
Zendaya’s On Collection Gets a Surreal Spin From Spike Jonze
Actress Zendaya has unveiled a new footwear and apparel collection with Swiss sportswear brand On, titled “Shape of Dreams.” Co‑created with stylist Law Roach and On’s design team, the line blends modern sportswear aesthetics with performance technology. To promote it,...
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I Travel Abroad Every Year and Have Never Been Pickpocketed—These Are My Top Anti-Theft Crossbody Bags From $9
Travel writer Chaise Sanders highlights five budget-friendly anti‑theft crossbody bags ideal for frequent travelers. The list includes Travelon Classic Mini ($38), Bostanten leather ($19, down from $29), Oprah‑favored Mali+Lili Gail ($46, down from $78), Banelu ($9), and Wander Plus ($27)....
All Eyes on Orion’s Heat Shield: Artemis 2 Astronauts Will Hit Earth's Atmosphere at Nearly 24,000 Mph on April 10
NASA’s Artemis 2 crewed Orion capsule will begin its return to Earth on April 10, entering the atmosphere at roughly 23,840 mph (38,367 kph) from an altitude of about 75 miles. After the heat‑shield damage observed on the uncrewed Artemis 1 flight, mission planners opted for...
These Are the 10 Best Dishes at Maydan Market, L.A.'s Definitive New Food 'Collective'
Rose Previte’s Maydan Market opened in October as a 10,000‑sq‑ft collective dining hub in West Adams, pairing her sit‑down restaurant with six distinct vendor counters and a rotating pop‑up space. The market uses QR‑code ordering to let guests mix and...
Canada's Lakeside Park Is A Scenic Gem With Forest Hiking Trails
Hardy Lake Provincial Park, a free non‑operating park 120 miles north of Toronto, offers roughly 10 miles of well‑maintained forest trails along one of Canada’s 2 million lakes. The park’s three main loops—A, B and C—cater to varying skill levels, with...
Cooking at Home Can Help Cut Dementia Risk
A six‑year Japanese cohort study of nearly 11,000 adults aged 65+ found that cooking a meal from scratch at least once a week was linked to a roughly 30% lower risk of dementia. The protective effect was even stronger—up to...
How Cities Can Make Space for Awe
The first episode of *Cities of Awe* chronicles how a 2005 guerrilla‑style parklet in San Francisco turned a single parking space into a temporary public park, sparking a citywide parklet program. Host Dacher Keltner and urban designer Blaine Merker explain the...
Vantor Unveils New Sat Classes: Vantage and Pulse
Vantor announced two new satellite classes—Vantage and Pulse—to boost both imagery resolution and revisit frequency. Vantage will deliver 20‑cm resolution images, with two satellites slated for launch in 2029, while Pulse, a smallsat fleet the size of a refrigerator, will...
Forget the Full-Body Freeze. The Next Big Trend in Longevity Tech Is ‘Brain-Only’ Preservation
Brain-only cryopreservation is emerging as a faster, cheaper alternative to full-body vitrification, sparking debate within the longevity community. The approach gained visibility when UCLA aging researcher Dr. Stephen Coles chose to have only his brain preserved after his 2014 death. Alcor’s...
Essay: Book Club Skeptic? So Was Roxane Gay. Here's What Converted Her
Roxane Gay entered the book‑club world as a skeptic but a 2018 Midwest brunch turned her into a vocal advocate. The intimate setting let her discuss her debut novel, receive enthusiastic questions, and receive a quirky Michigan‑themed gift basket, illustrating...
These Are the Books We'll Be Cooking From This Spring
A wave of spring cookbooks has hit the market, spotlighting innovative pastries and desert-inspired desserts. Roxana Jullapat’s "Morning Baker" showcases plush chocolate muffins flavored with rye and yogurt, while La Copine’s new title brings its signature lemon polenta cake to home...
At 94, Gerhard Richter Is About to Give the Art Market a Massive Stress Test
Christie’s will auction a collection of Gerhard Richter works from the $65 million estate of late dealer Marian Goodman. The highlight is the 1982 painting “Candle,” projected to fetch at least $35 million, while the 1995 abstract “Poppy” is expected to bring...
Get To Know… Blossom Caldarone
Blossom Caldarone, the classically trained cellist known for her work with English Teacher, has released her solo EP "Might Smash A Window." The six‑track record showcases diaristic, witty lyrics paired with bright keyboards and cinematic strings, delivering modern‑city love stories...
A Cracked Heat Shield Rattled NASA After Artemis I. Now, Artemis II Will Put the Fix to the Test
NASA will put a revised re‑entry trajectory to the test on Artemis II after a heat‑shield crack was discovered on the uncrewed Artemis I flight. The crewed Orion capsule will plunge into Earth’s atmosphere at 32 Mach, using a direct‑entry path that avoids...
"Compelling" Spy Thriller with "Edge-of-Your-Seat Action" Leads Netflix's Most-Watched Top 10
South Korean spy thriller Humint surged to the top of Netflix’s global Top 10, amassing over 11 million views in its debut week. Directed by Ryoo Seung‑wan, the film follows NIS Section Chief Zo as he tackles a Russian human‑trafficking ring and a...
Microplastics Found in Human Bile May Be Associated with Gallstones
Researchers detected microplastic particles in human bile for the first time, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) comprising the majority. In a small cohort, patients with gallstones exhibited a markedly higher microplastic load than controls. Laboratory exposure of cholangiocytes...
Lucia & The Best Boys, Factory Floor & More Join Lineup for Sheffield’s Get Together Festival
Sheffield’s Get Together festival has released its full lineup for the sixth edition, scheduled for Saturday 16 May 2026 on Kelham Island and Neepsend. Co‑headliners The Horrors and Fat Dog are joined by new acts including Lucia & The Best Boys,...
This Shoreditch Wine Bar Will Soon Serve Britain’s Greatest Toasties
Shoreditch’s Nekter Deli, a wine‑focused bar launched in summer 2025, is adding a line of high‑end toasties. The inaugural sandwich, called “The Ynyshir”, is a milk‑roll filled with Fat Cow cheese, black truffle and shiitake ketchup, priced at £20 (about...
Leading When Your Agency Is Acquired
Cortney Stapleton, former CEO of The Bliss Group, shares the leadership principles that guided her through the agency’s acquisition by Highwire. She emphasizes transparent communication, cultural alignment, and empowering teams as core to a smooth transition. Stapleton also outlines three...
ASOS Reinterprets Adidas Classics Through Feminine Lens in Latest Collaboration
Adidas Originals and ASOS have unveiled their third exclusive women’s collection, marking the first time the line will appear in a physical retail setting. The drop will be sold online and at a pop‑up inside Adidas’ London flagship store from...
James Gunn Hits Out at "Shoddy & Incorrect" Superman Casting Report
James Gunn publicly dismissed a Deadline report that claimed Ella Purnell, Adria Arjona and Marisa Abela were testing for the role of Maxima in the upcoming Superman sequel "Man of Tomorrow." Gunn called the story "shoddy & incorrect" on Threads,...
New Research in Rocky Mountain National Park Shows Most People Are Unprepared in the Wild
A Boston University study of 586 day hikers and 68 trail runners in Rocky Mountain National Park found that only a quarter of runners and 16% of hikers met a strict wilderness‑preparedness checklist. Researchers defined preparedness by carrying at least...
Research Shows The One Supplement That Supports The Muscle-Brain Axis
Research published in April 2026 highlights creatine’s role in the muscle‑brain axis, showing that the supplement can boost the release of myokines that influence cognition, mood and neuroinflammation. The study outlines four pathways: enhanced ATP availability in muscle, increased muscle...
Best-Selling The Housemaid Author Freida McFadden Reveals True Identity
Best‑selling thriller writer Freida McFadden has disclosed that she is Dr. Sara Cohen, a Boston‑based neurologist who adopted the pseudonym from a medical database. Under the pen name she sold 2.6 million books in the UK and six million copies in the United...
Listening to Complainers Destroys Your Happiness, Experts Say. Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Experts explain that chronic complainers can sap your happiness through emotional contagion, a process driven by mirror neurons that make us mimic others' facial expressions and moods. The article outlines a two‑pronged defense: mindfulness and breath work to stay present,...
Pentagon Launches Living Neural Computer for Drone Navigation
DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office has opened the O‑Circuit workshop to solicit proposals for a 42‑month program that builds living neural tissue processors, called biological processing units (BPUs), for defense AI. The effort will first test BPU learning with a Ms. Pac‑Man...
Fermentation Waste Could Be Food Industry Goldmine
Emerging research shows that the biomass waste generated by large‑scale fermentation contains microbial fibre that can be extracted and used as a functional food ingredient. Western consumers currently consume only 12‑14 g of fibre daily, well below the 28‑42 g recommended for...
Philadelphia Art Museums Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with Blockbuster Two-Venue Show
Philadelphia’s two‑venue exhibition *A Nation of Artists* celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary, uniting the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The show features over 1,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures and decorative objects, spanning colonial portraits...
Study Shows That Vitamin D In Your 40s Is Linked To Alzheimer's-Like Brain Changes
A new analysis of the Framingham Heart Study Generation 3 cohort found that higher vitamin D levels measured in participants' late thirties were linked to lower tau protein accumulation sixteen years later, a hallmark of early Alzheimer’s pathology. The same vitamin D measurements...
Event: Hammad Nasar and Billy Tang, Off the Record
ArtReview and Ursula magazine are hosting a live, ticketed conversation on 14 April in London’s Mayfair featuring curator Hammad Nasar and artistic director Billy Tang. The event, priced at £14 (approximately $18), includes a welcome drink and copies of both magazines. Nasar, an...
Holland & Barrett Brings Proactive Care to Consumers with Wellness Check-Ins and Diagnostics
Holland & Barrett is rolling out a free "Wellness Check‑In" service for consumers under 40, pairing in‑store experts with paid diagnostic tests from Randox Health. The launch follows an Ipsos report showing 45% of Britons only act on health when something...
The Difference Between 4-Low And 4-High When Off-Roading On Rough Terrain
Four‑wheel‑drive vehicles offer two selectable ranges: 4‑high for normal‑speed traction on slick surfaces, and 4‑low for extreme off‑road conditions that demand maximum torque. 4‑high keeps the standard gear ratio while locking front and rear shafts, whereas 4‑low engages a low‑range...
Mercedes to Hike Prices Again; Luxury Market Splits with BMW
Mercedes‑Benz India will raise prices of its luxury cars by an additional 2‑4% in Q2 2026, following a 4% hike earlier this year, as freight costs, geopolitical disruptions and a 15‑20% industry cost burden squeeze margins. The move supports its...
5 Habits To Adopt When You're 35+ To Make Perimenopause Easier
Mindbodygreen’s new peri/menopause+ course outlines five evidence‑based habits to ease the transition for women 35 and older. It recommends the 30/30 rule—30 g protein and carbs within 30 minutes of waking—and a daily protein target of one gram per pound of ideal...
Automation, Collaboration and the Future of Advanced Therapies
BioSpace’s Denatured podcast episode explores how soaring demand for cell and gene therapies is driving the industry toward automation, digitization, and robotics. Guests Jason Jones of Cellular Origins and Alexander Seyf of Autolomous discuss the need for scalable, sterile manufacturing workflows...
Worried About Memory Loss? 7 Studies Suggest This Nutrient May Help
A 2023 systematic review of seven clinical studies found that citicoline, a brain‑derived nutrient, consistently preserved or improved cognitive scores in adults with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s‑related MCI, and post‑stroke deficits. The trials, averaging 213 participants and lasting up...
In Zoos, ‘Peaceful’ Bonobos Are Just as Aggressive as Chimps, Study Suggests
A comparative study of aggression in nine chimpanzee and thirteen bonobo groups across 16 European zoos found no overall difference in aggression rates between the species. Male chimpanzees displayed higher aggression than females, while bonobo males and females were equally...
A More Troubling Picture of Sea Level Rise Is Coming Into View
Two recent studies reveal that global sea levels are on average about a foot higher than conventional model estimates, exposing a major blind spot in flood‑risk assessments. The research, based on tidal‑gauge records and high‑resolution satellite radar, shows that roughly...
New Dietary Recommendations in the Netherlands: Less Meat, More Legumes
The Dutch Nutrition Center has revised its “Wheel of Five” to curb meat and cheese consumption while boosting legumes. Adults 18‑50 should limit meat to 300 g per week (no more than 100 g red) and cheese to 20 g daily, and increase...
NASA Prepares for Artemis II Splashdown After Historic Moon Flyby
NASA is preparing for the splashdown of Artemis II, its first crewed lunar flyby, scheduled for Friday off Southern California. The four‑person crew—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen—completed a record‑breaking loop around the Moon,...
Salone Del Mobile Will Feature a Fashion and Design Exhibition Curated by Palomba Serafini Associati, and Other News.
Salone del Mobile Milano 2026 will host “Abito,” a fashion and design exhibition curated by Palomba Serafini Associati that examines women’s evolving societal role. A fragment of Artemisia Gentileschi’s *Mary Magdalene*, missing its head, is set for auction at Vienna’s Dorotheum....
Connor Martin on Writing Spy Thrillers Grounded in Real-World Foreign Policy
Connor Martin, a former Treasury analyst on CFIUS, leveraged his insider experience to write his debut espionage novel, *The Silver Fish*. He set the story in Accra, Ghana, using the U.S.–China rivalry and emerging technologies as a realistic foreign‑policy backdrop....
How Bad Is Screen Time For Kids? A Psychotherapist & Mom Explains
Lia Avellino, a psychotherapist and parenting writer, argues that screen time isn’t a binary good‑or‑bad issue but a matter of how families relate to technology. She cites research linking excessive social‑media use to adolescent anxiety and depression, while urging parents to...
Suppressing Anger Doesn’t Make You Calm. It Makes You Unreadable.
Research by psychologist James Gross distinguishes emotional reappraisal from suppression, showing that while suppression masks outward anger, it does not reduce internal negative feelings and may even amplify them. Habitual suppressors experience lower life satisfaction, increased depression, and weaker social...
Are You Dealing With ADHD Or Dysregulation? Here’s The Difference
The article argues that many symptoms attributed to ADHD actually stem from nervous‑system dysregulation, which can mimic or worsen typical ADHD challenges. It outlines how dysregulation triggers the four alarm states—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and shows how these responses amplify...