Staff selections of the most noteworthy books, apps, videos and more.
Confession: Last summer I ate my weight in this simple “ice cream”, inspired by my friend Gena at Choosing Raw, and both my wallet and waistline came out unscathed. This, dear eater, is what we call a magic recipe: Banana Soft Serve Peel a couple Read More >>
"Humans are born to stroll," writes Gretchen Reynolds in her new book, The First 20 Minutes. Now, that's my kind of exercise book. Considering her background—Reynolds is a veteran health and fitness reporter who has contributed to Runner's World, Outside, and Bicycling and writes the popular "Phys Ed" column for the New York Times— Read More >>
Yesterday, I managed to scarf down my lunch—a very delicious hummus and veggie sandwich from Cosi—in about 3.5 minutes. I was chewing so fast, I had to catch my breath afterward! Granted, it was an unusually packed day, but I find myself crossing off lunch like it’s a line item on my To Do list more often than not. And according to Read More >>
Remember how (only a few short years ago!) you couldn't use the Internet and make a phone call at the same time? These hilarious videos will bring you back, as squirrelmonkey imagines Google, Angry Birds, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more a Read More >>
The single biggest problem with the American Constitution is that it’s not particularly funny. Where are the jokes? Where’s the wit? The double entendres? You can’t tell me that the founding fathers didn’t trade in some bawdy tales at the local pub following a hard day of bickering over search and seizure. I am happy to announce that at last the problem Read More >>
For most writers, humor is hard to get right—which may be why so few of them try. Especially novelists. Nowadays, if you’re not into the undead, medieval warlords, serial killers or racy fantasies, you're mostly out of luck. Which is why I’m in love with Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella concocts romantic comedies that have the distinction of being Read More >>
by Reader's Digest Staff
In this rollicking book, Animal House producer Matty Simmons details how tough it was getting Hollywood to bankroll the now iconic comedy about a hard-partying fraternity. He also reveals scenes that were cut, like one with an annoying young musician named Bob Dyla
by Dawn Raffel, Reader's Digest Editor at Large, Books
For decades, Robley Wilson has been one of our finest short story writers; this volume of sly, subtle tales will show you why. From the book: "'I smelled her before I saw her,' Monaghan said. Blood. The reek of it. You can see for yourself: The bone at its break pokes clean through the flesh.'"
John Irving, the literary provocateur who brought us The World According to Garp, returns with an exploration of love, sexuality, the AIDS epidemic of the '80s, and the search for self. From the book: "Given my grandfather's elevated status in our town, it was perhaps surprising that the First Sister Players always cast him in female roles ... I actually Read More >>
by Dawn Raffel, Reader's Digest Editor at Large, Books
Paul Ingrassia, a celebrated journalist and certified car nut, explains how our wheels not only got us from here to there but also shaped our national psyche. See, we knew that old Chevy was worth something. From the book: "The Model T promoted social networking one hundred years before Facebook and fostered a sexual revolution a half century before the Pill." Read More >>
