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Weekly Top 5

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

This week we have stories from Patrick Fealey, S.C. Cornell, Sterry Butcher, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Jenny Odell, and Francisco Garcia.

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

Featuring stories by Jeannette Cooperman, Jackson Arn, Andrew Hui, Myriam Gurba, and Simon Hattenstone.

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

Showcasing stories from Will Leitch, Abrahm Lustgarten, Hayley Campbell, Tony Ho Tran, and Kim Cross.

Editors’ Picks

Can a Comma Solve a Crime?

Julia Webster Ayuso | The Dial | November 21, 2024 | 2,208 words

“How forensic linguists use grammar, syntax and vocabulary to help crack cold cases.”

How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump

Tressie McMillan Cottom | The New York Times | November 21, 2024 | 2,164 words

“If you are looking to understand Donald Trump’s unusual hold on our cultural politics, look to the tradwives, podcast bros and wellness influencers.”

Totally Cooked

Dan Kois | Slate | November 20, 2024 | 6,772 words

“We picked the 25 most important recipes of the past century. Then I spent one month cooking every single one. I was not prepared.”

Get in, Loser—We’re Chasing a Waymo Into the Future

WIRED staff | WIRED | November 20, 2024 | 5,704 words

Tailing a robotaxi for hours and hours is weird. And revelatory. And jealousy-inducing. But a driverless world is coming for all of us. So close the door and buckle up.

Racing’s Deadliest Day

Darrell Hartman | Esses | November 15, 2024 | 4,248 words

“How the 1955 Le Mans disaster changed motorsport forever.”

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Essays and Features

Remembered Coast

A writer recollects her family history by excavating memories buried in Singapore’s reclaimed land.

Love Wins

“Two women promised they would see the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time once they were together. They had no idea how long that would take.”

Communion

How a lonely man in his 30s found welcome and community in an unlikely place: spin class.

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Reading Lists

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Our year-end collections

The top longreads each year, selected by our editors.

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