Stories

U.S. title output reached roughly four million in 2025, up about 32 percent in a single year, and around 3.5 million of those were self-published titles with ISBNs, up nearly 39 percent on the year before. Self-published books outnumbered traditionally published ones by more than five to one. - Rachel Alterberry

That desire to disconnect comes as technology has fundamentally changed what it means to go out. In the 1990s rave scene, there was no smartphone in your pocket and no expectation that a night out would be documented and shared online. - CBC

The Trump Arch is just the latest in a series of architectural and visual crimes committed on the capital city. - The Guardian (UK)

“Broadcast TV wants you to watch a show and then, after you’re done, watch a different show on the same channel. Streamers have a different agenda: … They want you never to leave.” - The New York Times

A lot of sexual positions are “practically only for the gods,” not for regular people, or even non-deified monarchs. - El País English

Thus, we’ve never gotten to see Tom Baker punting down the River Cam. - BBC

Director Lonnie G. Bunch III “realized that — one way or another — he was probably not going to last through this administration, that the White House was intent on taking over the Smithsonian.” So he resigned, in part to save the institutions. - The New York Times

Then an offshore hurricane hit. According to the festival: “Storm surf and runoff caused significant beach erosion and the festival can no longer be safely held as planned.” - Los Angeles Times

Perhaps it’s time to ask WWTD: What would Toscanini do? - The New York Times

Like the Obamas’ turn to entertainment post-presidency, the former Canadian PM is interested in “great storytelling,” or so the press release says. “The company will produce scripted and unscripted content, including documentaries and docuseries, as well as television series and feature films.” - CBC

“Physical bodies and physical space. As an art form, dance requires little else, but in New York, the latter is especially hard to come by — even for the oldest dance troupe in the country.” No longer. - The New York Times

Including the special prize for NAZA and the Volpi Cup for John Malkovich, the prizes provided “a good end to what had seemed a slightly under-par Venice.” - The Guardian (UK)

 “I’m afraid I can only offer you a handful of facts and a lot of speculation.” - Reactor

It’s rather simple: She speaks French. “She is bilingual and bicultural, as if she were two stars in one, with distinct careers that complement each other.” And French-speaking fans know her songs in both languages. - The New York Times

Predictions from NPR, or rather, preferences. - NPR