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What is the purpose of giving gifts?
Today's story: Giving gifts is a waste of money. That's the conclusion of economic studies that show the ""deadweight loss"" that occurs when givers buy gifts the receivers don't want very much. But even with this loss, a good gift can still be worth it..
What's the most popular type of book? (Hint:
Today's story: Romance novels are the bestselling genre in publishing, outselling thrillers, mysteries, and self-help books. This story explores what makes a book a romance, the genres rich history, its subgenres, and how e-readers and self-publishing ha
‘Long Island’ is a worthy sequel to ‘Brooklyn’
Today's story: Colm Tibn's novel ""Brooklyn"" introduced readers to Eilis Lacey, a young woman from Ireland who emigrated to America in the 1950's. The story won wide praise and found commercial success; it was adapted into a movie in 2015. Now, the Iri
Should donors get paid for plasma?
Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from one part of the body to another. It's also a critical ingredient in life-saving treatments. It's easy and
Three self-help books that really help
Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichs. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman, ""Deep Work"" by Cal Newport, and ""The Power of Habit"" by Charles Duhigg offer fresh perspectives on m
Searching for life on one of Jupiter's moons
Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASAs latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiters orbit in 2030. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced instruments, the spacecraft will take photos of what as
The best side dishes for American Thanksgiving
Today's story: Thanksgiving isnt just about the turkey; its also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to tart cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, these traditional dishes a
How Plain English helped these 3 members
**Black Friday specials: https://plainenglish.com/blackCurious if Plain English Plus+ can help you?Listen to the stories of three members: Gustavo, Monica, and Hana. They each learn in different ways, but they're all improving their skills inside Plain En
He's back: How Trump returned to power in 2024
Today's story: After losing in 2020, Donald Trump faced widespread criticism and seemed politically finished. However, a combination of Joe Biden's policy choices and Trump's resilient, disciplined 2024 campaign led the former president to an improbable c
Got camel milk? Now, more people do (Cut back on)
Today's story: Camel milk, long consumed by nomadic societies in desert regions, is now increasingly available for order around the world. Known for its nutritional benefits, including lower lactose and higher vitamin content, camel milk is easier to dige