Reader's Digest

In this era of information overload, Reader’s Digest offers something unique: the very best advice, information and inspiration from multiple sources, condensed into an easy-to-read digest. In each issue you’ll get trusted, time-saving insights about Health, Personal Finance, Work, Family, and National issues, PLUS exclusive book excerpts, news-making interviews, and humor.

I Need a New Hobby

How We Build a Brain Game

Not So Puzzling

Pier Pressure • A brutal storm rips a floating beachside store from its moorings, sending it and its occupants out to sea

GLAD TO HEAR IT • 3 STORIES TO Make Your Day

Ollie the Dental Assistant

LIFE IN THESE United States

GENIUS! That Kind of Time • A dressing-room encounter made me get real about aging

Go for the Gumbo • The soulful stew synonymous with Louisiana is delicious anywhere you eat it

GENIUS! Squaring Off with Rubik's Cube

ALL in a Day's WORK

1 + 1 = MORE (or LESS) • A math whiz encourages you to play with your numbers

HUMOR in UNIFORM

Now Hear This • Losing your hearing suddenly, even if there is no pain, is always urgent

TIME TO BUY SOME BLACKOUT SHADES • A Chinese study published in the journal Stroke found that the level of artificial light where people live could increase their risk of stroke. The study followed almost 30,000 adults, none of whom had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. After six years, people who lived with the highest level of outdoor artificial nighttime light had a 43% increased risk of developing cerebrovascular disease such as stroke. The increase is most likely because of the light's effect on sleep. The researchers say that about 80% of the world's population now lives in a light-polluted environment. “Ideally it's better to sleep with no lights,” says Raj Dasgupta, a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

LAUGHTER • THE BEST Medicine

THIS SUBJECT IS A JOKE! • College students are heading back to class. We honor them with these classless gags about their majors:

GENIUS! How Hobbies Help Us • Far from a waste of time, pastimes are good for body, brain and spirit

SPARE-TIME SURPRISES • Hobbyists doing their thing—just for fun!—made these important discoveries.

MY WEIRD HOBBY

GENIUS! MY SMART PET • These clever critters are some smart C-O-O-K-I-E-S

What's Ailing Our Doctors? • Today's physicians are burned out and battered by spreadsheets. We patients suffer too.

Fathers of the Bride • A young woman finds a unique way to honor the many men who helped her survive her childhood

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE • Pinned by a giant boulder, a hiker had two choices: panic or gut it out. He did both.

DO YOU KISS YOUR DOG? • FIND OUT HOW GROSS YOUR QUESTIONABLE HABITS REALLY ARE, ACCORDING TO HEALTH EXPERTS

5 Expert Tips for Choosing Incontinence Underwear

My Penguin Friend • Starring Jean Reno

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat • Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan and Uzo Aduba

Pachinko • Starring Youn Yuh-jung

QUOTABLE QUOTES

POINT TO PONDER

Brain GAMES • SHARPEN YOUR MIND

WORD POWER • Pumpkin spice is in the air. To celebrate the arrival of Starbucks' ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte, we're serving up some coffeehouse vocab, on the grounds that even non-java drinkers will get a buzz. So grab your cup and let the answers percolate before turning the page.

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