Below, our favorite stories of the week. Kindle users, you can also get them as a Readlist.

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1. Jackie’s Goodbye

Tiffany Stanley | National Journal | Oct. 7, 2014 | 40 minutes (10,103 words)

A heartbreaking account of the emotional and financial toll of Alzheimer’s, from the perspective of a woman who must care for her aunt.

2. Battered, Bereaved, and Behind Bars

Alex Campbell | BuzzFeed | Oct. 3, 2014 | 31 minutes (7,765 words)

Arlena Lindley’s boyfriend beat her and murdered her child—so why was she sentenced to 45 years in prison?

3. The Price of Black Ambition

Roxane Gay | VQR | Oct. 7, 2014 | 12 minutes (3,195 words)

Roxane Gay published two books this year, and is “having a moment.” But her experience with racial inequality in America has her wondering what success actually means.

4. Trial by Twitter

Holly Millea | Elle | Sept. 17, 2014 | 29 minutes (7,439 words)

The social media diaries of three teenage friends reveals clues to the disappearance of one of them.

5. The 350,000 Percent Rise of Christopher Wool’s Masterpiece Painting

Vernon Silver, James Tarmy | Bloomberg Businessweek | Oct. 9, 2014 | 12 minutes (3,095 words)

The history of one piece of art, tracked across buyers and sellers over three decades—culminating in a record-breaking auction at Christie’s and a mysterious new owner.

Cover Image: The Stanley Family