The 10 top-performing essays published on Longreads this year.
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Posted inEditor's Pick
It’s Time to Legalize Sampling
“Hip-hop is 50 years old, but the genius idea at its core remains unprotected. Here’s how we can change that.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Case for Hanging Out
“There’s a growing crisis in our social lives. Could the cure be this simple?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School
“How much should they risk to get to school?”
Posted inTop 5
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week we have stories from Amelia Tait, Dan Zak, Daniel Kolitz, Geoffrey Mak, Danielle Carr, Leon Dische Becker, Amber A’Lee Frost, P.E. Moskowitz, Joshua Tempelhof, Elenda Comay del Junco, Kendall Waldman, Devon Fredericksen, and J.D. Daniels.
Posted inEditor's Pick
What It Means to Speak With the Dead
“A session with a Florida medium in a time of genocide.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Rod McKuen Was the Bestselling Poet in American History. What Happened?
“He sold 60 million books and 100 million records. Why was he forgotten?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Naturalist and the Wonderful, Lovable, So Good, Very Bold Jay
“Little was known of Canada jays before Dan Strickland took an interest 50 years ago.”
Posted inFeature
The Bad Thing
Sometimes the most haunting part of trauma isn’t what happened—it’s wondering what could have happened if you hadn’t trusted your gut.
