As a teenager, I met a stranger who changed the course of my life. Twenty years later, I went looking for him.
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Calling All Writers: Pitch Us Your Essays
Do you have an idea for a Longreads essay? Now is the time to share it.
Best of 2022: Profiles
A great profile accomplishes the nearly impossible by making you feel like you truly know someone you’ve never met. It’s a feat of empathy and insight, the kind of alchemy that turns reporting into rapport. The five examples here span all manner of tone and subject, from victims of gun violence to digital charlatans, but […]
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Our editors share five favorites, just in time for your weekend.
And the Reading List Goes to: Pivotal Oscar Moments
The Academy Awards aren’t just about recognition — they’re about an ever-evolving industry in an ever-evolving society.
Read ’Em and Weep: A Reading List for Criers
Grab your handkerchief and get ready for the waterworks.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Lyle C. May, Samuel Braslow, Lindsey Hilsum, Megan Mayhew Bergman, and Anand Menon.
Braindump: A Reading List on the Future of Sanitation, Toilets, and Bathrooms
“On the future of toilets and bathrooms, and innovation across the field of sanitation and waste management.”
Be a Good Sport
Competitive sports can mean professional and financial success — if they don’t compromise your mental health first. ‘Cheer’ and ‘Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez’ show how athletics can hurt as much as they can heal.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Paula Lavigne and Tom Junod, Lex Pryor, Sarah Treleaven, Zack Graham, and Laura Jedeed.

