“Bob Rutan is legendary among the tight-knit fraternity of Macy’s Santa Clauses. Like many of these men, playing Santa changed Bob. Profoundly. His story is one of struggle and failure, heartbreak and grace and—yes—the magic of Christmas.”
New York
Posted inFeature
Best of 2025: The Most Popular Editors’ Picks of the Year
These audience hits were the most-viewed picks on our site in 2025.
Posted inTop 5
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Recommending stories by Alice Hines, Maggie Harrison Dupré, Katie Engelhart, Pooja Bhatia, and Tom Lamont.
Posted inEditor's Pick
Frankenstein’s Sheep
“Cloned and genetically modified animals are entering the black market, possibly forever altering our ecosystems.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
My Colon
“Until I was diagnosed last year, I had never met anyone with colon cancer—or at least anyone who had been open about it.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Crypto Maniacs and the Torture Townhouse
“How two men charged with an outrageous kidnapping scheme introduced a new kind of crime to the city.”
Posted inTop 5
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Recommending excellent stories from Lewis Hyde, Reeves Wiedeman, Sam Myers, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and David W. Brown.
Posted inEditor's Pick
“People Want That African Euphoria”
“Black Americans are moving to Ghana — and driving up the cost of living for everyone around them.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Zero Zen
“A great exchange rate, ChatGPT, and kimono-wearing bros have turned Kyoto into the loveliest tourist trap on earth.”
Posted inTop 5
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week we have stories from Suzy Hansen, Raksha Vasudevan, Linda Kinstler, Erica Berry, and Dave Denison.