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When it comes to summer footwear, Crocs has become a go-to. The brand may be best known for its classic clogs, but its lineup has expanded well beyond the original foam shoe, with flip-flops, slides, strappy sandals, and other lightweight styles. Now, one of the brand’s more playful sandal styles has gotten a major price cut at Amazon. 

The Crocs Floral Classic Clogs are marked down 60%, dropping from $55 to just $22. The easy slip-on style features airy cutouts shaped like flowers and the roomy fit Crocs fans know well. Amazon shoppers called them “super cute,” and noted they offer “room to spare” for those with wider feet.

Courtesy of Amazon

Florals usually bring to mind something delicate and dainty, but these clogs take the motif in a much more graphic direction. The upper is covered in what shoppers called“adorable” cutout flowers, with each bloom formed from a cluster of elongated, petal-shaped openings arranged around a small central hole. The florals vary slightly in size and placement, creating a scattered allover pattern rather than a repetitive grid. Some blooms are made up of five rounded petals, while others have more slender, teardrop-shaped petals that give the pattern a slightly wildflower-like quality. 

Because the openings expose the space underneath the shoe, the flowers have a subtle dimensional effect as light passes through each petal, while the tone-on-tone coloring keeps the look soft despite the fairly bold pattern. The floral cutouts continue across the toe box and vamp, giving the otherwise familiar clog silhouette a distinctly garden-inspired twist.

The memory foam outer material keeps the shoe lightweight, while ventilation ports scattered across the upper allow air to circulate and help water and debris drain away quickly. The slip-on construction makes them easy to get on and off, and the pivoting heel strap can be worn forward or swung behind the heel when you want additional security. The raised clog-style shape also gives the foot more coverage than a typical sandal, making them particularly handy for everything from pool days and beach trips to gardening, errands, and casual walks.

Underneath, the rubber sole provides the traction you’d expect from a shoe designed for outdoor and wet environments, while the flexible construction keeps the clog easy to move in. The tread runs around the bottom edge with a series of rounded grooves and ridges that add grip without making the sole look overly rugged. 

• Crocs Brooklyn Buckle Low Sandals, from $30 (were $50) at Amazon
• Crocs Classic Saturday Slide, $21 (was $30) at Amazon
• Crocs Classic Mary Jane Clogs, $30 (were $55) at Amazon

Available in six colors, prices vary by shade, with the milky white offering the best deal at just $22. These clogs come in unisex sizing from women’s 4/men’s 2 through women’s 11/men’s 9. They’re also designed with a forgiving fit in mind: Shoppers between sizes are advised to size down, while those with wider feet can order their usual size.

Dubbed by Amazon reviewers as “so comfortable,” with “great arch support,” these shoes have plenty of “wiggle room” for wider feet. “They are lightweight, sturdy, easy to clean, and so much fun to decorate with Jibbitz,” one shopper wrote.

Related: Crocs’ ‘Thick and Bouncy’ Bestselling Slide Sandals Are on Sale for Just $30

Go ahead, make your summer shoe rotation more cheerful. Grab the Crocs Floral Classic Clogs for $22 at Amazon while they’re 60% off.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

A cute cotton tee is not only a summer essential, but also a great staple for effortlessly layering under sweaters and jackets in the fall. If you’re looking for a stylish, casual option that’s ideal for transitional weather, Walmart‘s latest fashion find is a can’t-miss. The bestselling Sundazz Oversized T-Shirt is now on sale for as low as $13, down from $22, and it has a relaxed, baggy fit that’s comfortable enough to wear all day long. 

The versatile T-shirt is available in sizes small to 2XL and comes in five classic color options that complement any wardrobe. Though the classic coffee hue is currently on sale for the lowest price at just $13, you can also shop it in black, green, pink, and indigo for $14. No matter which shade you choose, the tee features a vintage acid wash with an effortlessly chic, lived-in look. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Made from 100% cotton, the T-shirt is designed to feel soft, lightweight, and breathable, so you can wear it on hot summer days and layer over it in cooler months without breaking into a sweat. It features a classic crewneck with ribbed detailing and billowy, elbow-length sleeves that allow for easy movement throughout the day.  

Related: Walmart’s ‘Soft’ and ‘Comfortable’ Summer Lounge Set Is Perfect for Errands, Walks, and Travel  

With a loose, stretchy fit and hip-length hem, this oversized shirt is easy to wear over leggings and biker shorts or tuck into denim. It’s also super easy to care for, thanks to the machine-washable material. The cotton fabric is made to get softer with every wash while still standing up to everyday wear. 

• Fantaslook 3/4 Sleeve With Buttons Top, $13 (was $23) at Walmart
• Uvn Short Sleeve V-Neck Blouse, $9 (was $21) at Walmart
• Rosvigor Women’s Top, $12 (was $22) at Walmart

If you’ve been looking for a versatile staple that you can wear on repeat throughout the summer and fall, this 100% cotton short-sleeve shirt is an excellent option that won’t break the bank. It’s cute, lightweight, and great for layering. Grab a couple in your favorite shades for under $15 before this flash deal ends at Walmart. 

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To solve today’s New York Times Connections Sports Edition puzzle, would refer to slang for an easy opponent, college sports conferences, things associated with the number three and names that end with chemical elements from the periodic table.

Get excited—there’s another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you’re looking for some hints and answers for today’s Connections Sports Edition on Friday, August 14, 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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New York Times

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it’s a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It’s up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you “group sports terms that share a common thread.”

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: Bad team
• Green: Non-power conferences
• Blue: Third
• Purple: Scientific element

OK, time for a second hint…we’ll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: EASY OPPONENT
• Green: “GROUP OF 6” COLLEGE CONFERENCES
• Blue: ASSOCIATED WITH NO. 3
• Purple: ENDS IN AN ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

If you’re looking for the answers, no worries—we’ve got them below. So, don’t scroll any further if you don’t want to see the solutions!

The answers to today’s Connections Sports Edition #690 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

• EASY OPPONENT: BREEZE, CUPCAKE, PUSHOVER, TOMATO CAN
• “GROUP OF 6” COLLEGE CONFERENCES: AMERICAN, MAC, MOUNTAIN WEST, SUN BELT
• ASSOCIATED WITH NO. 3: BRONZE MEDAL, DALE EARNHARDT, FIELD GOAL, HAT TRICK
• ENDS IN AN ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE: 9-IRON, ADAM SILVER, KAHLEAH COPPER, PHOENIX MERCURY

Don’t worry if you didn’t get them this time—we’ve all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Thursday, August 13, 2026

Inspired by the Patty Hearst case and abduction, as well as the novel Earth Abides, prolific American writer Stephen King began working on his epic dark fantasy novel The Stand in early 1975. The novel, a whopping 1,152 pages, making it the longest in King’s bibliography, was also planned by King to be as epic as The Lord of the Rings. He also found inspiration from the Blue Öyster Cult single, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”

Of the intense and lengthy novel, King said,

“I was deep into ‘The Stand’, finally writing my American fantasy epic, set in a plague-decimated USA. Only instead of a hobbit, my hero was a Texan named Stu Redman, and instead of a Dark Lord, my villain was a ruthless drifter and supernatural madman named Randall Flagg. The land of Mordor was played by Las Vegas.”

King stopped work on the book for a period of time due to writer’s block, but eventually pieced together that what wasn’t working for him was how complacent his characters were feeling. The bomb that is constructed by two characters is credited by King for saving the book.

First published in 1978, The Stand was originally published at 823 pages due to Doubleday warning King that a book at over 1,000 pages would be too cost heavy to run. Regardless, the novel received critical acclaim. In 1990, a full unabridged version was published. The Stand continues to grip readers and was ranked third of the “Best Books of the 1970s” by Goodreads, just behind Watership Down and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Both the original 1978 abridged version and the 1990 rerelease were massive, number one bestsellers for King, selling millions of copies. The book has gone on to be considered one of King’s literary masterpieces.

A post-apocalyptic epic, The Stand takes place in a world where a weaponized strain of the influenza virus is let loose from a United States military base and proceeds to wipe out over 99% of the world’s population within a matter of weeks. Survivors who are immune have broken off into two camps: a peaceful society based in Boulder, Colorado, and a brutal dictatorship who have taken over Las Vegas. When shared visions and tensions rise, the result is an unavoidable confrontation between the two factions left in the devastated Western part of the United States.

The Stand and other works by Stephen King are available wherever books are sold.

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Related: 1977 Horror Novel Ranked Among ‘Best Books to Read on a Rainy Day’ Still Gives People Nightmares

Steve Martin has spent more than five decades making people laugh, but his talents extend far beyond comedy. Born August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas, Martin moved with his family to Southern California as a child. And during this time he developed an early fascination with magic, comedy and performing.

When he was 10, he got a job selling guidebooks at the newly opened Disneyland. He later worked in Disney’s magic shop, where he demonstrated magic tricks. And as a teenager he developed his own magic and comedy act.

Martin’s fascination with performing began early. As he recalled in a 2008 Fresh Air interview with Terry Gross, “I just loved comedy.” He put on skits with a friend in high school and practiced magic tricks in front of a mirror for hours. “I was just inclined towards show business, but I didn’t know what. I just liked being on stage.”

That early fascination eventually led to an extraordinary career. Martin became one of the most celebrated stand-up comedians of his generation before expanding into acting, writing, music and television. His career has included such films as The Jerk, Roxanne and Father of the Bride, as well as Grammy-winning music and the acclaimed television series Only Murders in the Building.

In honor of Martin’s birthday on August 14, it’s a fitting time to celebrate not only his extraordinary career but also some of the wisdom he has gathered along the way.

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“Thankfully, perseverance is a great substitute for talent.”
—Steve Martin

Martin wrote those words in his 2007 memoir, Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life, which chronicles his journey from a young performer experimenting with magic and comedy to one of the biggest stand-up stars in the country. The quote appears as Martin reflects on himself at age 18 and the skills he believed he possessed at the time.

The line is classic Steve Martin. It’s funny, self-deprecating and delivered with a wink. But there is a serious observation underneath the humor. Martin writes that at 18 he had no particular gifts for singing or dancing, and that the only acting he did was essentially shouting. Then comes the punchline: “Thankfully, perseverance is a great substitute for talent.”

Martin’s own career gives those words added meaning. He later described his 18 years in stand-up as 10 years spent learning, four years refining and four years in wild success. Rather than portraying his rise as an overnight triumph, he characterized the journey as more “plodding than heroic.”

Related: Friedrich Nietzsche’s Quote on Persevering Through Hard Times Still Resonates Today

Martin’s words offer a refreshing reminder that natural talent isn’t the only thing that determines what we can accomplish. Someone may begin with an obvious gift, but that gift still has to be developed. Another person may begin with less apparent ability but gradually become exceptional through practice, curiosity and determination.

That is especially meaningful when we compare our beginnings with someone else’s finished product. It’s easy to look at a successful performer, artist, writer, athlete or entrepreneur and assume they were simply born knowing how to do what they do. Martin’s story suggests something different. What looks like effortless talent from the outside can actually be the result of years of experimentation, failure, practice and refinement.

There is also something liberating about the humor in Martin’s words. You don’t have to be extraordinary on day one. You don’t even have to know exactly what you’re doing. You can start with an interest, follow your curiosity and keep working at something until you discover what you’re capable of.

For anyone who has ever worried that they aren’t talented enough to pursue a dream, Martin’s quote offers an encouraging answer. Talent may give you a head start, but perseverance can keep you moving forward. And sometimes, the person who keeps going is the one who eventually becomes very good at something they once weren’t sure they could do at all.

Related: Quote of the Day: George Strait Proves That the Road to Success Isn’t a Straight Line

“I was seeking comic originality, and fame fell on me as a byproduct.”
“Comedy is a distortion of what is happening, and there will always be something happening.”
“Be so good they can’t ignore you.”
“It’s pain that changes our lives.”
“Mike Nichols once told me that I always aimed high in something low. I loved that.”

Next, Quote of the Day: John Green Perfectly Captures the Absurdity of Toxic Positivity

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Harsh overhead lighting makes it nearly impossible to relax and unwind. While it’s better than sitting in the dark, the glare beaming into your eyes can only be described as unpleasant. Lamps are a much cozier alternative, offering a soft and calming glow that’ll set perfect ambience. Walmart carries a ton of budget-friendly options, including storage floor lamps, quirky table lamps, and everything in between.

One of our favorite finds is this Better Homes & Gardens Rechargeable Dome Table Lamp. Portable, dimmable, and rechargeable, it’s unsurprisingly a Walmart bestseller that lends itself to the very popular mushroom-shaped lamps. Right now, you can score this lamp on sale for a very sweet price. Normally retailing for $16, which is already a steal, it’s now marked down to just $13! This lamp is available in four gorgeous hues, including blue, green, red, and white. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Made of metal, this lamp features a fun mushroom silhouette. It boasts a domed lampshade and a base that tapers outwards. This quirky design is balanced by the sleek and simple finish, giving it a polished feel. Reviewers loved the style of this lamp, describing it as “whimsical,” “very chic,” and “adorable.”

Striking a balance between playful and elegant, this lamp will make a subtle statement wherever you place it, doubling as an accent piece. You can place it on your bedside table as a nightlight, on your desk as a work lamp, and anywhere in between. Some shoppers mentioned that they’ve set it on their kitchen counter, in a camper, and even in a closet. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Designed to meet all your lighting needs, this lamp is fixed with an LED light bulb with adjustable brightness levels and three temperature settings. You can control all these settings from one button. If you hold the button, the light will dim until it reaches 10% brightness. By tapping the button, you can adjust the temperature to go from warm to neutral to cool. 

The warm light has a yellow tone, which is ideal for winding down, movie nights, and intimate dinners. If you need to stay alert and focused while working, set the lamp to the cool tone for a crisp white hue. The neutral setting is the perfect in-between, creating a soft white glow for everyday tasks. 

This lamp measures 9.5 inches tall with a 5.9-inch diameter and has a cordless design so you can effortlessly move it around from room to room. You can even bring it outside if you need some ambient lighting while you hang out on your patio at night. This lamp has a built-in battery and you can juice it up with a USB-C cord whenever it needs to be recharged. Several shoppers raved about the rechargeable feature and noted that the lamp charges up quickly so it’ll be ready to go in no time!

• Gupup LED Color-Changing Corner Lamp, $21 (was $36) at Walmart
• Noahstrong Remote-Controlled Night Light, $13 (was $23) at Walmart
• Walchoice Cordless Crystal Table Lamp, From $15 (was $30) at Walmart

Related: Amazon’s $45 Vintage-Style Floor Lamp Combines Antique Charm With Modern Two-Way Lighting

Bring ambient lighting and a chic accent to your home for just $13 with the Better Homes & Gardens Rechargeable Dome Table Lamp. Be sure to grab it at Walmart right now while your preferred color is still in stock! 

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Drew Barrymore was just 7 years old when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, but even at that young age, she showed a poise, charm, humor and honesty that were well beyond her years. Barrymore would go on to become one of the most acclaimed actresses and producers of her generation, starring in hit films like Charlie’s Angels and 50 First Dates before eventually hosting a hit daytime talk show. But it was one memorable conversation with Johnny Carson, during which she famously removed her teeth, that would become a preview of the hallmarks of her career.

By the time Drew Barrymore sat down with Johnny Carson, she had already been discovered by Steven Spielberg and starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. When she sat down with Carson, she didn’t present as an over-coached child actor. Instead, she was candid, funny and could go toe-to-toe with Carson.

Drew takes out her teeth for Johnny #80s #90s #johnnycarson #tonightshow #drewbarrymore

In the interview, Barrymore famously asks to remove her fake teeth, which she wore to cover her missing baby teeth. Completely charmed by the precocious young star, Carson encourages her to complete the interview without her uncomfortable false teeth. Barrymore responds by removing her teeth and placing them front and center on Carson’s desk.

The future talk-show host was already completely self-confident, playful and seemingly unselfconscious, all qualities that would later become signatures of Drew Barrymore, whether she was a guest on a talk show or the host of her own.

That authenticity completely won over Johnny Carson, the audience and generations of fans to come.

Related: 1970 Van Morrison Hit, Envisioned With a Folk Feel, Became a Spiritual Metaphor for Life

Commenters watching clips from the interview on social media were as taken with Drew Barrymore as Carson himself was so many years ago. Watching the interview was not only a reminder of Barrymore’s endless charm and personality, but also of Carson’s undeniable ability to talk to anyone.

“He never steps on the laughs. I miss him. What a national treasure,” lamented one fan.

“Johnny could talk to anyone. How I miss him,” added one more.

Johnny Carson had a remarkable ability to make virtually anyone feel comfortable on television, and his conversation with a young Drew Barrymore is a perfect example. Rather than talking down to her because she was a child or trying to dominate the conversation, Carson gave the young starlet the room to answer questions, lead the conversation and get the laughs.

@Drew Barrymore reacts to a video of her at 7 years old screaming on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson! #FallonTonight #TonightShow #DrewBarrymore #JohnnyCarson #JimmyFallon

Carson understood that the best talk-show interviews weren’t about the host. They were about making the guest interesting. One of Carson’s strengths was knowing when to step aside and allowing his guests to take the lead.

Rather than seeming threatened when Barrymore got the bigger laughs, he was completely charmed, giving the audience permission to laugh with him. The result is an interview that is like no other and remains memorable decades later.

Drew Barrymore went on to give many delightful interviews and carve out her own style as a talk-show host, but her conversation with Johnny Carson—one in which she famously took out her front teeth—will always be remembered as a reminder of Carson’s unique ability to let his guests shine and Drew Barrymore’s star quality even at just 7 years old.

Related: Bob Dylan’s 1965 Music Video Beat Decades of Music Icons to Be Named the Greatest Ever

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Before it terrified moviegoers around the world, Jaws first captivated readers.

Published in 1974, Peter Benchley’s thriller became an immediate literary sensation, spending an extraordinary 44 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. Its gripping story of a seaside community stalked by a massive great white shark transformed the first-time novelist into a household name and laid the foundation for one of the biggest entertainment phenomena of the 20th century.

Benchley drew readers in with more than just suspense.

Set in the fictional beach town of Amity, Jaws follows police chief Martin Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper, and professional shark hunter Quint as they attempt to stop a deadly predator that threatens both lives and the town’s tourism-driven economy. While the shark provides the novel’s central menace, Benchley also explores themes of politics, greed, fear, and the personal conflicts simmering beneath the community’s surface.

The novel quickly became one of the biggest publishing successes of the decade.

Readers embraced its fast-paced storytelling and relentless tension, propelling Jaws onto bestseller lists for months. Its remarkable 44-week run on The New York Times Best Seller list established it as one of the most successful novels of the 1970s and demonstrated the growing commercial power of modern suspense fiction.

The book’s impact only expanded after it reached Hollywood.

In 1975, director Steven Spielberg adapted Jaws into the landmark film that became the first true summer blockbuster. Although the movie streamlined portions of Benchley’s novel and altered several storylines, it introduced millions of new fans to the world he had created and cemented Jaws as one of popular culture’s most enduring titles.

“The press got hold of me and Spielberg and generated a fight between us that wasn’t there,” Benchley told the Cape Cod Times in 2000. “I didn’t see what was happening, and neither did he. … Then he and I got together and said, ‘This is lunacy.’ It was unnecessary and it was untrue.”

Rumors had also circulated that Benchley was kicked off set, but he dispelled those as well.

“Steven had me there sitting with [editor] Verna Fields making sure the sharks looked real,” he said. “[Spielberg and I] had a civil working relationship, and it turned out to be fine.”

The novel has remained an essential work of suspense ever since.

Even decades after its publication, readers continue to revisit Benchley’s original story for its layered characters and psychological tension. Scholars and critics also credit Jaws with helping redefine the modern thriller while influencing countless novels and films that followed.

Surprisingly, Benchley went on to become an advocate for sharks and later reflected on the novel with a hint of regret.

“What I now know, which wasn’t known when I wrote Jaws, is that there is no such thing as a rogue shark which develops a taste for human flesh,” Benchley told the Animal Attack Files in 2000. “No one appreciates how vulnerable they are to destruction.”

More than 50 years after it first reached bookstores, Jaws remains Peter Benchley’s defining achievement.

“If I were to be elected pope or if I cured cancer, still, at my funeral, should anybody care, they’ll play, ‘Duh dum, duh dum,'” he told News Press. “My legacy will, no matter what, be Jaws. I hope, however, that there will be at least the acknowledgment that I spent my time working for the oceans and trying to protect them.”

Jaws’ remarkable 44-week stay on The New York Times Best Seller list marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to shape both popular fiction and blockbuster storytelling today.

Related: Best-Selling Author’s 1989 Novel Ranked Among Best Books of All Time

Today’s Strands puzzle is all about things that are invented items.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #894 on Friday, August 14.

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: related to popular discoveries.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are seven theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• PE
• SL
• IN
• PL
• MI
• VE
• IN (SPANGRAM)

Today’s Spangram is vertical.

Today’s Spangram answer on Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Friday, August 14, 2026, is INVENTIONS.

• PENICILLIN
• SLINKY
• INVENTIONS
• PLASTIC
• MICROWAVE
• VELCRO
• SPANGRAM: INVENTIONS

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, August 13, 2026

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No matter how large your home is, you’re going to need ample storage space. Especially in apartments, you often have to create your own storage areas, by shopping for cabinets, sideboards, and pantry carts to keep organized. Amazon has a slew of amazing home options — spanning from farmhouse-style to modern — that will keep your space neat and tidy.

The farmhouse-inspired Weenfon Tall Bathroom Cabinet is our latest favorite option, and it’s currently on sale for up to 23% off, thanks to a limited-time deal. The cabinet originally cost as much as $130, but has been reduced to $95 in the white and forest green hues. The traditional black, grey, and brown colorways are available at a discounted price of $100. The piece has been marked as Amazon’s Choice and has already been bought by over 300 customers in the past month. 

Courtesy of Amazon

The cabinet is 11.8 inches long, 15.8 inches wide, and 67 inches tall. The piece weighs just over 37 pounds, so you’ll likely need an extra set of hands to help you place it. You will have to assemble the cabinet upon delivery, but shoppers said that the instructions are “very easy to understand.” The furniture is made of engineered wood, so it’s recommended to wipe it down with a damp cloth to keep it clean. 

The design itself is perfect for those with country-chic and farmhouse-style furniture, as it features textured doors that look similar to barn doors. There are two open compartments — one on the bottom and one at the top — with a closed drawer separating them. The compartments consist of two fixed shelves and two shelves with several height positions that you can adjust to your convenience. 

Shoppers placed the cabinet in the bathroom mostly, with others using it to organize items in their bedroom, living room, and more. Customers described the style as “perfect,” “nice quality,” “sleek,” “fantastic,” and “beautiful,” adding that it has “plenty of storage space.” According to the product description, the furniture is additionally dust-proof, scratch-resistant, and has an anti-tipping device to keep it secure. 

• Kavlium Plant Stand, $40 (was $60) at Amazon 
• Fultyle Mid-Century Nightstand, $41 (was $55) at Amazon
• Signature Design by Ashley Bolanburg Farmhouse Sofa Console Table, $281 (was $342) at Amazon

It’s like a breath of fresh air when you can arrange your products seamlessly. This versatile storage cabinet can fit everything from toiletries to canned goods at a low cost. Shop this chic farmhouse-style piece while it’s under $100 at Amazon! 

Related: Amazon’s Scalloped Cardigan Is a ‘Lightweight’ Layer for the Summer-to-Fall Transition, Now Under $20

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The Beatles have a plethora of hits in their catalog, many of them written by the legendary Lennon-McCartney songwriting team. But their tunesmith talents weren’t limited to the band, as both John Lennon and Paul McCartney played a role in the careers of other artists. 

One notable example came when Lennon collaborated with David Bowie on the song “Fame,” nearly five years after The Beatles broke up.  

RELATED: 1968 No. 1 Hit Ranked Among the ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Was Written in 20 Minutes

Released in 1975 as the second single from Bowie’s Young Americans album, “Fame” went on to become his first U.S. chart-topper, reaching No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Canadian Singles chart. 

“Fame” also became one of the year’s most successful singles, landing at No. 7 on Billboard’s 1975 Year-End Hot 100 list. “Fame” is also one of Bowie’s songs to make the prestigious list of “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.”  

Lennon and Bowie share co-writing credits on “Fame” with frequent Bowie collaborator and guitarist Carlos Alomar. The song came together during a one-day jam session at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in the winter of 1975. 

“David Bowie is in New York, and I seem to be the guy in New York that all the Englishmen say ‘hi’ to… I love it,” Lennon recalled Bowie inviting him to the studio during an interview with the BBC. “I got to know David through Mick Jagger really, although I’d met him once before. And the next thing he says, ‘John, I’m doing ‘Across the Universe,’ do you wanna come on down?’ I said ‘alright, you know, I live here… I’ll pop down’. I played rhythm.”

“We’d finished ‘Across the Universe,’ and the guitarist [Carlos Alomar] had this lick, and we wrote this song [‘Fame’]; it was no big deal,” he added.

According to American Songwriter, the original plan before coming up with “Fame” was to record a cover of The Flares’ “Foot Stomping,” with Alomar having worked up a guitar riff. Bowie invited Lennon to the studio, and together, they jammed to Alomar’s riff and a beat, building off of that with Lennon on rhythm guitar, singing “Aim” and Bowie changing the word to “Fame.” 

Featuring its signature guitar riff and a funky, groove-driven rhythm as well as background vocals from Lennon, “Fame” shines a light on the darker realities of superstardom. Bowie was also dealing with management problems involving Tony Defries at the time, giving the song an especially personal edge. 

“We’d been talking about management, and it kind of came out of that,” Bowie said of a conversation he had with Lennon, per the outlet, which sourced Performing Songwriter magazine. “He was telling me, ‘You’re being shafted by your present manager’ (laughs). That was basically the line. And John was the guy who opened me up to the idea that all management is crap. That there’s no such thing as good management in rock ‘n’ roll, and you should try to do it without it.”

RELATED: 1969 Hit, Reimagined by Reba McEntire Decades Later, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’

“It was at John’s instigation that I really did without managers, and started getting people in to do specific jobs for me, rather than signing myself away to one guy forever and have him take a piece of everything that I earn,” he added. 

Along with “Fame,” Young Americans also includes Bowie’s rendition of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe,” featuring Lennon on guitar and backing vocals. The album’s title track contains another nod to the Fab Four, with the line: “I heard the news today, oh boy,” echoing Lennon and McCartney’s “A Day in the Life.” 

Related: 1972 No. 1 Rock Song That Had an Influence on Barry Manilow, Ranked Among the ‘Best One-Hit Wonders of All Time’

To solve today’s New York Times Connections puzzle, brush up on black-and-yellow symbols, places where similar opinions reinforce each other, tools used by comic book artists and familiar brands with triangle-shaped logos.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1160 on Friday, August 14, 2026.

New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Friday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

1. Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. We all agree.
3. Marvel and DC accessories.
4. Three-sided shape.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

1. BLACK-AND-YELLOW: BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN, WOLVERINE
2. PLACES WHERE EVERYONE THINKS THE SAME WAYS: BUBBLE,ECHO, CHAMBER, HIVEMIND, SILO
3. COMIC BOOK ARTSIT’S TOOLS: BRISTOL, BOARD, DIP PEN, INDIA INK, STRAIGHTEDGE
4. TRIANGLE LOGOS: BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIRLINES, GOOGLE DRIVE

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Thursday, August 13, 2026

The Peanuts gang remains a holiday tradition for many families across the U.S.

Certain generations may find it have to believe that A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered more than 60 years ago, with its universally beloved soundtrack also hitting the masses that same year.

Following last year’s 75th anniversary celebrations of Peanuts and the 60th anniversary of the holiday special, the album has now been officially certified 6X Platinum by the RIAA, according to a Craft Recordings news release on Thursday, August 13, commemorating 6 million album sales and streaming equivalents in the U.S., and making it the best-selling jazz album of all time.

When A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on December 9, 1965, few could have guessed that the animated half-hour special would go on to leave such a lasting mark. Based on Charles M. Schulz‘s classic comic strip, the special was later honored with Emmy and Peabody Awards.

Just as the animated special found lasting success year after year, its soundtrack struck a chord right away with the American public, and jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi continued to score Peanuts specials until his passing in 1976.

Decades later, his melodies have become touchstones of American culture, while A Charlie Brown Christmas has earned recognition as one of the most enduring holiday albums ever recorded. Among other honors, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

Given that it just became the best-selling jazz album ever, Craft Recordings will offer an array of limited-edition vinyl pressings of A Charlie Brown Christmas for all the die-hards this fall. The label took to social media on Thursday to announce the releases.

“The album is available as a liquid-filled collectible ‘Snow Globe’ LP, complete with glitter and floating snowflakes,” reads the caption of Craft’s Instagram post below.

While some fans commented on the post that the “Snow Globe” pressing looks “beautiful” and “amazing,” others think the $150 price tag is “way too expensive.”

The Monkees started out as a TV band, created for NBC’s The Monkees to cash in on Beatlemania. But they quickly became a real pop sensation, with one of their biggest hits coming from a young Neil Diamond. 

In 1966, The Monkees recorded Diamond’s “I’m a Believer,” which became their second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent seven weeks at the top of the charts and became one of the defining hits of the era. 

But Diamond hadn’t originally written the song for The Monkees. At the time, he was still trying to establish himself as both a singer and songwriter. His debut album, The Feel of Neil Diamond, was released in 1966, just as his own recording career was beginning to gain momentum. 

Diamond had country star Eddy Arnold in mind when he wrote “I’m a Believer.” He considered it a country song and thought Arnold would be a good fit. Instead, music executive Don Kirshner brought the song to The Monkees after hearing Diamond’s work.

Micky Dolenz sang lead on “I’m a Believer,” which gave The Monkees their second chart-topper after “Last Train to Clarksville.” 

The success was particularly meaningful to Diamond, who considered himself a songwriter first. As he later recalled, his record company was upset that he had given away a potential No. 1 hit. 

“The head of my record company was very angry — I’d given away a number one hit — but I was thrilled,” Diamond told Guitar Player.  Diamond added that he was happy to see another artist take his song to the top of the charts. “Having the Monkees get the number one was as good as if I had recorded it, honestly.” 

The success of “I’m a Believer” came at a particularly important point for the group. Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones weren’t inexperienced musicians, but they had been assembled to play a fictional band on TV. Their early records leaned heavily on outside songwriters and session musicians. 

As The Monkees became more established, the four members wanted greater control over what they recorded and how they made their music. Tensions grew with Kirshner and the executives overseeing their recordings, and by 1967, the group had won a much bigger role in the recording process. 

“The [show’s] producers backed us and David [Davy Jones] went along,” Nesmith explained to Rolling Stone, recalling how the group gained more control. “None of us could have fought the battles we did [with the music publishers] without the explicit support of the show’s producers.”

The Monkees went on to make two albums with more say in their music, but the group eventually began to splinter. Tork left in 1968, followed by Nesmith in 1970. 

The Monkees reunited in 1986 following renewed interest in the TV series and continued to reunite for performances in the years that followed. 

Related: 1967 Motown Song, Written by Smokey Robinson, Launched a Young Band’s Career

Today’s NYT Wordle is about a seemingly ordinary rock that can reveal a sparkling crystal-filled center when cracked open.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1882 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word.

Today’s Wordle begins with a consonant.

There are double letters in today’s Wordle.

A hint for today’s Wordle is: can refer to a hollow rock filled with crystals.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle answer on Friday, August 14, 2026, is GEODE.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Before Tanya Tucker was old enough to drive, she already had one of country music’s biggest hits.

The teenage singer was just 13 years old when she released “Delta Dawn.” Born on Oct. 10, 1958, Tucker was still 13 when the single arrived in the spring of 1972, and its success immediately established her as one of country music’s brightest young talents.

“The [recording] session started at 10:00 am,” Tucker told Trailblazer’s Radio on Apple Music Country. “And I think I was so tired from the night before trying to learn the song—my dad would play it over and over and over for me until I went to sleep. And then, the next day at 10 o’clock, I was at Columbia in [producer] Billy [Sherrill]’s office, and he let me sleep until noon. So, the guys had been waiting for a couple of hours, and then finally, he walked into his office and said, ‘Hey, you ready to do something about your career? So, let’s go cut a hit song.'”

A hit indeed, the song, had already taken an interesting path before Tucker recorded it.

Written by Larry Collins and Alex Harvey, “Delta Dawn” was first recorded by Harvey in 1971. Around the same time Tucker was preparing her version, Helen Reddy also recorded the song, ultimately releasing her rendition in 1973 and taking it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Despite Reddy’s crossover success, it was Tucker’s recording that first introduced the song to a wide country audience.

“I turned down ‘Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,'” Tucker told The Bluegrass Situation. “I said, ‘Love the song, it’s great, but it’s not my song.’ And then when [Sherrill] played ‘Delta Dawn,’ with Alex Harvey on guitar/vocal, and I went, ‘There you go. That’s my song.’ And he listened.”

For Tucker, the gamble paid off almost instantly.

Released as her debut single on Columbia Records, “Delta Dawn” climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, an extraordinary achievement for a performer who was still in middle school. The song’s haunting story of a mysterious Southern woman, paired with Tucker’s surprisingly mature vocal delivery, captivated listeners and made her one of the youngest stars country music had ever produced.

The breakthrough opened the door to a remarkable career.

Following “Delta Dawn,” Tucker quickly became a country music mainstay with hits including “What’s Your Mama’s Name,” “Blood Red and Goin’ Down,” and “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone).” Over the decades, she evolved from child prodigy to one of the genre’s most respected artists, earning multiple CMA and ACM Awards along the way.

The song’s legacy has endured just as strongly.

Although Helen Reddy’s pop version became the bigger crossover hit, Tucker’s recording remains the version most closely associated with the song’s country roots. It is still celebrated as one of the greatest debut singles in country music history and the record that introduced an extraordinary talent to the world.

“I think Tanya’s a great singer,” Reddy told Classic Bands. “I don’t think there’s any conflict. She has a country audience, and they’re extremely loyal to her. I have more of a pop audience, and I’m happy that we were both able to have a hit with the song.”

More than 50 years after its release, “Delta Dawn” remains one of country music’s defining coming-of-age success stories. Originally recorded by one artist and later covered by another, the song ultimately became the hit that launched 13-year-old Tanya Tucker on a legendary career.

Related: 1969 Gospel Song, Which Inspired George Harrison’s First Solo No. 1, Became a Top 5 Billboard Hit

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There’s nothing that makes us feel more put together than a chic loungeset. The outfit is the perfect way to stay cozy and avoid the hassle of having to put an outfit together. Plus, they’re especially breathable throughout the summer time, so it’s the ideal opportunity to stock up. Thanks to Walmart, you can now shop for the No Boundaries Ribbed Ballet Top and Flare Pants Set for just $20.

The bestselling set is already in over 200 customer carts, so you’ll want to add it to your online haul before other shoppers beat you to it. The set is being sold in two colors: chocolate and light pink. The sizes range from XXS to XXL, with all of the hue and size combinations currently in stock except for the small size in the chocolate colorway. Shoppers say that the set is the “perfect length” and true to size. 

Courtesy of Walmart

The set already offers a slightly relaxed fit, but if you want it to be oversized, customers recommend going up a size from your regular. The loungewear consists of one V-neck long-sleeve pullover top with flare leg pants. The ribbed knit shirt features a ballet style, so it essentially looks like it’s wrapped around the waist, accentuating your silhouette. The bottoms have an elastic waistband and drawstring that you can adjust to your comfort. 

Courtesy of Walmart

The “roomy” pieces are made with 91% polyester and 9% spandex, so they’re both “stretchy.” The material means this set is machine washable, but make sure to wash it  in cold water with similar colors. Then, place the loungewear in the dryer on a low heat to prevent shrinkage. You may even want to let the set hang dry on the first few washes to ensure it maintains its quality. 

Shoppers further described the fabric as “super soft,” adding that it’s “super comfy,” “very flattering,” and “lightweight.” Another reviewer said that the set is “perfect for the colder evenings or around the house,” especially with fall right around the corner. Some customers are even purchasing both colors before they’re sold out. 

• Apsvo White Gold-Plated Stud Earrings, $15 (was $125) at Walmart
• Free Assembly Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $15 (was $20) at Walmart
• Crocs Unisex Bayaband Flip Flops, $20 (was $30) at Walmart

You can easily sport this cute ribbed knit loungewear set while running errands, hanging with friends, or traveling. It’s one of those purchases that you can’t believe you lived without. Add the two-piece set to your closet for just $20 at Walmart now! 

Related: Walmart’s Under-$30 Rattan Reading Lamp Is a ‘Cute’ Coastal Spin on a Classic Lighting Solution

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Godsmack just played before a crowd so enormous, even Sully Erna couldn’t believe what he was seeing. According to the longtime frontman, the ’90s rock veterans just headlined a festival that drew 700,000 people. Yowza.

Bringing hits like “Voodoo,” “I Stand Alone,” and “Awake” to the massive festival stage, the performance also marked another chapter in Godsmack’s evolving lineup, with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini, who joined for the band’s 2026 touring circuit, mastering the kit.

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Taking the stage on July 30, the band headlined the 32nd annual Pol’and’Rock Festival in Czaplinek, Poland, and because the night was so epic, Erna couldn’t help but share his euphoria with fans.

“Hello, Internet people,” he begins a video posted to Instagram the following night. “I wanted to stop by and give you guys a little bit of an update on what’s happening. … I had to tell you about this show that we did last night.”

Following praise for every country they’ve been fortunate to perform in, he then opens up about his surreal experience, which reached several hundred thousand people.

“Last night, we did a show in Poland—at the Pol’and’Rock Fest—and we headlined this festival that drew 700,000 people. That’s a real f—ing number. You can look it up. And, yeah, so pretty surreal. Not even sure it even happened, but it did, and I gotta say, ‘Holy f—ing shit.’ I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. … Insanity.”

Formerly known as Woodstock Festival Poland, the massive open-air event was founded in 1995 by Jerzy Owsiak. The whole thing is free to attend and features several stages where metal, rock, and folk acts perform. There’s also free camping on the grounds. But this is more than just a gratis good time. The festival actually started as a way to give back.

“The most heartfelt part about this for me is when I was speaking to the promoter and the owner of the festival; he was telling me how this whole thing started,” Erna says, explaining that the idea for the event followed visits to children’s hospitals where kids were just sitting on the floor. “They didn’t even have furniture.”

Reaching out to sponsors and supporters, Owsiak then launched the festival as a completely free event, with “a hundred percent of the proceeds [going] to all the children’s hospitals. I don’t know if it gets any more honorable than that for me,” Erna says.

Godsmack still has one more European show on the calendar before heading home. The band will play Eindhoven, Netherlands, on Aug. 16, then return Stateside to continue their Rise of Rock World Tour with Stone Temple Pilots and special guest Dorothy on Sept. 4. Starting in Pryor, Oklahoma, they then travel through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, California, and more.

New dates have also been added for the fall season, with 10 more stops tacked on to the tour in October. The newly added leg begins Oct. 9 in Airway Heights and runs through Oct. 24 in Uncasville, Connecticut.  

Formed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1995, Godsmack became one of the defining hard rock and alternative metal bands of the post-grunge era. The band has earned four Grammy nominations and released major multi-platinum albums beginning with their self-titled debut in 1998 and continuing with 2000’s Awake, 2003’s Faceless, 2006’s IV, and 2023’s Lighting Up the Sky.

Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill remain the band’s two longtime core members, while former Mangini is currently behind the kit and Sam “Bam” Koltun has been performing on guitar.

Bring on the “Voodoo“!

Related: 2000s Hard Rock Band Announces 2026 ‘Time Travel Tour’ With Career-Spanning Set and Guests

A Jeff Buckley song released more than three decades ago is finding another life with a new generation of listeners.

“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over,” the sprawling ballad from Grace, Buckley’s only studio album, is suddenly going viral on TikTok, where users are pairing the song with videos about heartbreak, rejection and the sometimes painful realization that a relationship just isn’t going to work.

The song’s latest resurgence comes 29 years after Buckley’s tragic death at age 30.

Released on Grace in August 1994, “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” was inspired by the end of Buckley’s relationship with artist Rebecca Moore. The song finds its narrator wrestling with lost love and his own part in letting it slip away.

More than 30 years later, those feelings are proving remarkably TikTok-friendly.

One popular video using the song shows a man resting his head on his hand beneath the caption, “Oh, OK, maybe I’m just unlovable.”

Another combines Buckley’s music with a Love Island soundbite about being a “big loving person” whom other people sometimes consider “too much.”

Several videos take an even darker approach, pairing the song with an intense scene from the first season of HBO’s Euphoria in which Daniel (Keean Johnson) brutally rejects Cassie (Sydney Sweeney).

The videos may be new, but the emotional territory isn’t. “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” centers on a young man caught between wanting love and recognizing the damage his own actions have caused.

“Too young to hold on / And too old to just break free and run,” Buckley sings in one of the song’s most memorable passages.

American Songwriter described the track in 2020 as an anguished soul ballad that steadily builds in intensity, pointing to Buckley’s songwriting as well as the extraordinary voice for which he became famous.

“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” has actually been building a remarkable second life for several years.

The song previously appeared on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 in 2024 before breaking onto Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart for the first time in April 2025. Then, in January 2026, more than 31 years after its release, the song made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100.

It eventually reached No. 84 on the chart and has climbed as high as No. 10 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.

The resurgence adds another chapter to the unusual afterlife of Buckley’s music.

The singer-songwriter released Grace on Aug. 23, 1994. Although the album initially sold slowly and received relatively little radio airplay, its reputation grew considerably in the years that followed. On the BBC documentary Jeff Buckley: Everybody Here Wants You, Jimmy Page called Grace one of his favorite albums of the 1990s, while David Bowie once included it among the albums he would want with him on a desert island. And Bob Dylan, considered arguably the greatest songwriter of all time, named Buckley as one of his favorite songwriters of the 90s.

Buckley never got to see how influential the album would become.

On May 29, 1997, while living in Memphis and working on material for a second album, Buckley went swimming fully clothed in the Wolf River Harbor. He disappeared after the wake of a passing tugboat swept through the water. His body was recovered several days later.

His death was ruled an accidental drowning. He was 30.

Nearly three decades later, Buckley’s music continues reaching listeners who weren’t even alive when Grace was released. “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” is particularly suited to that rediscovery: a song about wanting someone back, realizing what went wrong and wondering whether there might still be time to fix it.

TikTok has simply given a new generation somewhere to put all that heartbreak.

Related: 1963 Bob Dylan Song, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,’ Went to No. 1 For Beloved Folk Trio

Emily Henry knows a thing or two about good books. The author of Great Big Beautiful Life, Funny Story, and People We Meet on Vacation has written six adult novels, all of which have reached No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Henry took to social media today on the Read With Jenna Instagram page, this time turning the tables and sharing the book she thinks everyone should read, Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan.

Since first releasing Beach Read in 2020, Emily Henry has become one of the most influential authors in contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She’s not only a bestselling author six times over, but her recommendations for other authors carry the weight of an expert.

Related: Bob Dylan’s 1965 Music Video Beat Decades of Music Icons to Be Named the Greatest Ever

Henry recently shared that she thinks “everyone” should read Julia Whelan’s Thank You for Listening, a romantic comedy set in the world of audiobook narrating. That’s personal territory for Whelan, who narrates Emily Henry’s audiobooks, but is also one of Henry’s favorite writers. That’s high praise considering millions of readers have enjoyed Emily Henry’s work.

Whelan’s Thank You for Listening is a natural fit for readers who enjoy Henry’s books. The book combines romance, books, audiobooks, and the complicated relationships that develop between people who spend their lives telling and listening to stories.

Whelan is uniquely qualified to dive deep into the literary and audiobook world. Both narrator and author, her writing comes from an authentic place. Henry’s recommendation introduces the novel to readers who might be drawn to Whelan’s voice from audiobooks but have yet to discover her work as a novelist.

Henry’s fans were “blown away” by the recommendation.

“HIGHLY recommend Thank You for Listening, especially the audiobook narration. I was blown away!” gushed one.

Another added, “I’m excited about the romcoms if Emily Henry is recommending them,” echoing the sentiments of many.

From book clubs to the invention of the celebrity book club—thank you, Oprah!—book recommendations from trusted personalities have become an increasingly powerful way for readers to discover what to read next. Less than celebrity, the appeal is trust. If a writer or reader shares your taste, they’ll likely recommend a book that suits your taste.

Emily Henry’s endorsement of Thank You for Listening is more than a “what to read next” book recommendation. It’s an author using her earned trust to introduce readers to a book or author they might not otherwise have discovered, but will likely be happy they did.

Related: Tara Lipinski Was Just 15 When She Delivered an Olympic Performance That ‘Stopped Time’

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