Parade

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens was listed as one of “The 10 Best-Selling Fiction Books of All Time” by Collider. The book, which is considered a masterpiece by many, has sold more than 200 million copies. Some of the only other books to reach this milestone are Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

As described on Goodreads, where the book has a 3.88-star rating, “A Tale of Two Cities is Charles Dickens’s great historical novel, set against the violent upheaval of the French Revolution. The most famous and perhaps the most popular of his works, it compresses an event of immense complexity to the scale of a family history, with a cast of characters that includes a bloodthirsty ogress and an antihero as believably flawed as any in modern fiction.”

Related: 2014 Bestselling Novel, Turned Into a Netflix Phenomenon, Was Just Named a ‘Perfect Horror Book’

As one teacher said, “While A Tale of Two Cities is masterfully written with sly humor, densely meaningful descriptions, a cast of quirky characters only Dickens could create, an endless series of telling binaries and foils, and relevant social commentary about the French Revolution as well as Dickens’ time, it is also simply a damn good story. By a damn good storyteller.”

Although Dickens did not receive any literary awards during his lifetime, A Tale of Two Cities was adapted into a 1935 film that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Film Editing. The film currently has a 93% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer said, “It’s everything I expect from a Dickens adaptation: a grand, sweeping storyline; impeccable period costumes and sets; and colorful villains and selfless heroes.”

Related: 1979 Novel, Which Reimagined Famous Fairy Tales, Was Ranked Among the Best Horror Books Ever Written

Dickens is one of the most well-known authors of all time. In addition to writing A Tale of Two Cities, he is also known for writing iconic stories like A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Bleak House, and Great Expectations.

Dickens died in 1870 at the age of 58.

Country legend Alan Jackson closed a defining chapter of his career with a final concert that marked both a personal milestone and a historic moment for country music. 

On Saturday, June 27, the country crooner stepped onto the stage for his last concert, drawing thousands of devoted fans who had followed his career for decades. 

According to Touring Data, reported by American Songwriter and Taste of Country, Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More For The Road concert at Nissan Stadium in Nashville became the highest-grossing concert by any artist ever. 

It reportedly brought in $34.729 million in revenue. 

View this post on Instagram

Known for his traditional sound and storytelling lyrics, Jackson has long been considered one of the genre’s most enduring voices, making the farewell all the more significant.

The farewell show was one of the most expensive stadium concerts in history, with ticket prices averaging $618.95.

A total of 56,109 tickets were reportedly sold. 

Fans in the comments of the Country Chord post expressed that “It was worth every hard earned cent!” as another added, “My wife and niece said it was so worth it,” with others calling it “awesome” to witness in person.

Related: 1979 Timeless Classic Named a No. 1 Hit Made a Major Comeback 20 Years Later

The concert was a celebration of a legacy spanning generations, with hits like “Chattahoochee” and heartfelt ballads such as “Remember When.”

The event drew attention across the music industry, with fellow artists and longtime collaborators honoring Jackson’s impact. Tribute performances and special messages from some of Jackson’s friends and colleagues in the country music space, from Luke Bryan to Carrie Underwood, made it a night to remember. 

Jackson may have retired, but his music will endure, with his albums climbing the charts just days after the final show, adding two albums back on the Billboard 200.

Since taking the stage for the last time, Jackson has given fans a peek at how he’s spending his free time, celebrating the birth of his fifth grandchild.

The farewell concert is set to air on NBC later this year, with no specific date given just yet.

Related: 1994 No. 1 Country Classic, Written by Alan Jackson, Is Still a Powerful Generational Hit 32 Years Later

Simon Cowell’s absence from America’s Got Talent has left fans wondering where the longtime judge is—and Howie Mandel now has an encouraging update on his recovery.

Cowell, 66, recently underwent previously planned back surgery related to injuries he suffered in a 2020 e-bike accident. Mandel said Sept. 3 that he heard the operation was a success and is hoping his fellow judge recovers quickly enough to return to AGT before the season 21 finale.

“As I talk to you, he is just hours out of surgery,” Mandel told E! News. “I heard that it was a success, everything’s okay.”

Mandel added, “I haven’t called him yet,” and joked, “I don’t know that, this close to surgery, if this is the first thing you need to see.” But Mandel said that he “can’t wait to see him and visit him and give him my best wishes.”

View this post on Instagram

Cowell has been absent from America’s Got Talent for about two weeks, stepping away from the season 21 live quarterfinals to undergo the previously planned back procedure. The operation was related to injuries he sustained in his 2020 electric bike accident, and guest judges, including Kenan Thompson and Heidi Klum, have temporarily filled his seat while he recovers.

Cowell’s latest procedure comes six years after a devastating e-bike accident nearly left him unable to walk. In August 2020, the America’s Got Talent judge fell while testing an electric bike at his Malibu home, breaking his back and requiring a five-hour surgery involving multiple fusions and a metal rod.

“I knew I’d broken my back the minute I landed. It was really, really kind of sudden and it hurt,” Cowell told Extra in 2021. “It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed my spine to pieces, so I literally wouldn’t have been able to walk.”

Cowell later said he was “lucky to survive” the accident and acknowledged that the injuries caused long-term nerve damage.

America’s Got Talent airs on Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Dweezil Zappa is a rock guitarist and the son of Frank Zappa. He created a tribute band, Zappa Plays Zappa, which plays his father’s music so that future generations can listen and enjoy. Today, he turns 57.

When asked why he carries on his father’s legacy during an interview with Glide Magazine, he said, “I noticed that people that were my age or younger did not know anything about my dad’s music. People would say, ‘Who is Frank Zappa?’ when asked if they had heard a certain song. So I thought, I don’t want to see the music disappear in my lifetime. I didn’t feel that the music was being brought to people’s attention in a way that was motivating anyone to do anything. I thought that at least I’d put something together, so I can feel good knowing that there was some effort made.”

Related: 1960 Song, From a Teenage Mouseketeer Who Never Wanted To Become a Singer, Was a Hit 66 Years Ago

Dweezil continued, “Most people would assume that I wouldn’t want to put myself into direct comparison with my more famous father, but in doing so, it’s brought attention to my guitar playing in a way that people probably would have dismissed in any other set of circumstances. The direct comparison puts it at a commensurate level with what they can already see from the other music. They may not realize what I can do, so it turns it into a positive.”

Dweezil’s birth name was Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa because the nurse refused to put Dweezil on the birth certificate. Instead, Frank started listing off names of several of his musician friends, including Ian Underwood, Don Van Vliet, Cal Schenkel, and Euclid James Sherwood. However, his nickname was still Dweezil. When he was five, Dweezil decided that he wanted his nickname to become his legal name, and his family hired an attorney to make the change.

Related: 1968 Rock Song About a Real Romance, Inspired by the Beatles, Has Been Beloved for Over 50 Years

In 2009, Dweezil won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. It was for his father’s song “Peaches En Regalia.”

There are many reasons why people get divorced. Sometimes, partners stop talking to each other—a common issue for long-term marriages according to psychologists. Other times, divorce can be driven by money issues, empty nest syndrome, or health issues—all three warning signs you might be headed for a gray divorce.

But as famed psychologist Dr. John Gottman has said in the past, there is a common habit that raises divorce risk. And he knows what he’s talking about; he’s been studying couples since the 1970s, researching marriage stability and divorce prediction. Over his career, he’s studied couples for years—decades even—with one study following a couple for 20 years.

In his research, Dr. Gottman identified what is known as the “Four Horsemen”—four detrimental habits that research shows are strong indicators of divorce. And eventually, according to The Gottman Institute, he was able to determine whether or not a couple was headed for divorce with 90 percent accuracy, all while working on his own healthy marriage to Dr. Julie Gottman, a clinical psychologist who also works with couples.

So, how did he get so good at predicting divorce? Well, according to the Gottman Institute, the Four Horsemen, if they become regular habits, are pretty much a one-way ticket to divorce court. But there is one that stands out among the rest. And Parade spoke with a psychologist, a psychotherapist and an attorney about the most common habit that raises divorce risk, and tips to save your marriage.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Usually Causes Divorce Over 50—They All Said the Same Thing

The ‘Kiss of Death’ in Marriage: The #1 Predictor of Divorce

Dr. Gottman established contempt as the number one predictor of divorce, and psychotherapist Wynter Warshaw, MA, LMFTA, agrees. She tells Parade to think of contempt as a “barrier” to work on a marriage, especially because it goes hand-in-hand with a lack of goodwill and generosity towards one partner, two traits she calls “the putty that puts the pieces of a marriage back together again.”

Warshaw adds that a couple can survive a major event—an affair, illness, etc—if there is still goodwill and generosity to act as the “connective tissue” to repair the relationship. But when a partner holds contempt for their other half, it can manifest in a lack of empathy and kindness. This, in her experience, is the real kiss of death for a marriage.

“It’s not the stereotype of the torrid affair or the major catastrophe that really brings people down. It’s usually just the lack of kindness over time,” she says.

This contempt and lack of kindness eventually leads to divorce—something attorney Sophie Jacobi-Parisi, who works in matrimonial and family law, sees all the time.

“By the time they’ve gotten to me, the contempt and lack [of] respect for one another is tangible,” she tells Parade.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Happy Couples Over 50 Do Right—They All Said the Same Thing

What Does Contempt Actually Look Like? (It’s More Subtle Than You Think)

“Contempt is when you treat someone as if they are beneath you,” explains Dr. Molly Burrets, PhD, a clinical psychologist currently working in California.

Of course, no one thinks they would put up with a partner treating them this way, but contempt can sometimes be hard to spot, especially early on. “Contempt is often expressed passively before it becomes overt,” she adds.

So, what does contempt actually look like?

Eye-rolling and sneering

Contempt doesn’t have to be verbal; sometimes it’s as simple as a well-placed, pointed side-eye or smirk.

“Eye-rolling and sneering are silent, but strong indicators of contempt,” Dr. Burrets notes.

Passive-aggressive humor

A little good-natured teasing is one thing, but when the jokes become passive-aggressive, it quickly stops being funny.

“We all know that couple that it’s uncomfortable to go to dinner with because they’re just taking jabs at each other under the guise that it’s harmless humor,” Warshaw tells Parade. “But it takes a toll.”

Rigidity

Contempt can sometimes come out when it comes time to compromise with your partner.

“Not being open to seeing things a different way,” is a major red flag, says Warshaw. “When we can’t even consider the other person’s perspective, we can’t even consider that there could be another way to look at things; that’s concerning.”

Attacking a partner’s worth

We all say things we don’t mean in an argument, but when contempt is present in a relationship, things can escalate to become a personal attack on a partner’s worth or competence.

“Whereas anger might sound like, ‘I’m really frustrated you never pick up around the house, and I’m getting sick of it,’ contempt sounds like, ‘Of course you didn’t pick up again. You’re useless when it comes to helping me around the house,’” Dr. Burrets shares.

The Psychology of ‘The Four Horsemen’: How Criticism Spirals Into Divorce Criticism

The first horseman, criticism, is perhaps the most pervasive and also the easiest to dismiss.

“Criticism is when we’re very hard on our partner. We only see what they’re doing wrong,” says Warshaw. “They’re running late and instead of thinking, ‘Oh boy, I hope they didn’t hit terrible traffic’ or ‘I hope they’re okay,’ we’re thinking more punitively, like, ‘Oh wow, they’ve done something wrong and they’re late.’”

Defensiveness

Criticism and defensiveness are two sides of the same coin—at a certain point, you can’t have one without the other.

“It’s the response to criticism,” Warshaw explains. “It’s protecting oneself against the criticism.”

Defending yourself from an attack from a partner might seem reasonable, but it can quickly lead to a refusal to take accountability. Defensiveness can become ”an inability to really see your part in things and take responsibility.”

Stonewalling

“Stonewalling is when one partner shuts the other out,” Warshaw explains. This could mean a partner shuts down emotionally or they could physically leave the relationship.

Just like defensiveness, stonewalling can start out seeming reasonable, a more extreme version of taking a time out in an argument (which she assures Parade can be very healthy), but over time, it can become dangerous.

“The stonewalling dynamic is very painful,“ she says, noting that it can often trigger feelings of abandonment.

Contempt

“It’s normal to be irritated with our partners, to get annoyed or frustrated,” Warshaw notes. “But when we get to the point where we actually look down on them, where there’s an actual erosion of respect,” that’s a sign of contempt.

Related: Psychologists Warn: These 7 Defensive Phrases Are Red Flags in a Relationship

The Biological Cost: Why Mocking Your Partner Damages Physical Health

As contempt erodes respect, it can also lead directly to mocking, according to Warshaw.

“Contempt could come out of a place of feeling undermined, feeling like you’re not respected,” she explains, adding that mocking is then “an attempt to regain power” in the relationship.

“Mocking challenges the foundational requirement that both parties feel and act like they are on the same team, working towards mutual goals,” says Dr. Burrets. “Repeated mockery can be a signal that hurt has begun turning into disrespect.”

And mocking your partner isn’t just bad for the relationship; it’s also bad for your health.

“When you mock, ridicule, sneer at or speak down to your partner, your nervous system usually isn’t operating from a calm, connected state,” Dr. Burrets explains. “You are rehearsing irritation, hostility and threat. If that becomes a regular relational pattern, the body can spend more time in states of physiological arousal—changes in heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones, muscle tension and immune activity.”

Meanwhile, the partner being mocked can also suffer.

“It is absolutely erosive to have a partner that makes fun of you, pokes fun at you, mocks you in public,” Warshaw states. “It’s damaging for self-confidence and self-esteem.”

At the end of the day, both Dr. Burrets and Warshaw agree that a stressful, unbalanced relationship isn’t good for your health.

“Research on distressed relationships has found links between chronic marital conflict and changes in cardiovascular, endocrine, inflammatory and immune functioning,” Dr. Burrets says.

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Hobby Is Best for Couples—They All Said the Same Thing

How To Reverse the Habit: Cultivating the ‘Antidote’ to Contempt

Extreme contempt can be hard to come back from—over the course of her 20-year career working in matrimonial law, Jacobi-Parisi tells Parade that she’s only seen a few couples reconcile. But there are some things a couple can do to help reverse contempt—or, at the very least, counteract it.

Use the “softened startup” method

A “softened startup”—or, as Warshaw calls it, “a stroke and a kick”—is a great way to try to transition away from contempt and criticism, and towards a more productive discussion where you can express your displeasure without blaming your partner.

“When there’s something difficult that we need to talk about, pad it up with something positive and think about the approach strategically,” she suggests. For example, “Instead of, ‘We never have sex anymore,’ [it’s] ‘I was thinking about the last time we had sex, it was so fabulous.’”

By cushioning the blow, she continues, you set the stage for more effective communication.

“That’s a very, very effective way of being able to talk about difficult things,” she states, adding that using soften startups to kickstart difficult conversations can help avoid resentment, which can also lead to contempt.

Rebuild your relationship’s emotional bank account

Dr. Burrets describes an emotional bank account in a long-term relationship as a “non-negotiable necessity.” It’s the emotional reserve that keeps a relationship running even in times of stress.

“Longer-term relationships must bear the weight and stress of real living. It’s not possible, long term, to put the same effort into a relationship every day consistently,” she says. “Longer-term relationships have ebbs and flows, where they become more prioritized as bandwidth becomes available, and they need to run on the emotional bank account when resources run low.”

One way to rebuild an emotional bank account involves marriage counseling—or at the very least productive communication between you and your partner—while another might be to do something physical together.

“Exercise is huge for a connected relationship,” Warshaw says. “Physical intimacy is not just sex, it’s all kinds of play.”

Positive feedback and affirmation are also critical when it comes to feeding your emotional bank account.

“Being able to validate and compliment our partners is so important,” she notes. “It’s one of the first interventions that I lean towards—being able to recognize what makes your partner special and what makes them strong, what makes them great.”

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Couples Over 50 Fight About Most—It Wasn’t Money

Sources:

• The Gottman Institute
• Wynter Warshaw, MA, LMFTA, is a psychotherapist with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She specializes in couples therapy and practices at You Are Complete Psychotherapy in Westport, CT.
• Dr. Molly Burrets, PhD, is a clinical psychologist currently working in California. She sees patients in her private practice and is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Sophie Jacobi-Parisi, JD, MSW, is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, where she specializes in family and matrimonial law. She is also a co-chair and executive committee member of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), Family Law Section.

The private island arms race in cruising just reached new heights.

While cruise lines have spent years upgrading their private Bahamian hideaways with luxe cabanas and pristine beach clubs, Norwegian Cruise Line is bringing serious theme-park-level adrenaline to the sand. On September 4, the company officially opened Great Tides Waterpark on its 270-acre private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, welcoming its very first guests as the brand-new Norwegian Luna called on the island.

Spanning nearly six acres, the park introduces 19 waterslides, multiple industry-first attractions, and dedicated relaxation zones designed so thrill-seekers and pool loungers don’t have to compete for space.

“Great Tides Waterpark represents an exciting new chapter for Great Stirrup Cay and a defining moment for Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “From the 170-foot Tidal Tower and first-of-its-kind slides to the immersive Wandering River, industry-first cliff jumps and interactive splash zones, every element has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable island day for guests of all ages.”

Related: NCL Great Tides Waterpark: Everything You Need to Know

Dueling Coasters and World-First Nautilus Slides

Norwegian Cruise Line

The focal point of the park is Tidal Tower, a massive 170-foot-tall structure that houses eight distinct high-speed slides.

Among the headliners is Tropic Spiral, billed as the first Nautilus slide in the world, which whips riders through oversized centrifugal spirals that spin tubes in alternating directions before splashing down.

Adrenaline junkies will also want to head straight for Breakwater Blasters, the Caribbean’s first dueling Master Blaster water coasters. Using high-pressure water jets to propel two-person inner tubes uphill through steep drops, banked turns, and blind curves, the side-by-side tracks let cruisers race each other to the bottom.

Related: You Can Now Book Day Passes to the Caribbean’s Wildest New Private Island Waterpark

15-Foot Free Falls and Grotto Cocktails

Norwegian Cruise Line

For travelers who prefer raw drops, Cliffside Cove introduces Cliffside Leap—the Caribbean’s tallest and first-ever dedicated cliff-jump attraction at a private cruise island. Brave guests can step up to either a 10-foot or 15-foot platform before leaping into deep plunge pools below.

The cove also houses The Great Slide, the only four-person family raft slide in the Caribbean that lets groups experience steep drops together, alongside Fearless Falls, a pair of high-speed body slides that launch riders from five feet above the water line.

When it’s time to catch your breath, you don’t even have to leave the zone: the tucked-away Grotto Bar serves up chilled Aperol spritzes and cocktails carved right into the rockwork.

Related: NCL’s Newest Ship Introduces a First-of-Its-Kind Thermal Spa Experience

Something for Every Pace at Wandering River and Splash Cay default

Norwegian Cruise Line

If a lazy float is more your speed, the park’s Wandering River stretches over 800 feet through lush tropical landscaping. The dynamic current route winds through an immersive multimedia tunnel and flows directly past the Floataway Bar, where adults can paddle up for Casamigos tequila cocktails without ever leaving the water.

Families with younger cruisers can anchor down at Splash Cay, an expansive 9,000-square-foot interactive water playground. It features zero-depth entry wading areas, eight kid-friendly mini slides, interactive water cannons, and an enormous 300-gallon tipping bucket that drench the splash pads below.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Newest 2027 Ship—And It’s Built for Freedom

Island Food Trucks and How to Book default

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian also upgraded the park’s dining lineup with three dedicated new food truck concepts: slow-smoked barbecue at Low Tide Smoke, fresh island seafood baskets at Catch of the Cay, and soft-serve waffle cones at Tidal Treats.

While general access to Great Stirrup Cay’s beaches, the expansive new 28,000-square-foot Great Life Lagoon pool, and kids’ Splash Harbor remains completely complimentary, admission to Great Tides Waterpark is an upgraded excursion ticket.

Cruisers can reserve single-day passes in advance through their myNCL account. For those who have Norwegian’s popular Free at Sea beverage package, the perk transfers seamlessly to the island, covering drink orders across the waterpark’s swim-up and grotto bars.

With year-round Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries sailing from ports like Miami, Port Canaveral, New York, and Philadelphia, NCL’s newest playground ensures your beach day comes with just as much splash as it does sunshine.

Related: I Visited Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brand-New Water Park—Here Are the 3 Best Features for Adults (and One to Skip)

Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart celebrates a career spanning more than six decades. On Sept. 5, the beloved musician turns 81.

Born Alastair Ian Stewart in Greenock, Scotland, he was born on Sept. 5, 1945. His career took off in the mid-60s, when he moved to London and began playing in piano bars in the Soho neighborhood.

“It’s weird, the first musician I saw in London – I’d just got off the train from Bournemouth and I was 19 – was Ray Sone from the Downliners Sect,” he explained in an interview with Tradfolk. “I saw him in the street and he said something about a club where he was playing that night which turned out to be Studio 51.”

Stewart went along to the club, and Mox Gowland, who was also there, asked him if he could play the piano, leading to him playing alongside Sone and Gowland that night.

In 1970, the folk musician played a set at the first-ever Glastonbury Festival, previously known as the Worthy Farm Pop Festival.

His breakthrough came in 1973 following the release of his fifth studio album, Past, Present and Future, which was the first of his records to reach the Billboard charts. Three years later, in 1976, “Year of the Cat” helped bring him mainstream international recognition

“I had a girlfriend who had a book on Vietnamese astrology, and it was opened on a chapter called ‘Year of the Cat,’” he told Guitar Player of the track, which featured on the album of the same name.

A fan of Bob Dylan, Stewart noted one defining factor of the legendary musician, who is often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

“Having studied Bob Dylan, I noticed he always had song titles with the word ‘of’ in them: ‘Chimes of Freedom,’ ‘Masters of War’ and ‘Visions of Johanna.’ I realized there was something portentous about having a song with ‘of’ in the title,” he explained. “Not only that but it’s slightly off-kilter and doesn’t have an immediate meaning. And because nobody knows exactly what that’s going to mean, I thought maybe it’d draw them in. And that’s how it ended up.”

Today, over 60 years since he first started, Stewart still enjoys taking the stage and continues to tour around the United States and Europe.

Related: Original Member of ’80s Rock Band Behind ‘Brass in Pocket’ Turns 75

A good serving piece makes dinner feel a little more special in such a simple way. Sure, you could save the pretty dishes for Thanksgiving, a birthday dinner or the next time friends come over, but why wait for a special occasion to use the things you love? Sometimes, an ordinary Tuesday night deserves a little upgrade, too. A cute serving dish can make a simple salad look seriously inviting or turn takeout into something that feels more like you’re actually eating in a restaurant than in front of your TV.

There are bonus points, of course, for those serving pieces that are both cute and durable enough to survive regular use. People love stoneware because it has a substantial feel and is sturdy enough for everyday use. Plus, its natural look works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for entertaining.

🍳 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳

Over&back 5-Piece Serve Set, $22.99 at Costco

Costco

When the dishes are as versatile as this Over&back 5-Piece Serve Set from Costco, you don’t have to overthink it. These stoneware pieces can be used for everything from sides and snacks to salads and desserts, and they’re dishwasher- and microwave-safe, too. Basically, it’s an easy way to make everyday meals feel less thrown together.

Related: Aldi’s $20 Washable Runner Rug Is Botanical Beauty at Its Finest

The set comes in two colorways—a basic white and then “multi,” which is an array of blues and grays. You can choose to set it out on the table in a pinwheel formation or separately, because the dishes aren’t actually attached to one another. And that brings me to another point: You can stack the pieces from this set for easy storage. So often you’ll have a large serving platter where you’re left wondering, “Where the heck can I keep this?” You won’t have that problem with this compact server.

Each dish holds 21.6 fluid ounces, but what does that mean in practical terms? The individual dishes are medium-sized, making them ideal for a side dish or salad, not necessarily a large, family-sized portion.

While you’re at Costco, don’t forget to check out the warehouse club’s new bakery items for September, which look absolutely mouth-watering. There’s also some super cute holiday glassware already on shelves that you won’t want to miss.

Related: Dollar General’s $8 Glass Pumpkin Jars Are the Elegant Way to Decorate This Fall

“Pineapple Princess” was a hit by Annette Funicello in 1960. The song, which was written by the Sherman Brothers, reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. In an interview, Funicello revealed that this was her favorite song she’s ever made. “I think my favorite song was ‘Pineapple Princess,’” she said. “I was lucky enough to have five songs that made the Top 10.”

However, before Funicello started singing, she was a popular actress. She was one of the most famous Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. “The Disney studio wasn’t like other studios,” she said. “It was just like home – it always had a small-town, family atmosphere.”

When Funicello explained what launched her singing career, she said, “The Sherman Brothers wrote a song for me for the Annette series called ‘How Will I Know My Love.’ They told me we have to put this on a single. People are writing us like crazy, wanting to buy it. I told them I don’t sing. And they said, ‘Well, I’m signing you to a recording contract, young lady.’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir,’ and that’s what started my singing career.”

In an interview with the LA Times, she also spoke about her transition to singing. “This whole thing stems back to when I auditioned for Mr. Disney, when he said, ‘I like your dancing very much, now can you sing a song?’ And I said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t sing.’ And that’s how I’ve always thought of myself over the years. But I was under exclusive contract, and you don’t ask questions. You just do what they’ve asked of you. I was trained in dancing, but never in singing. So that’s kind of the running gag–Annette doesn’t sing, but she’s got a boxed set out, and she’s also recorded 35 albums.”

Related: 1976 Iconic Rock Song, Which Steve Miller Spent Years Working On, Became a Radio Favorite

Funicello released several other popular songs throughout her career, including “O Dio Mio”, “First Name Initial”, and “Tall Paul.” She also had a mystery book series, which portrayed her as an amateur sleuth. They were published by Whitman Publishing from 1960 until 1964.

Funicello died in 2013 due to complications from multiple sclerosis. She was 70.

Stella Parton is asking for compassion as she and her family navigate the devastating loss of her sister, Dolly Parton, while confronting what she calls “incredible pressure and insensitivity” from the public.

The country music legend died at 80 on Aug. 25 following a “brief battle with cancer,” and Stella broke her silence about the loss in a Sept. 4 Instagram post.

While thanking those who have offered genuine support, Stella also addressed the flood of AI-generated content, misinformation and what she described as insensitive commentary surrounding her family’s grief.

Stella acknowledged that grief looks different for everyone, writing that she and her family “will be okay in time” as each person processes the loss in their own way.

But she also made clear that mourning in the public eye has brought its own challenges. Because the family has chosen to live their lives publicly, Stella said they have “no choice” but to deal with the “incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers.”

View this post on Instagram

“There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and/or ignore,” she wrote, adding that those who traffic in the loss and tragedies of others will eventually move on to “the next stampede of endless misinformation.”

Despite the painful circumstances, Stella said Dolly would likely have been “surprised and delighted” by the outpouring of love shown to her family and the country music icon herself.

Stella also pointed to one aspect of Dolly’s public life that she believed was especially important: her decision to largely stay out of politics. Because Dolly loved her fans and the public, Stella said, her sister chose not to publicly share her opinions on “a lot of things.”

“She knew as well as anyone what a negative vortex that could turn into, which is nothing but a huge waste of positive energy,” Stella wrote.

Instead, Stella urged people to look to Dolly’s life as an example of how to treat others, calling on the public to embrace “tolerance and respect” as they move forward.

“Use my sister’s life as an example for tolerance and respect toward others,” Stella wrote. “It’s not about the most clever comments, fake AI garbage, or snarky tweets.”

For Stella, the focus should remain on the life Dolly lived and the positive impact she had on millions of people—not on what strangers say online in the aftermath of her death.

“At the end of the day or the end of your life, how will you feel about yourself?” Stella asked. “It’s not about what other individuals you will never meet think of you.”

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

Joanna Gaines has become a household name thanks to her warm, approachable design sensibility and her talent for blending modern farmhouse style with timeless comfort. As the creative force behind Magnolia Home and co-star of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, Gaines has influenced countless homes across the country, bringing her signature blend of coziness, texture, and inviting color palettes to the mainstream. 

Her Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi rug collection is no exception, and it’s now available at a can’t-miss price. That includes the Sinclair Machine Washable Runner Rug, currently offered for just $53 (down from $119) in the 2-foot, 3-inch by 7-foot, 6-inch size. This has quickly become a shopper favorite, and at this price it’s a no-brainer addition to your entryway, kitchen, or hallway. You can also shop the rug in various shapes and sizes, including squares and rectangles, at varying discounts.

Magnolia Home By Joanna Gaines x Loloi Sinclair Runner Rug, From $53 (was $119) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

The runner was praised by reviewers for its style, comfort, and practicality. Another factor that sets this rug apart is its eco-conscious construction. Power-loomed from recycled plastic that’s transformed into soft polyester, the Sinclair runner is a testament to modern design. 

The material reportedly feels gentle underfoot, a detail many reviewers mentioned, with one shopper sharing, “It’s so soft. My little girl loves lying and walking on it. I’m honestly so impressed with the quality.” Another shopper said the rug was “pretty, perfect, and soft.”

The rug is also available in nine other sizes and shapes, so there’s a fit right for any room. The vintage-inspired design draws on old-school motifs, brought to life with saturated colors and an antique-style finish. 

Unlike many other machine-washable options, the Sinclair boasts a thicker pile, adding depth and comfort to any room. The elevated look is matched by the practicality of being fully machine washable, making it ideal for busy households, pet owners, or anyone who values easy maintenance without sacrificing style.

One of the best things about this rug is how easy it is to keep clean, even in busy households. If you have a small spill, you can just spot-clean it with a damp or dry cloth and a little mild soap. For deeper cleans, the rug is designed to go right in a commercial washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. 

Related: Walmart’s 5-Piece Patio Set Comes Complete With a Sectional and Table for $145

At 55% off, this washable runner rug is an accessible way to bring Joanna Gaines’ celebrated aesthetic into your home. With its pretty colors, soft texture, and sustainable construction, it’s no wonder shoppers are calling it perfect. Now is your time to refresh your space with a piece that balances beauty and practicality with a stunner of a price. 

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.

Has the real reason for Prince Harry‘s sudden move back to the UK been revealed?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (7) relocated from Montecito, California, last week and are rumored to be living in the Cotswolds region in England.

The news of Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return to the UK apparently came as a “bombshell” to King Charles III.

The thought process for their return have not been officially revealed, but now the Daily Mail Senior Editor-at-Large has suggested that Harry is planning to make a film about his mother Princess Diana.

Related: 29 Years Since Princess Diana’s Death: What Happened in the Hours After the Crash That Shocked the World

Harry has reportedly been approaching the Princess of Wales’ old friends about appearing in the film ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death next year, Richard Kay said on Palace Confidential.

Kay said, “‘I am told that one of the reasons Harry’s here is to make a television film, his own film, about his mother.

“I know he has been reaching out to his friends and others who knew her, asking them to contribute. That’s going to occupy a lot of his headspace over the next twelve months.”

He pointed out that when Harry visited the UK for a week this summer he spent time with Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer on the family estate where Diana is buried.

Shortly after Harry flew back to California it was announced that Earl Spencer had written a book telling the “truth” about his sister’s life story.

Titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the book will be published this month.

Kay said that Harry’s attempts over the years to “claim Diana’s legacy for himself” has caused his brother Prince William “intense frustration.”

“She was the mother of two boys,” Kay said. “William is just as much his mother’s son as Harry is.”

Related: Harry and Meghan’s Shock UK Return Could Change Archie and Lilibet’s Relationship With Their Royal Cousins

He predicted that Harry will only increase his usage of “Diana, the Spencer brand, the Spencer name” in “order to divide himself away from the House of Windsor” now that he and Meghan are settled back in the UK.

Back in 2017, William and Harry took part in a documentary called Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy to mark the 20th anniversary of her death.

They opened up about the impact her death had had on them and their most intimate memories of her life.

At the time, William said that the documentary would be the last occasion on which he and Harry would be speaking “as openly or publicly” about their mother.

Hello!‘s royal editor Emily Nash said that having Harry and Meghan back in the country will be a “very, very difficult hill” for William and Kate Middleton to climb.

She said, “So much has been said and done that has damaged that relationship almost beyond repair. I can’t see a world in which they would be welcoming them back with open arms.”

Next, At 22, Princess Ingrid Alexandra Steps Into a Historic Role After King Harald V’s Death

Bruce Campbell is facing his toughest role yet, and this time it’s not scripted.

The actor revealed on “The Adam Carolla Show” that his doctor has given him a prognosis of about five years to live following a cancer diagnosis he first disclosed back in March. Campbell didn’t specify which type of cancer he’s battling, but he made it clear the timeline hasn’t shaken his outlook on life.

“I’ve decided pretty specifically, though, to live with it, not die from it,” Campbell said, adding that he doesn’t intend to fall down what he called “the cancer rabbit hole” of endless research and worry, which many people do.

Campbell has been candid about how the diagnosis has affected him more mentally than physically. He described the experience as a “whack-a-mole life” in a separate conversation with TheWrap, explaining that cancer creates new problems to manage just as older ones get handled, on a cycle that never really stops.

Even so, Campbell says the diagnosis has brought some unexpected perspective. He’s described gaining a newfound appreciation and gratitude for daily life, a shift he says is difficult to put into words.

The actor first broke out in 1981 starring in The Evil Dead, a low-budget horror film that went on to become a genre touchstone and launched a decades-long franchise, including Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness. He’s since built a lengthy career spanning television and film, with standout roles in Burn Notice, Xena: Warrior Princess, and the cult favorite Bubba Ho-Tep.

Despite the diagnosis, Campbell isn’t slowing down. He’s currently on an 18-date tour of Alamo Drafthouse theaters promoting his latest film, Ernie & Emma, which kicked off in Los Angeles and runs through mid-November in Colorado.

“I got a movie to promote,” Campbell said. “I’m free and clear when I promote this movie mentally.”

Danny DeVito is know for his short stature, unique voice, and incredible comedic timing. He has been in projects from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to Twins and has played Frank Reynolds’s on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia since 2006.

The 81-year-old actor shared a memorable moment on the long-running sitcom during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He opened up about some of the craziest times in his career.

During the Christmas episode in season six on It’s Always Sunny, his character hid in a couch completely nude.

“When I came out of the couch naked, I forgot in the script that it was at a cocktail party, and the first time I walked in the room, I realized, I don’t know any of these people,” he shared. “These are all actors that do the background acting, and I have to come out of this couch like a greased halibut.”

DeVito’s character is sewn into the furniture so he can eavesdrop on other people. He overheats and comes out of the couch naked.

When he came out his costar Kaitlin Olson, whose plays Dee Reynolds, was so surprised she forgot to say her line.

“I mean, I come out looking like a greased blob, my ass is out, and I say, ‘Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot,’ and she’s supposed to have a line, and she didn’t say her line, and I’m just going, ‘Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot,’” he recalled. “But she’s just staring at me. So we did it again. I didn’t mind going back into the couch and getting greased up by all the makeup artists.”

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars DeVito, Olson, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob Mac. It is on its 18th season.

DeVito shared how important the cast is to him.

“But when we come back, it’s like coming home. We have people who have been there from the beginning, like grips and costume designers and the camera department. It’s like a really big family that gets together for 12 weeks and creates insane things,” he said. 

It’s a story as old as streaming itself: a critically acclaimed show finds its audience, earns rave reviews, and then gets canceled anyway. This time, the victim is Spider-Noir, and fans are not taking it well.

Prime Video has officially pulled the plug on the Nicolas Cage-led live-action series after just one season, despite the show earning 11 Primetime Emmy nominations – *the most of any Prime Video series this year. Reports cite the show’s staggering $400 million production budget and extensive reshoots as the primary reasons a second season won’t be moving forward.

Cage played an aging, down-on-his-luck private investigator navigating a rain-slicked 1930s New York City, with viewers given the option to stream the entire series in either black-and-white or full color. The series premiered on May 25 and also starred Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, and Jack Huston.

For fans who fell in love with the show’s unique vision, the news landed like a gut punch.

“That’s incredibly disappointing to me. Really enjoyed the first season,” one viewer wrote in the comments. Another simply wrote “Cheapskates,” while others expressed a frustration that will feel familiar to anyone who has ever gotten burned by a canceled favorite. “Typical. Whenever I make an exception, because it’s a big draw for me, I always end up regretting it,” one fan vented. “Every good show gets cancelled.”

View this post on Instagram

The cancellation also comes at an interesting time for Prime Video. Spider-Noir was the first series to emerge from a deal between Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios to develop shows based on Spider-Man and related characters. According to Entertainment Weekly, another project from the partnership is already in development and expected to be announced soon.

For now, though, fans will have to settle for the eight episodes they have.

All of Spider-Noir remains available to stream on Prime Video.

If you and your friends want a getaway packed with atmosphere, storytelling, and a touch of the supernatural, your next group trip just found its destination.

New Orleans has long held a reputation as America’s most enchanting and spiritually storied city. Now, an intimate 13-room boutique retreat in the city’s Lower Garden District is leaning into that legacy in a whole new way.

The Blackbird Hotel has officially launched its Resident Mystic program, partnering with acclaimed local psychic, astrologer, and paranormal investigator Carie Ewers to offer guests personalized readings, guided séances, and private after-dark tours.

Whether you’re looking to tap into your horoscope over a handcrafted cocktail or gather the group for a candlelit session, the residency offers a stylish, authentic portal into the Crescent City’s esoteric traditions.

Related: 50 of the Best Girlfriend Getaways Around the World to Book Now

Weekly Readings and Bespoke Spiritual Sessions

Blackbird

Every Thursday and Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Ewers takes up residency in The Blackbird’s moody Lobby Bar.

Guests and locals can book advance appointments or drop in for walk-in sessions across tarot, astrology, palmistry, and mediumship. Tucked throughout the lobby’s velvet-draped sitting rooms and secluded corners, the setup makes it easy to sip a craft cocktail or a blend from the hotel’s custom tea program while sitting down for an intimate reading.

Beyond the regular weekly lobby hours, groups can reserve exclusive private experiences tailored specifically to their itinerary:

• Guided Séances: An intimate, private group experience designed to connect with the city’s unseen history in a respectful, atmospheric setting.
• Private Ghost Tours: Beginning in October, Ewers leads private, small-group walking tours through the shadowy, historic streets and storied folklore of New Orleans.
• Custom Group Readings: Tailored birth chart and tarot sessions designed for bridal parties, milestone birthday trips, or friend reunions.

As Adam Gaudry, Area General Manager of The Blackbird Hotel, shared: “Every detail at The Blackbird was designed to spark curiosity and discovery, from our striking black exterior, which has become an iconic backdrop for visitors and locals, to the Café’s locally roasted coffee that is now a neighborhood staple. The Resident Mystic builds on that identity by allowing guests to explore one of the unique and mysterious aspects of New Orleans that has fascinated visitors for generations.”

The residency is anchored by one of the community’s most established practitioners. Ewers brings more than three decades of clairvoyant experience, holds certification as an astrologer through the National Council for Geo-Cosmic Research, and is a certified Reiki practitioner. Over the years, she has shared her expertise across national television investigations on the History Channel and taught at prominent spiritual gatherings like HexFest.

The Perfect Home Base for an Autumn Getaway

Blackbird

Set inside a historic property originally built as a children’s home centuries ago, The Blackbird blends historic Garden District architecture with bold, eccentric design by local firm Jeannine Jacob Interiors.

Between mystical sessions, friends can spend lazy afternoons lounging beside the full-length outdoor pool and courtyard bar, grab locally roasted espresso and pastries at the on-site café, or wander beneath the moss-draped live oaks and antebellum mansions of the surrounding neighborhood.

For travelers looking to trade generic resort vibes for an unforgettable, story-filled weekend, this boutique hideaway delivers the exact brand of soulful charm that makes New Orleans impossible to forget.

Related: The Exclusive Women’s Travel Retreat Where No One Knows the Itinerary—and Every Single Detail Is Taken Care Of

Folk-pop sensation Stella Lefty is sitting at the very top of the music world this week, but her massive commercial success is being heavily overshadowed by a wave of intense plagiarism allegations.

The rising country-adjacent singer-songwriter currently holds the No. 2 song in America with her smash single “Boston.” However, the track’s rapid ascent up the charts has sparked massive backlash across social media, as listeners point out unmistakable, striking similarities to Noah Kahan’s 2022 breakthrough anthem, “Stick Season.”

The controversy deepens when looking at the track’s official songwriting credits, which actually feature Noah Kahan’s name. Despite the official credit, Lefty went on the record to explicitly deny that the folk icon served as her direct creative inspiration. “When I was writing the song, I wasn’t thinking about Noah Kahan,” Lefty publicly defended herself in a recent interview. “I was literally thinking about nothing at all.”

Music fans were quick to call out the contradiction, swiftly unearthing numerous old videos of Lefty performing acoustic covers of “Stick Season” online, frequently dedicating the performances directly to Kahan. One fan on Reddit went so far as to say, “She has more than enough money to afford a team of songwriters and still chose lazy plagiarism…”

Adding fuel to the fire, music critics have noted that “Boston” sounds as if it was tracked directly over the rhythm and structure of Kahan’s signature hit.

Shockingly, this is not an isolated incident for the breakout star, who also happens to be the daughter of Groupon’s billionaire co-founder.

Listeners have flagged that multiple tracks across her brand-new debut studio album, Long Way Home, appear to directly lift melodies from other massive country staples. Her album track “Summer You Were Mine” was recently exposed as a limp retread of The Chicks’ 1998 Grammy-winning hit “There’s Your Trouble,” while another track, “Why Wouldn’t We,” mirrors Blake Shelton’s 2017 chart-topper “I’ll Name the Dogs.”

It’s Labor Day Weekend, and for many people, that marks the end of the summer. Sure, there are still a couple more weeks of summer on the traditional calendar, but this is the point in the year when the weather can quickly turn. So, it makes sense that it’s the time of year for cozy romances and thrillers.

Whether you want something with a bit of magic in it, or you need some humor, there is something for you this week. With the full list of releases, it can be overwhelming, and the last thing you want is choice paralysis. So, here are the nine books I heavily recommend this week.

Courtesy of Penguin Random House ‘The Dating Game’ by Ally Zetterberg

You likely remember the TV show The Dating Game. It was even brought up in the movie Woman of the Hour starring Anna Kendrick. This isn’t about the TV show, though. The Dating Game by Ally Zetterberg follows Tilda, a board game designer, who decides to turn her whole life into a game that she needs to win.

Whether it’s friendships, relationships, or even what she refers to as “The End Game,” she has a set of rules that everyone needs to follow. The problem is that nobody knows the game they’re playing with her, and they’re not ready for what happens if they lose. If you love novels that have more of an antagonist than a protagonist, but in a fun way, then this is a must. You’ll actually find yourself rooting for her to get away with murder.

Courtesy of Simon & Schuster ‘Lucky 22’ by Ashley Eckstein and Samantha Chase

For those who love sports romances, Lucky 22 by Ashley Eckstein and Samantha Chase is the book you’ll want to read. This is a way to feel like summer is still here as well, as it’s focused on a man who plays baseball. It’s a great way to start the season of cozy romances.

Ella has always believed in magic — you know the type that shows up when you least expect it? She feels like life is full of possibilities, and one of those is Christian Lucas, a professional baseball player who is extremely guarded and disciplined. He doesn’t have time for spontaneity, but when a not-so-blind blind date brings them together, everything may change. 

Courtesy of Berkley ‘Hexy Beast’ by Avery Flynn

This was one of my quickest reads, and it was just so darn cute that I couldn’t put it down. Hexy Beast by Avery Flynn is the third book in The Sherwood Witches saga, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the other two just yet. The books are great standalone stories, and you’ll find a Sherwood sister to fall in love with through each of them.

Hexy Beast follows Effie, who calls herself “chaos incarnate,” and no, you will not be able to guess the next move she’ll make. That is, unless you just know she’s about to make the wildest choices. She is not your average elder sister, and when she makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to jump on the back of Darius Aetos’ motorcycle, you know that you’re in for a wild ride. It’s packed with witches, werewolves, fated mates, and so much more!

Courtesy of Berkley ‘With All My Haunted Heart’ by Isabel Sterling

If Hexy Beast wasn’t enough to get you in the mood for Halloween, then the next cozy romance will. With All My Haunted Heart by Isabel Sterling is a queer romance, following Pippa Ainsley and Elle Thompson. It’s all about ethical haunts, small-town B&Bs, and witchcraft.

Pippa is getting desperate, losing the clients of her DIY-magic shop, and so her best friend hires her to inspect a newly acquired B&B for ghosts. The co-owner, Elle, doesn’t want to see the ghosts banished from the place. Instead, she wants Pippa to give this B&B an edge, and it’s the perfect way for Pippa to experiment with her magic. And maybe in love!

Courtesy of HarperCollins ‘Wildwood’ by Ashley Woo

Sometimes, it’s not the romance that you want. It’s the paranormal, the mystery, and the horror. Wildwood by Ashley Woo brings all of that and more. It’s a beautiful Gothic telling of Elinor, a freshly unemployed and newly pregnant woman who inherits Wildwood, her family’s estate. As she convinces her husband to move to the estate, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that it’s going to turn out like the TV series Ghosts.

Instead, it delves deeper into small-town living and what it feels like to be an outsider. That’s what Elinor is, despite her extended family living in the area all their lives. The longer she lives in the house, the more unsettled and isolated she becomes. Then she starts to have dreams of something terrible that happened a long time ago, and it’s time for the town’s secrets to be discovered.

Courtesy of Berkley | Penguin Random House ‘Love Felt Like This’ by Julie Olivia

If you want the cozy romance without the paranormal elements, then you’ll need to turn to Love Felt Like This by Julie Olivia. This is perfect for the ‘ber months, bringing a sense of warmth and longing to a grumpy-sunshine tale.

We follow musician Griffin, who is struggling to come up with his next song, and Beverly, who has lost the funding for her nonprofit. Their two lives collide, and suddenly, they realize that maybe they can’t just help each other’s careers. Is there something sparking between them? You’ll find yourself wishing for a love just like it.

Courtesy of Penguin Random House ‘Kiss Slay Replay’ by Rachel Harrison

All summer, I’ve been excited to share Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison. This is perfect for fans of Groundhog Day-style horror. Think Happy Death Day. Willa Sullivan is having a terrible time while at her best friend’s wedding, but it’s got nothing to do with the wedding itself. There’s a killer, and Willa finds out that she’s not the final girl.

Or maybe she is, because when she wakes up from what seems to be a nightmare and starts replaying the same events, she realizes that only she can stop this serial killer and save the wedding guests. After all, there’s nothing worse than having to face ones of the worst days of your life.

Courtesy of HarperCollins ‘The Library of Leaving’ by Emily Dunlay

Some people want historical fiction, and I’ve got just the book that’s going to disrupt your sleep schedule. The Library of Leaving by Emily Dunay has the history, a bit of romance, and a mystery within the pages. It’s a sweeping tale in the wake of World War I, and you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the storytelling.

Helen Fox is an American living a solitary life in Switzerland, cataloging books left by diplomats and expatriates. When she comes across a draft chapter of a novel, she realizes that it was written by a man she knew intimately during the War. As her memories start to come back, we’re taken down the story, wondering if this is about her or not.

Courtesy of Delacorte ‘Capsized’ by Charlotte Lillie Balogh

We finish up with a young adult mystery that brings sports, found family, and friendship already in adaptation plans with Hulu. Capsized by Charlotte Lillie Balogh follows Margaret, who is a high achiever excelling at everything. However, she only has one interest: rowing. She’s sacrificed everything to get to where she is, but after she disappears for a summer, everything she worked for has turned its back on her.

Instead, her friends — the sisterhood she thought she had on the varsity rowing team — have turned their backs, and now freshman Jo is interested in understanding why. She doesn’t get why Margaret has become the talk of the town. The one thing Jo likes is that Margaret doesn’t treat her like a newbie, and they end up forming a messy sisterhood of their own, while finding that not all secrets will remain hidden.

Related: 9 Books Coming in September 2026 You Cannot Afford to Sleep On — Including a New ‘Skyward’ Story

With the premiere of Tamera Mowry-Housley‘s fourth Haunted Harmony Mysteries movie on Hallmark Channel, the beloved actress could not be more grateful for the opportunity to play lead character Gethsemane Brown. Not only because she loves portraying a wise music teacher and amateur crime solver, but because she treasures the chance to remind audiences about the power of love, even after friends or family members have passed.

Mowry-Housley knows a little something about that. In 2018, her family was devastated by the tragic death of her niece, Alaina Housley, to gun violence. An 18-year-old Pepperdine University student, Housley was among 12 people killed in a mass shooting at the Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks, California, per TIME.

In the years since, Mowry-Housley told Parade, she has found some comfort in being open to and receiving occasional “signs” and messages that feel Heaven-sent, much like some of the beautiful moments that unfold in her Hallmark franchise, inspired by Alexia Gordon‘s Gethsemane Brown Mystery book series.

Tamera Mowry-Housley and Risteard Cooper in “Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding”

Steffan Hill for Hallmark Media

Mowry-Housley’s character, Gethsemane, has the gift of seeing and hearing ghosts, including Eamon, her crime-solving sidekick from the Other Side. In the new Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding, one character experiences a miraculous moment of healing with the spirit of his late dad, without being able to physically see or hear him.

“I truly believe that our loved ones do, you know, send us these signs,” Mowry-Housley told Parade. “And I believe that God sends us these signs to just let us know that our loved ones are okay.”

Tamera Mowry-Housley with her niece, Alaina Housley.

Credit: Tamera Mowry-Housley via Instagram

The Sister, Sister alum said she has experienced moments like that with her late niece, Alaina. In one example, the actress recalled, “There was this song that she absolutely loved, and I used to always play it when I would fly because it brought me peace. I remember I was shooting a film, and I had this (music) playlist. I was having a challenging morning, and I was getting ready. I like to put on my music, and I pressed a playlist.”

Wide-eyed, Mowry-Housley then shared that she deeply felt Alaina’s presence when “that song came on, and it was not a part of my playlist. So it’s just little things like that, you know?”

Tamera Mowry-Housley Says She Can’t Help But Cry During Magical Moments On Set

Four movies into the mystery franchise, which debuted in 2023, Mowry-Housley said she still gets choked up during scenes when ghosts and the loved ones they’ve left behind share a powerful connection.

“Those are the special moments that I think our audience really resonates with,” she told Parade. “There’s always that heart(felt) moment at the end when you have these characters sense and feel each other, and say their final goodbyes. And no matter how many times we shoot it, even if it doesn’t call for me to cry, I’m literally over there crying!”

Laughing about how often the crew has to remind her she doesn’t need to cry in a scene, Mowry-Housley said that she can’t help but get emotional sometimes, noting, “Honestly, it’s really happening (to me), and it’s always beautiful. It’s just written very well.”

Hallmark Channel’s Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding premieres on September 5 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream via Hallmark+ the following day.

Freddie Mercury’s final song was released four years after his tragic death on November 24, 1991.

Fans were shocked when the 45-year-old died just days after announcing he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. On September 5, 2026, the Queen frontman would have celebrated his 80th birthday.

While he is not here physically, Mercury’s music has lived on for decades since his passing, and his final song is extra heartbreaking when you know the story behind it.

“Mother Love” is considered the last song he worked on, and it was featured on the 1995 album aptly titled “Made in Heaven.” Written by Mercury and his bandmate, Brian May, he was only able to record two out of the three verses before becoming too sick to continue.

May recorded the final verse himself and spoke about Mercury’s involvement in the recording following its release.

“And Freddie at that time said, ‘Write me stuff… I know I don’t have very long; keep writing me words, keep giving me things I will sing, then you can do what you like with it afterwards, you know; finish it off,'” May wrote. “And so I was writing on scraps of paper these lines of ‘Mother Love’, and every time I gave him another line he’d sing it, sing it again, and sing it again, so we had three takes for every line, and that was it.”

He continued, “We got the last verse, and he said, ‘I’m not up to this, and I need to go away and have a rest, I’ll come back and finish it off…’ and he never came back.”

The band also paid homage to their late lead singer in a more subtle way. If you listen closely, at the end of the song, a snippet of every Queen song ever recorded can be heard.

The album’s cover art is also the famous statue of Mercury at Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The lyrics are also poignant following his untimely death.

“I don’t want to make no waves / But you can give me all the love that I crave / I can’t take it if you see me cry / I long for peace before I die.”