All posts tagged: excellent

‘Excellent’ neo-noir detective drama Sugar to return

‘Excellent’ neo-noir detective drama Sugar to return

Published by Daniella Wilson

Apple TV has unveiled the official trailer for the second season of its hit detective drama, Sugar – and it’s safe to say we’re in for a wild ride. The series, hailed by viewers as “excellent,” stars Colin Farrell as the titular private investigator, John Sugar, who in season one became wrapped up in his latest case: the mysterious disappearance of a famous movie director’s beloved granddaughter. © Apple TVColin Farrell stars as John Sugar Following season one’s major twist, fans are undoubtedly counting down the days until the new episodes arrive. If the trailer is anything to go by, viewers can expect plenty more high-tension drama as John becomes embroiled in another missing persons case.  With an impressive cast led by the brilliant Colin Farrell and an 81 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, this one is not to be missed! Keep reading to find out more about season two… Season one’s major twist The neo-noir drama took wild, otherwordly turn in season one with the shocking revelation that John and his secret society, the Polyglots, …

An Excellent Example of Public Library Leadership Advocating for School Libraries

An Excellent Example of Public Library Leadership Advocating for School Libraries

Published by Jenni Sidey

Last week’s Literary Activism post spoke at length about the importance of speaking up and out about legislation that directly impacts libraries–whether or not your library will be the target. Specifically, it was surprising that, despite hours of research and outreach to dozens of library professionals nationwide, there were no examples of public library boards, friends of the library, or library foundation groups writing letters to the editor and/or informing their communities about the impact of House Resolution 7661. The bill, which would impose a nationwide book ban in public schools, has advanced to the House for consideration.* While it would not target public libraries, HR 7661 would have a tremendous impact on them both directly and indirectly. Not seeing public libraries standing up for their school library counterparts was surprising. To be clear, the advocacy may be out there; it’s likely there is suppression in the algorithm and/or posting on social sites, which isn’t as easy to pull up in web searches. But as last week’s Literary Activism piece was being finalized, I received …

What to read this week: the excellent Beyond Belief by Helen Pearson

What to read this week: the excellent Beyond Belief by Helen Pearson

Published by skeptic

Vaccination efforts can stumble, but not for lack of evidence Ezra Acayan/Getty Images Beyond BeliefHelen Pearson,Princeton University Press  Often, when I read a non-fiction book, I think “this could have been an essay”. An argument that could have been made in 10,000 words gets dragged out to 100,000 with filler anecdotes, repetition and, worst-case, bad extrapolations into topics the writer isn’t qualified to discuss. I won’t name names – we’ve all read the books. Beyond Belief: How evidence shows what really works is the rare example of the opposite: I genuinely wanted it to be longer. It is a book about the seemingly dry topic of evidence-based policy, exploring how experiments and trials can be used in fields like international development, policing and management. It talks a lot about systematic reviews. Yet because it is so readable and punchy, I burned through the whole thing in a weekend. Author Helen Pearson is a journalist and a senior editor at the journal Nature. I should say, I know her slightly: she has edited a few of …

Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz Have Excellent Taste in Niche Caps

Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz Have Excellent Taste in Niche Caps

Published by Jenni Sidey

Wherever they are in the world—whether its Rome or New York City or beyond—Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz like to couple dress. Not in the obvious, matchy-matchy sense. It’s a lot more relaxed. More like they keep landing on the exact same idea at the exact same time. And earlier this week in London, they did it again. Out in the English capital on a suspiciously sunny day—Styles with an iced matcha, Kravitz with a proper coffee—both reached for slouchy baseball caps. Easy, everyday stuff—though neither went for the more obvious Yankees or Red Sox hats other celebs favor. The British pop star’s navy chapeau is stamped with the insignia of the Court of Master Sommeliers—the UK-founded organization that accredits wine experts globally—only it appears to be a logo flip of sorts, with the words “COURT OF GRMRCY WINES” around the edges. (Perhaps it’s merch for this small Manhattan shop?) In other words: It’s the sort of cap you wouldn’t come across unless you’re in very, very specific circles, or you’ve got a knack for …

Chicago’s Excellent Public School-Public Library Partnership

Chicago’s Excellent Public School-Public Library Partnership

Published by José Betancourt

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Chicago Turns All Public School IDs Into Library Cards To Boost Student Access In an era where library access is being hindered nationwide, one way some communities are pushing back is through developing public school and public library partnerships. We saw this in Des Moines last year–which resulted in legislative backlash this year that, fortunately, did not progress to law. Now, Chicago is getting in on the action. All public school ID cards for students grant them access to the Chicago Public Library. The pilot program they began in 2022 has now been rolled out districtwide. Rad! The 100 Most Influential People of 2026 I always love when writers and other literary folks land on lists of the most influential of any given year. For TIME‘s annual “most influential,” we’ve got not one, but two authors whose names …

Two excellent new sci-fi novels, Luminous by Silvia Park and Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Parker, tackle robots in very different ways

Two excellent new sci-fi novels, Luminous by Silvia Park and Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Parker, tackle robots in very different ways

Published by skeptic

Do we relate better to stories about robots with faces and bodies? Carlos Castilla/Alamy Ode to the Half-BrokenSuzanne Palmer, Daw Books LuminousSylvia Park, Magpie Robots and whether they will one day deserve to be treated like people – or destroy humanity, or both – have interested writers for well over a century now. In the real world, the robot threat appears to involve the uses of artificial intelligence in misinformation and more direct forms of warfare such as drone attacks. In the world of literature, however, many writers focus on individual robots. Maybe giving the AI a body and a face simply helps tell your story better to creatures with bodies and faces. Fictional robots have a lot going for them. They can be funny, cool or sexy. They can be nerdy and a bit depressed. Some represent “the other”, a test of how humane we are. They can also help us think about concepts of ownership that may apply to our treatment of pets or farm animals. And they can be terrifying killing machines. …

Corsair Frame 4000D RS PC Case Review: Excellent Flow

Corsair Frame 4000D RS PC Case Review: Excellent Flow

Published by skeptic

The original Corsair 4000D was my favorite computer case ever. It boasted excellent cooling, a simple but refined look, and an appealing price. For just an extra $20, the new Frame 4000D RS promises several major upgrades to both usability and flexibility, but we all know how sequels sometimes turn out. Having built up a new test system inside, I can tell you that the case is technically just as good, particularly in the hands of any experienced builder. The cooling and component support is second to none, and some of the usability features are so novel I can’t believe other case makers haven’t thought of them before. That said, I don’t feel like the Frame version of this case has the elegant simplicity that I found so delightful in the old 4000D. It’s now made to please the high-end computing nerd, with wider component support, better cooling, and a refreshed new look with fancier machining. The upside is clear: Folks get improved component support, more build options, and the same suave style. The trade-off …

If You Are A Truly Excellent Parent, Your Kids Will Have These 11 Habits As Adults

If You Are A Truly Excellent Parent, Your Kids Will Have These 11 Habits As Adults

Published by Jenni Sidey

Parents are their children’s first protectors, teachers, and emotional anchors. They shape how their kids see the world, how they handle challenges, and how they show up in relationships long after childhood ends. While there’s no perfect parenting playbook, many people still wonder if they’re doing it right or if their efforts are actually making a difference. The biggest signs of good parenting don’t fully show up until your kids are grown. If you are a truly excellent parent, your kids will carry certain habits into adulthood, such as emotional resilience and the ability to build meaningful relationships. These habits are often the clearest proof that you raised them well. If you are a truly excellent parent, your kids will have these 11 habits as adults: 1. Your kids make time to come back and see you Media_Photos | Shutterstock Watching your kids spread their wings and leave the nest isn’t easy for any parent. Letting your kids establish independent lives, away from the home you raised them in, is a bittersweet process. You’re proud of …

These Excellent Computer Speakers Are 0 Off

These Excellent Computer Speakers Are $100 Off

Published by skeptic

Looking for a great set of computer speakers that still sound awesome? You can grab a pair of the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor desktop speakers in either black or white from Amazon for just $250, a $100 discount from their usual price. They’re a perfect pick for aspiring music producers, audiophiles, or anyone who just wants a premium audio experience while scrolling YouTube videos. IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor One thing that both our computer speaker reviewer and audio expert agree on is that these speakers sound awesome, particularly for their size and power. Because they’re intended to work as studio monitors, they have a nice flat midrange that makes it easier to mix or balance, bold bass response, and detailed high-end for getting those little details dialed in. They sound great for just sitting back and listening to music or watching a movie, too, but anyone working on production audio or video might appreciate them more than your average PC gamer. While they sport both RCA and 3.5-mm TRS inputs for your desktop …

Apple’s latest budget phone is actually an excellent value — here’s how it compares

Apple’s latest budget phone is actually an excellent value — here’s how it compares

Published by skeptic

Summary Apple announced its latest budget phone, the iPhone 17e, yesterday. In a rare move for Apple, the phone bumps up the storage while keeping the price the same, starting at $599 for 256 GB. Compared to the competition, the iPhone 17e offers incredible performance and competive storage, but the display tech lags behind. Yesterday, Apple announced the latest entry into its budget phone lineup: the iPhone 17e. The device has a familiar (and dated) look, but there are actually some very compelling surprises here. Introducing the iPhone 17e Inner strength Visually, there’s nothing really distinct about the iPhone 17e — it uses the same design as its predecessor. Yes, that means it has a notch instead of Apple’s Dynamic Island. This is one of my biggest disappointments with the phone, but I wouldn’t call it a dealbreaker. The other big disappointment is the display itself. It’s reasonably sized and sharp, at 6.1″ and 460 PPI. However, it’s still stuck at 60Hz, which feels like a bit of a travesty in 2026. Even the base …