The Weekender: 65 movies to see, 100 gift ideas and what to know about potatoes
Plus, a home tour that proves you can never have too many books.
The Weekender
November 15, 2025

Welcome back to The Weekender, where you’ll find a batch of the week’s top stories about culture and the way we live today.

I have never figured out the right time to start holiday shopping. Buying gifts in October, while the 10-foot skeletons are still standing, feels all wrong. Then, bam, it’s Black Friday, which has become a totally dizzying week of sales that make me want to look away. And bam again, it’s the week before Christmas, and I’m too late. But not this year! The big list of gifts Wirecutter’s editors are excited about made me realize this weekend is the perfect time to get started — and I found a few excellent picks for my family on it. Perhaps the guide will inspire you, too.

That’s below, along with 65 movies to add to your watch list, the weeknight meal dreams are made of and a tribute to the penny, which died this week at 232 years old. See you next weekend(er).

— Farah

The front of a U.S. penny from 2006.

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

IN MEMORIAM

The American penny died on Wednesday in Philadelphia. It was 232. →

Sarah Jessica Parker stands near the door inside a subway, reading. She is wearing headphones.

OK McCausland for The New York Times

BOOKS AND THE CITY

Here’s how Sarah Jessica Parker read all the books (153!) to judge the Booker Prize this year. →

An aerial view of two yachts docked.

BOATLOAD OF CASH

Find out why billionaires are buying yachts for their yachts. →

A blurry close-up of a person screaming, eyes wide open, with purple hues at the top giving way to green and yellows at the bottom.

Maciek Jasik for The New York Times

ALL SHRIEKING VIOLETS

Everyone seems to be screaming into the void these days. →

A bed is surrounded by stacks of books, and a library built into the walls.

Annie Schlechter

MAXIMALIST NIRVANA

Welcome to a home that proves you can never have too many books. →

Leah Stavenhagen wears a pink and white floral patterned blouse and sits in a wheelchair, having her makeup done. A tube-like device is attached to her nose.

Lucy Lu for The New York Times

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Meet the young women grappling with an “old man’s disease.” →

A grid of nine photographs of oddly shaped potatoes against green backgrounds.

Suzanne Saroff

TATER TIME

How healthy are potatoes? Nutrition experts set the record straight. →

A man in gray slacks and a black polo shirt with a yellow insignia on the pocket holds out a red paddle and points. Behind him is a huge crowd out of focus.

A24

WHAT TO WATCH

Looking for your next movie? We’ve got 65 films to see this winter. →

Ms. Hadid, wearing a black coat and a ball cap, steps off a sidewalk carrying a small black purse and a Whole Foods grocery bag. Her Adidas sneakers are red.

Gotham/GC Images

ASK VANESSA

Why is everyone wearing retro sneakers? Get our fashion critic’s answer. →

A bowl of dan dan noodles, covered with chopped peanuts, sliced scallions and ruddy pork.

Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.

WHAT TO EAT

These warming noodles are the weeknight meal of your dreams. →

A collage including ballcaps, a butter dish, and a cosmetic bag.

NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Zero Japan, Parallelle, Ebbets

100 GIFTS WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT

Let our guide inspire your holiday shopping for your loved ones — and, maybe, yourself. →

Olivia Nuzzi wears sunglasses and a black turtleneck. Her blond hair flies around in the wind.

Devin Oktar Yalkin for The New York Times

TELL ALL

Olivia Nuzzi is speaking out about the scandal with R.F.K. Jr. that upended her career. →

Thanks for reading. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here, and be sure to check out more lifestyle stories from The Times.

This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller, Kellina Moore and Patrick Hays.

Catch up on the biggest news, and wind down to end your day.

You might also like the Evening newsletter.

Catch up on the biggest news, and wind down to end your day.

Get it in your inbox

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this message because you signed up for updates from The New York Times about The Weekender.

To stop receiving The Weekender, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018