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April 25, 2026

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 a trio of tests for you this weekend. First up, find out how much you know about culture by answering 30 questions, based on T Magazine’s new guide to essential films, literature, foods and more. Next, Dana Smith, who reports on aging for The Times, has developed a diagnostic to determine how well you will age given the choices you might make over the course of a hypothetical day. And lastly, for a bit of banter, see how many actual British insults you can identify.

Before we get to the quiz portion of this newsletter, however, let’s start with The Book Review’s latest book club pick and a moving travelogue from Yewande Komolafe about rediscovering New York, her home city, in a wheelchair. I’ll see you next weekend(er).

— Farah

MJ Franklin BOOK CLUB The Book Review has picked “Transcription,’” by Ben Lerner, as the next book club pick. Will you be reading along? →

Jack Nisberg/Condé Nast, via Getty Images YOU'RE (NOT) INVITED! Beware the new phishing scam: fake invitations. →

Lorena Spurio PERSONAL HEALTH Experts have flagged four drugs that might increase your risk of dementia. →

James Estrin/The New York Times BIG TICKET Daniel Craig and Lily Allen sold their Brooklyn brownstones. →

CHOCK FULL These are the only chocolate bars worth buying. →

Erin Brethauer for The New York Times SECOND SHOT The Ferrari of espresso machines is fueling a hot resale market. →

Vanessa Saba PSYCH 101 What is borderline personality disorder? →

Andres Kudacki for The New York Times SCRUB IN, CASH OUT A $440,000 breast reduction? Here’s how doctors cashed in on the No Surprises Act and arbitration. →

Heather Kelly for NYT Wirecutter SCREEN TIME Wirecutter’s technology reporter banned her kids from watching YouTube. Sort of. →

QUIZ TIME

PINKY UP How cultured are you? →

Illustration by Giacomo Gambineri CRYSTAL BALL How well will you age? →

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. HEY, PLONKER! Can you tell real British insults from fakes? →

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This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller and Kellina Moore. Reach our team at weekender@nytimes.com.

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