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Whether it’s a new skincare splurge or a cozy pajama set, there are a bunch of ways to treat yourself or make yourself feel pampered. Investing in a new accessory is yet another can’t-fail method for bringing a little extra joy to your day, and thanks to the limited-time ShopHQ Days sale that just kicked off, scoring some high-quality bling is extra affordable right now

This luxe Il Murano Heart Pendant & Multi-Strand Murano Glass Necklace is a standout option from the promotion. The luxe handcrafted Italian accessory was originally priced at $185 and is now on sale for only $35. At 81% off its original price, this chic piece is a steal, and shoppers have swooned over it so much that a few colors have already sold out. It’s a great way to bring the feel of an Italian vacation without the high cost.

Il Murano Heart Pendant & Multi-Strand Murano Glass Necklace, $35 (was $185) at ShopHQ

Courtesy of ShopHQ

The three-strand design centers around a 52 millimeter by 50 millimeter heart-shaped Murano glass pendant. Of the original five color options available, only the pink and green hues are still in stock, so add them to your cart before they sell out if you’re interested! Both options add a head-turning touch to any outfit, whether you’re dressing up a simple daytime look or accessorizing an evening ensemble.

The bold necklace is not only a statement maker, but it carries a rich history of Italian artistry that makes it unique. The necklace was handcrafted by skilled artisans on the picturesque island of Murano, known for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. For anyone craving an Italian vacation or heading on one soon, this is a stylish find. 

The 19.9-inch accessory also has 18-karat yellow gold plating for a luxe finish, as well as a dainty fishhook clasp and a two-inch extender to adjust the length to suit her neckline. The statement design makes it versatile, too. She can pair it with a simple white fitted top and jeans for an elevated everyday look or layer it over a sleek dress for a date-night outfit. 

Whether shoppers have grabbed the deal as a gift or a treat for themselves, they’ve raved over the necklace, giving it several five-star reviews. “This is a gorgeous piece!” wrote one shopper. “I was unsure about ordering it, but I’m so glad I did!!” Another shopper not only called the necklace ‘beautiful” and praised the weight of it.” 

Related: This ‘Brilliant’ Birthstone Necklace Comes In ‘Exquisite’ Gift-Ready Packaging, Now Under $100

If you want to treat yourself or surprise a loved one with something that feels special but practical, this piece checks every box. Grab the Murano Glass Heart Necklace for $35 before it sells out.

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.

There are several influential musical acts that came out of the 1960s and ’70s, but only a handful are (arguably) more influential than the Queen of Rock and Roll Tina Turner. Before she spread her wings to fly solo and ultimately become one of the best performers of all time, though, she belonged to a duo with her then-husband Ike Turner.

In a roundup of the Greatest Duos of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Ike and Tina Turner just shy of the greatest of all time—they fell in the No. 2 spot on the list of 20. (For inquiring minds, The Everly Brothers came in on top.)

Despite their “toxic pairing” and tumultuous relationship—chronicled on-screen in 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do With It starring the incomparable Angela Bassett (who, a Millennial like myself may or may not have grown up thinking was actually Tina based on her film performance) and Laurence Fishburne—what they accomplished together musically can never be denied.

“It’s a horrific legacy that clouds their decades of collaboration, which happen to be some of the most indelible American music ever,” the famed music publication rationalized.

Related: 1959 No. 1 Hit, Written Accidentally by Ray Charles, Remains ‘One of the Greatest Songs in Music History’ 67 Years Later

Explaining the reasoning behind the choice, they continued, “Imagine ‘Proud Mary’ without Tina’s crackly whorl and Ike’s baritone counter-melody? Hell, imagine the Rolling Stones‘ music if they had never toured with them? Ike & Tina’s versatile interchange traversed genre like none before them – from folk and funk and country to deep soul, psych, and even musicals – while reinventing what a rock and roll performance could be via their onstage energy (and Tina’s leg-power dances for days).”

Both originally hailing from the American South, Ike from Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Tina from Nutbush, Tennessee, some of their most well-known work together includes timeless hits like “River Deep-Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” and “Nutbush City Limits.”

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, with the entity praising, “A charismatic bandleader and an unbridled whirlwind of sexual energy formed one of the most formidable live acts in history.”

Next, ’70s Rock Legend, Founder of an Influential Band From Cleveland, Turns 79

Glenn Howerton is hoping his decades-long struggle with dry eye disease can help other people dealing with the same frustrating condition.

The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, 50, shared a lengthy Instagram post about his experience with dry eye disease (DED) on Friday, August 28, revealing that he has dealt with persistent symptoms for years.

“For decades I’ve struggled with persistent DED causing my eyes to be chronically red and irritated,” Howerton wrote. “Not a good thing for anyone, but particularly problematic when your job is to be on camera.”

Howerton explained that his dry eye disease has been largely due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a condition involving the oil-producing glands in the eyelids. Over the years, the actor said he tried numerous conventional treatments in search of relief. “Nothing worked,” he said. “In fact, they all made the problem worse because none of them addressed the fact that the glands themselves were blocked.”

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That changed three months ago when Howerton traveled to Tampa, Florida, to see Dr. Steven Maskin. Howerton said Maskin treated his DED and MGD using a procedure he developed called “meibomian gland probing.”

READ MORE: Rob McElhenney Reveals Why Dating Kaitlin Olson Was Worth the Risk Despite Being ‘Frowned Upon’

While he made clear that the problem hasn’t disappeared entirely, Howerton said he has “finally seen significant improvement for the first time.”

His experience is also why he’s speaking publicly now. Howerton urged eye doctors treating DED and MGD to consider Maskin’s protocols in hopes that more patients could potentially find relief. “His protocols have helped countless patients including myself, manage this frustrating and often debilitating condition,” he wrote.

Howerton has spent much of those decades in front of the camera as Dennis Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The comedy celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, though Howerton revealed during a PaleyLive panel that there was once a point when he considered walking away.

Before season 12, Howerton said he was “aching to do other things” with his career and had begun feeling “a little boxed in.” He remained with the series and later returned to his behind-the-scenes roles as a writer and executive producer.

Fans can catch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FXX and stream episodes on Hulu.

The first-ever Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival will be held this weekend in Irvine, CA, headlined by Olivia Rodrigo, along with a lineup of powerful female performers, to benefit nonprofits that support women’s and girls’ rights.

Ahead of the festival, Rodrigo has donated 10 million dollars to the 10 groups that the full day of music icons, including Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Chappell Roan, Garbage, and more, will be supporting. At a special press conference, Rodrigo shared the news: “Daisy Chain Fields was created to celebrate the power of what can happen when we come together to support one another.”

Related: Olivia Rodrigo Sends Blunt Message in New Planned Parenthood Video

The Gen Z pop star continued, “The organizations we’ve partnered with are doing incredibly important work every single day in the US and globally. I’m so grateful to every person who bought a ticket, every artist who waived their fee, every sponsor for signing onto a brand new festival, and every donation that helped get to $10 million dollars to support women and girls. I can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow!”

The organizations that will benefit from the inaugural event are Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center for Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Jhpiego, John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 28: (Exclusive Coverage) (L-R) Fatima Goss Graves, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Norah Weinstein, Dr. Allyson Bear, Christian LoBue, Olivia Rodrigo, Caren Spruch, Jenn Stowe, Sonya Passi, Madeline Halperin-Robinson, Angela D. Aina and Dr. Melissa Walls attend Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Press Presentation on August 28, 2026 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Daisy Chain Fields)

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Daisy Chain Fields

The all-women music lineup has waived their fees to be a part of the special initiative, which was inspired by Sarah McLaughlin’s Lilith Fair, a similarly organized event that sought to bring all-women performers to the forefront of activism and music. For Rodrigo’s modern homage to the pioneering festival that came before, additional acts include Bikini Kill, Devon Again, Doechii, Mitski, Rodrigo, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, The Breeders, plus special guests Karen O, McLachlan, and Nicks.

The sold-out Daisy Chain Music Festival takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

After you have your pumpkin spice latte and your pumpkin muffin, you can now reach for a pumpkin-flavored antacid.

Mylanta just revealed its fall flavor line, the ‘Fall Harvest Collection,’ which includes two limited-edition flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Spiced Apple Cider.

Both work on contact when that uncomfortable indigestion hits. No, this is not a joke — both flavors can be bought in stores and via Amazon now.

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The comments on an Instagram post about the product, however, are full of jokes like these:

• “Look, I bought the caramel vanilla and was pleasantly surprised. That pumpkin spice might hit for my Thanksgiving indigestion.”
• “Ah yes. When my acid reflux is bad, I want something with spice in the name.”
• “Make your heartburn ✨Festive✨”
• “Mylanta can’t stand the FOMO!”
• “Is this how far we’ve come? Curing all ailments with pumpkin spice?”

A 12 oz. bottle of liquid goodness will run you $9.99.

If pumpkin spice isn’t your cup of tea, Mylanta has a full line of flavors that aren’t limited-edition, including mint chocolate (with a cooling effect), chamomile honey (for nighttime), mixed berry, and classic lemon.

Jokes aside, the comments lean heavily positive, with several users admitting they’re keen to try the new flavors:

• “Yummy in my tummy!!!!”
• “I’m here for it.”
• “I’d try it!”
• “I’ll try 100% idc”

Pumpkin spice isn’t a new trend — it dates back roughly 3,500 years, per The History Channel — but Starbucks deserves heavy credit for popularizing it in this millennium. The coffee giant launched its signature pumpkin spice latte in the fall of 2003, though it didn’t include any actual pumpkin until they added puree to the recipe in 2015.

Realizing its popularity, chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s also started pumpkin-spicing their coffee drinks, but Starbucks holds the trademark on “PSL,” so you won’t find them using that abbreviation.

As of 2026, you can get just about anything pumpkin spiced, including donuts, cereals, cookies … even butter and hummus, if you’re brave enough.

San Luis Obispo isn’t on everyone’s bingo card when it comes to a West Coast vacation. Lying between San Francisco and Los Angeles, many travelers only experience San Luis Obispo from above looking down from their window seat.

Not Dolly Parton, though.

Related: Dolly Parton Died Holding 11 Guinness World Records—Including One That Spanned 46 Years

It’s reported that for 40 years the “Queen of Country” made the bubblegum-pink Madonna Inn an annual hideaway, over 100 miles from the bright lights of Hollywood, when she wasn’t enjoying some quiet time in her Solvang, California vacation home that’s now on the market.

According to SFGATE, “Dolly first visited the Madonna Inn in the mid-1980s and continued to return annually for many years,” said Lyndsey Goldwyn, the hotel’s marketing manager.

Each year, the country icon would opt for a different themed room for her R&R, including an Austrian suite that’s said to be straight out of the Sound of Music, a blinding pink “love nest,” featuring a spiral staircase leading to a private tower for extraordinary views of the storied property, and the “Caveman” room, a Stone Age fantasy decked out in solid rock with a waterfall shower, stone sink, and even a rock pond.

Related: Rock Star Jack White Performs ‘Jolene’ for First Time in 19 Years in Honor of Dolly Parton

Being one of music’s flashiest superstars, it’s no surprise she chose the most colorful digs to match her larger-than-life persona, and even requested the gold booth at the hotel’s on-site steakhouse, backed by “pink-on-pink baroque-inspired wallpaper.”

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That very booth has been dedicated to Parton as she became a staff favorite, known to always be warm and inviting despite her A-list status.

“Dolly often expressed how much she ‘loved the Madonna Inn’ and especially appreciated the warm, family atmosphere,” Goldwyn reflected. She continued, “Our longtime staff remember her as being incredibly kind, gracious, and sweet to everyone she encountered.”

Twenty years after Tommy James and the Shondells released “I Think We’re Alone Now,” a 15-year-old Tiffany recorded her own version. She initially didn’t even want to sing the 1967 song, but the cover eventually became a No. 1 hit and launched her career. 

Tiffany had been singing for as long as she could remember. As a kid, she sang everywhere she went, from the bathroom to the grocery store. So when her parents’ musician friends got together for a party, her father eventually encouraged her to get up and perform. 

“People went: ‘Wow. That voice. She sounds like a 30-year-old woman,’” Tiffany recalled to The Guardian. Before long, she was performing alongside music legends like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. 

When Tiffany was 15, a musician told producer George Tobin about a “girl with a great voice.” Tobin helped her get a record deal, setting her career in motion. 

While working on Tiffany’s debut album, Tobin brought her “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Although Tommy James and the Shondells had recorded the song in 1967, Tiffany didn’t know it and wasn’t interested in it at first. 

“When I came back the next day, they’d remade it as a dance track,” she recalled. “I didn’t want to record it.”

She took the song home anyway, and her girlfriends quickly changed her mind. As they danced around the room listening to the new version, her producer urged her to trust him. Tiffany returned to the studio and recorded the vocals in about four takes.

She also didn’t fully realize what the lyrics were about at the time. Written by Ritchie Cordell and Bo Gentry, the song follows two teenagers sneaking away to be together. Years later, Tiffany joked about the stories fans have shared with her about listening to the song with their future spouses. 

“People have since told me: ‘Oh me and my husband were in the car listening to it and …’ And I think: ‘Way too much information!’” she quipped. 

The song began taking off once Tiffany started performing it for live audiences. Since she was too young for clubs, she took the record to shopping malls instead, and footage from those shows was later used in the music video.

“At first, I could go and have a pizza afterwards, but soon there were so many people that I could barely even get into the mall. Having a No 1 hit at 15 was a wild ride,” she recalled. 

The success made Tiffany one of the biggest young stars of the late 1980s. She met Michael Jackson, and fans started mimicking everything from her earrings to her crimped hairstyle. 

In 1987, Tiffany’s version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single appeared on Tiffany’s self-titled debut album, which also climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. At the time, that made her the youngest female artist to top the U.S. album chart with a debut album. 

Related: 1977 Rock Song, Sung by the ‘Queen of Country Rock,’ Is Still a Powerful Hit 49 Years Later

Jelly Roll doesn’t like being lassoed into any particular political party, and he says he knows one thing for certain: “Human dignity isn’t Republican or Democrat.”

The “Save Me” singer was a guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, and he felt he had some duties as a stand-in late-night comedian, including cracking jokes. A few of those came at the expense of President Donald Trump, which didn’t go over well with MAGA fans.

What Did Jelly Roll Say About Trump?

“Speaking of cheese balls, let’s talk about Donald Trump,” Jelly Roll joked during one monologue. “The president is doubling down on his ridiculous trade war with Canada. And they’e saying this could lead to higher prices for several products, including whiskey, smartphones, but most alarmingly, toilet paper. It’s going to be a real World War Two-ply.”

“But you have to admit, there is something poetic about it being so expensive to wipe our ass just because the president’s full of s–t,” he quipped.

Jokes about Trump’s weight were also poorly received, to which Jelly responded in a later monologue: “I thought fat-on-fat crime was okay!” The country singer famously shed nearly 300 lbs. over the past few years.

But when people started accusing him of folding to jokes that were written for him, the country star had to clarify that no, he was standing behind what he said.

“A lot of people seem to think these Jimmy Kimmel writers have secretly been pulling the strings and forcing this good old country boy to poke fun at our commander in chief,” he said during Thursday night’s (Aug. 27) show. “But let’s be real about this, y’all: Do you think I would take orders from some sweaty little dork named Josh? No, I was just telling it like it is, and for some reason that seemed to freak a lot of people out.” 

In a social media post that followed Friday, Jelly Roll cleared things up further, even touching on politics directly.

“My daddy was a Democrat. His brother was a Republican. Best friends till the day he died. Before he passed, he told me: ‘We agreed about hundreds of things. We weren’t gonna let the few things we disagreed on define our relationship,'” he explained.

“A handshake ain’t an endorsement. A joke ain’t a political stance. And loving your neighbor doesn’t come with an asterisk,” he said. “Tomorrow I’m gonna try a little harder to love my neighbor. Hope y’all do the same.”

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Think fast: How well do you know your neighbors? Chances are, you know one another better than you think, even if you’re not the best of friends.

“Neighbors know a lot about our lives just by virtue of living nearby,” Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology, tells Parade. “We often know what days they go into the office and how late sports practice goes. For many of us, neighbors are the people you call if you need them to grab your mail.”

Or a cup of sugar? Well, let’s not go that far. Dr. MacBride is concerned about the decline of community culture and how it’s affected our relationships with our neighbors over the past few decades, saying hyper-independence and loneliness often go hand in hand. And, as a society, we are lonely. About 1 in 2 Americans reported feeling lonely—and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research cited in a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s “Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.”

“A sense of belonging in your community is grounding and helps with the human need for social connection, even if those connections aren’t deep,” Dr. MacBride states.

Yet, what’s stopping us from asking for help from—or even to grab a cup of coffee with—a neighbor? And how did we get here in the first place?

Dr. MacBride digs into why people don’t borrow from neighbors anymore. She also shares advice on how to talk to your neighbors to start building local community support.

Related: Psychologist Says if You Instantly Hide When Someone Knocks on the Door, You Likely Have These 9 Traits

The Death of the ‘Cup of Sugar’: When Did Neighborly Borrowing Stop?

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According to the psychologist, there’s no singular reason why people don’t borrow from neighbors, but the elimination of social friction and convenience culture‘s rise, plus the loss of third spaces, have all contributed.

Let’s start with social friction and convenience culture. Convenience stores became more popular after World War II, as suburbanization increased their footprint (and definition of “convenience”) from there.

“Over the last 50 years or so, our lives have become increasingly convenient and in many ways self-contained,” Dr. MacBride explains. “We have seen stores staying open longer, as well as carrying a bigger diversity of products. We began to expect to find those emergency items just about anywhere we went, and we expect those establishments to be open just about anytime we want to frequent them.”

And the internet? That never closes. She shares that the digital age has allowed us to have items delivered right to our doorstep, sometimes on subscription, lowering our threshold of “even having to think about it.”

Plus, we’re relying less on public gathering hubs like coffee shops, leading to a loss of third spaces for meeting and interacting with people.

“We also see people spending more time in private indoor spaces, creating privacy in their yards, and the attached garage has become more common,” she notes. “Each of these factors has played a part in this. We now leave our homes and enter that attached garage, get into our car, and drive our long commute to our office. This narrows the amount of time we spend in common, or shared spaces.”

Dr. MacBride shares that all of these advances in commerce, technology and housing design aren’t bad, per se. In fact?

“Not going to lie, that pet food that shows up at my door each month makes it super easy,” she admits. “Modern living has helped us become really good at solving small problems without involving anyone else—there’s an app for that.”

But some “inconveniences” have silver linings: Connection.

“In removing the friction from these situations, we have also decreased the social bond that came with helping each other out with those million little things that make life together as a community feel so supportive,” she notes.

Related: Psychologist Warns: This 1 Subtle Sign Reveals a Friendship Is ‘Definitely Unhealthy’

The Psychology of Hyper-Independence: Why Asking for Help Feels Hard

Hyper-independence and loneliness are often related, and society and social pressures are frequently in play. Dr. MacBride explains that hyper-independence describes the belief that “I should be able to handle everything myself.” She often hears from clients that they “don’t want to burden or inconvenience others.”

“Today’s culture can imply that if you can’t handle it yourself, you are inadequate,” she explains. “There’s something about the fear of being rejected socially, owing someone something or looking needy that feels really scary to people. So instead, people have learned that self-reliance seems like the safest option.” 

But neighborhood connection in psychology is valued for an unexpected reason.

“The irony is that in calculating the social equation this way, we’re focused on the cost to us—vulnerability, uncertainty and maybe a little embarrassment—and we often forget that being asked to help can feel good to the other person,” Dr. MacBride states. “As humans, the other side of the social bond is feeling useful, trusted and connected.”

While independence is healthy, she suggests finding a balance by leaning into interdependence, which occurs when you take care of yourself but allow others to support you when you need it.

“Not being afraid of your own need can build compassion for others when they’re in need, but also says it’s OK not to have it all together all the time,” she says.

Related: ‘I’m a Psychologist—These Are the 5 Surprising Things I Swear By To Combat Loneliness’

Convenience vs. Connection: How Technology Replaced the Neighborhood

Dr. MacBride notes that technology has made it possible to outsource many tasks. There’s no “need” to borrow a cup of sugar when you can order it on an app and have it delivered within the hour. Same-day delivery can get you a power tool, and you can find details on a new restaurant through online reviews on your phone rather than asking your neighbor if they’ve tried it.

“These are wonderful tools, and I use them all frequently,” she admits. “But there’s also a hidden trade-off to this kind of convenience. When we see technology in the workspace, we’re often worried about the human job cost. The same is true for our communities.”

See, she points out that each time we use technology, we nix the need to ask someone in our community for something. The decline in community culture leads to less connection—and more loneliness.

“Not that a single interaction matters a whole lot, but there’s a cumulative impact,” she says.

Importantly, technology can be used for connection (not just for fighting in the comments). She’s in neighborhood groups that help people find each other.

“I definitely have met neighbors I would not have otherwise if they hadn’t been a part of these groups,” she shares. “So, the question to ask is, ‘Are we using technology to bring us closer or are we using it to distance ourselves or substitute technology for human interaction?'”

Related: 13 of the Best Friendship Apps, Because We All Know Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard

The Mental Health Cost of Losing Your Local Support System

When Dr. MacBride talks to her clients about support systems, she often asks them to name at least five people they can count on for various needs.

“Sometimes the most important aspect of a support system isn’t necessarily how often you use it, but rather knowing that it exists,” she states. “In hyper-independence, we tend to believe that we have to handle everything ourselves. With interdependence, we know that if something happens, I can rely on someone else to show up.”

The psychologist says the world can seem less daunting when we sense we have support available.

“People who don’t have local relationships often struggle a bit more,” she says. “They tell me, ‘I have friends and family, but they live out of state.’ This often creates a sense of loneliness and disconnection. If you need support, they might be hours or days away from being able to help you. You don’t feel as woven into the community.”

Dr. MacBride says you don’t necessarily have to consider your neighbors your best friends—they may be acquaintances at best. But there’s something to be said about seeing a familiar face as you drive or walk down the street.

“The risk of loneliness increases the risk of feeling anonymous or unimportant,” she shares.

Related: This 1990s Backyard Game Still Teaches Kids Teamwork Better Than Most Apps

5 Low-Pressure Ways To Rebuild Connection With Your Neighbors

You may be rusty on how to talk to your neighbors—or completely unfamiliar with the practice. It’s understandable, given how society and technology have changed. To help, Dr. MacBride offers low-lift tips on building local community support.

1. Ask for something small

“Seriously, go ask for that proverbial cup of sugar,” Dr. MacBride recommends.

She says it’s a great first step toward creating interdependence. For instance, say you’re out of banana bread and out of sugar. Your neighbor gives you some. Then, you share the finished goodie with them.

“Actually, I sometimes give this as a homework assignment,” the psychologist shares. “Practice asking for things and see if you can get them to tell you no. People are surprised at how often others say yes when they expected to hear no.”

2. Learn your neighbors’ names and use them

Dr. MacBride’s cousin moved to a new neighborhood and kept a diagram of the area with houses drawn on it and names written on the houses.

“This was her tool for learning to keep track of who lived where,” she notes. “It works great because we love to hear someone use our name. It means we’re important when someone calls us by name. As you recognize them, they’re more likely to use your name. Let the social bonding begin.”

3. Give away the extra

If your tomato or pepper plants are overproducing, go ahead and share with a neighbor.

“There is a small interaction that doesn’t put obligation on the other person,” Dr. MacBride says. “It’s a transaction that can happen right now. Instant gratification because they get something they like and weren’t expecting, and we get to see the joy that it brought them.”

4. Spend time in spaces where others can actually see you

Yes, your backyard is an oasis. But admire your curb appeal every so often by sitting on your front porch or terrace if you have one. Wave to people as they walk by. Dr. MacBride says you can also take more walks around the neighborhood or linger outside after gardening instead of rushing back inside once the last weed is pulled.

“Creating opportunities for relationships to happen is important,” she explains. “If we’re never within eyesight, how can we actually get to know each other?”

5. Create a tiny recurring ritual

In Dr. MacBride’s neck of the woods, the ritual is to sit around a fire pit when the weather allows.

“It’s an easy way to invite new people in the neighborhood to come join us—’Wander down when you can’ and ‘Stay as long as you’d like’ are nice low-pressure ways to allow people to opt in,” she says.

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Psychologists What Group Activity Is Best for Adults—They All Said the Same Thing

Sources:

• Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP, is a psychologist with Veritas Psychology.
• Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. (2023) HHS.

A good bottle of red wine doesn’t have to require a second mortgage. In fact, some of the most exciting values on the shelf come from places where winemakers are more interested in farming good grapes and making expressive wine than plastering a giant marketing budget across the label.

And let’s be honest—shopping for an affordable red can feel a little like dating. There are plenty of attractive labels making big promises, but figuring out which ones will actually deliver is another story. A $12 bottle can be a delightful dinner companion, while a $42 bottle can leave you wondering where your money went. The trick is knowing what to look for—and, ideally, having someone knowledgeable in your corner.

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To help us find the best red wines under $25, we spoke with Thomas Grimm, the owner of Grand Vin in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a certified sommelier. His philosophy is refreshingly simple: value is about what’s in the bottle, not merely what’s on the price tag.

Grimm says the best budget-friendly wines often come from thoughtful producers, regions known for value and importers with a reputation for finding interesting bottles. In other words, you don’t need a trophy wine budget to drink well—you just need a little strategy.

So, grab your corkscrew. Here are the bottles and regions worth knowing the next time you’re hunting for a great red wine under $25.

What Sommeliers Look for in a Budget-Friendly Red Wine

Jordi Salas / Getty Images

Grimm says one of his biggest clues isn’t actually printed in large letters on the front label. He pays attention to the importer behind the wine.

Names such as Kermit Lynch, Rosenthal, The Sorting Table and Wilson Daniels are worth noticing, he says, because their portfolios often feature independent producers and wines made with an emphasis on thoughtful farming. In other words, the back label can sometimes be more revealing than the flashy front.

Region matters too. For hearty reds, Grimm points shoppers toward Spain and France’s Mediterranean coast. Rioja and Ribera del Duero offer Tempranillo with the structure and oak influence that Cabernet drinkers often crave, while the Southern Rhône delivers Grenache- and Syrah-based wines with plenty of personality.

For lighter reds, look north and west. Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a natural destination for Pinot Noir, while France’s Loire Valley can deliver wonderfully fresh Cabernet Franc and other lighter, high-acid reds.

And perhaps the simplest rule? Shop somewhere with a human behind the counter. As Grimm puts it, independent wine shops exist because they’ve tasted the bottles and can help match one to your dinner, mood or level of wine wisdom.

Related: The 7 Best Rums Under $30 That Taste Dangerously Expensive

The Best Cabernets and Full-Bodied Reds Under $25

If you like your reds bold, rich and ready to command the dinner table, these full-bodied bottles deliver plenty of dark fruit, spice and structure without blowing past the $25 mark. From classic Cabernet to Spain’s Tempranillo and the Rhône’s hearty blends, these are budget bottles that actually deliver.

Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

If your definition of red wine involves dark fruit, structure and a little swagger, Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon is a compelling under-$25 pick. The Lodi, California bottling leans into the classic Cabernet playbook: ripe fruit, firm but friendly tannins, and enough body to stand up to burgers, steak or anything involving a grill. At $24.99, it also lands just under our budget ceiling.

Rosario Vera Rioja Tempranillo, $16.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

This is where Grimm’s advice about Spain really pays off. Rioja’s Tempranillo can scratch the Cabernet itch without copying Cabernet’s personality. Rosario Vera brings dark berry and plum flavors alongside licorice, tobacco and oak, with supple tannins and enough acidity to keep the wine from feeling heavy. At $16.99, it’s the kind of bottle that makes a Tuesday night dinner feel suspiciously fancy.

Misiones de Rengo Black Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, $23.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Chile is another classic value-hunting destination, and this Cabernet brings plenty of dark-fruit depth for the money. The Black Gran Reserva bottling has the visual drama of a bottle that expects to be taken seriously, but its $23.99 price tag keeps it firmly in weeknight territory. Pour it alongside grilled beef, roasted mushrooms or a hearty pasta, and let the bottle do the brooding for you.

Related: 7 Best Proseccos Under $20 That Taste Like Premium Champagne

Top-Rated Pinot Noirs and Light-Bodied Reds

For red wines that lean bright, fresh and elegant rather than big and brooding, reach for Pinot Noir and other lighter-bodied styles. These bottles bring juicy red fruit, lively acidity and plenty of character—proof that a lighter red can still make a memorable showing at the dinner table.

A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, $18.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

If Pinot Noir is your happy place, Oregon is one of the first regions Grimm recommends exploring. A to Z’s Oregon Pinot is a particularly approachable entry point, with red fruit, floral notes, spice and gentle oak wrapped into a wine that balances fruit, acidity and tannin.

The $18.99 price makes it an easy candidate for roast chicken, salmon, mushroom dishes or simply an evening when you want something a little more graceful than a blockbuster red.

Erath Pinot Noir, $21.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Another Oregon standout, Erath offers the juicy side of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Think cherry, cranberry and red plum with floral accents and balanced acidity. It’s medium-bodied enough to feel substantial, but still has the freshness that makes Pinot so dangerously easy to drink. At $21.99, it sits comfortably below the $25 line.

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, $16.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

This is the bottle Grimm specifically calls a shelf staple—and with good reason. G.D. Vajra’s Langhe Rosso is a Nebbiolo-based blend from Piedmont, Italy, joined by several other local grapes. It has bright red fruit, tart cherry, plum, fresh acidity and just enough earthy spice to make it a terrific food companion. Grimm’s favorite use case is pizza night. Honestly, we can think of few endorsements more convincing.

The Best Cheap Red Blends for Everyday Drinking

When you want a red that’s easy to pour, easy to pair and easy on the wallet, blends are your best friend. These everyday bottles pack plenty of flavor without demanding too much thought—or more than $25 from your bank account.

Oraison Côtes du Rhône, $17.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Côtes du Rhône is practically a cheat code for affordable red wine. The Southern Rhône’s Grenache- and Syrah-heavy blends can deliver generous fruit, spice and body without demanding a premium price. Oraison is listed at $17.99 and offers the sort of red fruit, cherry, pepper and licorice profile that works equally well with roast chicken, sausages or a pan of baked pasta.

Sogevinus 850 Douro DOC Red Blend, $12.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

At $12.99, this is the bottle for anyone who hears the term “budget wine” and hopes it actually tastes like wine. Portugal’s Douro Valley is a terrific source of value, and blends from the region can offer dark fruit, spice and structure without the price tag attached to many famous European names. This one is especially suited to casual dinners, burgers and the sort of meals where nobody is taking tasting notes.

Pedra Cancela Dão Seleção do Enólogo Red, $13.99 at Beverage Warehouse

Beverage Warehouse

Dão doesn’t get the same name recognition as Portugal’s Douro, which is precisely why value seekers should keep an eye on it. Pedra Cancela’s blend is made from traditional Portuguese grapes including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro, offering ripe fruit, elegant tannins and a savory edge. At $13.99, it is a strong candidate for a roast, braised meal or creamy pasta dish.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Shop by Price Alone

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

The secret to finding a great red under $25 isn’t finding the cheapest bottle on the shelf. It’s finding the bottle that gives you the most pleasure for the money.

That distinction is exactly what Grimm looks for. He says shoppers should be skeptical of clever marketing from mass-produced wines and instead look for clues about how and where a wine was made—organic or sustainable farming claims, reputable importers and, whenever possible, a knowledgeable person who can actually tell you what’s good.

“Most importantly,” Grimm says, “ask someone in your local, independent wine store for help!” That’s advice worth raising a glass to.

Source:

• Thomas Grimm is the owner of Grand Vin, an independent wine shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a certified sommelier. He curates the shop’s selection with a focus on small producers, thoughtful farming and wines that offer exceptional value. Grimm also leads tastings and events, helping customers discover great wine without the intimidation or snobbery.

Related: I Tried Every Flavor of Elizabeth Banks’ Canned Wines and Ranked Them Worst to Best

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Whether you crushed a work deadline, made it through a Monday, or just want to add a little sparkle to your day, the right accessory can feel like a tiny celebration. If you’ve been looking for the perfect opportunity to treat yourself, the Swarovski Stilla Attract Trilogy Drop Earrings, now on sale for over 50% off at Amazon. 

That’s right — these “stunning” little luxuries could be yours for as low as $57, down from their original price of $119. Shoppers said they’re perfect for gifting, too, so if you’re looking to indulge yourself or a loved one, it’s a great time to pick them up while they’re on sale. 

Swarovski Stilla Attract Trilogy Drop Earrings, $57 (were $119) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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With their trio of clear white Swarovski crystals, these drop earrings are both elegant and versatile. Each earring is just 1.13 inches long, and the crystals are set in rhodium-plated silver for a classic, luminous look. The hinged leverback closure keeps them secure and comfortable, whether you’re running errands or heading out for a dinner date.

Life is made up of small moments, and sometimes the sweetest joy is slipping on something beautiful just because you can. These earrings are the perfect example, and according to shopper reviews, it’s dainty, dazzling, and designed to make every day feel a little more special.

“Stunning. Totally worth the money,” one shopper said. “Got them for my daughter and loved them so much that I got them for myself. Elegant and dainty.”

Swarovski’s craftsmanship shines in every detail. The pavé embellishment adds extra sparkle, while the quality materials mean these earrings are designed to last. When you open the signature Swarovski box, you’ll feel like you’re unwrapping a present from yourself to yourself. Just remember to remove them before swimming, showering, or applying lotions to keep them looking their best.

Best of all, these earrings can go from everyday casual to formal elegance with ease. Pair them with jeans and a tee for coffee with friends, or let them be the finishing touch to an evening look. If you’re searching for a thoughtful, charming gift, they come ready for gifting in that iconic blue box, and there’s even a matching necklace. 

Related: Amazon’s Toasty $20 Corduroy Shacket Is So ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Perfect’ for Fall Layering

You deserve small luxuries, especially when they’re as stunning (and affordable!) as these Swarovski drop earrings. So don’t miss your change to say yes to a little sparkle, and snag these Amazon Swarovski earrings while they’re 50% 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.

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Little updates can have such a transformative effect on the home. If you’re looking for a simple yet significant way to refresh your space, an area rug can instantly add color and character without feeling overdone. Hundreds of shoppers love the Mistana Fritch Abstract Rug for that very reason. Not only is it elegant, but the ivory version is also marked down from its usual $238 to just $80 for a savings of 66% during the Wayfair Labor Day sale.

This is an excellent opportunity to save on a classic, thoughtfully designed accent. It’s as much a functional detail as a showpiece, providing comfortable padding underfoot while adding warm, subtle tones to the room. There’s also a beige/brown version available on sale for $98.

Mistana Fritch Abstract Rug, from $80 (was $238) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

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At 6 feet wide by 9 feet long, this is the ideal size for so many areas. Maybe you’re looking for something to brighten up the master bedroom or to breathe new life into a living room. With these dimensions, it can also fit nicely into a smaller room that could use a makeover. Because area rugs have a grounding effect, this piece will quickly tie everything together.

Its beauty is all in its details. The vintage-inspired medallion pattern lends it an ornamental quality, with a slightly faded finish that lends the rug its quintessentially weathered-yet-elegant appearance. The effect is timeless, and according to one shopper the restrained color palette is “vibrant and beautiful.” Another person described the effect as “soothing,” noting that the rug’s “plush” feel adds an “inviting” touch to the room.

Related: Wayfair’s ‘Cozy’ 6-Piece Foliage-Inspired Comforter Set Brings the Beauty of Fall Indoors, Now 72% Off

While it stands out aesthetically, the rug is built to last. It’s machine-woven for a clean look, with a low-polypropylene pile that won’t shed even in a high-traffic household. Cleaning the carpet is a breeze, too. Use a mild and clear soap to spot clean spills, and vacuum regularly to keep it looking fresh.

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Whether your home has a traditional aesthetic or your tastes lean more transitional, the Mistana Fritch Abstract Rug can fit in beautifully thanks to its muted palette and slightly distressed appearance. It won’t overpower the room, but it will make a statement — and for this price, you couldn’t ask for more than that. Snag it while it’s on sale ahead of Labor Day in your preferred color at Wayfair!

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.

U2 has released its contribution to an upcoming tribute album honoring the late Shane MacGowan, offering fans an early listen more than two months before the record’s release.

The band’s cover of “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah,” originally released by the Pogues in 1988, appears on 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, a tribute LP due out Nov. 13 featuring an eclectic lineup that includes Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, the Libertines, Dropkick Murphys and David Gray. The original single never cracked the UK Top 40, peaking at No. 43, though it did become the Pogues’ first song to chart in the U.S., reaching No. 17 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart.

The Edge spoke about MacGowan’s legacy in a statement tied to the release. “Shane MacGowan was full of contradictions, and that’s where the truth of him lived,” he said, going on to describe MacGowan as someone who blended folk tradition, political memory and gallows humor into songs that “sound like they have always existed.”

Springsteen, who contributed a cover of “A Rainy Night in Soho” to the same project earlier this year, offered his own tribute in a statement, calling MacGowan “raw, hilarious, no apologies, and profound.”

The cover arrives during an unusually active stretch for U2. The band has already released two EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, along with the single “Street of Dreams,” the lead track off a forthcoming studio album that will be their first collection of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. The upcoming record also marks the return of drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who sat out the band’s 2023-24 Sphere residency while recovering from back surgery. U2 is also set to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation on Sept. 25, though details on how the band plans to commemorate the milestone remain unclear.

Amal Clooney brought a little bridal energy to her latest date night with husband George Clooney.

The couple stepped out in Lake Como, Italy, last week with Amal wearing a strappy white silk dress as she and George headed to an event with friends.

For the occasion, Amal, 48, wore a long white strappy dress, while George, 65, complemented her in a light gray ensemble, per photos obtained by Page Six on Friday, August 28. A small bouquet Amal received upon arriving added an unexpected bridal touch to their coordinated looks.

Lake Como has been something of a family destination for the Clooneys this summer. Earlier in August, the pair brought their 9-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, along for a charity event at the same hotspot. For that outing, Amal wore a black gown featuring floral embroidery and a bright chartreuse bow.

READ MORE: George Clooney and Wife Amal Face Devastating Uncertainty as They’re Forced to Flee Home

The family’s time in Italy comes after a much more stressful stretch at their home in southeastern France. In late July, George and Amal confirmed they had evacuated their Brignoles residence with their children as wildfires spread through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

“At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment,” the pair wrote in a letter to Brignoles Mayor Didier Brémond. Despite the uncertainty, they pledged to stand by their community, adding, “We love Brignoles and our friends who live there.” It’s unclear if the home was affected by the fire.

France has become an important part of the Clooneys’ family life in recent years. Although they’ve had homes elsewhere (including George’s longtime villa on Lake Como and properties in England and Kentucky), they primarily reside in France with their children.

The family’s connection to the country became even more official in December 2025, when George, Amal, Alexander, and Ella all obtained French citizenship. The milestone came more than a decade after George and Amal first met in 2013 and married in Venice, Italy, the following year.

The 1985 photo shoot of Kenny Loggins riding a horse on the beach is one of those emblematic pieces of 1980s pop culture iconography. But then again, so is the soundtrack hit that helped cement his place in one of the decade’s most iconic movies.

Released in May 1986 via Columbia Records, Top Gun (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) features a ton of hits, from Loggins’ “Danger Zone” and Cheap Trick’s “Mighty Wings” to Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” and Loverboy’s “Heaven in Your Eyes.” But another track is especially ripe for reflection right now.

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“Playing With the Boys,” Loggins’ other Top Gun song, got the single treatment in August 1986, following its feature on the soundtrack. The high-energy pop-rock track was actually the first song Loggins wrote for Tony Scott‘s action film; he co-wrote it with Peter and Ina Wolf, even before he was handed “Danger Zone.”

Loggins later recalled that at least 20 other acts were being considered to write or perform songs for the movie. After seeing an early cut, he and Wolf zeroed in on the volleyball sequence because they figured everyone else would be scrambling to write the main theme, he told The Washington Post.

The result was “Playing With the Boys,” and the scene it soundtracked—which involved stars Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and others shirtless, sweaty, and bouncing through a testosterone-filled game of sand volleyball—became one of the ’80s most iconic scenes ever.

Interestingly, it’s also the scene that almost got Scott fired.

Paramount executives were reportedly furious that Scott burned an entire day filming a scene that was only a paragraph in the script, with production head Charlie McGuire threatening to fire him altogether. In the end, however, the scene survived, and we’re all still talking about it today.

As for the soundtrack, it became the bestselling soundtrack that year and one of the biggest of all time, earning nine-times platinum certification. “Danger Zone,” performed by Loggins, was one of the album’s biggest hits, while Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” went to No. 1. But that doesn’t take away from the magic of “Playing With the Boys.”​

The track climbed to No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, despite its modest chart performance, it still became deeply associated with the film because of its placement in that unforgettable sequence. The song and scene also developed a substantial parody afterlife, with hilarious homages popping up in Family Guy, Futurama, Hawaii Five-0, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Cougar Town.

Ahead of the long-awaited sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, Loggins released a new version of “Playing With the Boys” in 2021, this one a male-female duet featuring Australian singer-songwriter Butterfly Boucher, hoping to give the song a new perspective that echoed the sequel’s mix of male and female pilots.

“Over the course of my career, I’ve been fortunate to have a number of my songs included in some memorable movies,” Loggins said, per Grateful Web. “I’m honored that many of the films have since become iconic and I’m thrilled to have these soundtrack hits and the new track with Butterfly Boucher.”

Four decades later, “Playing With the Boys” has earned legend status. Thanks in large part to the sun, sand, and spectacle of the beach sequence that helped turn Top Gun into one of the decade’s greatest blockbusters.

Related: 1979 Rock Song, Overlooked for Decades, Ranked Journey’s No. 1 Greatest Deep Cut

Miss Virginia Justus Kelley made history on August 27 when she won the Miss USA 2026 title. The 31-year-old is the first mother and first married woman to win the crown in the pageant’s history. Kelley has two foster children and is the founder of the organization Foster Footprints.

While glitter and glam are staples of pageants, the gorgeous gowns and over-the-top outfits aren’t exactly inexpensive. And as any young parent knows, every penny counts. Kelley recently revealed that her winning look on Thursday came courtesy of former Miss Georgia USA, Savannah Miles. 

Miss USA 2026, Justus Kelley on stage during the 2026 Miss USA Final Competition and Coronation at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on August 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)

After her win, Kelley told PEOPLE, “I know within the secondhand and thrifting community, a lot of folks are talking about sustainable fashion, and that’s so important, but for me, another thing I like to bring into that space is accessibility and how shopping secondhand makes this stage, makes this space more accessible to women.” 

The newest Miss USA shared a few tidbits about her 2026 pageant outfit, adding, “So that was a piece that she had made that I was able to get from a sister queen…And I think that just makes it even more special when you know the story behind something, the life that it lived before you. I’m very sentimental, so I love things that can have another life, another use, and another purpose.”

The 2026 crown-holder also shared with Business Insider, “I had gone into the competition weekend wearing an all-thrifted wardrobe for each phase.” 

Was the 2026 Miss USA pageant the first time Justus Kelley wore a secondhand dress?

No, this wasn’t the first secondhand pageant ensemble for Kelley. She’s reportedly made thrifting for her looks a tradition, revealing to PEOPLE, “I wouldn’t feel comfortable telling people to compete if I knew you cannot be successful in competing unless you spend above your means. I want to be an example of what pageantry can be, and that’s accessible.” 

Justus Kelley, on stage during the 2026 Miss USA Final Competition and Coronation at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on August 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)

Kelley went on to explain: “No matter where you come from, no matter what your means are, that you can be creative in sourcing the things that you need, that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a gown.”

According to Business Insider, Kelley said (of her thrifting history), “I loved one of my first USA state pageants, walking in with a really special suit that I found in Goodwill, and as soon as I walked in, the judges said, ‘Oh, you look stunning.’ And I said, Thank you, $9.99 at Goodwill.’” 

More than 17 years after publishing her first novel, author Kathryn Stockett published her second novel, The Calamity Club, in May of 2026 to immense anticipation. The Calamity Club was an instantaneous bestseller, reaching number one on the New York Times list and remaining on the list in some capacity for the past 16 weeks with the likes of Theo of Golden and Yesteryear.

Readers have devoured Stockett’s sophomore novel, placing it on several “Most Read” and bestseller lists since May. On Goodreads, the novel is still ranked number two on its list of the “Most Read Books in the United States” as of this week, with over 25,000 users shelving it as read. So far on the platform, The Calamity Club holds a 4.62 average rating amongst 294,000 ratings. Users commend the novel in their reviews on the site for being a “masterpiece,” “intense,” and a “perfect storm.”

Stockett began working on the novel in 2013, but seven years and 800 pages later, in 2020, she found herself stuck and abandoned the project. After Stockett met Julie Grau, co-founder of the indie publisher Spiegel & Grau, the two began working on the book together for a number of years. Once Stockett’s original publisher canceled her contract, she agreed to publish the work with Spiegel & Grau instead. The Calamity Club was released in 2026, 17 years after Stockett’s smash hit debut, The Help.

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Set in the era of the Great Depression, The Calamity Club follows three women in 1933. Meg, an orphaned 11-year-old living in an asylum in Lafayette County; Birdie, an outspoken 24-year-old who is trying her best to keep her family afloat; and Charlie, Meg’s mother, who was deemed unfit to care for her and is desperate to find her daughter. The novel follows the ways the three protagonists’s lives converge and explores the meaning of sisterhood, bravery, and what it means to control one’s life.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett is out now and available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling Novel by Kristin Hannah Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of 2026’ by Goodreads

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Dune: Part 3 is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2026. The third in a series of adaptations of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novels, the movie promises to deliver an explosive finale to the story of Paul Atreides when it hits theaters Dec. 18, 2026. But Dune is more than just a blockbuster movie starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya—it’s a sci-fi phenomenon.

Dune, the novel by Frank Herbert, was originally published on Aug. 1, 1965—61 years ago this month—and it has since become a genre-defining classic. The book itself kicked off an original trilogy (now a six-book series) and has since inspired an expanded Dune universe book series, including over 15 books co-authored by Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert, alongside Kevin J. Anderson. Before it was adapted into the current box office hit series by director Denis Villeneuve, the novel was first brought to the big screen by David Lynch, whose 1984 epic was, sadly, a flop—but a cult classic. In 2000, it was also adapted into a miniseries, Frank Herbert’s Dune, on Syfy.

So, how does a science fiction novel published in 1965 become a universally read and beloved classic? In celebration of the novel’s 61st anniversary, Parade is digging into the history of Dune by Frank Herbert and its legacy to find out.

Related: 45 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time, According to Librarians

The Desert Masterpiece: Why ‘Dune’ Is the Novel That Changed Sci-Fi Forever

Dune‘s place in literary history has been debated, but it is generally regarded as one of the first major science fiction epics. As reported by The Guardian, prior to Dune’s release in 1965, the sci-fi genre was mostly comprised of short stories, and Dune is anything but short. Perhaps as a result of its length, the novel is also credited as being the first sci-fi novel to do such extensive world-building and bring in more literary themes, such as social hierarchies, war and religion.

It’s not surprising, then, that Dune won the first-ever Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1965. It also won the Hugo Award in 1966 for Best Novel, which recognizes the best of science fiction (it tied with the book …And Call Me Conrad by Roger Zelazny).

The book is also frequently compared to Lord of the Rings because of its scope and detail. In fact, per The Guardian, when it was first published in 1965, the book featured this quote from science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke: “I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings.”

Rejected 20+ Times: The Bizarre History of How ‘Dune’ Was Finally Published

Dune may be a classic of science fiction literature now, but it wasn’t always as celebrated. Actually, at the time Herbert originally wrote the novel, no one wanted to publish it. According to The Guardian, Herbert started pitching Dune in 1963. It was first published in Analog magazine, where it was released as a serial that same year, but no one wanted to publish it as a novel. The manuscript was rejected by at least 20 different publishers. It wasn’t until 1965 that Chilton Books, a publisher known for auto repair manuals, decided to enter the fiction market and publish Dune.

Despite the book’s current status as a classic, audiences in 1965 weren’t immediately convinced. The book was far from a bestseller, but was successful enough to warrant a sequel, Dune Messiah—published in 1969—and a third book, Children of Dune, was released in 1976.

Related: We Asked 4 Librarians, ‘What’s the Best Murakami Book?’—And They All Said the Same Thing

Ecology, Spice and Power: What Makes ‘Dune’ Universally Timeless?

In the 61 years since its release, Dune has proven itself to be a timeless hit, in part because of how it incorporates ecology and science. As JSTOR Daily reported, Herbert put in his Dune dedication page that he wrote this book for “the people whose labors go beyond ideas into the realm of ‘real materials’—to the dry-land ecologists, wherever they may be, in whatever time they work, this effort at prediction is dedicated in humility and admiration.”

The novel takes place in an intergalactic future and follows the rise of Paul Atreides (played by Chalamet in the recent films), a young nobleman, son of Duke Atreides, who is sent to rule over Arrakis, a desert planet whose value lies in its “spice,” a substance native to the planet that can alter consciousness and extend life. Everybody in the galaxy wants to own the “spice” and the means of production, which makes the Atreides family a prime target for intergalactic power struggles. Already, just in the premise, Herbert is exploring themes of resource scarcity and war.

He also comments on colonialism, as Arrakis’s natives, the Fremen, fight the colonizers for control over their resources and their “spice.” The planet is also inhospitable to human life—so dry and hot that water is a luxury—a plot point which has only gained in relevance with the growing threat of climate change.

Herbert was also inspired by religion, specifically Islam, and how faith can be used to transform a man into a messianic figure.

Related: There’s a New ‘Dune’ Book Coming — and Film Buffs Should Take Note

‘Dune’ Books in Order: How To Tackle Frank Herbert’s Chronicles

Luckily, Herbert’s original series was published in chronological order, so you can start with Dune and head straight to his last work, Chapterhouse: Dune, and read the Dune books in order of publication while also following the chronology of the story.

1. ‘Dune‘ (1965)

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2. ‘Dune Messiah‘ (1969)

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3. ‘Children of Dune‘ (1976)

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4. ‘God Emperor of Dune‘ (1981)

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5. ‘Heretics of Dune‘ (1984)

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6. ‘Chapterhouse: Dune‘ (1985)

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That said, if you want to get the full, expanded Dune experience, with the addition of the new spinoff novels and stories, you can look to this official Dune novels reference guide for how to read it all in chronological order.

Up Next:

Related: 23 Years Ago, This Popular Novel Stayed #1 on Best-Seller Lists Throughout the Entire Month of August

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There’s no need to wait for guests to arrive before using the dishes you love. A pretty bowl can make a bowl of cereal feel a little nicer in the morning, just as easily as it can dress up the table when you’re hosting friends and family for dinner. Whether you’re entertaining this fall or just want to make a regular weeknight dinner feel a little more special, Walmart has a gorgeous option worth considering. 

The Vancasso Malacasa 6-Piece Pasta Bowl Set is currently on sale for $34, down from $66 — that’s 48% off. The colorful ceramic bowls feature an embossed bohemian design that gives them a charming, decorative look. Shoppers were smitten with this bowl set, with reviewers saying the set made their table look “vibrant” and noting that it’s the “perfect size for pasta or salad.” 

Vancasso Malacasa 6-Piece Pasta Bowl Set, $34 (was $66) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The set includes six ceramic pasta bowls that hold up to 42 ounces each, giving you plenty of room for generous servings of pasta, salads, soups, and other hearty meals. They have curved edges which help keep food from spilling over the sides. They’re also stackable, making them easy to store in your kitchen cabinet without taking up unnecessary space. The bowls are dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe as well.

Related: Drew Barrymore’s Satiny $8 Stoneware Loaf Pan Is ‘Remarkably Effective’ for Bread Baking

Walmart shoppers are impressed by how stylish the bowls look in person. “They are just as beautiful in my kitchen as they are in the photos,” one reviewer wrote. Another said they’re the “perfect” dish set to eat Ramen, salads, or whatever “bowl” meal you heart desires, adding that it makes dining at home feel “elegant and comforting all at once.” A third shopper said they’re “so pretty you almost don’t want to eat off them!” 

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Forty-nine years ago, country star Johnny Paycheck released “Take This Job and Shove It,” a song that dominated the Hot Country Singles chart and has since gone down as a staple of the genre.

Released on October 14, 1977, as the lead single and title track of his seventeenth studio album, “Take This Job and Shove It” quickly became Paycheck’s biggest mainstream success. Upon its release, the song climbed up the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, peaking at No. 1 on January 7, 1978, for two weeks. In total, the song spent 12 consecutive weeks on the tally.

“Take This Job and Shove It” not only achieved major chart success, but it also experienced significant commercial triumph. Since the song dropped, it has earned a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1 million copies in the U.S. alone. On a global scale, it has moved over 2 million units.

Johnny Paycheck and Mickey Gilley at the PBS Chicago Studios for a taping of Soundstage in Chicago, Illinois, on January 8, 1980.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Written by fellow country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe, “Take This Job and Shove It” is a quintessential blue-collar anthem. The song tells the story of a fed-up narrator who quits his grueling job following a breakup. The narrator reckons his ex-lover was the only reason he kept showing up to the thankless job, so he dramatically quits, telling his boss to “shove it.”

Paired with Paycheck’s gritty vocals that bring out pure blue-collar frustration, its lyrics struck a chord with working-class Americans. Its persistent resonance with hard-working individuals took it the distance, making it a timeless piece of country music history.

Nearly five decades after Paycheck released the single, “Take This Job and Shove It” remains a culturally significant track. Music experts with Sirius XM have even ranked it among the greatest country tracks of all time, taking the No. 33 spot out of 100 beloved songs on the list. On Spotify, the single proves its lasting relevance and ability to bridge generational gaps, raking in over 73.6 million streams.

Related: 1968 Hit, Written by Bob Dylan, Became One of the Greatest Country Rock Songs of All Time