Grown Ups

Literary Hub has published an essay reflecting on Samantha, the original American Girl doll, and the recent rebranding of her book series as the brand's first 'grown up' title line. The piece examines how the character's Edwardian-era story and illustrations have been revised for modern readers, and what the changes say about nostalgia, marketing to millennials who grew up with the dolls, and evolving cultural values. Readers of literary and culture commentary are weighing in on whether the updates honor or dilute the original books.

A widely shared observation argues that young people raised on social media, AI, smartphones and other products of information capitalism — so-called digital natives — hold the most negative views of these technologies' social impact. The point being circulated is that their first-hand experience gives their concerns weight, and that society perhaps ought to listen more closely to what they are saying about the tools shaping their lives.

An essay in Literary Hub reflects on the rebranding of Samantha, the iconic American Girl doll character, in connection with the first "grown up" American Girl book. The piece examines how the beloved historical character is being repositioned for older readers and what that shift says about the brand's evolution.

A home gardener, working alongside a companion nicknamed BeetBear, has finished harvesting the last of the okra left after a storm damaged the crop. With the plants grown quite large, clearing the remains required a garden fork, orchard loppers and secateurs. The gardener notes the thick okra stems are tough to remove, sharing hard-earned experience with fellow gardeners facing storm-damaged crops this season.

A car carrying a Russian serviceman was blown up on Thursday morning in Tula Oblast, according to claims circulating online. The serviceman reportedly died at the scene. No group has claimed responsibility and Russian authorities have not confirmed the incident, but such vehicle explosions targeting military figures have grown more frequent amid the war in Ukraine.

European night train start-up Nox is preparing to launch services in March, prompting debate over which private night rail operator currently leads the market. The sector has grown as travellers seek low-carbon alternatives to short-haul flights, with several new companies competing to revive sleeper train routes across the continent.

Rob Schneider, star of 'Grown Ups', is reportedly facing divorce after 15 years of marriage, with his wife Patricia said to have filed the papers. The story is circulating widely among entertainment outlets and fans, many of whom are revisiting the couple's long relationship and the actor's family life as details of the split remain scarce.

Croatian forward Mario Hezonja says he has gained roughly 70 pounds and grown three inches since being drafted in 2015, a transformation he discussed as he works toward a return to the NBA. Hezonja, a former fifth overall pick, has played in Europe in recent years, and the reported physical change has drawn attention and debate among basketball fans about his conditioning and prospects.

Literary Hub has published a list of nine books aimed at adults who have never read a book before. The piece offers approachable reading suggestions for complete beginners, and is drawing attention as readers share and debate which titles make a good starting point for grown-ups new to reading.

A parenting article argues that children whose parents never played games with them or had fun together grow up carrying five distinct habits into adulthood. The piece claims a play-deprived childhood shapes how people relate to others, handle emotions and approach daily life as grown-ups, framing play as essential rather than optional for healthy development.