Join the Reader’s Digest community
People like you are the heart of what we do, and your contributions are a large part of our Reader’s Digest story. This community hub is where you can contribute to RD! Tell us what’s on your mind, test your smarts and get to know us—and one another. Submit your funniest jokes, most adorable pet pics and best personal stories for the chance to be featured here, so we can get to know you too. Think of this community hub as a vibrant virtual hangout, where laughter, storytelling and conversation take center stage. So scroll below and stay awhile! And for more fun sent to your inbox, sign up for Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter.
Contribute to Reader’s Digest
Become a part of our vibrant community, where sidesplitting jokes and heartwarming tales connect us. Make us laugh, show off your fur babies and share personal stories about the moments, people and places that have left an indelible mark on your life—we want to hear it all!
Is your town the nicest place in America?
The Nicest Places in America is Reader’s Digest’s yearly search for places where people are kind, differences are celebrated and neighbors work together to make their communities better. In 2023, Kathleen Miller of Buffalo, New York, landed her hometown on the cover when she submitted stories of Buffalonians opening their homes and businesses to stranded passersby during a record-shattering blizzard. Visit rd.com/nicest to submit your story for 2024.
Tell us what you think
It’s time to toss your two cents into the ring! Have you ever wondered if others agree with your wildly unpopular opinion? Do you have a hot take that you’re certain is right? Scroll down to join the fun, cast your vote and see where your fellow RD readers land on some opinion-provoking topics.
Earn prizes by joining the TMB Inner Circle
Want to be in the Inner Circle? As a member of our exclusive online community, you can connect with fans of Reader’s Digest as well other Trusted Media Brands favorites, such as Taste of Home and The Pet Collective. Voice your opinions and offer feedback through surveys, quick polls and discussions, and earn gift cards just for participating! Join the TMB Inner Circle today.
Reader’s Digest Book Club
In Kellye Garrett’s propulsive thriller, Missing White Woman, Breanna Wright has settled in for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend when a dead woman throws her plans out the window—and her into the spotlight. With her boyfriend suddenly missing and the murder fueling a social media storm, Breanna is caught in the middle. Garrett’s thriller is a sharp look at “missing white woman syndrome” and what happens when internet sleuths get in on the action.
Reader favorites
What’s making waves in our community this week? These are your most-read stories, the items you’ve been adding to your cart and the headlines you’ve loved seeing in your inbox.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Your most-loved video
Why did so many of our readers watch this video? See for yourself below! And then check out more sweet, inspirational and hilarious videos on our YouTube channel. (Warning: Once you start watching, you may not want to stop!)
Your funniest jokes
Doctor’s orders
A man walks into his doctor’s office and hands him a note that says, “I can’t talk! Help me!”
“OK,” says the doctor. “Put your thumb on the table.” The man doesn’t understand why that would help, but he does what he’s told. Just then, the doctor picks up a huge book and drops it on the man’s thumb.
“AAAAAAAAA!!!” the man yells.
“Good,” says the doctor. “Come back tomorrow, and we’ll work on ‘B.’” —L.B. Weinstein
Your cutest pets
The support of Joanna
Joanna and I saved each other. I rescued her from an abusive home and intended to pass her on to a shelter, but she quickly made me fall in love. I’ve suffered from depression most of my life, and during particularly bad spells, she’s the only thing that can get me out of bed. She lays on top of me and purrs when she knows I’m not doing well. She’s at the door waiting as soon as I return from work. Her unconditional love is the best thing in the world. She is everything good. —Ruth Harper, Mesquite, Texas
Reader’s Digest editors’ picks
Discover the products, entertainment and experiences that have made a lasting impression on our team of discerning editors. These handpicked items and expert recommendations will ensure you’re always in the know about the latest and greatest.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
What we’re obsessed with
Brooklinen Down Comforter
It’s time to pack away the heavy-duty bedding and try something that pairs well with the summer heat. We tested a range of the best cooling comforters and found that the Brooklinen Down Comforter reigned supreme. It features breathable down filling and a 100% sateen cotton outer layer, so you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cool cloud. Goodbye, night sweats! —Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Senior Shopping Editor
What we’re reading
Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris
In the small town of Diggs, North Carolina, the Solomon family has lived in the Kingdom, a home on 200 acres of land, for generations. But when the patriarch, King, dies, his four children must confront their faults—and their family’s murky history—to save their home from greedy developers. King’s children are well-crafted and deep (if not always likable), and readers will surely find something to connect with in Terah Shelton Harris’s sophomore novel, Long After We Are Gone.
For an intergenerational story told from four points of view and spanning 400 pages, the pacing is spot-on. Introducing the cast of characters takes a little while, but after a hundred pages, this family drama is hard to put down! —Cameron Songer, Newsletter Editor
Grammar tip of the week
Is it actually bad to end a sentence with a preposition?
This is one rule that grammar sticklers love to argue about. (See what we did there?) Because the word “preposition” derives from a Latin word meaning “to place before,” some insist that prepositions should always go before their prepositional objects. However, while that’s true in Latin grammar, many argue that the rule does not fit the English language. If we were to change the sentence to “This is one rule about which grammar sticklers love to argue,” it just doesn’t flow the way “love to argue about” does. And yet, the debate rages on. What do you think? —Reader’s Digest Copy Desk
Healthy tip of the week
Drowning is on the rise
Long-term effects of the pandemic don’t stop at COVID. This spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed startling data that drowning rates are up—in fact, 11 Americans die per day from drowning. And of the 40 million adults who don’t know how to swim, 55% say they’ve never taken a swim lesson. The new data can be connected to differences in access to swimming lessons or other historical and social factors, as well as the closing of community pools during lockdown, which prevented lessons on swimming and basic water safety. Four-time Olympic medal–winning swimmer and world record holder Cullen Jones shares the story of his near-drowning at age 5, and his tips for finding a swim instructor who can make an impact for life. —Kristine Gasbarre, Senior Editor, The Healthy
Coolest thing we learned this week
You probably say “please” a lot less often than you think
According to a new study, people use the word “please” when making a request just 7% of the time. Yes, just 7%! If you’re thinking you can’t be one of them, think again: Our memories of the precise language we use when making requests are generally not all that accurate. But don’t worry—there are plenty of other ways to ask for something politely, and saying “please” may actually not be the optimal way to do that. Here’s what you need to know about that magic word and what you might want to say instead. —Dawn Yanek, Senior Editor
Test your smarts
Do you love brainteasers, word games and trivia challenges? You’re in the right place! See how many of these tricky questions you can get right—then challenge a friend or two to see how they stack up!
