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Backpacks are packed, and classrooms are filling up, but learning doesn’t have an age limit. Today’s picks follow people who head back to school, try something unfamiliar, and form new connections along the way. You may even come away ready to take a class, pick up a book, or finally try that hobby you’ve been thinking about.
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It’s Never Too Late
Starting from scratch can feel awkward, especially when we’re used to knowing what we’re doing. These picks celebrate the fun, frustration, and satisfaction of beginning again.
Beginners
by Tom Vanderbilt
Inspired by his daughter’s endless curiosity, journalist Tom Vanderbilt spends a year learning new skills simply because he wants to. From singing and drawing to juggling and surfing, his adventures explore why adults often stop trying unfamiliar things—and what we can gain by being willing to look like a beginner again.
The First Grader
Available to rent
Based on a true story, this inspiring film follows Kimani Maruge, an 84-year-old Kenyan man who finally gets the chance to pursue the education he was denied. When free primary schooling becomes available, he arrives at his local school ready to learn to read, even if it means sharing a classroom with six-year-olds.
The Stack
Together with ThriftBooks
2 New Books to Help You Be More You
We’re always told to “be ourselves,” but what if we’ve also been told who we are is too much? These two brand-new releases offer science-backed insights to help you embrace how you’re wired, show up with confidence, and live more authentically. Find your next self-discovery read at ThriftBooks, where free standard shipping on U.S. orders over $20 makes investing in yourself a little easier.
Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply
by Sasha Hamdani, MD
In this compassionate, science-based guide, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani explains why some of us feel things so deeply and how to turn emotional sensitivity into a strength.
Staying True to You: Unlock the Power of Your Middle Self and Live with Confidence, Integrity, and Peace of Mind
by Patricia Faison Hewlin, PhD
Award-winning behavioral scientist Dr. Patricia Hewlin explores how balancing authenticity with our need to belong can help us navigate life with more confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Starting Again Spotlight
The Intern
Retirement isn’t keeping 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker busy, so he applies to become a senior intern at a fast-growing online fashion company. As Ben learns his way around a new workplace, his younger coworkers discover that he has plenty to teach them, too. Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway star in this warm comedy about staying curious, adapting to change, and bringing different generations together.
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What We Learn From Each Other
Some of the best lessons never appear on a syllabus. These stories show how teachers, friends, and even strangers can help us see things differently.
Abbott Elementary
Streaming on Hulu
The students aren’t the only ones learning at this underfunded Philadelphia public school. Janine, Barbara, Gregory, Melissa, Jacob, and their unpredictable principal, Ava, regularly improvise their way through classroom challenges while learning from their mistakes and each other. It’s a funny, bighearted salute to the people who keep showing up for their students.
The Reading List
by Sara Nisha Adams
Teenage library worker Aleisha discovers a handwritten list of novels tucked inside a returned book and decides to read every title. When recently widowed Mukesh visits the library hoping to connect with his book-loving granddaughter, the list brings the two strangers together and opens a new chapter for them both.
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Creator Spotlight
“I Tried to Learn Tennis in 30 Days, this is what happened”
Watch Makari Espe try, and fail, and try again through many different activities on YouTube. From biking, surfing, tennis, and even a triathlon. Her goal? Push through the discomfort and feel the joy of being a beginner at something new!
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
The Vibe: Innovative wellness retreat.
The Location: Miami Beach, FL.
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort offers the widest variety of spa, fitness, and wellness services on the Eastern Seaboard. From traditional Chinese medicine, energy healing, life coaching, and hydrotherapy circuits to IV therapy, there's truly something for everyone to enjoy. After a few days at the spa, make sure to check out the luxurious beachfront of lounge chairs or the stunning resort pools, including an oceanfront cabana pool and an adults-only saltwater rooftop pool. For the foodies, dine at the Michelin-star restaurant, Tambourine Room, offering delicious French classics with Asian influences!