The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

This week, we’re sharing stories from Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Anna Merlan, Sara Tatyana Bernstein, Connie Pertuz-Meza, and Emma Beddington.

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1. The Company That Sells Love to America Had a Dark Secret

Taffy Brodesser-Akner | The New York Times Magazine | April 23, 2019 | 46 minutes (11,579 words)

A ranging, damning expose of unresolved sexual discrimination and harassment suits at Sterling Jewelers — and other popular jewelry chains under the Signet Jewelers Ltd. umbrella — following a two-year investigation.

2. This Was Supposed to Be a Story About a Bizarre Anti-Vaccine Rally and a Sedated Bear. Then It Got Weird.

Anna Merlan | Gizmodo | April 22, 2019 | 13 minutes (3,456 words)

“She’s now saying that she intends to appeal the no-bear condition, getting her attorney involved, claiming that our decision is unconstitutional. She actually said that our misuse of power is far more dangerous than a caged bear.”

3. Farewell to Payless and its terrible, no good, very cheap, occasionally meaningful shoes

Sara Tatyana Bernstein | The Outline | April 23, 2019 | 9 minutes (2,251 words)

With Payless set to close all of its U.S. and Canada stores by the end of May, a former customer finds herself curiously missing a subpar, self-serve “ShoeSource” she hasn’t shopped at in years.

4. Voices On Addiction: They Call It Spirits

Connie Pertuz-Meza | The Rumpus | April 22, 2019 | 11 minutes (2,858 words)

As Connie Pertuz-Meza recalls her Papi’s struggles with alcoholism and the toll the shame of his addiction took on her, her sister, and her Mami, she comes to the realization that her sadness does not define her.

5. Have Hen Will Travel: The Man Who Sailed Round the World With a Chicken

Emma Beddington | The Guardian | April 21, 2019 | 10 minutes (2,615 words)

You could be sad that this chicken is far more well-traveled than you are, or you could be delighted at the bond between a man and his hen. After skimming the day’s other headlines (and seeing Monique the hen in her sweater) I choose the latter.

from Longreads http://bit.ly/2VtSJgL