Technology

Microsoft Outlook users have experienced widespread disruption on November 12, with hundreds of thousands reporting problems accessing Microsoft's email service.

GPU prices are a bit of a sad joke right now, so much so that many people turn to handhelds. And even before things got this bad in the PC hardware market, the Steam Deck was a popular alternative for people who wanted versatile gaming in a small footprint.

We've been talking about OLED TVs as the ultimate TV display technology for years, and they've finally become affordable enough that many of us can bring one into our living rooms.

Updated on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 1:45 p.m. ET — Microsoft initially described the issue as primiarily affecting mailboxes "in the Americas." However, in an update posted to X, the company acknowledged other services and locations were also affected.

"While we're working to mitigate impact, we've confirmed the issue may affect Microsoft 365 service connectivity for users in any region, more information will be provided in the Microsoft 365 admin center under EX1550543." The company added, "a portion of infrastructure is experiencing elevated load across multiple regions, which is likely contributing to the connectivity errors."

Thousands of Microsoft Outlook users reported an outage on Thursday afternoon, with user error reports for Microsoft products spiking sharply.

The platform DownDetector showed error reports spiking around 12:30 p.m. ET. By 1:12 p.m. ET, the service had received more than 130,000 reports, indicating serious problems with the popular email service. Virtually all Microsoft services showed elevated error reports, including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft Teams.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of DownDetector

At this time, it's not clear if those reports are related to an Outlook outage or indicate that these services are also down.

However, there are signs of a more widespread problem. Case in point: The Microsoft service status page was not loading for Mashable reporters, as of this writing.

However, the Microsoft 365 Status account on X posted a message acknowledging an outage at 12:54 p.m. ET: "We're investigating reports of users experiencing issues accessing Exchange Online mailboxes through multiple connection methods in the Americas."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Outlook previously experienced a widespread outage in August. At the time, the company cited a "misconfiguration issue that prevented authentication components from deploying correctly.

This is a developing story...

Even the most open and trusting person in the world would tell you they aren't comfortable with people snooping through their phone. There is nothing wrong with wanting a little bit of privacy. With our phones becoming more integrated into our personal lives, they tend to contain more sensitive information that you wouldn't just want anyone seeing. Sometimes, this can make things a bit awkward when someone asks to use your phone for something.

Over the past four years, Roku tried to convince you that the company behind your TV stick should also guard your front porch. This awkward side hustle appears to be coming to an end.

Many of us are traveling this holiday season and need a comfortable, spacious backpack to carry our laptops and other items. Oakley's Blade 30L Backpack is a stylish choice with all the space you can ask for. Get it now on Amazon at 40% off and make your travels easier.

Jensen Huang officially resigned as Nvidia CEO on Thursday morning, a seismic event in the tech industry.

Nvidia is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a nearly $4 trillion valuation, and Huang was the company's original CEO and co-founder. The company's board of directors shared a CEO transition plan on its website, saying Huang has also resigned as president and as a member of the board, effective immediately.

The company's CFO, Colette Kress, will serve as interim CEO, while also maintaining her CFO responsibilities. The board has begun searching for a new CEO, looking both inside and outside the company.

The tech industry has been closely watching Nvidia and its stock ever since news first broke by the New York Times that Huang had not one, but two affairs, including one with an accused Chinese spy. Nvidia chips provide much of the compute that powers the fast-growing AI industry, and so Huang's alleged entanglement with a possible Chinese spy wasn't just a typical executive PR scandal, but a national security issue.

The story is still developing, so keep checking back at Mashable for the latest Nvidia news and live updates.

The Jensen Huang affair: What happened

Last Friday, New York Times and Financial Times reported dropped a bomb on the tech industry. The publications reported that Huang had an affair with a woman the U.S. intelligence community believed to be a Chinese spy. China disputed these accusations, of course, but the Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally wrote a memo alerting President Donald Trump to the situation in the spring.

On Nov. 8, Huang posted a personal message to the Nvidia website, admitting to and apologizing for the affair.

"I owe my family and all of you an apology," Huang wrote. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry."

It was unclear whether Huang would be able to hold on to his position as CEO, and the Nvidia board of directors announced it had opened an investigation into the incident.

Huang's second affair

But on Wednesday, news of a second affair may have sealed Huang's fate. The New York Times reported that Huang had another extramarital affair with another Nvidia executive who reported to him. The Times identified that executive as Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of healthcare.

This is a developing story. The latest Nvidia news will be posted live on this page...

SAVE $71.99: Normally $179.99, the Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Blow Dryer Brush is marked down to just $108 during Walmart's Black Friday sale — a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Blow Dryer Brush (Liquid Gold) $108 at Walmart
$179.99 Save $71.99   Get Deal at Walmart

In the battle of the premium blow dryer brushes, Shark's Glossi handily beats the Dyson AirSmooth on value. (We find that to be a common thread in our Shark vs. Dyson comparisons.) The AirSmooth comes in at $250, while the Glossi — which doubles as a heat styling brush — retails for only $180. That's a $70 difference.

Right now, that gap is even wider. Walmart has the Glossi on sale in a flashy "liquid gold" finish for 40% off during its first Black Friday Deals event. Through Nov. 15, shoppers can score it for the record-low price of $108.

Nasha Addarich Martínez of Mashable's sister site, CNET, spent a few months testing the Glossi on her long, very thick hair earlier this year. It wound up cutting her drying time by 70 percent and produced long-lasting results. "It's become my go-to for quick, sleek blowouts," she wrote.

Psst: Walmart's Black Friday Deals event also features one of the best Shark FlexStyle deals we've ever seen. Other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy had better bring their A-games once they start their own holiday sales next week.

The best Disney+ deals at a glance: Best long-term deal Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $214.99 per year (save $42.89 per year) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $11.99 per month for 6 months (save $12.99 per month) Get Deal Best deal for Verizon customers Disney Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) $12 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal Best way to get Disney+ for free Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $21.49 per month) Get Deal Another bundle deal Disney Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max (with ads) $21.99 per month (save $13.98 per month) Get Deal

Avengers: Endgame returned to theaters earlier this season to get audiences ready for the December release of Avengers: Doomsday. It features new footage that bridges the narrative between the two films, which Mashable's Belen Edwards graciously broke down for anyone who doesn't have the time for a rewatch.

For those who missed the latest theatrical experience or just want to watch Endgame again in preparation for the new film, be sure to watch the Encore edition when it hits streaming this week. As Edwards puts it, "It's the same tale of the Avengers battling Thanos (Josh Brolin) and trying to reverse his catastrophic snap, only this time, there are a few extra scenes tacked on at the end that tease what's to come."

Here's when and where to watch Avengers: Endgame Encore, as well as a few different ways to save some money on streaming.

How to watch Avengers: Endgame Encore Credit: Marvel Studios

Avengers: Endgame Encore makes its streaming debut on Disney+ on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. That gives you plenty of time to stream it in preparation for the Avengers: Doomsday theatrical release.

Disney+ has also assembled a "Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday" collection on the app if you want to host a pre-release marathon at home.

Not yet a Disney+ subscriber? A standalone subscription starts at $12.49, but we've rounded up a few of the best ways you can save some money on the streaming service below.

The best Disney+ streaming dealsBest Disney+ standalone deal: save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $189.99/year (save $37.89) Get Deal

You can save over $42 on a Disney+ subscription on its own by signing up for an annual plan upfront. The yearly plan without ads will cost you $214.99 per year, which breaks down to $17.92 per month instead of the usual $21.49 per month. That's 17% or a total of $42.89 in savings. When you check out, be sure to select Disney+ Premium, then "annual" to secure the discount for the year. Unfortunately, there is no annual plan available for the cheaper ad-supported tier.

Best Disney+ bundle deal: save up to 52% on Hulu and Disney+ Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) $11.99/month for 6 months (save $12.99/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Premium (no ads) $19.99/month for 6 months (save $22.99/month) Get Deal

Disney's bundle deal with Hulu is currently cheaper than paying for Disney+ on its own. For six months, you'll get both Disney+ and Hulu with ads for only $11.99 per month or without ads for $19.99 per month. Either option essentially gives you one streamer for free. After your first six months, the plan with ads will go up one dollar and the plan without will go up $3.

You could also throw HBO Max or ESPN into the mix for a three-part bundle. We've rounded up some other bundle options below for comparison.

More bundle deals:

• Disney+ and Hulu for Students — $6.49/month $12.99/month (save $6.50/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $12/month with select Verizon plans $21.99/month (save $9.99/month)

• Disney, Hulu, HBO Max (with ads) — $21.99/month $35.97/month (save $13.98/month)

• Disney, Hulu, HBO Max (no ads) — $34.99/month $61.47/month (save $26.48/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $21.99/month $38.97/month (save $16.98/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle — $35.99/month $53.97/month (save $17.98/month)

Best way to get Disney+ for free: get the Total ALL ACCESS plan Opens in a new window Credit: Total by Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total Wireless ALL ACCESS plan (save $21.99 per month) Get Deal

Total Wireless customers on the $65 per month prepaid ALL ACCESS plan can enjoy Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods; just keep your account in good standing. That's an $21.49 per month value tacked onto your phone plan for no extra cost.

With only a week to go until Grand Theft Auto VI launches, multiple companies are trying to get in on the zeitgeist in different ways.

Earlier this week, we covered Logitech's new policy of giving employees PTO to play new video games, and now, Kalshi wants to turn playing GTA 6 into work for someone. In a LinkedIn job posting that the prediction market claims is totally real, Kalshi is seeking out someone to obsessively play and livestream GTA 6 starting at launch on Nov. 19, with the end goal of figuring out how best to optimize the in-game economy, while also analyzing the amount of productivity lost in the real world due to people taking time off to play it.

SEE ALSO: The best console deals for 'GTA 6': Where to buy PS5 and Xbox ahead of launch day

This "GTA 6 Researcher" job also entails releasing a weekly research report on the in-game economy, and requires at least a decade's worth of "sweaty gaming" experience and three years of streaming experience. You'll also need to have a good streaming setup, with all the equipment and whatnot. For what it's worth, Kalshi lists compensation at $100,000 to $120,000 for a fixed project fee, with a $15,000 fee upon completion of the project.

The job may understandably sound enticing to many, especially when factoring in the listed compensation. However, it sounds like a whole lot of work that you'd possibly be doing entirely by yourself, and it could also be a great way to make the act of playing GTA 6 as not-fun as possible. Speaking from personal experience: Doing something you love for work is still work, at the end of the day.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

Google Pixel phones and watches are de facto “official” Android devices, offering the first taste of what’s to come to Android, along with a slew of exclusive features you won’t find anywhere else.

I've often found myself wondering where all the used space on my Windows 11 PC was actually going. Windows 11's built-in Storage page gives me plenty of useful data, but I had to jump between categories and wait for calculations to finish before I could piece together the full picture.

If you've ever had a problem with your MacBook, iPhone, or Apple account, a quick Google search for a fix likely sent you to a relevant thread on the Apple Support Community at discussions.apple.com, where Apple customers tried to help their fellow Apple fans out.

That won't be the case anymore.

On Tuesday, Apple announced that it would be closing down the Apple Support Community, the official forum for Apple customers looking for help from other Apple users with their Apple products. 

Apple disabled posting in the Apple Support Community on Tuesday. The platform is still viewable in a read-only state. However, the forums will be shuttered for good on Nov. 20.

A prompt now appears at the top of the Apple Support Community website and all of its posts with Apple's announcement of the forum's closure:

"The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state. 

You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site. 

We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products."

Anyone who has ever had an Apple product likely found themselves on the Apple Support Community at some point. Even if they didn't sign up to ask a question themselves, the answer to their question likely existed in the Apple Support Community archives, helping numerous customers avoid reaching out directly to Apple's official support.

The forum launched in 1998 as the Apple Tech Exchange. According to MacRumors, the forums went through numerous name changes over the years, going by Apple Discussion in 2000, before the company finally settled on the Apple Support Community in 2022.

The last post on the Apple Support Community appears to have been published by a user looking for help with their Apple account at 5:41 p.m. on Nov. 10. One last reply was posted in the thread minutes later at 5:49 p.m. Apple appears to have moved the forums to a read-only state shortly after that.

Apple reportedly told MacRumors that "it decided to sunset the Apple Support Community after a careful evaluation of strategy and customer needs."

What if you need help with your Apple products going forward? Apple suggests that you contact its official support directly.

SAVE $200.99: As of Nov. 12, the ruby red Shark FlexStyle Air Multi-Styler & Drying System is on sale for the record-low price of $199 during Walmart's Black Friday sale — a 50% savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle Air Multi-Styler & Drying System (Ruby Red Diamond) $199 at Walmart
$399.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal at Walmart

Need a no-fail Christmas gift idea for your wife, girlfriend, mom, or sister? Several Mashable staffers swear by the Shark FlexStyle, a popular multistyler with a unique swiveling base that works like a regular hair dryer. Our reviewer deemed it the best Dyson Airwrap dupe available.

We've spotted a lot of great deals on the FlexStyle so far this holiday season, but this one takes the Christmas fruitcake: During Walmart's first Black Friday Deals event, live now through Nov. 15, a ruby red FlexStyle that comes with five attachments, a heat mat, and a carrying case is on sale for just $199. That's a whopping 50% off its typical retail price of $399.99, and a new record low.

For some added context, the FlexStyles that we typically see on sale for $199 are basic sets that only come with four attachments — that's it. (Shark sells its Airwrap rival in a lot of different bundle options.) Needless to say, it's difficult to see any other Black Friday FlexStyle deals beating this one. If I didn't already own a FlexStyle, I'd add it to my cart immediately.

This particular FlexStyle launched in February as part of Shark's Marilyn Monroe Collection, released in honor of the late actress's 100th birthday. Its sparkly red finish also feels apt for the holidays. It's a limited-edition colorway, so don't expect it to hang around for too much longer — especially at this price.

The AI boom has put chatbots at work, AI-generated videos in our feeds, and data centers on the agenda at town halls. Nvidia, a company that got its start making computer games look better, now supplies the chips that power much of the AI industry. That made Nvidia one of the world's most valuable companies and its chips some of the most sought-after technology in the world.

And on Thursday, Nov. 12, the company announced that it had lost the only CEO it had ever had.

The story goes back more than a year and reads a little like an HBO drama, with alleged spies, extramarital affairs, and corporate intrigue. Let's break down the timeline of the Jensen Huang resignation based on what came to light and when.

SEE ALSO: Nvidia live updates: Jensen Huang is out as CEO Oct. 9, 2025 — A chip-export investigation puts Megaspeed in the spotlight

Last year, the New York Times reported that U.S. officials were looking into whether Nvidia chips meant for data centers in Southeast Asia had ended up in China.

The chips in question had been bought by Megaspeed, a Singapore company that rented out computing power. U.S. export rules limit China's access to some of Nvidia’s most advanced AI hardware, to protect Nvidia's trade secrets and the United States' competitive edge over China in the AI arms race. Singapore police were also looking into whether Megaspeed had broken local laws, but at the time, Nvidia said it had no reason to believe the chips had been sent elsewhere.

The Times' report referred to Megaspeed's "mystery C.E.O." and noted U.S. officials were looking into the company's ties to China.

Oct. 29, 2026 — The Times links Huang to a suspected Chinese intelligence asset

Things were quiet for a while; until two weeks ago, when the Times reported that U.S. intelligence officials suspected Alice Huang, a former Megaspeed executive, of gathering information for Beijing. Officials had learned that Alice Huang had developed a close personal relationship with Jensen Huang. (Yes, the two share a surname. No, they are not related.)

Nvidia initially characterized their interactions as routine meetings with a customer: "Jensen’s interactions with Ms. Huang are not unusual or unexpected," an Nvidia spokesperson told TechCrunch in an email on Oct. 29, adding that "meetings with customers are part of a C.E.O.’s job."

The Times also reported that intelligence officials had briefed President Donald Trump about the relationship roughly a year earlier. By then, Jensen Huang had already spent months pressing the Trump administration to let Nvidia sell more advanced AI chips to China.

Nov. 5 — Congress seeks a briefing as reports point to a romantic relationship

Flash forward to Nov. 5, when the chairs of three House committees publicly asked Jensen Huang for a closed-door briefing. They wanted to know whether his ties to Alice Huang could have given Beijing access to sensitive U.S. technology or information, and what Nvidia was doing to guard against foreign espionage.

Nov. 6 — A bombshell report on Jensen Huang's affair

The next day, the New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had overseen the drafting of a classified memo this spring. It described U.S. intelligence suggesting that China's Ministry of State Security had recruited Alice Huang to target the Nvidia CEO. As the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs wrote, "Recent reports raise significant national security concerns regarding the PRC's access to sensitive U.S. technology and information." Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that U.S. intelligence officials believed the relationship was romantic.

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Nov. 8 — Huang acknowledges infidelity and Nvidia opens an investigation

On Sunday, Nov. 8, Nvidia made the rumors official. The company published an email Huang sent to employees. "I was unfaithful to my wife," he wrote. "There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry."

He did not name Alice Huang, though the New York Times reported that he'd privately told Nvidia’s board he had been intimate with her. Huang said he would cooperate with the investigation. A few hours later, Nvidia's board announced the investigation in a separate statement and said its independent directors would oversee it with outside counsel. The board said it had no reason at that point to believe national security or company secrets had been compromised and expressed confidence in Huang and his leadership team.

Nov. 9 — Trump backs Huang and an Nvidia shareholder sues

On Monday, Trump told reporters he'd asked Jensen Huang whether he knew about the spying allegations involving Alice Huang. "He said 'I had no idea that she was a spy' and I really believe him," Trump said. China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, dismissed the accusation. "The 'Chinese spy' allegation is purely unsubstantiated and directed at smearing China," he exclaimed.

That same day, Nvidia shareholder Mark Kistenmacher filed a proposed class action alleging that the company and its CEO had misled investors about Huang's ties to the former Megaspeed executive.

Nov. 10 — Nvidia brings in outside lawyers

The next day, Nvidia's independent directors said they'd hired Joon H. Kim, a former acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, and his firm, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to lead their investigation.

Nov. 11 — The Times reports another affair, this time with an Nvidia executive

The story continued to unravel Wednesday, as the New York Times reported that Huang also had an affair with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of healthcare and one of his direct reports (of which he has more than 60). The Wall Street Journal later reported that Nvidia was preparing to remove him, and Reuters reported that the board met that evening to discuss his future.

Nov. 12 — Nvidia announces Huang's resignation and names an interim CEO

On Thursday morning, Nvidia officially announced Huang's departure after 33 years as CEO and named longtime CFO Colette Kress interim CEO. An SEC filing released that morning said the board had accepted Huang's resignation as CEO, president, and director the previous evening, effective immediately. Kress will keep her finance role while the board considers internal and external candidates for the permanent job. Nvidia also named longtime director Harvey C. Jones its first board chair.

SEE ALSO: Jensen Huang officially resigns as Nvidia CEO

Also on Thursday, Singapore's home affairs ministry said Alice Huang had left the country in February and had been barred from re-entering following a local investigation involving possible offenses tied to server purchases and exports. The ministry said investigators found insufficient evidence to establish that she had committed an offense, and that its inquiry did not concern espionage. Megaspeed, for its part, said it had cooperated with U.S. inspections and hired a law firm to independently review its export compliance.

Nov. 17 — Nvidia to hold its first earnings call since Huang's exit

Nvidia is scheduled to release its quarterly results around 4:20 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 17, followed by an earnings call at 5 p.m. ET. It will be the company’s first earnings call since Jensen Huang resigned and Kress took over as interim CEO.

This is a developing story...

Amazon just dropped its best books of 2026 list. Earlier this year, the editors over at Amazon rounded up the best books of the year so far, but now that the year is nearly wrapped, the definitive list is here.

"We saw people reach for sweeping family sagas, genre-bending fiction, gripping narrative nonfiction, and horror," says Amazon Editor Al Woodworth. The end-of-year list is packed with books across genres, and this year, the editors at Amazon even added two new best-of lists on horror and buzzworthy books.

Picking the top 20 books of the year is a big task. Woodworth says that Amazon Editors are reading thousands of books every year, then championing the titles they can't stop thinking about. "At the end of the year, we look back at everything we've read and debate which books belong on the final list. Every reader is different, so we recommend books from the widest possible selection," says Woodworth.

There are common themes across the top books of the year, including non-fiction that reads like fiction, stories of sacrificing for those they love, characters facing hard choices, and books the internet can't stop talking about.

But the best book of the year? Well, read on to find out which novel Woodworth and fellow Amazon Editors declared the best of the year.

20. Night Objects by Eli Raphael 'Night Objects' by Eli Raphael $9.99 at Amazon
$29 Save $19.01   Shop Now at Amazon

Earlier this year, Amazon Editor Annabel Gutterman spoke on Night Objects, saying: “This mesmerizing suspense novel about a teenager’s desperate search for belonging at her elite boarding school — where secrets swirl, and danger looms large — lived in my head for days. Eli Raphael introduces herself as a writer you don’t want to miss.”

19. The Nightingales by Emil Wilson 'The Nightingales' by Emil Wilson $19.99 at Amazon
$38 Save $18.01   Shop Now at Amazon

Fans of Alison Bechdel's Fun Home will love the 2026 release The Nightingales by Emil Wilson. This graphic novel is a touching picture of unlikely friendship between a 17-year-old girl and the dying stranger who moves into her family home. It's visually and emotionally striking, a graphic novel that's full of hope.

18. The Disappearers by Marlon James 'The Disappearers' by Marlon James $13.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

The Disappearers came out with a bang as the New York Times declared it "the novel of the decade, if not the century." It's a propulsive crime story that manages to be both harrowing and hilarious as it captures the gay experience in 1980s Jamaica.

17. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke $14.99 at Amazon
$30 Save $15.01   Shop Now at Amazon

From Gutterman: “When a tradwife influencer wakes up to discover it’s somehow the 19th century, her journey back to reality makes for a brilliant, biting novel about motherhood, fame, and faith. A reading experience like no other, this is the book I want to talk about with literally everyone I've ever met.”

16. John of John by Douglas Stuart 'John of John' by Douglas Stuart $14.99 at Amazon
$28 Save $13.01   Shop Now at Amazon

From the author of Shuggie Bain, Douglas Stuart, comes a new novel, John of John. When John-Calum 'Cal' Macleod returns to his home on the Isle of Harris, it is not the place that has changed, but him. At odds with his father's expectations, Cal discovered the secrets within his home and what's truly holding the community together.

15. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden 'Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage' by Belle Burden $13.99 at Amazon
$30 Save $16.01   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

Earlier this year, Sarah Gelman, Amazon Editorial Director, said: "Strangers is a divorce memoir, but it’s also a forensic examination of a love and a marriage gone wrong, seemingly without any warning. Burden puts words to many of our worst fears — that one day the person we love and trust the most will become an utter stranger to us.”

14. Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson 'Bad Words' by Rioghnach Robinson $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

As a romance reader, there's one book I haven't stopped hearing about. Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is a will-they-won't-they romance of a novelist and the critic who panned his debut book. But don't take it from me. Emily Henry calls this novel a "once-in-a-lifetime read."

13. Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun 'Public Access Afterworld' by Jane Schoenbrun $13.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

As if releasing the hit film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma wasn't enough, director Jane Schoenbrun also released the novel Public Access Afterworld. The debut is being heralded as one of the top books of the year as it delves into the surreal broadcasts of Public Access Afterworld, a pirate TV network with the potential to change lives.

12. Luna, Phoenix, Queen by Julie Orringer 'Luna, Phoenix, Queen' by Julie Orringer $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Luna, Phoenix, Queen is an intricate novel, unraveling the relationship between two college professors and their resilient dog, Luna. Julie Orringer's latest novel is a web of artistic and marital betrayal, and of all those tangled in that story.

11. Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane 'Whale Harbor' by Mary Beth Keane $14.99 at Amazon
$29 Save $14.01   Shop Now at Amazon

The popularity of epic family sagas continues with Mary Beth Keane's Whale Harbor, a novel told across the globe. Set in Ireland, England, Montana, and New York, the story is based on Keane's actual family history following the haunting mystery that hangs over a family when one of its members disappears.

10. Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Cool Machine' by Colson Whitehead   Shop Now at Amazon

From Woodworth: “Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead delivers another searing page-turner of heists, gangsters, criminals, and families in this mesmerizing portrait of 1980s New York City.”

9. This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story by Evan Gershkovich 'This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story' by Evan Gershkovich $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

From Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor: “This heart-pounding, reported memoir sucked me in from the first page; it’s a gripping account of resilience and perseverance that goes far beyond the headlines to reveal what really happened to Evan Gershkovich when he was snatched off the street and thrown into a Russian prison.”

8. Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty 'Big Little Truths' by Liane Moriarty $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

From Gelman: “The many fans of Big Little Lies will love this follow-up, but you don’t need to have read that book or seen the show to enjoy Big Little Truths. I’ve been a fan of Liane Moriarty since her early books, and this is simply one of her very best. The dialogue is so clever, and the storytelling so engrossing, you won’t be able to put this book down.”

7. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe 'London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth' by Patrick Radden Keefe $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

From Woodworth: “Illuminating and unforgettable, Patrick Radden Keefe’s latest delivers another knockout work of narrative nonfiction, this time telling the shocking story of how a young man got caught up in the dangerous and powerful world of Russian oligarchs and landed at the bottom of the Thames.”

6. Land by Maggie O'Farrell 'Land' by Maggie O'Farrell $14.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

Woodworth says, “Never before have a 19th-century mapmaker, a scruffy, loyal dog, and a mysterious copse of trees been more enchanting. O’Farrell delivers a soaring and bewitching tale of family, and how the remote Irish peninsula where they live defines and shapes them, generation after generation.”

5. Fruit Fly by Josh Silver 'Fruit Fly' by Josh Silver $13.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $6.00   Shop Now at Amazon

From Abby Abell, Amazon Editor: "Walking the line between hysterical and horrifying, this electric psychological thriller ruthlessly takes on cultural appropriation through a delicious cat-and-mouse game like no other. If you’re in a reading slump, Fruit Fly is the cure.”

4. Kin by Tayari Jones 'Kin' by Tayari Jones $14.99 at Amazon
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From Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor: “This was our pick for the best book of the year so far, and our love for this novel about two motherless friends coming of age in the Jim Crow South endures. A nuanced portrait of friendship, family, and race — Jones's sentences sing.”

3. The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia by Robert Kolker 'The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia' by Robert Kolker $15.99 at Amazon
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From Powers: “Robert Kolker’s enthralling medical mystery is both mesmerizing and heartbreaking — it asks big questions about chance and choice, what makes a full life, what we’re willing to run toward (or hide from), and how we care for each other. It’s a true story that will stick with you.”

2. Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel 'Exit Party' by Emily St. John Mandel $14.99 at Amazon
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From Gutterman: “A sparkling, genre-busting gift of a novel, Emily St. John Mandel’s latest is dystopian fiction that shook me to my core. Spanning continents, timelines, and perhaps even universes, Exit Party makes for a glorious puzzle, one with pieces that fit together seamlessly.”

SEE ALSO: Andy Weir, Emily St. John Mandel, and more close out BookCon 2026 with what makes a successful page-to-screen adaptation 1. American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee 'American Hagwon' by Min Jin Lee $15.99 at Amazon
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From Woodworth: “An extraordinary Trojan horse of a novel that will make your heart sing and make you want to talk to everybody you know about it. Utterly magnetic, American Hagwon will change the way you think about family, sacrifice, and education. Min Jin Lee has written (another) once-in-a-lifetime read.”

Privacy-focused operating systems have a tricky job, as they need to protect users from online tracking but keep the tools that make that protection possible up to date. That’s a constant battle for Tails, the Linux distribution built around anonymous browsing and leaving as few traces as possible on the computer it runs on. The latest release continues that effort with an updated Tor Browser and a newer Linux kernel.

At one point in time, the Raspberry Pi was a go-to system for homelabbing and DIY hobby projects. I really wish that was still the case. These days, mini PCs reign supreme in many areas. However, the Raspberry Pi is still the best choice for these five reasons, and a mini PC doesn't even come close.

As AI makes its play for world domination, one dodgily rendered deepfake at a time, it’s good to know that tech companies are investing in the importance of being, y’know, actually human.

Among those tech companies are Whoop, the wearables and human performance brand, which is launching a social network called Whoop Humans. The pioneering health-and-fitness brand boasts that it’s the “most verifiably human social network”, which has been designed specifically to combat the proliferation of bots, generated AI content, and engagement bait clogging up legacy social media platforms.

Whoop Humans allows you to follow friends and family, and share fitness, health, and performance data. You can follow and support each other’s progress and better understand your own fitness and performance stats.

SEE ALSO: Best sleep trackers 2026: We tested the best from Whoop to Oura

"In a world that's becoming increasingly artificial, we're building something deeply human,” said Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP. “This is the most verifiably human network ever launched. Every account represents a real person with a verified heartbeat. They have real goals, challenges, and achievements. That's what makes Whoop Humans different, and it’s a big area of investment for us.”

It’s certainly human-focused in a way that other social media platforms aren’t. Physiological data comes directly from Whoop wearable devices, such as the Whoop 5.0, based on real-world experience and human performance. Shareable stats include sleep, recovery, and strain. You can also share activities and achievements, though you choose exactly what you want friends and family to see. Not that you need to worry about sharing details — Whoop has robust privacy protections. You can explore other people’s performance insights and drop reactions and comments to give them a motivational boost.

Indeed, the point isn’t just to track and enhance your own performance but to keep track of when friends and family need a pick-me-up. Even if they don’t say, the stats speak for themselves. "Sometimes people don't tell you when they're not feeling their best,” says Whoop member Mike Bublitz. “If I see a friend's Recovery is low, I can check in and say, 'Hey, it's okay to take it easy today.' That's what I like about Whoop Humans. It gives us another way to look out for each other.

Whoop Humans is available to Whoop members from Nov. 12. You just need to have a heartbeat to join.