Laura Lambert

Best-selling author Max Brooks’ middle grade Minecraft series puts the younger reader squarely in the universe of the wildly popular video game, played by some 163 million people around the world. Not only does Brooks leverage a true fan’s knowledge of the game, he’s also a champion of what the game represents — a hero’s path for the creator.

‌Who:‌ David Samuel Ko of Maison Ko
‌Where:‌ Studio City, California
‌Style:‌ California minimalism with pops of color

When David Samuel Ko, the interior designer behind the full-service Los Angeles-based design firm Maison Ko, first moved into his spacious 1,500-square foot Studio City two-bedroom, he resisted the urge to fill it immediately.

Emily Oster, professor of economics at Brown University and mother of two, is known for her data-driven, evidence-based take on pregnancy and parenting, starting with Expecting Better — which was hailed as What to Expect When You’re Expecting meets Freakonomics — and then Cribsheet, which demystified the toddler and preschool years. But she had long wanted to write a parenting book in the guise of a business book. Just in time for back to school, she’s done just that.

Are you even a 21st century late-night TV host if you don’t have a children’s book?

Male reading role models are more important than you think.

This fall’s YA releases offer plenty to choose from — sequels and new installments by beloved authors, exciting debuts, adventure, fantasy, thrillers, coming-of-age stories, and more.

I grew up eating all sorts of Korean kimbap and California rolls, so I’m no stranger to savory, protein-filled, seaweed-wrapped rice balls. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that I discovered the endless joys of musubi — Spam musubi, to be exact.

Kids these days. If you’re struggling to connect with your players, it’s science to the rescue.

When Michelle Smith gave birth to her first child, a girl, there were eight gifts waiting for her — all of them alcohol-related.

When I cracked the spine of her book, Dear Girls, I expected to laugh. And I did. I did not expect to learn much about being a mom. But I did anyway.

The pandemic has forced my hand — all parents’ hands — in so many ways. Now every night is dessert night, potentially. There’s screen time during the week, where there (mostly) wasn’t before. We eat hot dogs for more meals than I care to admit.
And then there are the video games.

It’s never too late — or too early — to diversify your child’s bookshelf.

An architect designs a modern home in Austin, Texas, to honor its surroundings and celebrate family living

When Sherry Birk and Anthony Orona decided to build their dream home in Austin, Texas, the choice of architect was more or less obvious to them: Orona’s best friend, Eric Hughes. Hughes, of Houston architecture studio HR Design Dept., knew the couple well, from the way they liked to entertain to what their adopted daughter would want in a bedroom.

It should come as no surprise that, in the summer of 2018, Lacy Phillips manifested what would become The Forest Retreat House — a 2,400 square foot, two-story wellness retreat 10 miles, as the crow flies, outside of the entrance of Yosemite. She is, after all, a "leading manifestation advisor" — according to goop.