1. Judging a book by its cover, twice.

The New York Times just dropped their picks for the best book covers of 2024 — a celebration of visuals that don’t just sell stories but deepen their impact. Speaking of books that leave an impression, this year took me down some wild reading rabbit holes, from the brutal poetry of Chain Gang All Stars to the heartfelt, nerdy charm of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

The best book covers are like those TikToks that make you watch twice: first for the "oh, that’s cool" moment, and then again when you finish the last page and go, "wait, NOW I get it." It’s a reminder that in a world with 150 million books (yes, really), sometimes you need a visual gut-punch to make people pause and say, "hang on, what’s this about?" Because let’s be real — in 2024, getting someone to look up from their phone long enough to notice anything is basically a superpower.

2. Hair colors may vary: Billie's annual check-in.

For eight years straight, Vanity Fair has filmed Billie Eilish on the same day (October 18) answering the same set of questions. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how an artist reflects on her ever-evolving life and career, from Oscar wins to the grueling process behind her Grammy-nominated album Hit Me Hard and Soft.

We’ve watched her transform from a blue-haired teen sensation into an Oscar-winning artist (thanks, Barbie). The magic of this project is its consistency, even down to questions like "What’s your favorite movie?" (Fruitvale Station, again). It’s a rare, real-time look at how fame shapes a person. And when her mom shows up at the end for a hug, it’s a touching reminder that behind the changing hair colors and accolades is the same kid who started this journey — just with more self-love and a much fuller trophy shelf.

3. KFC’s saucy side hustle.

Say hello to Saucy, KFC’s bold new spin-off concept that ditches the Colonel’s red for hot pink and finger-lickin’ chicken for... a whole lot of sauce. Debuting in Orlando, Saucy serves chicken tenders with 11 dips (a cheeky nod to KFC’s 11 herbs and spices) and channels a playful vibe that feels more like a pop-up club than a fast-food joint.

This isn’t just rebranding — it’s a full-on identity shift. With pink interiors, live entertainment, and AI-powered tech, Saucy is KFC’s attempt to woo Gen Z diners away from hipper chains like Wingstop. But reactions are mixed: is this a bold reinvention, or should KFC focus on fixing its core brand instead? Either way, Saucy joins the fast-food trend of launching offshoots (hello, McDonald’s CosMc’s), proving that even legacy brands are willing to start fresh — neon pink and all.