A list of good reads

• New Yorker pays tribute to the lost art of conversation in a culture that is dominated by efforts to score points and win arguments.
• Also in the New Yorker: the incredible tale of a ‘Black-Cuban’ novelist who was the ultimate fabulist—inventing his entire life, including his identity. An interesting twist on the usual ‘white person pretends to be brown’ story.
• Did you know that sleep paralysis can make you experience terrifying nightmares—including seeing ghosts. TIME magazine explains why.
• This is for all the basketball fans: ESPN has the story of 55-year-old Mike Cole who held on to a ticket from the debut game of a rookie named Michael Jordan. Talk about hitting the lottery.
• The Guardian has a very good interview with actor Djimon Hounsou—who made the incredible journey from the small African nation of Benin to Hollywood.
• Scroll looks at the alarming effects of Mumbai’s “hazardous” air pollution levels—which is significantly driving up respiratory illnesses. Yup, Bombay is the new Delhi.
• In an incisive Al Jazeera column, Priyamvada Gopal argues that UK’s latest refugee law (explained here) fails to acknowledge that it has historically been “a refugee-making country.”
• Wall Street Journal (splainer gift link) looks at the newest villain being targeted by doctors and nutritionists—the delicious sandwich. Nooooo!
• The Conversation has a fascinating piece on a bizarre cult-like group called Starseeds—people who believe they are aliens living on earth.
• Bloomberg News has a lovely feature on queer couples at the forefront of the battle for equal marriage rights.
• The Hindu pays a lovely tribute to renowned historian Patrick French who passed away on Thursday.