Eat, Read, Go: Ribollita Soup, "The First Time I Saw Him," and Oulu, Finland

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. It is my professional opinion that the new year doesn’t actually start until Monday, meaning you have two more days of couch rot. I, for one, plan to spend them searching for a dupe of the sparkly, golden gown Taylor Swift wore to Este Haim’s wedding and whipping up this genius three-ingredient hangover cure. Other things I want to do?:

• Try a “halo lip,” which can apparently make your lips look fuller without seeming overdone, and will be the hottest beauty trend of 2026.

• Trade my collection of black comfy pants for a pair in this chic, Sofia Richie Grainge-approved shade. Who knows? I might even leave the house in them.

• Stock up on this rich and creamy hot chocolate mix at the grocery store. If it’s good enough for chefs, it’s good enough for me.

• Set my calendar for the reboot of my most beloved childhood variety show, which will bring together two icons: Miss Piggy and Sabrina Carpenter.

— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

Bread with Soup Is Great — But Bread in Soup? Transcendent

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Forget new year, new you — we’re all about new year, new soup. First up: The Original Dish’s Ribollita Soup with Sausage & Toasted Bread. Not only does this twist on the Tuscan classic come together almost entirely in one pot, but it’s packed with a farm stand’s worth of veggies (precisely what your body needs after December), hearty Italian sausage, creamy cannellini beans, and a Parmesan rind for serious umami flavor. Plus, it has crunchy chunks of bread both in the soup and on top — which, as you might imagine, is even more magical than soup with bread. Consider 2026 already off to a solid start.

The Time Commitment: Just over an hour, give or take.

Key Tips: If you’re planning to eat the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day, Kayla Howey (aka The Original Dish) recommends “toasting the bread fresh right before serving.” Also, you can tailor the recipe based on your taste or what you have on hand: swap chard for kale; replace cannellini beans with navy or great northern beans; and use chicken or plant-based sausage instead of pork. 

Other Takes: Now that it’s officially acceptable to eat soup for every meal, try…

• Tuscan Butter Bean Soup. This half-hour hero is pantry-friendly, light yet creamy, and, in the words of one commenter, “the most DELICIOUS soup I have ever made.”

• Cacio e Pepe Chicken Soup. Apologies to grandmas everywhere, but this is the most comforting chicken noodle soup to ever exist. Hands down. Full stop.

• Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Crouton Topper. This easy, all-in-one vegetarian meal is the answer to a question we didn’t even know we had: Why should French onion be the only soup with a crust?

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

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What’s shocking about a husband showing up at his wife’s art exhibition? Well, nothing, unless he’s been in hiding for five years — which is exactly what happens when Owen suddenly reappears in Laura Dave’s The First Time I Saw Him, the highly anticipated follow-up to The Last Thing He Told Me. His message to Hannah is clear: She and her stepdaughter, Bailey, are no longer safe, and must upend their quiet Southern California existence. As the two go on the run, expect old enemies, new threats, and a race to decode cryptic clues that may or may not lead them to safety…and Owen himself. Oh, and just like the first book, the heart-pounding sequel will also get the Hollywood treatment when season 2 of the Apple TV series, starring Jennifer Garner and Jaime Lannister (sorry, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), premieres on February 20. We asked Dave a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What should be required reading for every human being?

Dave: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Heartburn by Nora Ephron, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you want to be a writer, I’d also add On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?

Dave: I spend too much time thinking about this question. Today’s answer is sushi. Probably tomorrow’s answer too.

Q: What’s one thing you’re an armchair expert on?

Dave: Travel. I love everything from a spontaneous road trip up the California coast (Big Sur is my favorite place in the world) to a planned trip across the ocean. And I take a lot of joy in helping friends plan their vacations — though they’d probably tell you I can be a bit bossy about following my recommendations.

The Underrated Finnish City Has Northern Lights, Midnight Sun, and Zero Crowds — For Now

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Planning your 2026 trips already? Same. And we’ve got a spot that’ll make you look like the savviest traveler in your friend group: Oulu, Finland. This under-the-radar Nordic city was just named one of the top destinations for 2026, according to Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, and just about every other major outlet — and it’s easy to see why. Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Oulu serves up big nature at every turn, summer sun that barely sets, and northern lights that look straight from a Planet Earth episode. Plus, it’s been designated a European Capital of Culture for 2026, meaning a year-long lineup of festivals, art installations, and performances celebrating Finnish design, innovation, and heritage. All of which is to say: Book your trip now, before everyone else catches on.

🌌 If seeing the northern lights is at the top of your bucket list, go between September and early April — when they’re most active and the crowds are thin (unlike, say, Tromsø). For prime viewing, head to Nallikari beach, Hollihaka park, or the Pyykösjärvi and Kuivasjärvi lakeshores. You can chase them on your own or book a guided tour. 

🎨 Oulu has nearly 600 miles of walking and biking paths, which starting in June, will include the Climate Clock — a public art trail that leads out of the city to environment-focused works set against forests, rivers, and shorelines. Or, for more traditional gallery vibes, hit the Oulu Art Museum for contemporary pieces from Finnish and Nordic artists, plus rotating exhibitions on everything from Indigenous Sámi culture to avant-garde fashion.

🍄‍🟫 If your “itinerary” is really just a dining guide, check out the Arctic Food Lab’s calendar of events — specifically, the Summer Night’s Dinner, where a seemingly endless string of long communal tables takes over the city center and you can sample cloudberries, foraged mushrooms, and other local delicacies. Can’t make it? Book Oula Kitchen & Bar instead to feast on sugar-salted whitefish, reindeer tartare, and salmon soup.

💦 Finns don’t play around when it comes to sauna — and Oulu is proof. In summer, visit woodburning Kesän Sauna, which is accessible by hand-pulled raft and known for its sunset and silent steam sessions. Or try Koivurannan Saunalautta, a floating sauna that cruises along the scenic Oulujoki River (with the option for ice swimming in winter, if you’re brave). And for something sleeker, there’s Olosauna — basically what it’d look like if Gwyneth Paltrow opened a sauna.

👟 Spend a day on Pikisaari Island, a former boatbuilding hub that’s now home to many artists and their studios. There, you can admire the colorful wooden houses, dig into seasonal dishes — like smoked beetroot soup and arctic char — at Winebar Kurkela, and enjoy a crisp lager with a side of sauna at Mallassauna.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Every year, a friend sends a gourmet gift basket. While I appreciate it, I never eat what’s inside. Is there a polite way to let them know I don’t need it? I don’t want to be rude, but I also don’t want them wasting money. Or should I just say nothing?

“You could share the gift with others who’d enjoy the contents. Otherwise, being honest, but saying it with gratitude, is the most respectful [thing you can do]. Something like: ‘Your annual gift is always so thoughtful, and I truly appreciate you thinking of me. I’ve realized I don’t end up using the items in the basket, so I’d love for you to save the expense or direct your generosity toward someone who would really enjoy it. Your kindness means more to me than the gift itself.’ You’re not rejecting them — you’re making sure their kindness actually lands where it’ll be appreciated.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.