Connect with us

Entertainment

Good Omens Finale Is Bad Fanfiction Brought To Life

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

When Good Omens first graced Prime Video with its presence, it felt a bit like a gift from God himself. Not only was it a very solid adaptation of the original Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman book, but its central duo was perfectly cast.

David Tennant plays a dastardly demon with a heart of gold, and Michael Sheen plays a natty angel who loves nothing more than tea and a good book. Their unexpected friendship is at the very heart of what makes Good Omens work, and Tennant and Sheen have the perfect amount of quirky chemistry to bring this unconventional relationship to life.

Good Omens later had something of a fall from grace. Season 2 went beyond the confines of the source material, and it was generally beloved thanks to guest stars like Jon Hamm and narrative input from co-showrunner Neil Gaiman. Unfortunately, Gaiman got canceled amid a slew of truly horrific allegations and was reduced from showrunner to co-writer.

It seemed like the right call, as a major association with a disgraced writer would be an albatross around this popular series’ neck. But in the absence of Gaiman’s more overt influence, the Good Omens’ finale became a cluttered mess of an unsalvageable story that feels like bad fanfiction. 

Ready For Final Judgment

The Good Omens finale picks up more or less where Season 2 left off. Michael Sheen’s Aziraphale is now running the show in Heaven and trying to prepare the Earth for a kinder, gentler Second Coming. David Tennant’s Crowley, however, is now destitute and living in an alley. Rejected by Hell and personally rejected by Heaven (Aziraphale previously freaked out when the demon kissed him), Crowley eeks out a meager life that is all about getting his car back. Their plots intersect when a reborn Jesus begins wandering the Earth, kicking off a manhunt whose outcome may very well lead to the end of the world.

I walked into the Good Omens finale with a very open mind. I really enjoyed the first two seasons, and I was already a huge fan of the two leads. David Tennant is buoyantly funny and charismatically compelling in Doctor Who, and he almost single-handedly breathed new life into that aging sci-fi franchise. Michael Sheen, meanwhile, really blew me away in Masters of Sex, a show in which his character is defined by quiet dignity and barely restrained passion. In short, these actors represent two great tastes on their own, and in the first two seasons of Good Omens, they most certainly tasted great together (get your heads out of the gutter, demons!).

Heaven Help The Fans

Sadly, the breezy chemistry between Tennant and Sheen is pretty much the only thing the Good Omens finale has going for it. Early on, the plot gestures at some neat ideas, including a resurrected Jesus (played wonderfully by Bilal Hasna) trying to find his purpose in the brave new world that is Earth.

Jesus gets some of the best scenes in this finale and is nominally important to the plot because Aziraphale and Crowley must team up to find him. But his entire storyline is rendered meaningless by a rushed ending that (without giving any spoilers) quite literally renders everyone else’s plots completely meaningless.

Bilal Hasna as Jesus

Before the accusations against Neil Gaiman came to light, Good Omens was going to have a full third season, but everything got condensed into a single double-episode-length finale. I’m not sure what the hell the writers and producers were planning to do with a whole season. As is, there’s barely enough plot to hold this finale together.

We spend a weird amount of screen time watching an angel gamble to get his car back and Jesus scrambling to learn the meaning of life. It’s just marking time, and even major plot points about the Book of Life being stolen are just excuses to awkwardly jam our two lead characters back together.

All Puzzles, No Answers

David Tennant and Michael Sheen are doing their absolute best with this sloppy script, and watching their very different energies bounce off each other is always great fun. Unfortunately, the Good Omens finale is proof that you can’t make great television on fun vibes alone.

These two spend plenty of time bantering because, frankly, they have little else to do. The closest thing to character development is them coming to terms with their feelings for each other in such an oddly chaste way that it’s guaranteed to piss off those who hated the decision to make these characters gay and those who wanted to see more of a passionate, full-blooded romance. 

The poor handling of their relationship is a microcosm of everything wrong with the Good Omens finale, currently streaming on Prime Video. From its meandering plots to its nonsensical conclusion, and to every annoying whimsy in between (including some distractingly stupid visual effects), this finale episode feels like nothing more than fanfiction.

As such, it has plenty of fan service but no actual substance, which is sure to disappoint fans praying for this show to stick the landing. Unfortunately, the Good Omens finale offers all who pray a rather bleak reminder: sometimes, the answer to your prayers is a firm “no.”

GOOD OMENS SEASON 3 REVIEW SCORE


source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Don’t pay $199 for Windows 11 Pro when it’s currently just $13

TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is down to just $12.97, giving users an easy OS upgrade with advanced security, productivity tools, gaming features, and Copilot AI.


Some upgrades just feel right. This is one of them.

If your PC has been running a little sluggish or you’ve been meaning to bring your system up to speed, Windows 11 Pro is just $12.97 (reg. $199) — a rare, time-sensitive offer that rewards quick, savvy decisions.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s more about giving your computer the modern foundation it deserves. Windows 11 Pro brings a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and enhanced security — all in a one-time lifetime license.

Think of it as the difference between driving a reliable car and suddenly upgrading to one with a smarter dashboard, smoother handling, and built-in security features.

For professionals, creators, and power users, this upgrade also unlocks features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and seamless Azure AD integration — tools that make a real difference when you’re working across projects or managing sensitive data.

And yes, Windows 11 comes with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or even help you generate code on the fly. It’s like having a co-pilot (literally) inside your OS.

But you don’t need convincing — you already know a smart upgrade when you see one. Get Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

source

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Gene Roddenberry Secretly Fixed Star Trek’s Earliest Plot Hole

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Star Trek is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Part of why that is so impressive is that this franchise has managed to maintain the same continuity for so many years. Sure, the Kelvinverse rebooted everything for a few movies, and we occasionally get glimpses of alternate universes with their own twisted history. But the main Trek timeline, from The Original Series through Starfleet Academy, has remained the same, which is an amazing creative achievement. But it also leads to something as annoying as it is inevitable: plot holes!

There are many seeming plot holes throughout the franchise. Heck, Starfleet Academy introduced more than its fair share in only one season. However, the earliest plothole goes back to William Shatner’s very first episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” This episode features a mock grave for James Tiberius Kirk that reads “James R. Kirk.” This weird screwup inspired decades of attempts by fans and creators to explain what happened. However, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry had a simple explanation from the very beginning. That is, the godlike character who created the tombstone was still fallible, meaning that this would be an in-universe screwup rather than a production error.

A Ghoulish Plot Hole

“Where No Man Has Gone Before” was actually the second pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. It’s the episode that sold NBC on this new show, which isn’t surprising, because this is a great hour of television. Strange energy from the galactic barrier gives one of Captain Kirk’s best friends, Gary Mitchell, godlike powers. Those powers are getting stronger by the minute, so Kirk eventually has to make the difficult decision to kill his buddy in the name of keeping the entire ship (and quite possibly the entire galaxy) safe. 

At one point, Mitchell uses his powers to summon a tombstone that reads “James R. Kirk.” It makes for a great threat, but there’s just one problem: the character’s name is James Tiberius Kirk. Incidentally, Gene Roddenberry seemingly knew Kirk’s middle name early on, even though it wasn’t officially revealed (outside of The Animated Series) until The Undiscovered Country. In the introduction to Star Trek: The Classic Episodes 1, Original Series writer D.C. Fontana claimed that once Roddenberry noticed the mistake, he came up with a quick and easy explanation. “Gary Mitchell had godlike powers, but at base he was human. He made a mistake.”

Powers Like A God, Mind Like A Human

Unfortunately, Roddenberry kept this plot hole explanation to himself. I say “unfortunately” because this mistake sent fans into a tizzy trying to explain the discrepancy. On top of that, various Star Trek writers tried their hands at providing explanations. One such explanation came from Michael Jan Friedman’s non-canonical My Brother’s Keeper series. In these books, when the future captain meets Gary Mitchell, he claims his middle name is “Racquetball.” Later, when Kirk steamrolls through a discussion, Mitchell says the man’s middle name should be “Rhinoceros.” Therefore, Friedman explained that the “James R. Kirk” on the tombstone is just an in-joke between former friends.

Additionally, the late, great Star Trek writer Peter David tried his hand at an explanation. In his novel Q-Squared, the events of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” take place in a parallel reality in which Kirk’s middle initial really is “R.” In this non-canonical book, we also find out that Mitchell’s powers came from briefly being possessed by Q, who had to pull himself together across all of time and space. Quick side note: while Marvel has really played out the concept of multiverses, Q-Squared is an amazing novel, and every Trek fan should read it at least once.

These writers did their best to explain where “James R. Kirk” came from. On top of this, fans have constantly debated this issue, all trying to one-up each other in coming up with a suitable explanation for this plothole. As it turns out, though, none of this debating and speculating was necessary because Gene Roddenberry had the perfect explanation ready. Namely, that having the power of a god isn’t the same as having the unlimited knowledge of a god. It’s short, it’s simple, and it’s effective. Most of all, it does what Star Trek has always done best: keep the sci-fi storytelling centered around humanity.


source

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The most read Kindle books of 2026 (so far)

Table of Contents

For my fellow Kindle users, ever wonder what other people are reading on their Kindles? Well, Amazon has some answers.

Each week, Amazon puts out a list of the most read books, which ranks books by the average number of daily Kindle readers and Audible listeners. So unlike a bestseller list, it shows you what titles other Kindle users are actually reading. Because let’s be real, we’re all guilty of buying a book and letting it sit on the shelf for a little too long.

Now that we’re nearly halfway through 2026, it’s time reveal the most read books, according to Kindle readers and Audible listeners. We gathered this list using Amazon’s Most Read charts, collecting which books (both fiction and non-fiction) spent the most time in the top 10 spots. It’s a fun mix of titles, compromised of new releases and old favorites.

So without ado, here are the most read Kindle and Audible books of 2026.

25. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

You’ll find Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke on every lists naming the best books of the year. The tradwife satire was released April 7, 2026 but it’s made such a splash that it’s already spent seven weeks in the Most Read top 10.

24. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

First published in September 2020, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is still wildly popular. A compilation of 19 short stories, exploring the way we think about money, The Psychology of Money has spent seven weeks on the Most Read list in 2026.

23. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe

Acclaimed author Patrick Radden Keefe returned with his latest book London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth, a feat of reporting diving into London’s seedy underbelly as a family fights to find the truth behind their son’s death. Released April 7, 2026, London Falling has already spent eight weeks on the Most Read list.

22. Famesick by Lena Dunham

The moment Famesick was released on April 14, 2026, it seemed like everyone was reading it and the Amazon charts confirmed that. Spending nine weeks on the Most Read charts, Dunham’s memoir which recounts the decade of her life marked by her HBO show Girls as well as the chronic illness that weighed her down, is a must read among Kindle and Audible readers.

21. Stripped Down by Bunnie XO

Bunnie XO has 2.5 million followers on Instagram and 12 million followers on TikTok all on top of her popular podcast Dumb Blonde. So it’s no surprise that her unapologetic memoir, Stripped Down, has spent nine weeks on the Most Read chart. Released, February 17, 2026, Stripped Down details Bunnie XO’s rise from the trailer parks of Vegas to the top of the podcast charts.

20. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Dear Debbie is just one of Frieda McFadden’s books to spend weeks on the Most Read chart. Landing on the list for nine weeks, Dear Debbie is a thrilling read about a woman taking justice into her own hands, even if there are killer consequences.

19. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Kindle and Audible users are all about self-help in 2026. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson has spent nine weeks on the Most Read chart, helping reachers develop a mindset to weather the storm of modern day living.

18. Brimstone by Callie Hart

Finally, some romantasy on the Most Read charts. Callie Hart’s second book in the Fae & Alchemy trilogy, Brimstone, spent nine weeks on the charts. The sequel to Quicksilver dives back to the vampire courts where newly crowned queen Saeris Fan must send Fisher to her homelands, a mission that could kill him.

17. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Despite being released in 2022, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden remained one of the most read books of 2026. Interest in The Housemaid hasn’t faded thanks to the movie adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. With over 3 million Goodreads ratings, if you still haven’t read The Housemaid, it begs the question — what are you waiting for?

16. You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate

Beloved actress Christina Applegate is ready to say it all in her memoir You with the Sad Eyes, that spans her five decade long career, including her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2021. You with the Sad Eyes, spent 10 weeks on the Most Read charts since its March 3, 2026 release.

15. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

There’s this little known series about a boy named Harry Potter. We joke. But it is cool to see the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the Most Read charts 23 years after its release. What’s even cooler is that Amazon notes the average reader age of the book is nine, meaning kiddos are still diving in as this book spent 12 weeks on the charts.

14. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl is just the beginning of Matt Dinniman’s epic, genre-bending series. First released in 2020, Dungeon Crawler Carl has spent fifteen weeks on the Most Read charts.

13. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

What’s fun about following the Most Read chart from the beginning of the year, is seeing how the books in the Harry Potter flunctuate position on the list as kiddos move through the series. Plenty made their way through the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which spent 15 weeks on the list.

12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

The popularity continues with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, which spent 15 weeks on the Most Read list in 2026, even 28 years after its release.

11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire must be a fan favorite in the series as it spent 16 weeks on Amazon’s Most Read chart, letting readers bask in the magic of the Triwizard Tournament.

10. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Capturing the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, tells the story of one’s life all through the letters she writes. Released in April of 2025, the novel has stayed on the Most Read charts for 17 weeks in 2026.

9. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo of Golden tells the story of a small town and the power of one stranger who slowly collects the stories of the people there. Allen Levi’s book has consistently been on bestseller lists and spent 20 weeks in the top ten most read books on Amazon.

8. Strangers by Belle Burden

Perhaps the most read memoir of 2026 is Belle Burden’s Strangers, which unpacks the end of her marriage in the early days of COVID. Already a bestseller, Burden’s memoir has spent 21 weeks on the Most Read chart.

7. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green

A classic can stand the test of time, best evidenced by Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power, which was first released in 2000, but has stayed on the Most Read chart for 22 weeks of 2026.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Of course the most read Harry Potter book is the first. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone spent 22 weeks on the Most Read chart with readers as young as eight years old enjoying the classic fantasy.

5. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary topped the box office and the Most Read chart this year. Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel was the fifth most read Kindle book of 2026, spending a staggering 23 weeks on the Most Read chart.

4. Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s posthumous memoir details her brave stance against Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The powerful, riveting read has spent 24 weeks among the top 10 Most Read non-fiction books.

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Also in the 24 weeks club is James Clear’s Atomic Habits, a guide and framework for changing your habits and your life. Released in 2018, Atomic Habits remains one of the most read Kindle books eight years later.

2. 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

In his bestselling book Too Big to Fail, Andrew Ross Sorkin details the history of the 2008 banking crisis. In his latest, 1929, Sorkin dives into the infamous 1929 crash that shaped our society today. 1929 has spent 24 weeks on the Most Read chart.

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory has sold millions of copies, so it’s no surprise it remains one of the most read books, too. Spending 24 weeks on the Most Read chart, Kindle users are diving into Robbins’ bestselling book.

source

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Good Omens Finale Is Bad Fanfiction Brought To Life

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

When Good Omens first graced Prime Video with its presence, it felt a bit like a gift from God himself. Not only was it a very solid adaptation of the original Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman book, but its central duo was perfectly cast.

David Tennant plays a dastardly demon with a heart of gold, and Michael Sheen plays a natty angel who loves nothing more than tea and a good book. Their unexpected friendship is at the very heart of what makes Good Omens work, and Tennant and Sheen have the perfect amount of quirky chemistry to bring this unconventional relationship to life.

Good Omens later had something of a fall from grace. Season 2 went beyond the confines of the source material, and it was generally beloved thanks to guest stars like Jon Hamm and narrative input from co-showrunner Neil Gaiman. Unfortunately, Gaiman got canceled amid a slew of truly horrific allegations and was reduced from showrunner to co-writer.

It seemed like the right call, as a major association with a disgraced writer would be an albatross around this popular series’ neck. But in the absence of Gaiman’s more overt influence, the Good Omens’ finale became a cluttered mess of an unsalvageable story that feels like bad fanfiction. 

Ready For Final Judgment

The Good Omens finale picks up more or less where Season 2 left off. Michael Sheen’s Aziraphale is now running the show in Heaven and trying to prepare the Earth for a kinder, gentler Second Coming. David Tennant’s Crowley, however, is now destitute and living in an alley. Rejected by Hell and personally rejected by Heaven (Aziraphale previously freaked out when the demon kissed him), Crowley eeks out a meager life that is all about getting his car back. Their plots intersect when a reborn Jesus begins wandering the Earth, kicking off a manhunt whose outcome may very well lead to the end of the world.

I walked into the Good Omens finale with a very open mind. I really enjoyed the first two seasons, and I was already a huge fan of the two leads. David Tennant is buoyantly funny and charismatically compelling in Doctor Who, and he almost single-handedly breathed new life into that aging sci-fi franchise. Michael Sheen, meanwhile, really blew me away in Masters of Sex, a show in which his character is defined by quiet dignity and barely restrained passion. In short, these actors represent two great tastes on their own, and in the first two seasons of Good Omens, they most certainly tasted great together (get your heads out of the gutter, demons!).

Heaven Help The Fans

Sadly, the breezy chemistry between Tennant and Sheen is pretty much the only thing the Good Omens finale has going for it. Early on, the plot gestures at some neat ideas, including a resurrected Jesus (played wonderfully by Bilal Hasna) trying to find his purpose in the brave new world that is Earth.

Jesus gets some of the best scenes in this finale and is nominally important to the plot because Aziraphale and Crowley must team up to find him. But his entire storyline is rendered meaningless by a rushed ending that (without giving any spoilers) quite literally renders everyone else’s plots completely meaningless.

Bilal Hasna as Jesus

Before the accusations against Neil Gaiman came to light, Good Omens was going to have a full third season, but everything got condensed into a single double-episode-length finale. I’m not sure what the hell the writers and producers were planning to do with a whole season. As is, there’s barely enough plot to hold this finale together.

We spend a weird amount of screen time watching an angel gamble to get his car back and Jesus scrambling to learn the meaning of life. It’s just marking time, and even major plot points about the Book of Life being stolen are just excuses to awkwardly jam our two lead characters back together.

All Puzzles, No Answers

David Tennant and Michael Sheen are doing their absolute best with this sloppy script, and watching their very different energies bounce off each other is always great fun. Unfortunately, the Good Omens finale is proof that you can’t make great television on fun vibes alone.

These two spend plenty of time bantering because, frankly, they have little else to do. The closest thing to character development is them coming to terms with their feelings for each other in such an oddly chaste way that it’s guaranteed to piss off those who hated the decision to make these characters gay and those who wanted to see more of a passionate, full-blooded romance. 

The poor handling of their relationship is a microcosm of everything wrong with the Good Omens finale, currently streaming on Prime Video. From its meandering plots to its nonsensical conclusion, and to every annoying whimsy in between (including some distractingly stupid visual effects), this finale episode feels like nothing more than fanfiction.

As such, it has plenty of fan service but no actual substance, which is sure to disappoint fans praying for this show to stick the landing. Unfortunately, the Good Omens finale offers all who pray a rather bleak reminder: sometimes, the answer to your prayers is a firm “no.”

GOOD OMENS SEASON 3 REVIEW SCORE


source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Don’t pay $199 for Windows 11 Pro when it’s currently just $13

TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is down to just $12.97, giving users an easy OS upgrade with advanced security, productivity tools, gaming features, and Copilot AI.


Some upgrades just feel right. This is one of them.

If your PC has been running a little sluggish or you’ve been meaning to bring your system up to speed, Windows 11 Pro is just $12.97 (reg. $199) — a rare, time-sensitive offer that rewards quick, savvy decisions.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s more about giving your computer the modern foundation it deserves. Windows 11 Pro brings a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and enhanced security — all in a one-time lifetime license.

Think of it as the difference between driving a reliable car and suddenly upgrading to one with a smarter dashboard, smoother handling, and built-in security features.

For professionals, creators, and power users, this upgrade also unlocks features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and seamless Azure AD integration — tools that make a real difference when you’re working across projects or managing sensitive data.

And yes, Windows 11 comes with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or even help you generate code on the fly. It’s like having a co-pilot (literally) inside your OS.

But you don’t need convincing — you already know a smart upgrade when you see one. Get Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

source

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Gene Roddenberry Secretly Fixed Star Trek’s Earliest Plot Hole

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Star Trek is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Part of why that is so impressive is that this franchise has managed to maintain the same continuity for so many years. Sure, the Kelvinverse rebooted everything for a few movies, and we occasionally get glimpses of alternate universes with their own twisted history. But the main Trek timeline, from The Original Series through Starfleet Academy, has remained the same, which is an amazing creative achievement. But it also leads to something as annoying as it is inevitable: plot holes!

There are many seeming plot holes throughout the franchise. Heck, Starfleet Academy introduced more than its fair share in only one season. However, the earliest plothole goes back to William Shatner’s very first episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” This episode features a mock grave for James Tiberius Kirk that reads “James R. Kirk.” This weird screwup inspired decades of attempts by fans and creators to explain what happened. However, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry had a simple explanation from the very beginning. That is, the godlike character who created the tombstone was still fallible, meaning that this would be an in-universe screwup rather than a production error.

A Ghoulish Plot Hole

“Where No Man Has Gone Before” was actually the second pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. It’s the episode that sold NBC on this new show, which isn’t surprising, because this is a great hour of television. Strange energy from the galactic barrier gives one of Captain Kirk’s best friends, Gary Mitchell, godlike powers. Those powers are getting stronger by the minute, so Kirk eventually has to make the difficult decision to kill his buddy in the name of keeping the entire ship (and quite possibly the entire galaxy) safe. 

At one point, Mitchell uses his powers to summon a tombstone that reads “James R. Kirk.” It makes for a great threat, but there’s just one problem: the character’s name is James Tiberius Kirk. Incidentally, Gene Roddenberry seemingly knew Kirk’s middle name early on, even though it wasn’t officially revealed (outside of The Animated Series) until The Undiscovered Country. In the introduction to Star Trek: The Classic Episodes 1, Original Series writer D.C. Fontana claimed that once Roddenberry noticed the mistake, he came up with a quick and easy explanation. “Gary Mitchell had godlike powers, but at base he was human. He made a mistake.”

Powers Like A God, Mind Like A Human

Unfortunately, Roddenberry kept this plot hole explanation to himself. I say “unfortunately” because this mistake sent fans into a tizzy trying to explain the discrepancy. On top of that, various Star Trek writers tried their hands at providing explanations. One such explanation came from Michael Jan Friedman’s non-canonical My Brother’s Keeper series. In these books, when the future captain meets Gary Mitchell, he claims his middle name is “Racquetball.” Later, when Kirk steamrolls through a discussion, Mitchell says the man’s middle name should be “Rhinoceros.” Therefore, Friedman explained that the “James R. Kirk” on the tombstone is just an in-joke between former friends.

Additionally, the late, great Star Trek writer Peter David tried his hand at an explanation. In his novel Q-Squared, the events of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” take place in a parallel reality in which Kirk’s middle initial really is “R.” In this non-canonical book, we also find out that Mitchell’s powers came from briefly being possessed by Q, who had to pull himself together across all of time and space. Quick side note: while Marvel has really played out the concept of multiverses, Q-Squared is an amazing novel, and every Trek fan should read it at least once.

These writers did their best to explain where “James R. Kirk” came from. On top of this, fans have constantly debated this issue, all trying to one-up each other in coming up with a suitable explanation for this plothole. As it turns out, though, none of this debating and speculating was necessary because Gene Roddenberry had the perfect explanation ready. Namely, that having the power of a god isn’t the same as having the unlimited knowledge of a god. It’s short, it’s simple, and it’s effective. Most of all, it does what Star Trek has always done best: keep the sci-fi storytelling centered around humanity.


source

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The most read Kindle books of 2026 (so far)

Table of Contents

For my fellow Kindle users, ever wonder what other people are reading on their Kindles? Well, Amazon has some answers.

Each week, Amazon puts out a list of the most read books, which ranks books by the average number of daily Kindle readers and Audible listeners. So unlike a bestseller list, it shows you what titles other Kindle users are actually reading. Because let’s be real, we’re all guilty of buying a book and letting it sit on the shelf for a little too long.

Now that we’re nearly halfway through 2026, it’s time reveal the most read books, according to Kindle readers and Audible listeners. We gathered this list using Amazon’s Most Read charts, collecting which books (both fiction and non-fiction) spent the most time in the top 10 spots. It’s a fun mix of titles, compromised of new releases and old favorites.

So without ado, here are the most read Kindle and Audible books of 2026.

25. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

You’ll find Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke on every lists naming the best books of the year. The tradwife satire was released April 7, 2026 but it’s made such a splash that it’s already spent seven weeks in the Most Read top 10.

24. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

First published in September 2020, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is still wildly popular. A compilation of 19 short stories, exploring the way we think about money, The Psychology of Money has spent seven weeks on the Most Read list in 2026.

23. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe

Acclaimed author Patrick Radden Keefe returned with his latest book London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth, a feat of reporting diving into London’s seedy underbelly as a family fights to find the truth behind their son’s death. Released April 7, 2026, London Falling has already spent eight weeks on the Most Read list.

22. Famesick by Lena Dunham

The moment Famesick was released on April 14, 2026, it seemed like everyone was reading it and the Amazon charts confirmed that. Spending nine weeks on the Most Read charts, Dunham’s memoir which recounts the decade of her life marked by her HBO show Girls as well as the chronic illness that weighed her down, is a must read among Kindle and Audible readers.

21. Stripped Down by Bunnie XO

Bunnie XO has 2.5 million followers on Instagram and 12 million followers on TikTok all on top of her popular podcast Dumb Blonde. So it’s no surprise that her unapologetic memoir, Stripped Down, has spent nine weeks on the Most Read chart. Released, February 17, 2026, Stripped Down details Bunnie XO’s rise from the trailer parks of Vegas to the top of the podcast charts.

20. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Dear Debbie is just one of Frieda McFadden’s books to spend weeks on the Most Read chart. Landing on the list for nine weeks, Dear Debbie is a thrilling read about a woman taking justice into her own hands, even if there are killer consequences.

19. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Kindle and Audible users are all about self-help in 2026. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson has spent nine weeks on the Most Read chart, helping reachers develop a mindset to weather the storm of modern day living.

18. Brimstone by Callie Hart

Finally, some romantasy on the Most Read charts. Callie Hart’s second book in the Fae & Alchemy trilogy, Brimstone, spent nine weeks on the charts. The sequel to Quicksilver dives back to the vampire courts where newly crowned queen Saeris Fan must send Fisher to her homelands, a mission that could kill him.

17. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Despite being released in 2022, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden remained one of the most read books of 2026. Interest in The Housemaid hasn’t faded thanks to the movie adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. With over 3 million Goodreads ratings, if you still haven’t read The Housemaid, it begs the question — what are you waiting for?

16. You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate

Beloved actress Christina Applegate is ready to say it all in her memoir You with the Sad Eyes, that spans her five decade long career, including her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2021. You with the Sad Eyes, spent 10 weeks on the Most Read charts since its March 3, 2026 release.

15. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

There’s this little known series about a boy named Harry Potter. We joke. But it is cool to see the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the Most Read charts 23 years after its release. What’s even cooler is that Amazon notes the average reader age of the book is nine, meaning kiddos are still diving in as this book spent 12 weeks on the charts.

14. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl is just the beginning of Matt Dinniman’s epic, genre-bending series. First released in 2020, Dungeon Crawler Carl has spent fifteen weeks on the Most Read charts.

13. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

What’s fun about following the Most Read chart from the beginning of the year, is seeing how the books in the Harry Potter flunctuate position on the list as kiddos move through the series. Plenty made their way through the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which spent 15 weeks on the list.

12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

The popularity continues with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, which spent 15 weeks on the Most Read list in 2026, even 28 years after its release.

11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire must be a fan favorite in the series as it spent 16 weeks on Amazon’s Most Read chart, letting readers bask in the magic of the Triwizard Tournament.

10. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Capturing the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, tells the story of one’s life all through the letters she writes. Released in April of 2025, the novel has stayed on the Most Read charts for 17 weeks in 2026.

9. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo of Golden tells the story of a small town and the power of one stranger who slowly collects the stories of the people there. Allen Levi’s book has consistently been on bestseller lists and spent 20 weeks in the top ten most read books on Amazon.

8. Strangers by Belle Burden

Perhaps the most read memoir of 2026 is Belle Burden’s Strangers, which unpacks the end of her marriage in the early days of COVID. Already a bestseller, Burden’s memoir has spent 21 weeks on the Most Read chart.

7. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green

A classic can stand the test of time, best evidenced by Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power, which was first released in 2000, but has stayed on the Most Read chart for 22 weeks of 2026.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Of course the most read Harry Potter book is the first. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone spent 22 weeks on the Most Read chart with readers as young as eight years old enjoying the classic fantasy.

5. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary topped the box office and the Most Read chart this year. Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel was the fifth most read Kindle book of 2026, spending a staggering 23 weeks on the Most Read chart.

4. Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s posthumous memoir details her brave stance against Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The powerful, riveting read has spent 24 weeks among the top 10 Most Read non-fiction books.

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Also in the 24 weeks club is James Clear’s Atomic Habits, a guide and framework for changing your habits and your life. Released in 2018, Atomic Habits remains one of the most read Kindle books eight years later.

2. 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

In his bestselling book Too Big to Fail, Andrew Ross Sorkin details the history of the 2008 banking crisis. In his latest, 1929, Sorkin dives into the infamous 1929 crash that shaped our society today. 1929 has spent 24 weeks on the Most Read chart.

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory has sold millions of copies, so it’s no surprise it remains one of the most read books, too. Spending 24 weeks on the Most Read chart, Kindle users are diving into Robbins’ bestselling book.

source

Continue Reading