Christie's is honored to present our seasonal Tiffany auction dedicated to Louis Comfort Tiffany 's eponymous Studios in New York. This December we showcase The Albert Zuckerman Collection of Tiffany, including the impressive 'Birches and Irises' Landscape Window, and Important and Rare 'Daffodil' Chandelier, amongst more from the collection. Beloved patterns such as the 'Elaborate Peony', 'Tulip', 'Poppy' and 'Bamboo' will also be on offer from notable private collectors including American Visionaries: Property from an Important Private Collection and Property from the Ronald and Madelyn Katz Collection. A rare 'Landscape' Floor Lamp, Property from an Important Private Collection, demonstrates the ingenuity of the Tiffany Studios in creating visual wonders of glass for every object of an interior. Additional metal and glass works from the Studios will be on offer including the 'Dragonfly and Arrowhead' humidor and many more. Property will be on exhibition 5–11 December at our Rockefeller Center Galleries. Auction times: 12 Dec 11:00 AM (EST) ML Staff. Content/images courtesy of Christie's

The Open Invitational is a new fair dedicated to progressive art studios showcasing the work of artists with disabilities, with the aim of  building our artists’ careers and in the process dismantling outmoded hierarchies in the contemporary art world.  With openness as our guiding principle we seek to broaden public awareness of progressive art studios and disseminate incredible, unique, and urgent art to collectors and institutions. We launched in 2024 in the Design District and are thrilled to be bringing together over 15 studios from around the country back to the Design District in 2025.   We also recently held our first fair in New York and will be presenting Creativity Explored x Open Invitational in San Francisco in January 2026. DATE: Monday, December 1, 2025 TIME: 6PM - 9PM ADDRESS:  3930 NE 2nd Ave, Suite 202 ML Staff. Content/image courtesy of MDD

Miami and Portland have next to zero history on the basketball court, but whenever they meet something interesting almost always happens. There’s been a little feast or famine to Miami’s offense in these two games without Bam Adebayo, and in this one they opened 1-of-15 from the field and 0-of-9 in the paint, second-year center Donovan Clingan giving them issues in the paint with his rim protection as he also tipped at least two lobs headed the direction of Kel’el Ware. Portland’s lead was 15-3 before anyone could blink. As has already happened so often in this young season, the game changed as soon as the bench started to cycle in. Jaime Jaquez Jr. got to the rim for a couple quick scores before a minute had elapsed, and with Dru Smith getting a hand on everything and turning those deflections the other way for scores, Portland’s lead dwindled to three by the end of the first quarter. With the full bench opening the second period, Nikola Jovic at the nominal center spot, the HEAT’s zone gave Portland issues upon issues, their threes not falling and their drives going nowhere except into a mass of bodies. As the turnovers mounted, Miami’s offense evened out, Smith tipping Shaedon Sharpe’s dribble in one-on-one full-court pressure for a pick-six – the bench group with 29 of Miami’s 41 at that stage. Portland fought back with a flurry of threes that finally fell, but it was 72-65 at the break all the same, Miami’s cold start but a distant memory in the face of another efficient half. After the 0-of-9 opening in the paint, they finished 20-of-22 the rest of the way. Much like the HEAT, the Blazers are not a team to go quietly into the night, having just handed Oklahoma City their first loss of the season after trailing big.  Even while Norm Powell enjoyed a free three in the corner after Portland suddenly helped off the strong side despite stringently avoiding sending that help in the first half, it was Portland out in front again in the third, Clingan again disrupting in the middle. Miami’s turn again, tough finishes through and around contact powering an immediate 11-0 run, Portland struggling for traction on offense whenever Deni Avdija wasn’t on the floor. Between Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson, Portland’s bench units could neither protect the rim nor absorb the contact one-on-one to properly contest. All downhill for Miami, in the best of ways. The lead grew to double digits again despite a run of Portland and-one’s in the paint, and as soon as that moment passed Portland was back within a single possession, Avdija again getting to his spots off the dribble as the Blazers sat in zone on the other end. HEAT up, 100-97 after three, with 60 points in the paint and counting as both teams continued to be cold from outside. Blazers back in front with Shaedon Sharpe building on a strong second half, but Miami kept driving into contact and drawing whistles, no sign of let up on either side. It was quiet and measured, but Nikola Jovic was having his best game of the season, a stop-and-pop three in transition again gaining the lead as he surpassed the 20-point mark, another quick three coming soon after. Clutch game, of course, teams trading fouls with five to play, the HEAT’s democratic approach creating opportunities at angles Portland didn’t see coming. All tied up with three to go, just as soon as Portland appeared about to go back up Clingan slipped on a paint catch and Powell drew a transition take foul going the other way, with Jaquez Jr. back-cutting Sharpe on the next possession. And odd ending, in a way, with an odd rhythm, but it was Miami’s all the same, 136-131, finishing off a back-to-back of victories despite missing Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Two numbers in the box-score more or less defined this game. On Portland’s side, Avdija was a +24 in his 37 minutes, as he scored 33 on 21 shots. When Avdija was in the game, Portland had consistent offense off the dribble. When he wasn’t, they didn’t. And the avatar for many of those minutes with Avdija off, until a strong finish at the close, was Nikola Jovic, putting up a career night with 29 points on 16 shots to go with seven assists, nine rebounds and, the other key number here, a +20 in his 31 minutes. Miami’s bench outscored Portland’s, 63-33, which was quite easily the difference in the game. It had been a bit of a cool start for Jovic as Jaquez Jr. garnered most of the early flowers for the HEAT’s bench offense, but Jovic was too good of a fit – he was a standout in training camp and preseason before an injury kept him out of a few preseason games – for the HEAT’s up-tempo, attacking offense for the game to not eventually come to him. While Jovic did finish 3-of-7 from three, including a huge pair in the fourth, the most encouraging part of his night was that he finished 7-of-9 in the paint with eight trips to the line, battering Portland’s smaller defenders with his physicality as he attacked confidently throughout the night. When we say Jovic’s evening was quiet until the end, that’s only because it was steady, but not particularly noisy, just a man filling his role and the role calling on him for aggression. Does he need to score 29, or even 20, to be effective? Hardly. Like everyone on Miami’s bench, he just needs to play that role and do what needs to be done efficiently. Against Portland, it all clicked together and Jovic reminded everyone just how much talent he’s working with. Because the HEAT’s offense is so predicated on attacking, quickly, in one-on-one situations, this is less a season to be watching pick-and-roll coverages and more one to keep a close eye on how teams are playing Miami’s drives and their rules for help. When Clingan was in the game to sweep over to the ball side on the attack, Miami had their struggles. But throughout the game it was clear Portland didn’t want to help too much, perhaps because their system is built on trusting the individual defenders, and the HEAT took regular advantage, worming and shouldering their way into the paint, nearly every play on the roster coming up with creative and tough finishes – not all of them easy – in the lane. As a result, Miami put up 74 points in the paint, including 36 rim attempts (26 makes). Portland did eventually adjust, and they did it in two ways. First, coach Tiago Splitter went small with their cadre of big forwards manning the frontcourt positions. But as part of that they also went zone, that zone loading up on Miami’s drives at the arc in ways the Blazers had been doing the opposite of before. Portland is a zone team. They work on it, and they’ve used it almost as much as Miami in recent years. But it was also on trend after seeing Denver go zone against them earlier in the week. A few late threes made the difference, and when Grant fouled out the Blazers went back to man with Clingan in, this time the drives earning trips to the line. More to monitor as the games come, but so far the teams that have struggled against the HEAT the most, especially against the physical bench, are the teams that have tried to play the one-on-one game. By ML Staff. Courtesy of NBA.

Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR),  the world’s leading social inhalation business, is proud to announce a groundbreaking  collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Al Fakher , the world’s No. 1 hookah brand. Known for his unmistakable style and cultural influence, Snoop Dogg brings his passion for flavor and community to the hookah world through this unique partnership. The Al Fakher Legacy Al Fakher has been the global leader in the hookah world for decades. Known for delivering consistent, high-quality products, Al Fakher’s products are enjoyed by hookah enthusiasts in hundreds of countries worldwide. As the number one hookah brand globally, Al Fakher is synonymous with premium flavors and unforgettable experiences. Snoop Dogg: The Ultimate Cultural Icon Snoop Dogg needs no introduction. As a legendary artist, entrepreneur, and cultural pioneer, he’s made a lasting impact on music, lifestyle, and entertainment. Recently recognized as one of Time’s Most Influential People in the World, Snoop continues to shape culture and connect people everywhere through creativity, authenticity, and style.  Snoop x Al Fakher: Flavor Meets Culture Snoop Dogg and Al Fakher have joined forces to create a core collection of six premium hookah flavors that fuse Snoop’s laid-back style and Al Fakher’s commitment to impeccable quality. Each blend is carefully crafted to deliver a smooth and satisfying experience. Rolling out across multiple countries, the collection will be available around the world so fans everywhere can experience the essence of Snoop’s signature taste. “When a hookah gets lit, you already know you’re surrounded by good friends and about to have a good time. Teaming up with Al Fakher means we’re bringing that same energy to people everywhere — it’s all about flavor, culture, and creating moments you don’t forget,” said Snoop Dogg & Jorge Güil, Chief Marketing Officer at AIR.  “The Al Fakher x Snoop Dogg partnership is one of the most exciting events in the 600 years of hookah history. Al Fakher’s well-known product quality paired with Snoop’s creativity deliver some mind-blowing flavors – we cannot wait for consumers to try and enjoy them all. We are also cooking some exciting new stuff with Snoop, so watch this space in 2026,” said Jorge Güil, Chief Marketing Officer at AIR. The full Al Fakher x Snoop Dogg hookah range can be found at hookah.com and shisha-world.com as well as authorized hookah retailers.  To learn more, visit:  hookah.com/c/snoop-dogg . By ML Staff. Content/images courtesy of Advanced Inhalation Rituals.

Demi Moore  turned heads in New York City on November 9, 2025, wearing a striking Gucci Pre-Fall 2025 ensemble. The actress paired a red and blue wool bouclé dress and matching coat with the elegant Gucci Horsebit 1955 Aura bag in white leather. The sophisticated look perfectly captured Moore’s timeless style, blending classic tailoring with modern luxury for an effortlessly chic city appearance. By ML Staff. Photo/Gucci/Getty Images

The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, in partnership with The Miami Foundation, has announced the recipients of its 2025 Pérez CreARTE Grants, honoring organizations that are advancing South Florida’s vibrant arts and cultural community. Among this year’s grantees is The Motivational Edge, a Miami-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through arts, education, and mentorship. Through the CreARTE program, The Motivational Edge will receive funding to expand its arts-based youth development programs across Miami-Dade County. The grant will support initiatives that promote creative expression, skill-building, and mentorship while enhancing access to the arts for vulnerable youth. A key focus of the funding will be the enhancement of the organization’s Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP)—a unique initiative that integrates the arts with life skills, mentorship, and workforce development for young people ages 16–23. The grant will also help expand programming at the organization’s Allapattah Campus and its satellite locations, providing more opportunities for students to explore music, dance, digital design, and visual arts. “This grant is more than just funding—it’s a partnership in purpose,” said Ian Welsch, CEO of The Motivational Edge. “With the support of the Pérez Family Foundation, we can reach more youth, strengthen our team, and continue transforming lives through creativity, mentorship, and opportunity.” The award was announced during the Pérez Family Foundation’s inaugural Grantee Summit on October 14, 2025, held at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. The event also marked the Foundation’s 10th anniversary and celebrated a decade of impactful giving. In this new funding cycle, more than $5 million in CreARTE grants will be distributed to 43 innovative projects over the next two years, supporting visual and performing arts, education, and experimental programming across Miami-Dade County. For more information about the Pérez CreARTE program and the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, visit jmperezfamilyfoundation.org/grant-opportunities . To learn more about The Motivational Edge and its programs, visit TheMotivationalEdge.org . By ML Staff. Photos/The Motivational Edge

The Miami Children’s Museum is once again bringing the magic of winter to South Florida with the return of Winter Wonderland: Sock Skating , opening to the public on Sunday, November 16, 2025 . The Museum’s What’s New Gallery  will transform into a sparkling indoor winter paradise, where families can glide, play, and explore—no ice skates required. Children and parents alike can enjoy sliding across the sock skating rink surrounded by festive décor, shimmering snowflakes, and joyful holiday energy, offering a perfect seasonal escape in Miami’s warm climate. The grand opening celebration will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official start of the Museum’s holiday season. Throughout the day, guests can participate in interactive programming and hands-on experiences, including the debut of The Lost Pirate Show , a new family performance filled with adventure and imagination. Visitors can also stop by Professor Flurry’s Lab, where the Museum’s resident winter scientist will lead “snow-tastic” experiments combining science and fun. Sponsored by Beacon Real Estate Group, Winter Wonderland: Sock Skating  will remain open through February 2026, giving families ample time to enjoy the immersive winter experience. Along with skating sessions, the exhibit includes creative winter crafts and themed activities designed to inspire learning through play. The Winter Wonderland: Sock Skating  exhibit will be held at the Miami Children’s Museum, located at 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132. Parking is available on-site. Tickets can be purchased through the Museum’s website. For more information, visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org . By ML Staff. Photo/MCM

Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity for parents to create a tailored learning environment that aligns with their values and educational goals. As homeschooling continues to grow in popularity, parents are on the lookout for high-quality educational materials that will engage their children and nurture their intellectual development. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling family or just starting, the following list includes some of the best kids' books, learning resources, and homeschool academies to help guide your child’s learning journey. In this article, we’ll discuss a range of options, from established brands like Tuttle Twins to other homeschooling resources. Each of these brands offers something unique, but Tuttle Twins stands out as the top choice for families looking to teach their children about liberty, personal responsibility, and critical thinking. 1. Tuttle Twins – The Best Choice for Teaching Liberty and Critical Thinking Tuttle Twins is our top recommendation for parents seeking educational materials that inspire kids to think critically about society, freedom, and economics. Known for their engaging, age-appropriate books, Tuttle Twins offers a series of children's books that introduce complex topics like personal responsibility, freedom, and the principles of liberty in a fun and understandable way. The Tuttle Twins  series has been a game-changer for homeschooling families who want to raise children who are not only well-educated but also aware of the principles of a free society. The books cover essential topics in history, economics, and government, while also encouraging independent thought and curiosity. With a clear, wholesome approach to learning, Tuttle Twins fosters an environment of critical thinking and liberty for children of all ages. Why Choose Tuttle Twins? Engages children with exciting stories about liberty, freedom, and self-responsibility. Perfect for families looking to teach their kids about the principles of a free society in a relatable, age-appropriate manner. Supports the development of independent, confident thinkers. Fosters important discussions about ideas that matter, helping children develop values of personal responsibility and free-market principles. "Homeschooling keeps a child’s life centered on home and family, as it naturally should be. Home is where education takes place, so in that sense it is home-centric."   – Education expert commentary on homeschooling benefits 2. Scholastic – A Reliable but Broad Option Scholastic is one of the most well-known names in the world of children’s education, and for good reason. With an extensive catalog of children’s books, learning resources, and online educational tools, Scholastic offers a variety of materials for parents who are homeschooling. From literature to science, math, and more, Scholastic’s resources are comprehensive and widely accessible. While Scholastic offers high-quality books and curricula, it’s more general in its approach to education. Parents looking for something more specific in terms of a values-based education or a focus on personal liberty may not find that here. However, Scholastic does have something for everyone, and its books are still some of the most popular choices in homes and classrooms across the country. Why Consider Scholastic? Extensive selection of books and learning resources for all grade levels. Great for general education across subjects like literature, math, and science. Offers both physical and digital learning resources. 3. Time4Learning – Flexible and Interactive Online Learning For parents seeking an interactive and flexible homeschooling option, Time4Learning provides a solid online curriculum designed to make learning fun and engaging. Time4Learning offers complete homeschool programs for preschool through high school, covering subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies. What sets Time4Learning apart is its focus on interactive learning. With lessons that include videos, quizzes, and games, Time4Learning ensures that students remain engaged while mastering new concepts. However, the downside is that it’s an online-only program, which may not be ideal for every homeschooling family. Some parents may prefer a more hands-on approach with physical books and materials. Why Consider Time4Learning? Interactive, online curriculum that makes learning enjoyable for children. Flexible enough for homeschoolers with different schedules. Covers a wide variety of subjects from preschool to high school. Allows students to work at their own pace, catering to individual learning styles. "Students can pursue their individual interests and talents more freely."   – Education analysis on homeschooling flexibility 4. K12 – A Structured Online Option K12 is another popular online learning platform, offering full homeschooling programs from kindergarten through high school. The curriculum is more structured than Time4Learning, which can be a plus for families who appreciate a more traditional school experience. K12’s program includes live online classes and a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from history and language arts to math and science. While K12 provides a lot of support, including access to certified teachers and a more structured environment, some parents may find the program too rigid for their homeschooling needs. Unlike Tuttle Twins, which encourages independent thought and exploration, K12 follows a more traditional approach to education that may not align with every family’s philosophy. Why Consider K12? Structured, traditional homeschooling option with certified teachers. Complete curriculum for all grade levels. Includes access to live classes and a more school-like experience. Good for families who prefer a structured, formal education. What to Look for When Buying Books and Learning Resources for Your Homeschool When selecting children’s books and learning resources for homeschooling, it's important to consider the following factors: Educational Philosophy : Choose materials that align with your educational goals and values. For example, if you want to instill the principles of liberty and personal responsibility, look for books like Tuttle Twins that focus on these values. If you prefer a more general, traditional approach, Scholastic may be a better fit. Age Appropriateness: Make sure the material is suited to your child's developmental stage. Books and resources should be engaging and challenging without being overwhelming. Interactivity : Interactive tools, like those offered by Time4Learning, can enhance the learning experience by keeping children engaged through games and quizzes. These are particularly beneficial for children who learn best through hands-on activities. Flexibility : Look for resources that allow flexibility in pacing, especially if your child learns at their own speed. Programs like Tuttle Twins and Time4Learning are adaptable to different learning styles and speeds. Cost and Value : Homeschooling resources can vary widely in cost. Consider whether the product offers long-term value and can grow with your child’s needs. Conclusion Homeschooling allows for an individualized approach to learning that can be both enriching and fulfilling for families. Tuttle Twins stands out as a top choice for parents seeking to teach their children about liberty, responsibility, and critical thinking. Alongside Scholastic, Time4Learning, and K12, these educational resources offer valuable tools for building a strong educational foundation in a homeschool setting. Ultimately, the best learning resources for your child will depend on your family’s educational goals, learning preferences, and values. Take the time to explore the options available and choose those that will empower your child to think critically and creatively about the world around them. By ML Staff

The Betsy South Beach presents a brilliant art and photography collection curated by hotel co-owner Lesley Goldwasser in nine property-wide galleries from Ocean Drive to Collins Avenue. The exhibition includes a never-before-seen collection of original archival photos and drawings by Christo and Jeanne-Claude presented in partnership with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation and photographs of legends that shaped global world culture by Larry Fink, Art Shay, Ken Regan, David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz and Bob Gruen in partnership with New York-based Ilon Gallery. Also featured throughout is photography by Steve Dozier, Ira Wagner, Dahlia Dreszer and Tamary Kudita, as well as new mixed-media collections by Ray Tenorio and Lianne Jedeikin. Also, a new digital work has been commissioned from Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty (LIZN’BOW) for exhibition on #TheBetsyOrb in partnership with the City of Miami Beach’s No Vacancy program. The Betsy will debut a major collection of works from Christo and Jean-Claude’s incomparable legacy of “putting the world under wraps,” including historic images of the Biscayne Bay installation in Miami (1983), the Reichstag in Berlin (1995) and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (2021), all exclusively photographed in real time by Wolfgang Volz. This collection is in The Betsy Gallery. Also on display at the hotel is an AI-facilitated work by Miami-based Panamanian photographer Dahlia Dreszer from her collection “Bringing the Outside In.” Dreszer spent more than a year training an AI image generator to produce work in her “voice,” resulting in an artwork that she describes as a “living organism.” New work by Ray Tenorio draws inspiration from African and Nordic mythology, reflecting a contemplative transcultural style pulsing with vibrant colors, sensuality and abstraction, exploring themes of beauty and joy. Conceptual and literal juxtapositions of objectification and dominance invite audiences to contemplate perspectives on gender, past and present. Peter London Global Dance Company - in The Betsy Gallery_Art Week 2024 Opening Party & Dance Premiere at The Betsy Hotel on December 4 from 8-11 p.m. The Betsy Hotel’s exhibition opening event will take place on December 4, 2025, in the Hohauser Wing, where guests will experience a “pop-up” dance homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude by the Peter London Global Dance Company at 9 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public. The Piano Bar. Credit: Rey Lopez Live Music Performances at The Betsy Hotel - Daily The Piano Bar at The Betsy will showcase live music December 1-7, featuring (mostly) jazz. Monday, December 1 | 6-11 p.m.: David Attelan Tuesday, December 2 | 6-11 p.m.: Vocalist Catalina Londoño with Tal Cohen Wednesday, December 3 | 6-11 p.m.: Angel Pérez Thursday, December 4 | 6 p.m. to midnight: Leonard Reina Friday, December 5 | 6 p.m. to midnight: Pianist Brian Murphy Saturday, December 6 | 4-8 p.m.: Cindy and Ryan Ellis Duo Saturday, December 6 | 8 p.m. to midnight: Tal Cohen Jazz Trio Sunday, December 7 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Blues with Jaui Schneider and Amy Arlo Sunday, December 7 | 6-11 p.m.: Latin jazz duo Edgar Pantoja and Gabriel Ramon Placido Performances are free and open to the public in The Piano Bar. Reservations recommended for brunch and dinner at LT South Beach. For more information, visit: www.thebetsyhotel.com Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebetsyhotel 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach 844-539-2840 info@thebetsyhotel.com By ML Staff. Content/images courtesy of The Betsy.

Model and social media star Alex Consani  turned heads at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund dinner  held at the Crane Club in New York on November 10, 2025. She arrived in a stunning Gucci pleated silver lurex gown, a shimmering statement piece that captured the light with every movement. The look embodied modern glamour with a touch of classic Hollywood elegance, perfectly aligning with Consani’s bold, fashion-forward presence on the red carpet. By ML Staff. Photo Huy Luong / Vogue

Is it lyrical prose that drips off the page like honey? A story that twists your heart and turns your brain inside out? Or perhaps it’s a voice—a narrative voice so precise, so bold—that it cuts through the static of everything else you’ve read that year. Literary excellence isn’t just about style. It’s about daring. Depth. Disruption. Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a surge of boundary-pushing fiction. Data from report indicates that from 2015 to 2024, the number of user-rated novels with over 4.5 stars and more than 10,000 reviews increased by 72%, reflecting a growing appetite for richly crafted stories. Below, we explore eight novels that don’t just entertain—they redefine what literature can do. 1. "The Overstory" by Richard Powers (2018) A novel that grows like a forest—literally. Powers brings trees to the foreground as main characters, weaving multiple human stories around them. It’s not subtle, nor should it be. This Pulitzer-winning work redefines environmental fiction with poetic ambition and scientific complexity. Literary excellence tip: Sometimes, telling the story around the subject is more powerful than naming it outright. 2. "Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo (2019) Polyphonic, vibrant, unapologetically queer and feminist. This Booker Prize-winning novel interweaves twelve characters—Black British women—across generations. Evaristo removes punctuation rules as easily as she dismantles expectations. It’s a dance of language, rhythm, and raw human truth. Bonus: Want to find a hidden gem among novels? You can't do without a reading app like FictionMe  platform. FictionMe has thousands of free novels, both popular and lesser-known, from authors all over the world. The perfect place to find novels that can take a worthy place in your personal rating. 3. "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara (2015) This is not a comfortable book. It's brutal, relentless, emotionally exhaustive—and that's the point. Yanagihara constructs a devastating portrait of trauma and friendship, stretching across decades. Some call it manipulative. Others, genius. It’s both. Top novels of the last years often divide readers. That tension is a hallmark of bold literature. 4. "Trust" by Hernan Diaz (2022) Meta-fiction. Wealth. Power. A story told four times, through four lenses, with reality slipping between the cracks. Diaz dismantles the myth of the self-made man with elegance and a scalpel. Longlisted for the Booker and Pulitzer winner in 2023, it’s already being taught in modern fiction seminars. Literary excellence tip: Let form follow function. If your story is about illusion, write it like a hall of mirrors. 5. "Sharks in the Time of Saviors" by Kawai Strong Washburn (2020) Magic realism swims through Hawaiian mythology and modern poverty in this debut. The prose is lush and deeply rooted in place—smelling of salt air, sorrow, and ancestral weight. It’s about displacement and return. Loss and myth. And family, always family. Indigenous storytelling is increasingly shaping the top novels of the last years, offering perspectives long excluded from the mainstream literary canon. 6. "The Candy House" by Jennifer Egan (2022) A companion to A Visit from the Goon Squad, this novel explores memory, identity, and digital consciousness. Egan doesn’t just write stories—she engineers literary machinery. Chapter formats change. Narrative styles pivot. And the story? Hypnotic. Read this one slowly. Or not. Reread. Reconsider. Great novels bend under pressure and snap back into new shapes. 7. "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) Video games, friendship, ambition, love—but not romance. Zevin crafts a story that captures creative obsession across decades. It’s nostalgic and fresh, sentimental yet cerebral. A New York Times bestseller that doesn’t try too hard to be literary, yet somehow is. Over 1 million copies sold worldwide as of 2024. Commercial success and literary excellence are not mutually exclusive. 8. "How High We Go in the Dark" by Sequoia Nagamatsu (2022) Set in a world reeling from a plague (eerily prescient), this book moves through loosely connected stories—each bizarre, heart-wrenching, beautiful. From a theme park for euthanasia to cosmic funerals, it asks what it means to grieve collectively. Speculative fiction has become a powerful vehicle for moral clarity in uncertain times. This novel proves it. The Shape of Excellence: Not a Straight Line There’s no single formula to writing a great novel, just as there’s no one way to read one. Some books need space. Others punch you in the gut. And some... they whisper for years. Want to read novels for free? Start with open-access literary magazines. Many emerging authors who go on to write award-winning novels publish short stories in The Paris Review, Granta, or Electric Literature. Also, most municipal libraries offer digital loans that cost you exactly zero. Literary excellence tip: Track emerging trends by following major literary prize longlists. The Booker, National Book Award, Women’s Prize for Fiction, and Pulitzer are good starting points. Final Thought: We’re in a Golden Age (Seriously) Despite hand-wringing over attention spans and screen addictions, people are still reading. According to Pew Research,  75% of U.S. adults  reported reading a book in 2023—most in print. And fiction? Alive and thriving. In fact, sales of literary fiction rose 8% year over year, bucking the myth that nobody reads “serious” books anymore. So if you’re looking to write one, read one, or just lose yourself in something profound—start here. The future of literature isn’t coming. It’s already on the shelf. By ML staff. Images courtesy of Joseph Dunn.

If you’re a real estate agent in Miami, then your competition isn’t just down the block anymore. It’s everywhere.  The first showing doesn’t even happen in person anymore because you have investors from New York browsing listings in Brickell at midnight and international buyers comparing beach houses in Miami Beach on their phone. And it’s all happening on Google, without you.  This is why the agents that once relied on print ads and referrals are now investing in something they barely thought of 8 years ago: local SEO services – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or any other specific location in the South Florida area. Why? Because being invisible online means being invisible, period. If you’re not showing up in the top search results when someone types ‘best realtor in Coconut Grove’, someone else is.   And they’re getting the leads that could have been yours. The Digital Change in Miami’s Real Estate Market A decade ago, you could stand out in the market with only a solid network and a few yard signs.  And, yes, that’s still a lot of work, so the ‘only’ part isn’t really fair, but truth be told, this isn’t enough anymore. The market has exploded, and there are thousands of teams and agents all competing for the same buyers.  And the buyers? They’re not just local anymore. 51% of buyers found the home they purchased over the internet. – National Association of Realtors® A huge chunk of real estate searches in Miami  comes from people who aren’t even in Florida. They’re scrolling through listings from New York, Dubai, Brazil, Toronto… And they’re doing it online. Non-U.S. buyers have purchased 5% of all existing Florida home sales in the past 12 months (2025). – HomeAbroad / FloridaRealtors In 2025, 47% of MIAMI REALTORS® members worked with at least one international client in the past 12 months (the national U.S. average is 15%). – MIAMI REALTORS® 49% of new South Florida construction sales, in the past 18 months, had non-U.S. buyers (2025). – MIAMI REALTORS® That means that the first showing happens on Zillow or Google. And whoever shows up first in those search results gets the click and, sometimes, even the deal. This is exactly why SEO is no longer this ‘extra’ thing that’s nice to have, but something you need if you’re a serious agent.   You can throw money at paid ads or make endless posts on Instagram, but who can tell if any of that will stick?  Investing in search visibility makes so much more sense because it keeps working even when you’re not spending money on it.  Bigger companies may out-advertise you – but they don’t necessarily have to outrank you on search engines (e.g., Google). The best move here isn’t to go bigger, but to partner with local SEO experts who know how to target a specific location, or locations (e.g., Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Aventura, etc.), in South Florida, so that your website shows up for buyers who are already searching for property in those locations. That means partnering with someone offering  Fort Lauderdale SEO services  can work just as well as if you were to partner with a company in Miami or Boca Raton. It’s all the same market.  How to Use SEO to Stand Out Most of the real estate agents in Miami are doing the same things to get buyers to notice them, but the only thing that can actually give you significant results is SEO. That is, if you use it correctly.  Here’s how to do that.  Use Search Terms That Match What Buyers Want ‘Homes for sale?’ No, nobody searches for that if they already know they want to live in Brickell or Miami Beach.  They’ll type in something like ‘Miami Beach condos for sale’. These types of phrases are called location-based keywords, and they work because they match exactly what buyers are looking for.  Google likes that, and so do people. These searches happen mostly on phones, and a lot of them also include ‘near me’. What’s also important is that (potential) buyers don’t just type in ‘Miami real estate agent’ into Google, but rather they type in what they want + where they want it – they might go for ‘waterfront condos under 2 million in Edgewater’, or something like ‘Boca Raton gated community near Mizner Park’. And it doesn’t matter whether your office is based in Fort Lauderdale – If your website isn’t optimized for these long-tail, intent-based keywords so that they’re tied to specific neighborhoods or sites across the South Florida area, your website won’t show up when you have very hot, ready-to-buy leads browsing for their next property. Share Content That Proves You Know Miami A lot of agents say they know the market, but only the smart ones show it.  Write things like neighborhood breakdowns or trends in pricing to help buyers feel like they’re learning from someone who knows what they’re talking about.  It will also help your website show up in search results because Google sees helpful content as a sign of authority.  Get Other Sites to Talk About You When a site people already trust links to your page,  it tells Google that your website is worth paying attention to . And that helps your page rank higher. It also shows buyers that other agents see you as a legit agent, not just someone who wants to promote themselves.  One strong link from a respected site will do more than a pile of random links from places no one’s heard of.  Make Virtual Tours Easy to Find, Not Just Easy to Watch If nobody sees your virtual tours and open houses, then they can’t help anyone.  A lot of agents post them on social media, cross their fingers, and hope someone will find them. Don’t be one of those agents.  It’s much better to list your tours and events through Google Business Profile and make dedicated pages for them on your site. And make sure to add the correct address, pictures, basic info, and a short description – any mistakes or incomplete information will delay profile activation, and even if activated, the missing information will affect your local SEO negatively. Conclusion Real estate is one of the top 5 industries in the U.S., and it’s where tools such as Google Maps, local keywords, and local intent help drive conversions.   And it doesn’t matter whether the potential buyer is searching for ‘best realtor in Boca Raton’, or ‘Miami Beach condos near South Pointe Park’, the agent that gets the call is the agent who ranks online locally.  Local SEO services are the strategy that helps make that happen. Competition is all around you in Miami, and it’s loud and flashy, so showing up online is survival 101. Don’t have the biggest team or the fanciest signs? Who cares if your SEO game is strong?  Not Google, that’s for sure. By ML staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash.