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Gracing the top three on our list of the best films of 2024, Nickel Boys is truly transformative. An adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, it relies heavily on first-person POV shots to tell the story of a violent reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida from the perspective of its protagonists. Mashable's reviewer called it "exquisite and powerful" and we're unsurprised that it nabbed nominations for both Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at this year's Oscars.
Already available to purchase on digital, Nickel Boys has now made its streaming debut on Feb. 28. Here's everything you need to know in order to tune in.
What is Nickel Boys about?Adapted from the 2019 novel by Colson Whitehead — which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction — Nickel Boys follows 16-year-old Elwood Curtis (Ethan Herisse) and his friend Turner (Brandon Wilson). A promising advanced high schooler, Elwood finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading to false charges and imprisonment at a juvenile reform home called the Nickel Academy.
"A young adherent of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Elwood's idealism quickly clashes with Nickel's harsh reality of segregation and corporal punishment. However, he also finds guidance and companionship in Turner, a fellow student hailing from Houston whose more upbeat demeanor and slick survival tips exist in close proximity to his own fears of the school's ruthless staff," Mashable's reviewer summarizes.
Get a closer look at the much-lauded film in the official trailer:
Is Nickel Boys worth watching?"Stunning" doesn't even begin to cover it," writes Mashable reviewer Siddhant Adlakha, "but RaMell Ross' Nickel Boys is one of those rare Hollywood productions that feels aesthetically transformative." From the powerfully adapted story to the uniquely filmed first-person perspective shots, RaMell Ross' film is one of our favorite movies of 2024. And we're not alone in the sentiment — it's also nominated for Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars. It's garnered a 90 percent critic rating and 76 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes as well, making it certified fresh.
"Few narrative feature debuts have felt so poignant and so richly formed that they practically speak their own language, as Nickel Boys does, while also managing to articulate its drama clearly and instinctively. The result is a dynamic work of resilience and self-actualization," Adlkaha concludes.
Read our full review of Nickel Boys.
How to watch Nickel Boys at home Credit: Amazon MGM StudiosTwo months after its theatrical debut, Nickel Boys officially made its video-on-demand debut on sites like Prime Video and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can purchase it for your digital collection at any of the retailers below as of Feb. 11. You'll also be able to rent it from the same retailers at a later date.
If you prefer to stream the film instead, keep reading to learn more.
As of Feb. 11, you can buy Nickel Boys at the following retailers:
Prime Video — $19.99
Apple TV — $19.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99
YouTube — $19.99
Google Play — $19.99
Nickel Boys made its streaming debut on MGM+ on Feb. 28, 2025. MGM+ subscriptions start at $6.99 per month, but we've rounded up the best ways to save money on your subscription below.
If Nickel Boys follows a similar streaming schedule as fellow Amazon MGM Studios films Challengers and Blink Twice, it will likely expand its streaming release to Prime Video in a couple of months. We'll keep you updated if and when that happens.
Can I get MGM+ for free?New to MGM+? You can enjoy a week of streaming for free with a trial through MGM+ directly or as an add-on via Prime Video. The add-on option is great for Prime members looking to condense their streaming services (and payments) into one central location. If you'd rather keep things separate, you're better off signing up through MGM+ directly. Either way, if you align your seven-day trial to the release of Nickel Boys, you'll be able to stream it for free. Just remember to cancel before the week is up.
Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ Free 7-day trial, then $6.99 per month Watch Now Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ / Prime Video MGM+ add-on via Prime Video Free 7-day trial, then $6.99 per month Get Deal The best MGM+ streaming dealsSave 30%: MGM+ annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ annual subscription $58.99 per year (save $24.89) Get DealAs a smaller streamer compared to, say, Prime Video or Netflix, MGM+ isn't brimming with great deal options. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost. If you want to save some cash, your best option is to sign up for the annual subscription versus the monthly subscription. You'll save 30% by paying for a year upfront, which is a pretty big savings compared to annual subscriptions from other streamers. At $58.99 per year, you're paying less than $5 per month (reg. $6.99 per month).
Save $1.99/month: Sign up for MGM+ via Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling MGM+ via Sling TV $5 per month (save $1.99 per month) Get DealIf you'd rather just sign up for a single month and call it quits, subscribing to MGM+ through Sling TV can save you $1.99. No need to pay for the base plan of Sling. Just head over to the MGM landing page on Sling's website and you'll be able to sign up for only $5 per month. If you do want to sign up for a base package through Sling (Orange or Blue), you'll unlock a free month of MGM+.
SAVE OVER $400: As of Feb. 28, the Samsung 65-inch Q60CB QLED 4K Smart TV is available for $492.68 at Walmart — a $455.31 discount from its usual $947.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Q60CB QLED 4K Smart TV $492.68 at WalmartI’m not saying you need to drop everything and buy this TV immediately, but I’m also not saying you shouldn’t. Walmart has slashed the price of the Samsung 65-inch Q60CB QLED 4K Smart TV down to $492.68, which is borderline absurd for a big-name QLED TV packed with modern features. If you’re tired of watching movies on something that barely qualifies as a “smart” TV or want an upgrade that won’t financially ruin you, this deal is about as good as it gets.
So what’s the catch? Honestly, there isn’t one. The Q60CB might not be Samsung’s absolute top-tier QLED, but it still brings 100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot technology, so you’re getting billions of colors instead of the dull, washed-out hues that cheaper TVs struggle with. 4K upscaling means even non-4K content gets a noticeable boost in clarity, and Quantum HDR makes sure you’re not squinting at dark scenes trying to figure out what’s going on.
SEE ALSO: I have no excuse to skip workouts now that the Apple Watch Series 10 is $70 offMotion Xcelerator keeps action-packed moments looking smooth for sports fans and gamers, which means no more blurry players or laggy gameplay. And if you’re really into gaming, Samsung Gaming Hub lets you stream games without needing a console, as long as you’ve got a fast internet connection and a compatible controller.
The audio is surprisingly decent, too, thanks to Object Tracking Sound Lite, which actually moves sound around based on what’s happening on screen. Plus, Q-Symphony 3.0 syncs up with Samsung soundbars if you want to take things to the next level. And for those who appreciate a minimalist setup, the AirSlim Design keeps things sleek without an obnoxiously thick frame.
The remote literally charges itself with sunlight. So if you’re the kind of person who can never find AA batteries when needed, Samsung just solved that problem for you. Snap this Walmart deal up before everybody else does.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, February 28, 2025:
AcrossItalian tourist city you might be "inclined" to visitThe answer is Pisa.
The answer is Coral.
The answer is Olive.
The answer is Rose.
The answer is Ash.
The answer is Polos.
The answer is Irish.
The answer is Save.
The answer is Ale.
The answer is Cora.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
SAVE $300: As of Feb. 28, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop is down to $1,099.99 at Amazon. That’s $300 off its usual price, and you’re getting a 16-inch 165Hz display, an Intel Core i7-13650HX, and an RTX 4060 GPU.
Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix G16 (RTX 4060) $1,099.99 at AmazonIf there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that gaming laptops are a dangerous game in themselves. Every year, new models drop, promising better specs, faster refresh rates, and GPUs that make last year’s machines look like they belong in a museum. So when a gaming laptop like the ASUS ROG Strix G16 drops to $1,099.99, my wallet starts sweating.
This 2024 Strix G16 model is stacked, featuring an Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU that can hit 140W max TGP. It’ll handle anything you throw at it, including AAA games, high-FPS shooters, video editing, or having 37 Chrome tabs open for no reason. Pair that with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, and you’ve got a machine that won’t slow down when things get intense.
SEE ALSO: I have no excuse to skip workouts now that the Apple Watch Series 10 is $70 offThe 165Hz Full HD display means buttery smooth gameplay, which is great if you care about winning (or don’t want to feel like you’re playing on a PowerPoint presentation). And because ASUS actually thought about thermals, the ROG Intelligent Cooling system uses Thermal Grizzly liquid metal and an extra intake fan to keep things from getting toasty (unlike my last laptop, which doubled as a space heater).
Here are the secifications that matter:
Price: $1,099.99 (Was $1,399.99)
Retailer: Amazon
Display: 16-inch FHD, 165Hz, 100% sRGB
Processor: Intel Core i7-13650HX
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (140W Max TGP)
RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Cooling: ROG Intelligent Cooling, Liquid Metal, Extra Intake Fan
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, Audio Jack
Weight: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
Special Features: Free 90-Day Xbox Game Pass, Pantone Validation, Adaptive Sync
If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you get 90 days free, meaning you can instantly dive into over 100 games without spending extra. It’s almost like ASUS is actively encouraging my bad habits.
At $1,099.99 on Amazon, this is one of the better gaming laptop deals I’ve seen in a while, especially since most models with similar specs hover around $1,300 or more. If you’ve been looking for a mid-range gaming laptop that won’t need replacing in a year, this one’s worth a serious look.
AVAILABLE TODAY: As of Feb. 28, the Pokémon TCG: 151 six-pack booster bundle is available for $26.94 on the Best Buy app via a limited release drop. It’s part of their Pokémon Day drops, which means you can grab it at retail price if you’re fast enough.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG: 151 Six-Pack Booster Bundle Shop NowI never thought I'd see the day when Pokémon TCG 151 booster packs were actually in stock and not marked up to oblivion. But Best Buy has them for $26.94 as part of their Pokémon Day restocks, and you won't have to deal with sketchy resellers or overpriced listings. The catch? It's an app-exclusive drop, so you'll need to download the Best Buy app if you haven't already.
If you somehow missed the 151 hype, this set is pure nostalgia, bringing back all original 151 Pokémon with updated cards, new Illustration Rares, and some genuinely stunning full-art designs. Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur all got Illustration Rare treatments, and they're some of the best-looking cards in the set. Charmander's card in particular tells a whole story, with the little guy staring up at the sky like it already knows it will soon turn into a full-blown fire-breathing monster. Meanwhile, Bulbasaur's artwork leans into the jungle vibes, with the art making it look like part of its natural environment.
SEE ALSO: Celebrate Pokémon Presents Day with savings on Pokémon Scarlet and VioletZapdos ex is another stunning Illustration Rare, featuring all three Legendary Birds soaring through the sky. It's one of those cards that even non-players want, just for the art alone. Alakazam ex is another one of my favorites. It's very playable thanks to its ability to attack from the bench instead of taking the active slot like an absolute gent.
With six packs in each bundle, you at least have a decent shot at pulling something rare. There's always that one friend who gets absolute fire while you somehow end up with six Caterpies and a Trainer card you'll never use. Still, for $26.94 at retail price via Best Buy Drops, this is the best chance you'll get to open 151 packs without overpaying.
Building a home entertainment system that checks all the boxes takes time. Likely, if you're reading this, you've found the right TV for you, set up smart lights for ambiance, and now, you're ready for the next step: investing in a soundbar.
A good soundbar can make watching a movie in your living room feel more, for lack of a better word, cinematic. When it comes to finding the soundbar that can do that for you, however, the path is a little less straightforward. While it's entirely possible for you to dive into figuring out what exactly Dolby Atmos is or understanding the pros and cons of a subwoofer, you can save yourself a lot of time by seeing what the experts have to say.
SEE ALSO: 10 Sundance movies you should know about nowTy Pendlebury tests and researches TVs and home entertainment tech for CNET, a sister site of Mashable also owned by Ziff Davis. He's been testing audio-visual equipment, including soundbars, for over 20 years.
"I reckon I’ve reviewed over 100 soundbars in my time," Pendlebury wrote to Mashable.
When creating CNET's guide for the best soundbars, he tested soundbars in the CNET AV Lab, using several different types of media including movies, music, and games, to determine which soundbars sound the best.
Below, we've combined Pendlebury's testing results and expertise alongside Mashable's most recent soundbar reviews to select three of our top picks for the best soundbars.
Is it worth getting a soundbar?Built-in TV speakers are typically located at the back of the TV, pointing down, which isn't the best position for optimal sound quality. At the most basic level, soundbars fix the issue by directing the sound outward toward the room.
So what does that fix cost? Soundbars can run anywhere from as low as $75 to easily over $1,500. Obviously, that's a wide range, but most of the selections in Pendlebury's guide, and the soundbars we've tested at Mashable in past years, fall in the the $200 to $700 range. To simplify your search, we'll be pulling picks that sit roughly in the low, middle, and high points of that range.
SEE ALSO: How to watch the Oscars this weekend: Which streaming service do you need?Ultimately, opting for a soundbar lets you improve the audio experience of your TV, while costing significantly less than investing in an entire speaker system.
How to choose a soundbarBeyond price, soundbars have a few more features worth considering, but that doesn't mean the buying process requires you to be versed in a ton of tech terminology. In fact, Pendlebury told Mashable, "Thankfully, buying a soundbar is a lot easier now than it used to be," due in large part to most having an HDMI connection, which allows for the easiest plug-and-play experience with your TV.
Along with connections, here are a few more features you'll see highlighted with soundbars on the market these days:
Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is essentially the name of a type of spatial audio designed to deliver a three-dimensional audio experience. To clear up a couple of misconceptions off the bat: In the same way not all headphones with active noise cancellation perform equally, not all soundbars with Dolby Atmos will give the same sound performance across the board.
Our upgrade pick, the Sonos Arc Ultra, comes with Dolby Atmos. Credit: SonosPerhaps even more important to note is that while Dolby Atmos offers a more immersive sound, it's not exactly the same experience as getting true surround sound. "The biggest misnomer about soundbars right now is that if it has a Dolby Atmos sticker, it can do surround sound, especially if the soundbar is only $200," Pendlebury explained. "It needs dedicated speakers if it’s going to do surround sound. While height is easy to replicate, sound is literally bounced off the ceiling. I’ve never heard sounds coming from behind me in a speaker that sits under the TV. Dedicated surrounds provide the best experience."
Subwoofers and surround soundAs Pendlebury explained, to achieve true surround sound or exemplary bass sound, you'll need dedicated equipment. Simply put, you'll need multiple speakers. If you want true surround sound, you'll want to take that into account when determining where your budget may sit for a soundbar. For instance, even though our upgrade pick, the Sonos Arc Ultra, provides excellent sound designed to be immersive, it can't achieve the same surround sound that it would without dedicated speakers to help it out.
SEE ALSO: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review: The best gaming headset I've ever usedThe same goes for subwoofers — a soundbar on its own can have great bass playback, but the best way to achieve the home theater experience is to get a subwoofer. While none of our picks below have one included, they all have compatible ones available for additional purchase. That said, our alternative budget pick, the Vizio 2.1 soundbar, does come with a six-inch subwoofer and two wired satellite speakers.
Connection typesAs mentioned above, most soundbars these days offer HDMI connections, making it incredibly easy to get your setup going. However, you might prefer to also have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity. As with many other device types, Bluetooth offers a simple way for you to connect to a soundbar and stream audio from devices like your phone, but as Pendlebury explains, WiFi offers a distinct benefit "as it means you can stream Spotify, for example, without running your battery down -- like you would with Bluetooth."
Smart featuresSmart features, like voice assistance integration, are also relatively commonplace these days (see: our Bose pick literally having smart in the name). Still, the execution isn't all the same. While even the most budget-friendly picks can work with AirPlay, more mid-range options may give you flexibility on how your soundbar is integrated into your smart home, and even, as with the Sonos Arc Ultra, can be used independently as smart speakers, even when the TV isn't on.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardWe also want to note that soundbars exist for computer setups, but for the purposes of this guide, we chose our top picks based on TV selections. (If you're looking for some audio options for your computer, you can check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers).
Best soundbar for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar $499.00 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the Bose Smart Soundbar.
The Bose Smart Soundbar isn't the cheapest option out there, but for folks who want more than the bare minimum features, it's a great option with powerful sound that doesn't demand a ton of space on your media console. "For most users, I think this soundbar hits the sweet spot in terms of features, sound, and value for the dollar," wrote Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth in his review of the soundbar.
Beck Werth tested the soundbar with TV shows, music, and movies, and found that the Bose soundbar offered a far superior experience than the built-in speakers on his TV. The bass sounded pronounced without losing clarity, while everything from music to F1 races sounded balanced. Perhaps best of all, Beck Werth reported, "For TV shows, I was able to turn off closed captions for all but the most accent-heavy shows." Bose's AI Dialogue Assist feature also helped clarify vocals even more, offering hope to anyone who's become a little more reliant than they would like on closed captions.
SEE ALSO: The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are a decent budget option from the premium brandThis performance is thanks to the five different transducers (including two that point upwards to bounce sound off the ceiling) and central tweeter. Again, if you're looking for more than the bare minimum, you'll find that in the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, which Beck Werth said made the sound quality "really [sing]," where it was available. While there's a lot to praise, it is worth noting this soundbar doesn't come with a subwoofer, but you can connect your own or purchase one down the line, giving it some solid upgrade potential.
As for your connection options, this mid-range pick offers plenty, with connectivity available through HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. And as it's a smart speaker, it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The previous generation of this soundbar, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, is CNET's top pick for the best compact Dolby Atmos soundbar. As it was phased out last fall with the release of this soundbar, we recommend opting for the newer version, which is easier to find in stock.
Best budget pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streambar $129.99 at AmazonCheck out CNET's full review of the Roku Streambar.
The Roku Streambar is CNET's top pick overall for the best soundbar (and an Editors' Choice award recipient), but despite the accolades, it's available at an incredibly budget-friendly price. If you're shopping for your first soundbar or simply looking to upgrade your sound system while spending less than $150, the Roku Streambar is your best bet.
Alongside an upgraded sound system, opting for this soundbar will give you access to the 4K Roku streaming interface, giving you an easy way to watch all your favorite streaming services, from Netflix and YouTube to Disney+ and Hulu. The included remote makes navigating the Roku interface especially easy, and it can work to turn your TV on and off.
While combo products often mean that something is sacrificed in the process, Pendlebury called the Roku Streambar the answer "if you want to be able to hear your TV better, particularly vocals, and also enhance its streaming capabilities," especially if you don't already have a streaming device in your setup. (If you do already own a streaming device, the Vizio 2.1 soundbar is another great option that clocks in under $200 and comes with a subwoofer).
The four internal speakers may not offer absolute top-of-the-line sound (the bass could be better on this soundbar), but you'll find that it offers a noticeable boost to the quality and depth of the sound from your TV, especially with dialogue. The Streambar's compact size (it clocks in at 14-inches wide) means that while it can't compete with soundbars that simply have the space to create a fuller sound, it's not a bad trade off for folks who are short on real estate for speakers in their TV setup. Plus, if you decide you want to upgrade the sound profile, you can purchase a Roku subwoofer for $130 (and still be spending nearly $250 less than you would on the also subwoofer-less Bose Smart Soundbar).
Alongside the HDMI connection that works with your TV's HDMI ARC or Optical outputs, the Roku Streambar is also compatible with Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Home, Alexa, and of course, Roku Smart Home.
Best upgrade pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra $999.00 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the Sonos Arc Ultra.
We know — this soundbar sits firmly on the high end of the price spectrum, but we wouldn't be including it if we didn't think it was worth the price. The Sonos Arc Ultra is a true upgrade pick, offering some of the highest-quality sound for under $1,000 you can get. As Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth put it in his review: "While a single soundbar can't compete with the booming speakers you'll hear in a movie theater, this speaker gave me the closest match to that experience I've ever had in my living room."
The Arc Ultra achieves that feat through its impressive hardware, which includes 14 drivers and 15 Class-D digital amplifiers. Of course, it also comes equipped with Dolby Atmos and the brand's Sound Motion technology. All of this comes packed in a package much bigger — and much more sleek looking — than something like the Roku soundbar, meaning that you'll want to make sure you have space cleared on your media console. The result is that even without a subwoofer or any peripheral speakers, Beck Werth said he could "feel the bass in my chest. It really felt like sandworms were exploding out of the desert all around me," as he watched Dune.
SEE ALSO: How to watch 'Dune: Part Two' at home: Where is it streaming?This is the level of sound quality you'd expect from a soundbar that's twice the price of our top pick for most people and nearly eight times the price of our budget pick. But naturally, that's not where our praise for it stops. Despite delivering top-of-the-line performance, it's incredibly easy to use, plugging and playing via HDMI just as well as our less expensive picks. With "a single tap on my phone screen," Beck Werth was able to sync the soundbar to his TV and remote, with the Sonos app helping him connect Spotify, Amazon Music, and Alexa with just a bit more effort.
Beyond the initial setup, the Sonos app can also be used to activate Trueplay, which helps you get the absolute most out of your speaker by adjusting the audio based on the layout and acoustics of the room the speaker is in, so you don't have to fiddle endlessly with audio settings. And when your TV is off, you can use the Arc Ultra as a smart speaker via voice control. But if you'd rather not have the mic on 24/7, Sonos also included an option to toggle that off.
So what's the catch? Obviously, you're paying for what you get, but beyond that, we really didn't have many issues with the Arc Ultra. The last thing we can stipulate is that even for as good as it sounds, it won't replace a setup with dedicated speakers and subwoofers to create true surround sound, but that's less a knock against Sonos and more a reality of any audio setup.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering dystopian fantasy books for free.
It's time for the final Stuff Your Kindle Day in February.
It been a really good month for book lovers. With several Stuff Your Kindle events, we've managed to fill our Kindles with all types of titles. Now it's all about fantasy, as Stuff With Fantasy hosts the next installment of free books.
If you've never come across Stuff Your Kindle Day before, it's essentially a day of free e-books. Stuff Your Kindle Days are popular events that give you the chance to download hundreds of books for free. And better yet, once you download the book, it's yours forever.
The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy and is hosted by Stuff With Fantasy. You can find all kinds of fantasy subgenres on offer, including dystopian fantasy.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?Stuff Your Kindle Days have already taken place this month on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, covering everything from monster romance to indie titles.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day. Here's a pick of just some of the incredible dystopian fantasy e-books you can download for free.
Best dystopian fantasy to shop on Stuff Your Kindle DayDestiny by Shannon Pemrick— $0 $5.99
The Darkness All Around Us by Megan Boley — $0 $0.99
A Call For Blood by Natalie Colburn — $0 $4.99
Afterglow Rising From The Ashes by Stacey LP — $0 $4.99
The Legacies Of Traitors by C.M Leyva — $0 $5.99
Seven Crowns by E.V. Everest — $0 $4.99
Escape by L.S. O' Dea — $0 $2.99
Veiled In The Dark by Kristy Perkins — $0 $3.99
The Edge Of Hope by Trena Cannon — $0 $4.99
These e-readers are perfect for taking hundreds of books on the go. It boasts weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, so you can read anywhere and in all brightness with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited completely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering cozy fantasy books for free.
February has come through with another Stuff Your Kindle Day. It has been a busy month for book lovers, but we've got one more chance to snag free e-books. This time, the genre on offer is fantasy.
If you've never come across Stuff Your Kindle Day before, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Stuff Your Kindle Days are popular events that give you the chance to download hundreds of books for free. And better yet, once you download the book, it's yours to keep forever.
The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy and is hosted by Stuff With Fantasy. You can find all kinds of fantasy subgenres on offer, so if this is your go-to, you've got a lot of browsing to do. One of the many subgenres you can enjoy in this drop is cozy fantasy.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?Stuff Your Kindle Days have already taken place this month on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, covering everything from monster romance to indie titles.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day. Here's a pick of just some of the incredible cozy fantasy e-books you can download for free.
Best cozy fantasy to shop on Stuff Your Kindle DayFeathers of Dawn by Jess Galaxie — $0 $2.99
Snapdragon by Sofia Rose — $0 $4.99
Silver Spells by Kate Moseman — $0 $4.99
The Spirits Three by K.V Wilson — $0 $2.99
These popular e-readers allow you to take hundreds of books on the go. It has weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, so you can read anywhere and in all brightness with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited completely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering coming-of-age fantasy books for free.
Stuff Your Kindle Day is back and we couldn't be happier about it. It's a book lovers dream, and this time it's fantasy books that are on offer, so get ready to browse a whole lot of subgenres.
What is Stuff Your Kindle Day, you ask? Stuff Your Kindle Days are popular events that give you the chance to purchase hundreds of books for free. And better yet, once you download the books, they are yours forever. The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy and is hosted by Stuff With Fantasy. You can find all kinds of fantasy subgenres on offer, including coming-of-age fantasy.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?Stuff Your Kindle Days have already taken place this month on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, covering everything from monster romance to indie titles.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day. Here's a pick of just some of the incredible coming-of-age fantasy e-books you can download for free.
Best coming-of-age fantasy to shop on Stuff Your Kindle DayArikala Academy: A Wave of Courage by Jacob Ryckman — $0 $3.99
Blade of the Phoenix by Kristy Dixon — $0 $3.99
The Bloodgrove Apprentice by Nathan C. Ashford — $0 $2.99
Remember Pompeii by Kika Emers — $0 $3.99
The Crow King by M.H Woodscourt — $0 $3.99
Princess of Dawn by Megan Gilbert — $0 $16.05
Treachery of Ravens by Morrigan Gaines — $0 $4.99
The Magic Council by Victoria Grefer — $0 $2.99
These popular e-readers allow you to take hundreds of books on the go. It has weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, so you can read anywhere and in all brightness with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited completely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering contemporary fantasy books for free.
What better way to celebrate the end of February than another Stuff Your Kindle Day? The popular book event is back, this time offering up free fantasy books for you to enjoy.
Not heard of Stuff Your Kindle Day? Well, you're in for a treat. Stuff Your Kindle Days are events that give you the chance to download hundreds of books for free. And better yet, once you download the book, it's yours forever. The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy, and is hosted by Stuff With Fantasy.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025You can find all kinds of fantasy subgenres on offer, including contemporary fantasy.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?Stuff Your Kindle Days have already taken place this month on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, offering everything from monster romance to indie titles for free. And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day.
Here's a pick of just some of the incredible contemporary fantasy e-books you can download for free.
Best contemporary fantasy to shop on Stuff Your Kindle DayLucas: A Queer Trans Vampire Fantasy by MJ James — $0 $11.99
Forgotten Memories by Cecilia Agetun — $0 $3.99
Darkhaven: Book 1 of The Lightless Prophecy by Kel E Fox — $0 $0.99
Rule of Claw by Valerie Evans — $0 $0.99
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The Immortal Secret by Christina Farley — $0 $4.99
These popular e-readers allow you to take hundreds of books on the go. It has weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, so you can read anywhere and in all brightness with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited completely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
BLACKPINK's Lisa has become the latest celebrity to brave the Hot Ones hot wing gauntlet, joining host Sean Evans for a conversation over shared sauce and suffering.
Steeling herself for the challenge, the K-pop idol told Evans that she'd asked Rosé what to expect since her fellow BLACKPINK member appeared on the show last November. Yet despite apparently being advised to lean on ice cream, Lisa was determined to complete Hot Ones' hot sauce tasting menu without the aid of dairy.
"I'm Thai, and I want my people to be proud," said Lisa, though she noted that Thai food isn't "crazy spicy." "I'll show Rosé that I'm not gonna cry. I'll not cry! I'll prove her wrong!"
SEE ALSO: Blackpink's ROSÉ talks drinking games, squeezes a stress ball while crushing 'Hot Ones'Between bites of offensively hot chicken, Lisa managed to discuss the difference between rapping in Korean and English, list some of her favourite Thai street foods, and share a highlight of her acting debut in The White Lotus Season 3. However, it was the infamous Da Bomb Beyond Insanity which prompted her to reveal that her trick when she's eaten something too spicy is to spit out her saliva.
"I want to do it now but I know it's going to be so bad on the camera," said Lisa, sniffling as the physical impact of the hot sauce made itself known. "I should keep my image nice!"
Severance Season 2, episode 7 cracks the show wide open.
Titled "Chikhai Bardo," the episode finally reveals what's happening on Lumon's ominous testing floor. There, Mark's (Adam Scott) wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman) is the subject of strange, severance-related experiments. In true Lumon fashion, these experiments are a surreal hellscape, but they also give us a better idea of Lumon's end goal and answer some of our most pressing Severance questions.
From the meaning of MDR's file names to the return of the ideographic cards from Season 1, let's break down Gemma's journey in "Chikhai Bardo."
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' creator Dan Erickson breaks down Gemma's 'nightmarish' experience at Lumon What is happening to Gemma on Lumon's testing floor? Dichen Lachman in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+First, some good news: Gemma may be severed into Ms. Casey, but she remains her Outie on the testing floor, meaning she has all her memories of her outside life. That includes her marriage with Mark. "Chikhai Bardo" treats us to flashbacks of their relationship, from their sweet meet-cute to their heartbreaking struggles with fertility. (Since none of these flashbacks show Gemma actually getting in a car crash and dying, it's safe to say that Lumon didn't resurrect her, and instead opted for good old-fashioned kidnapping and death-faking.)
Now for the bad news. Gemma is trapped on the testing floor, where she is monitored by the sinister pairing of Cecily (Sandra Bernhard) and Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson). They draw her blood, ask her strange questions — "If you were caught in a mudslide, would you be more afraid of suffocating or drowning?" — and guide her through a series of rooms, where a new Innie persona undergoes an uncomfortable experience, like a trip to the dentist or a rough flight. These rooms may just be the most revelatory part of "Chikhai Bardo," starting with their names.
SEE ALSO: Can consent exist in 'Severance'? Each door on the testing floor is named after an MDR file.The doors to each room on the testing floor bear the names of files MDR team members have been refining throughout the show. These include Allentown, which Mark worked on; Tumwater, which Dylan (Zach Cherry) worked on; and Siena, which Helly (Britt Lower) worked on. Mark's current file, Cold Harbor, is the only room that Gemma hasn't been in.
Apparently, Cold Harbor will mark the end of Gemma's torment at Lumon, since Dr. Mauer assures her that once she goes through that door, "You will see the world again, and the world will see you." But can you really trust anything Lumon tells you?
The fact that the MDR files correspond to different rooms on the testing floor answers one question but opens several more. First, how does the MDR team's refining contribute to the creation of these rooms? We know the numbers in their files correspond to Kier's Four Tempers: woe, dread, frolic, and malice. Could they be manipulating Gemma's Innies' emotional responses to the rooms? Are they building the rooms themselves and trying to craft scenarios that will elicit certain responses? Or are they balancing the Tempers in each of Gemma's new Innie personas?
Another question: With Cold Harbor being the only room Gemma has left to go through, what are the other MDR Innies currently refining while Mark works on Cold Harbor? Are there other people in Gemma's situation at Lumon? Or are they just working on fake files in order to ensure Mark has his team around him?
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2: What is Cold Harbor? What is going on in the testing floor rooms? And why is it so awful?All the rooms on the testing floor put Gemma's Innies through universally unpleasant experiences: dental work, airplane turbulence, even having to write tons of Christmas thank-you notes. They're all fairly mundane, if aggravating, parts of life, but imagine having to go through them over and over again in rapid succession. That's the life of each of Gemma's many Innies, whose entire existence boils down to a never-ending loop of repetitive tasks or frightening experiences.
With all these rooms in mind, it seems like Lumon is trying to make it possible to sever yourself into multiple Innies: one for each inconvenience you don't want to experience or task you don't want to do. That way, you can eliminate not just work, but any part of your life you don't want to live.
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2, episode 6: What's with those documents Mr. Drummond finds?As Dr. Mauer tells Gemma in one of their discussions, "Mark will benefit from the world you're siring. Kier will take away all his pain just as Kier has taken away yours." Is that Lumon's end goal, then? A world without any pain?
Of course, there's a big hole in Lumon's reasoning here. They're not ridding the world of pain. Instead, they're just passing the Outie's pain off onto a poor Innie, condemning them to an eternal living nightmare. Also, if you're sectioning off so many parts of your life, how much of a life are you truly living?
Lumon is testing the severance barrier.As Cecily and Dr. Mauer send Gemma through the rooms every day, they ask her whether she has any memory of what happened in the rooms, or whether she felt any residual emotion from her time there. Mentally, she does not recall. Physically, though, she's feeling the rooms' effects: Her teeth hurt following the dentist visit, and she's rubbing her hand in pain after the Christmas card room. So much for Kier taking away Gemma's pain, right?
Cecily and Dr. Mauer's persistent questioning about Gemma's experiences points to them trying to ensure the severance barrier holds fast, even when a subject, like Gemma, has been severed many, many times.
SEE ALSO: Every time 'Severance' hinted at that huge Helly twistSeverance has hinted that it's possible for things to bleed through the severance barrier. Innie Irving's (John Turturro) daydreams about his Outie's black paint, for example, or Outie Irving's recollection of the black hallway down to the testing floor. Mark's "freshman fluke" of completing the Allentown file could also be an example — did his Outie's connection to Gemma affect his speed at all? And could it influence the completion of Cold Harbor?
Maybe that's why Lumon was so adamant Mark be the one to finish that file. If neither Gemma nor Mark can recall their connection after the file is complete, maybe that will prove this multi-severed technology can withstand anything and is ready to be given to the masses.
Who is monitoring the MDR workers?At one point in "Chikhai Bardo," Severance shows us what looks like the testing floor's control room, where Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) and Dr. Mauer observe MDR's progress. But they aren't the only ones watching. Four people observe the MDR team through their screen, with each person looking quite a bit like their MDR counterpart. The effect is similar to the eerie "twins" Lumon gave the Innies in "Woe's Hollow."
There are key differences, though. While Mark's double in that "Woe's Hollow" (played by Adam Jepsen) is credited as "Shadow Mark," Mark's double in this "Chikhai Bardo" (played by Eric J. Carlson) is credited as "Mark Watcher." The different actors and role names confirm these characters are different and fulfill differing functions — but could there be similar Lumon technology at work in each case?
Lumon has been watching Gemma long before her accident.In the flashbacks to Mark and Gemma's relationship, Severance reveals that Lumon was part of Gemma's life before her time on the testing floor. When she first meets Mark at a blood drive, the Lumon logo is on the equipment. Later, when she and Mark go to the fertility clinic, Dr. Mauer pops up in the background.
These instances are proof of Lumon's insidious reach in the world, and also that they've been keeping tabs on Gemma for a while. Severance doesn't clue us into why Gemma was so important to Lumon just yet, though. Maybe there was something special about her blood or her intake form that piqued the company's interest. Speaking of...
What's the deal with Severance's ideographic cards?Another way Lumon sunk its claws into Gemma was with the ideographic cards Optics and Design manufactures. They sent her the cards through the clinic mailing list, and she had to write out how they made her feel.
One of the cards is labeled "Chikhai Bardo" — a Buddhist term for the transitional state in the first moments of death, and also a fitting description of Mark's post-seizure state throughout the episode. It's also the same card Dylan stole back in Season 1, depicting one man pointing his hand at another man's chest.
Gemma sees these two figures as being the same person, interpreting the card as a man overcoming his own psyche in a moment of ego death. (Someone at war with their own psyche is right up Severance's alley!) Meanwhile, Mark just thinks that the card shows two men fighting and finds it pointless to engage.
Perhaps Gemma and Mark's differing reactions to the ideographic cards point to why Lumon singled her out for capture. Maybe her inquisitiveness and unexpected understandings of the cards were just what they were looking for in a test subject. Could that mean the cards are a recruiting tactic and that more people are on Lumon's radar for similar experiments?
That's just one of many questions "Chikhai Bardo" leaves us with, even as it provides us with some more clarity on Severance's biggest puzzles. Now, the biggest question going forward is simply, "Why did Lumon choose Gemma?"
Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.
"Chikhai Bardo," episode 7 of Severance Season 2, is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2, episode 7, explained: What is happening to Gemma at Lumon?The episode intertwines Mark's (Adam Scott) memories of his and Gemma's (Dichen Lachman) relationship with our first-ever look at Gemma's experience on Lumon's testing floor. The former gives us a deeper understanding of their marriage, in all its highs and lows, while the latter offers terrifying insight into Lumon's greater project.
Gemma's storyline in particular offers up bombshell after bombshell. But perhaps most intriguing is the reveal that the files that the MDR team has been refining, like Allentown and Cold Harbor, correspond to various rooms Gemma is forced to enter every day. There, a new Severed identity undergoes an unpleasant experience, including a trip to the dentist, a turbulent flight, or a long afternoon writing mundane thank-you notes for Christmas presents.
In classic Severance fashion, each answer "Chikhai Bardo" provides prompts even more questions. Mashable spoke to Severance creator and showrunner Dan Erickson to learn more about this game-changing episode, from Gemma's first real introduction to the testing floor to room ideas that didn't make it into the show.
Mashable: This episode is our first time really meeting Gemma and getting to know her beyond Mark's memories of her. What part of her introduction was most crucial to get right?
Dan Erickson, Severance creator and showrunner: We've seen her in such a diminished capacity at Lumon, where we've gotten to know her as Ms. Casey. And I've always thought of Ms. Casey as a corporate automaton with a human being somewhere deep down inside her that is trying to get out, and that's why she asked questions. She's curious, she's compassionate, she worries about the people around her — like in Season 1, when Mark and Helly go off to see the goats, she says, "I was scared." All of these traits are in there, they're just very muted.
With all the characters, when you see their Outie, the question is always, to what degree are their Innies different? But also, to what degree are they essentially the same? So Ms. Casey's traits of being intellectually curious and kind and compassionate and worrying about others were a basis to start on for finding out who Gemma is.
SEE ALSO: Can consent exist in 'Severance'?We also wanted to see on Mark's side that this is the version of him that he was before his loss. That involves joy, and that involves humor, and that involves warmth. We wanted those to be traits that they shared with each other. We wanted to be sure that they as a couple felt lived-in. They had jokes that were theirs and they could mess with each other, but at the end of the day, they were a very loving couple.
I'd love to hear more about the memories, because here we get the interplay of Mark's memories of his and Gemma's marriage alongside Gemma's time at Lumon. Tell me about the decision to put these elements in parallel. How do they speak to one another?
I really liked this as an idea, conceptually, that in this episode, both Mark and Gemma are trying to get to each other. We see Gemma is literally trying to get to him, to break out of the testing floor, only to make it up to the Severed Floor where she turns back into Ms. Casey and turns around of her own accord. I found that one moment really heartbreaking.
Both Mark and Gemma are trying to get to each other. - Dan EricksonThen Mark is unconscious, but in his mind, he's trying to find his wife and sifting through these different memories and trying to figure out what's real. The memory that Mark has of their marriage, which he had sort of presented as this perfect thing, shows that it might not have been. He may be remembering it the way that he needs to, as opposed to the way it actually happened. Memory can be imperfect, but at the same time, the story that gets patch-worked together through your memories ends up creating your identity, or at least the way that you think about yourself.
In this episode, we finally get down to the testing floor, and we get some big answers. We now know the files Mark was working on correspond to the different rooms that Gemma goes through, where she encounters different scenarios, like a trip to the dentist or a bumpy plane ride. How did you choose which scenarios she encountered in each room?
That was a big conversation, and I can't fully get into it yet because there is still some question of why they're doing this to her.
But I will say what's interesting here is that she's going through these painful or unpleasant experiences and then she's leaving, and the question that's being asked throughout the episode by Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson) is, to what degree is anything leaking through? Is she walking out of that room with any emotional echo of what she was going through in that room? So far it seems that she's not, so that's the throughline that I think is happening with what's going on in those rooms. But again, there's still a question of what exactly they're doing, or what they're trying to prove or disprove.
Dichen Lachman in "Severance." Credit: Apple TV+A lot of the rooms feel like universally hated experiences. Were there any other scenarios that you and the writers' room thought of for other rooms that didn't end up making it into the show?
There were a lot. At one point I made a list of about 50, and then we winnowed it way down. You know, I happen to really, really hate flossing, and I was like, "Well, maybe there's a room where she's just flossing." And then someone else said, "Well, I like flossing. It's satisfying." So we had an argument as to how nightmarish or wonderful that would be.
SEE ALSO: Every time 'Severance' hinted at that huge Helly twistThe rough flight room was one where I unfortunately thought to myself, "If I were given the option to sever myself for a flight, I might do it." Which is awful, especially after watching the show and knowing so much about what Innies go through! But that relatability feels like a big part of Lumon's project. Could you speak more to the mundane aspect of these scenarios?
One of the first things that some people ask after watching the show is, "What would you sever, if you could sever away anything in your life that you don't like?" It's really interesting to hear the different answers to that for different people, and then also to think of what the experience of that poor Innie would be who had to to do that one task repetitively.
For example, the Christmas card room was just me being catty about having been forced to write a lot of thank-you cards as a kid and always being annoyed by that. I thought, "It's not even worth it to get presents now because I have to write these long thank-you cards, and it's annoying!" So when the writers were talking about things that you wouldn't want to have to do over and over again, that was one that came to mind for me personally.
It's funny, turbulence has never bothered me, although I know a lot of friends who are really, really afraid of that. But I am a very claustrophobic person. I hate elevators; I hate getting in an elevator ever, for any reason.
This show must be a nightmare then.
Yeah, I hate elevators and Ben [Stiller] hates eggs, so we're both working through something on this show.
But to me, what's such a nightmare when you talk about potentially severing is that if you were having that experience that Gemma seems to be having in the plane, that's your whole life. There's literally nothing outside of this room for you. That was the element of it that really felt especially nightmarish to me.
There's literally nothing outside of this room for you. That was the element of it that really felt especially nightmarish to me. - Dan EricksonThis episode answers some questions, but it raises many others. We know Mark's files are tied to Gemma's rooms, but are Helly, Irving, and Dylan also working on what's going on with Gemma? Are they refining for different people, or maybe doing other things that we don't know about yet?
[pause] That's a really good question, a really good question.
Then there are the people who are observing MDR's work through their screens. They look very much like the shadow selves from the "Woe's Hollow" episode. Are these similar Lumon creations?
That is also a terrific question that I would love to answer. It would be fun to have that conversation with you, and sadly I don't believe I can.
Coming back to the memory portion of the episode, can you tell me about Lumon's involvement in Gemma's life before her abduction, and why she was targeted?
That's definitely still an outstanding question on the show. But I think what does become clear is that there was something special about her. We see the Lumon tear drop on the machine at the blood drive, we see Dr. Mauer at the fertility clinic. The big question we're asking ourselves now is, when did she first end up on Lumon's radar? How long had they been watching her, and to what end? What exactly was it that they were looking for as they were watching her?
This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.
FREE LEGO: On March 9, build a Lego Steering Wheel model at participating stores and take it home with you for free. Find participating stores here.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Steering Wheel Learn MoreLego has been feeling generous lately. On Feb. 9, customers had the opportunity to build a Lego Valentine's Day Heart and take it home with them for free. We made a lot of noise about that free giveaway, partly because it seemed like the sort of thing that wouldn't happen again for a long time. How wrong we were.
On March 9 from 12-2 p.m., Lego is running a Steering Wheel make-and-take event intended for participants aged 6+ years. The Lego Steering Wheel model (Formula 1 Collection) will be available on a first come first serve basis, at participating locations in the U.S. and Canada, while supplies last. Participants are limited to one build each.
SEE ALSO: 'Piece By Piece' review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopicWhat makes this free giveaway especially interesting is that the Steering Wheel model is not available for purchase. So by taking part, you're getting your hands on an exclusive item for free. That sounds like a pretty good deal to us, particularly for the Formula 1 fans out there.
Build and take home an exclusive Lego Steering Wheel for free on March 9.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering fantasy books in a variety of subgenres for free.
Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again for its final appearance in February. Rejoice, bookworms.
We've been treated to a number of these popular events in 2025, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited for a new giveaway going live. You've probably seen the excitement building over on BookTok, with everyone counting down the days to the next Stuff Your Kindle Day.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025So what exactly is Stuff Your Kindle Day? This event provides an amazing opportunity to stock up on hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of books for free. And better yet, the books that you download are yours to keep. The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy.
Stuff With Fantasy is offering a long list of fantasy books in a variety of subgenres for free. Want to make the most of this popular event? We've lined up everything you need to know.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been exhausting in 2025. Exhausting in a good way. In February, Stuff Your Kindle Day has taken place on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, with everything from monster romance to indie titles on offer for free.
And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day.
Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?There are many great things about Stuff Your Kindle Day, but arguably the best aspect is that anyone can participate.
You don't need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.
Which e-books are free?Sourcing all of these free books is made easy thanks to Stuff With Fantasy. There's a helpful hub page with everything organzied by subgenre. You can find free fantasy books in subgenres like paranormal, dark, cozy, coming of age, urban, historical, romance, and so much more.
See something you like? There's nothing stopping you from stocking up for free, but Stuff With Fantasy does ask that you double check everything is the promised price before downloading.
Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.
Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at AmazonThese super popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
FREE SLURPEE: On Feb. 28, get a free small Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. Check participating locations here.
Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven 7-Eleven: Free Slurpee on Feb. 28 Learn MoreEvery Friday in February, customers have had the opportunity to visit participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores to get their hands on a small Slurpee for free. Go and check your calendar. This is your last call to drink for free.
You should check participating locations before you set off in search of your free Slurpee, but once you've confirmed that small detail, don't delay. This is almost definitely your last chance to get a free Slurpee until National Slurpee Day in July.
SEE ALSO: Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Here's how to get yours for free.The only details to note are that each customer can get only one free small Slurpee each, and this free giveaway is only valid whilst supplies last. But there really isn't a catch here. This is one of those rare opportunities when customers can genuinely get something for nothing.
Make the most of this final chance to grab a Slurpee for free.
TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The new season of MotoGP promises to be really entertaining. There are so many interesting storylines, and with defending champion Jorge Martín set to miss the opening weekend with an injury, the stage is set for someone else to take the spotlight. We can't wait to see how things unfold.
If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand?The MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand takes place at Chang International Circuit. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand race starts at 3 a.m. ET on March 2.
How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for freeEvery 2025 MotoGP race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
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Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for MotoGP?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:
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TL;DR: Live stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The FA Cup fifth round includes some really interesting matchups, including Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City. The Premier League will be expected to win this one, but Cardiff City will still believe that they can progress into the next round.
If you want to watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City?Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 28. This fixture takes place at Villa Park.
How to watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City for freeAston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City by following these simple steps:
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Live stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this game before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has entered the final round of group-stage games, with places in the knockout rounds up for grabs. Australia will be looking to book their place against Afghanistan, but there are no easy games in this competition.
If you want to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Afghanistan vs. Australia?Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy starts at 4 a.m. ET on Feb. 28. This ODI takes place at the Gaddafi Stadium.
How to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia for freeThe following platforms are offering coverage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:
Australia — Prime Video (free with 30-day trial)
India — Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand — Sky TV NZ
UK — Sky Sports
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is available to live stream for free in Pakistan. The free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan
Live stream Afghanistan vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Afghanistan vs. Australia (plus every other 2025 ICC Champions Trophy game) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for live sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
If you want your laptop or computer to function at the top level — whether you're using it for gaming or editing — a solid state drive (SSD) is a vital component. SSDs are faster and perform better than pretty much any hard drive available.
An SSD can help improve the overall speed of your computer as well keep your files and data as secure as possible. As tech heads will know, an SSD is a great way to upgrade your set-up. And it doesn't need to cost you a fortune.
But how do you find a SSD that works for you and your computer? And what makes one SSD better than another? That's part of the problem with buying hardware. There are so many specifications that the jargon is hard (unlike with an SSD) to keep stored in your brain.
If you're in the market for an SSD, read on for some useful information and a roundup of the best SSD options right now.
What is a solid-state drive?An SSD is a storage device that uses blocks of memory cells to store data for easy access. SSDs tend to use flash memory, which makes them faster and more efficient than HDD options. Consequently, SSD has become the more popular means of storage — synonymous with the latest gen PCs and laptops.
What's the difference between SSD and HDD?It's a matter of inner workings. Whole SSD uses memory chips and flash memory, the more traditional HDDs are built with mechanical moving parts, which is what makes them slower. It's worth remembering, however, that HDDs are cheaper and they can hold significantly more data than SSDs.
How much data can SSDs hold?The amount of storage differs — each model tends to have multiple capacity options — but most of the SSDs you'll find on this list range between 1TB and 4TB.
Do you need an SSD?The great thing about SSD technology is that it's a simple way to upgrade your PC and laptop. SSDs are especially good for laptop users because they're small, portable, and eat up less power. But it's always worth asking yourself if you actually need the upgrade.
SSDs are also good for gaming and video editing because they have fast load and response times and reduced lag. The only drawback is they have limited storage (and less storage for your cash) than HDD. Serious gamers might want to combine both SSD and HDD, using the HDD for files that are access less frequently.
What are the different types of SSD?There are different kinds of technology that you'll find inside SSDs. It's worth knowing some of the jargon so you have a basic idea. The easiest way to say it is that there are two types of SSD – SATA and PCIe/NVMe SSDs. SATA is the older technology, which is fine for basic needs but not as fast as PCIe and NVMe. PCIe is a type of flash storage, while NVMe isn interface that accelerates data transfer speeds.
What is the best SSD?Thankfully, with prices going down and quality going up, finding a high-quality SSD has become easier than ever. We did the research, keeping in mind functionality, storage, and price to bring you some of the top options on the market.
These are the best SSDs in 2025.
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