Rock: the Philippines. Filipinos love to sing and perform, and some of the country's biggest stars have enjoyed global success. Think Broadway musical queen Lea Salonga, Journey's Arnel Pineda, or Apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas. Yet, sadly, the best rock bands are barely known abroad. Do yourself a favor and check out this Spotify playlist with '80s & '90s classics. — Carlos
Read: “Mercy Street,” by Jennifer Haigh. Haigh delves into the lives and viewpoints of people who come and go from a women’s clinic in Boston, America’s most Catholic city. It focuses especially on Claudia, an abortion counselor, and her interactions with family, patients, boyfriends, and protesters, shedding light on how all sides view this divisive topic. If you need to get your book club talking, this is one to try. – Tracy
Call: balls and strikes. It’s never been tougher to be a Major League Baseball umpire. Not only are the pitches faster and nastier than ever, you’ve got instant replay in the stadium and a hundred million-strong peanut gallery on social media reviewing every call you make. Think you could do it? Well, this New York Times interactive lets you step behind the plate yourself. Ball or strike? You’re missing a heck of a game here, blue! — Alex
