Linda Holmes

Millions of us play little daily games on our phone. But if you’re looking to expand the horizons of your morning distractions beyond Wordle and Connections, we’re here for you. Today we’re recommending some fun daily online games, including MapTap, Catfishing, TimeGuessr, The Loop, and Clues by Sam.Looking for more conversations about fun games? Try these episodes:Wordle is a daily dose of delight, despair, and sometimes smugnessIn 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' the open world is wide openBest Video Games of 2025Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour:Letterboxd / FacebookOur weekly newsletterSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Millions of us play little daily games on our phone. But if you’re looking to expand the horizons of your morning distractions beyond Wordle and Connections, we’re here for you. Today we’re recommending some fun daily online games, including MapTap, Catfishing, TimeGuessr, The Loop, and Clues by Sam.Looking for more conversations about fun games? Try these episodes:Wordle is a daily dose of delight, despair, and sometimes smugnessIn 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' the open world is wide openBest Video Games of 2025Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour:Letterboxd / FacebookOur weekly newsletterSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Maybe you, like me, are a daily puzzle player. Maybe you like a Wordle, or a crossword, or one of the other entries from the New York Times puzzle empire.

NPR's Linda Holmes is a daily puzzle devotee. She recommends games that will test your knowledge of geography, history, and even the most obscure corners of Wikipedia.

Nicolas Cage in National Treasure Columbia Pictures / Maximum Film / Alamy hide caption When you hear the words "pumpkin spice latte," maybe you think of fall.

When you hear the words "pumpkin spice latte," maybe you think of fall. But maybe you just think about the pleasures of something unapologetically basic. T

Transcript LINDA HOLMES: You're listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour, the podcast that keeps you plugged in about the latest and greatest in pop culture.

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in Practical Magic 2. Warner Bros. Pictures hide caption

Transcript LINDA HOLMES: You're listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour, the podcast that keeps you plugged in about the latest and greatest in pop culture.

When you hear the words "pumpkin spice latte," maybe you think of fall. But maybe you just think about the pleasures of something unapologetically basic. The same can be said for movies and TV. Today, we are revealing some of the most basic things we really love – including