This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.The stories that resonated most with our readers this year include reporting that led the political conversation, analysis that unraveled deep mysteries, and meditations on our evolving culture. Spend time with some of our most popular stories of the year.Your 2025 Reading ListThe Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War PlansBy Jeffrey GoldbergU.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on SignalBy Jeffrey Goldberg and Shane HarrisThe administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.The Missing KayakerBy Jamie ThompsonWhat happened to Ryan Borgwardt?An “Impossible” Disease Outbreak in the AlpsBy Shayla LoveIn one tiny town, more than a dozen people were diagnosed with the rare neurodegenerative disease ALS. Why?“I Run the Country and the World”By Ashley Parker and Michael SchererDonald Trump believes he’s invincible. But the cracks are beginning to show.Teens Are Forgoing a Classic Rite of PassageBy Faith HillFewer young people are getting into relationships.How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 DaysBy Timothy W. RybackHe used the constitution to shatter the constitution.His Daughter Was America’s First Measles Death in a DecadeBy Tom BartlettA visit with a family in mourningGrowing Up MurdochBy McKay CoppinsJames Murdoch on mind games, sibling rivalry, and the war for the family media empireThe Army of God Comes Out of the ShadowsBy Stephanie McCrummenTens of millions of American Christians are embracing a charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which seeks to destroy the secular state.The Nobel Prize Winner Who Thinks We Have the Universe All WrongBy Ross AndersenCosmologists are fighting over everything.The Anti-Social CenturyBy Derek ThompsonAmericans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.The Mother Who Never Stopped Believing Her Son Was Still ThereBy Sarah ZhangFor decades, Eve Baer remained convinced that her son, unresponsive after a severe brain injury, was still conscious. Science eventually proved her right.Culture BreakPaul Popper / Popperfoto / GettyExplore. A certain notion of politeness requires pretending that the ideal interaction would go on forever. In 2021, Joe Pinsker wrote about how to end a conversation without making up an excuse.Watch. In 2024, Shirley Li recommended nine underrated movies that are worth your time.Play our daily crossword.Rafaela Jinich contributed to this newsletter.Explore all of our newsletters.When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.