The Art of Splitting Up

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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.Just as the institution of marriage has evolved, so has the institution of divorce. In a review of Haley Mlotek’s new divorce memoir, the writer Rachel Vorona Cote traces the introduction of “no fault “ divorce—a split without the designation of blame. California was the first state to legalize such divorces, in 1969; New York, in 2010, was the last.Sometimes, splitting up involves placing or sharing blame. Other times, it’s more simply about making a new choice for where you want life to take you—but simplicity doesn’t mean ease. Today’s reading list rounds up Atlantic stories on saying goodbye.On Splitting UpDear Therapist: I Don’t Know How to Help My Best Friend Through Her DivorceBy Lori GottliebHow I Demolished My LifeBy Honor JonesThe High Cost of DivorceBy Olga KhazanStill Curious?A divorce memoir with no lessons: Haley Mlotek’s new book provides neither catharsis nor remedies for heartache, but rather a tender exploration of human intimacy, Cote writes.Breakups always hurt, but you can shorten the suffering: Three steps to get over your exOther DiversionsThe fantasy of a nonprofit dating appWant to change your personality? Have a baby.The ultimate antidote to toxic behavior onlineP.S.Courtesy of Sarah C.Each week, I ask readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. Sarah C. from Northville, New York, shared this photo, taken by her husband, of the “peaceful, vibrant colors of fall on our beach, located on the Great Sacandaga Lake.”I’ll continue to feature your responses in the coming weeks. If you’d like to share, reply to this email with a photo and a short description so we can share your wonder with fellow readers in a future edition of this newsletter or on our website. Please include your name (initials are okay), age, and location. By doing so, you agree that The Atlantic has permission to publish your photo and publicly attribute the response to you, including your first name and last initial, age, and/or location that you share with your submission.— Isabel