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READERS’ CHOICE Poll Results!

by The Editors

Black and white photo of six ornate silver trophies photographed against velvet
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

GRATEFUL THANKS to the brilliant, discerning Hydra readers who responded to our recent poll, and fiery congratulations to Anna Merlan, whose crisp and cracklingly delicious NUMBER ONE POST on the tradwives and their questionable baking skills was the favoritest favorite in the poll, and by a hefty margin.

This READERS’ CHOICE collection, listed here in order of reader votes, will be offered henceforth with no paywall that all may experience the incendiary thrills of the Hydra (and having done so, subscribe, for just $36/year, so we can keep on flaming.)

The Tradwives Are Making Incredibly Weird Bread
by Anna Merlan

Confusingly asymmetrical rolls, unevenly baked, and haphazardly sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds
Screenshot: YouTube

For Free (With Ads)
by David Roth

Detail of VHS cover image from The Hit (1984) shows filtered images of Tim Roth in aviator sunglasses (yellow), a concerned Terence Stamp (blue), and a grim John Hurt (red)
Detail from VHS cover of The Hit (1984)

Cruel, Wicked, and Bad-Hearted
by Tom Scocca

A bent, corroded, ancient sword from a Scottish museum
National Museums Scotland [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

The Library Is Not Just a Place
by Jídé Salawu

Handsome bronze plaques to either side of the wide door identify the Wilbraham District Library, Manchester; in the foreground, shade trees; at the top of the facade a lilac sign proclaims "The Place at Platt Lane"
Image courtesy of the author

How to Write About Palestine
by Arwa Mahdawi

Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9, 2023
Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa)/AP [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Round Pond, Maine
by Luke O’Neil

A powerfully romantic, blurry old family photo of a woman in a long pink beach caftan or robe with two little kids on a rocky shore, the palely glittering sea behind them
Image courtesy of the author

Football in Palestine
by Zito Madu

Football jersey in which the author competed in Michigan, with colors and embroidered badge of the Palestinian flag
Image courtesy of the author

Gene Hackman Has a Pie
by John Saward

Academy Award winner Gene Hackman cuts cake on set of his new film, The Poseidon Adventure, at 20th Century Fox. Cast members who'd previously won Oscars join in celebration. From left are Red Buttons, Ronald Neame (director), Hackman, Shelley Winters and Ernest Borgnine. Hackman won an Oscar for role as a tough detective in The French Connection.
Bruce H. Cox, L.A. Times [CC BY 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Gazans Living In Egypt
by Moh Telbani

Three children in shorts and summer gear, posing for a photo on the sunny lawn of a park; the littlest girl holding a blue penguin cuddly toy
Image courtesy of the author

For Those About to School of Rock
by A.J. Daulerio

A small drummer in a red t-shirt performing with a 'School of Rock' band
Image courtesy of the author

You a Female
by Julianne Escobedo Shepherd

Close up on an eye with artfully applied metallic bronze eyeshadow black mascara and thick black winged eyeliner
Veronica j. Vansk [CC BY-ND 2.0] via Flickr

Runaway Brain
by Emily Bell

A wrist, wearing a quite nice oversized wristwatch
Guy Sie [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Cultural Ties
by Osita Nwanevu

Detail of a painting ca. 1925 shows the lower face and shoulders of a young man wearing a dark jacket and waistcoat, white shirt and crimson tie.
Detail of painting by Ethel Walker (1861 - 1951), 'Young Man With a Red Tie', public domain via Wikimedia Commons