Sunday Paper Recommends—Week of February 8, 2026
This week at The Sunday Paper, we're sharing a new book, podcast, and film that we believe will add inspiration to your days. We hope these suggestions open your heart and mind and encourage you to come together for meaningful conversations.
What We’re Watching
In 1989, after years of training under her eccentric father who wanted to prove that geniuses could be made, young Hungarian Judit Polgár sets off to conquer the male-dominated world of international chess — and best the top-ranked Garry Kasparov, widely considered the greatest grandmaster of all time. Through in-depth interviews with Judit, now in her 40s, award-winning filmmaker Rory Kennedy chronicles the decades-long saga of dramatic showdowns and unexpected friendships as Judit charges toward her goal in her new film. By the age of 12, she becomes the No. 1 female player in the world; by 15, she shatters Bobby Fischer’s record as the youngest grandmaster ever. But as Judit grows older, finds love, and forges her own path, she discovers what true success really requires for those who dare to break new ground. Watch Rory Kennedy’s newest documentary, Queen of Chess, on Netflix.
Courtesy of Netflix
What We’re Reading
Many will face tension while navigating their religion. Christian theologian Miroslav Volf and poet Christian Wiman are no strangers to this, and have shared their honest discussions on beliefs in Glimmerings: Letters on Faith Between a Poet and a Theologian. While addressing some of Christianity's most shocking declarations, or reflecting on their own “glimmerings” with God, Volf and Wiman share their letters to help us always maintain our faith, even when we may question it.
What We’re Listening To
Whether it’s becoming the first artist to win the Grammy award forAlbum of the Year with a Spanish-Language project, ranking as one of the top streamed artists on Spotify, or the next big star to headline Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny is taking over the music spotlight.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny’s halftime show is set to make history being the first solo artist to perform entirely in Spanish. And if there’s one thing he wants audiences to do to prepare for his momentous show, it’s not learning the language. As he put it, "I know I told them that they have a month to learn Spanish – they don't even have to learn Spanish. It's better if they learn to dance. There's no better dance than the one that comes from the heart. The heartbeat dance, that's the only one they need to worry about and have fun and enjoy."
Listen to Bad Bunny’s biggest hits to prepare for the show:
Sunday Paper Recipe
Olive Oil Brownie Pudding
I’ve shared versions of this brownie recipe (they’re around, hidden like Easter eggs in corners of the internet) for the true dark chocolate lovers out there like me, those of us who feel a predictable longing for rich, bitter chocolate to close a satisfying dinner.
Serves 4 to 6
Gluten Free
¼ cup olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan
4 ounces (115 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
½ cup (105 grams) light brown sugar
¼ cup (25 grams) cocoa powder or cacao powder
½ cup (50 grams) almond flour or hazelnut flour
vanilla ice cream, for serving
MAKE IT FANCY: Right before baking, top the batter with ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts or almonds for crunch and/or ribbons of orange zest to help bring out the notes in the olive oil and dark chocolate.
- PREHEAT THE OVEN to 325°F and oil an 8-inch cake pan. Alternatively, you can cook these in the air fryer. In that case have two 16-ounce gratin dishes oiled.
- MELT THE CHOCOLATE: In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the olive oil, chocolate, and salt, stirring the entire time so the chocolate doesn’t burn, until it is mostly melted, then turn off the heat and allow any residual heat to melt the rest.
- WHIP THE EGGS AND SUGAR: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed for a full 3 to 4 minutes until thick and silky—it will resemble cappuccino cream. With the beater on medium, drizzle in the melted chocolate and beat until combined. Continue mixing for another minute to thoroughly incorporate the chocolate.
- FOLD IN THE DRY INGREDIENTS: Remove the bowl from the stand and place a sieve on top. Sift in the cocoa powder and almond flour to remove any clumps. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet.
- IF BAKING: Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and using the spatula spread evenly to the edges. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top has completely set but the center is still slightly gooey.
- IF AIR FRYING: divide the batter between the prepared gratin dishes, spreading to the edges and cook in batches in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 14 to 16 minutes, until the top has set but the center is still a little gooey.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream
Excerpted from We Fancy: Simple Recipes To Make The Everyday Special by Jerrelle Guy, published by S&S/Simon Element. Copyright © 2026.
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