Catching Vibes

Explore the collective obsessions of the moment

You know that feeling when suddenly everyone you know is talking about that thing? Have you tried it? It's giving me life. You're gonna love it!  Welcome to Catching Vibes, our new series dedicated to the latest, hottest, and most viral trends percolating on the web, in the water, and all around us. Today's topics include mahjong, birding, and pickling. If any of these are your current obsession or just something you'd like to explore, read on for ways that you can dive in deeper.  

Mahjong

If you've been hearing a lot about mahjong lately, you're not alone. The centuries-old Chinese game, often spelled Mah Jongg in reference to the American style of play, is definitely having a moment as younger generations look for opportunities to get away from their screens for some face-to-face interaction and IRL entertainment.  

Mahjong was developed in the 19th century in China and spread throughout the world starting in the early 20th century. FYI, this isn't the first time we've seen a mahjong obsession in the U.S. In the 1920s, the game saw a similar craze and an American style of play evolved, becoming an important social pastime across generations and communities. In 2018, the movie Crazy Rich Asians, based on Kevin Kwan's book of the same name, featured a pivotal scene involving a very dramatic game of mahjong. Perhaps this planted a seed of interest in today's zeitgeist? Maybe the long lonely pandemic years drove further interest in opportunities for in-person activities? Whatever the reasons, we're into it. 

What's so great about mahjong?   

• The virtues: The game of mahjong offers a unique blend of strategy, luck, social connection, and cultural tradition, making it both mentally and emotionally rewarding.  

• The ASMR: The heavy beautifully designed tiles make a pleasant clacking sound as you shuffle. They feel cold and solid in our hands like polished stones.  

• Human connection: Playing a game is a great way to make a new friend or get to know someone better. Having something to do as you chitchat helps us move right past all the awkward small talk.  

Ready to explore? Here are the books! 

For beginners:  

The Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg: How to Play the Game & Win by Elaine Sandberg 

A comprehensive guide: 

The Complete Book of Mah Jongg: An Illustrated Guide to the Asian, American, and International Styles of Play by Amy Lo 

For strategy and advanced play: 

The Red Dragon & The West Wind: The Winning Guide to Official Chinese & American Mah-Jongg by Tom Sloper 

For a cultural context: 

Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture by Annelise Heinz 

For a mahjong party:  

Mahj + Mix: The Little Book of American Mahjong + Crafted Cocktails by Megan Sinclair Osmundsen 

Mahjong in fiction: 

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan 

Birding

More and more people are getting acquainted with their feathered friends these days. A decade ago, birdwatching was considered a niche, often geriatric, pastime. But these days, the practice of observing, identifying, and cataloging birds in their natural habitats has become a thriving, global movement. In 2025, an estimated 96 million people reported making a point of going outside to watch birds. 

Apps like Merlin Bird ID and eBird have made it easier than ever to join the throngs of avian fans who just want to put a name to a beak or identify the source of a particular trill ringing from a nearby tree. Birding can be a peaceful solitary pursuit, but it can also be participatory, collaborative, and even competitive. Some people are even talking about making friends with birds, specifically crows. 

What's so great about birding? 

• Mental health benefits: Getting out into nature, breathing fresh air, and slowing down to watch birds has been shown to alleviate anxiety and improve our overall mental and physical health.  

• An eco-conscious mindset: Connecting with wildlife and seeing the importance of a healthy habitat guides us to being better stewards of the earth. 

• Connect with a global community: Sharing something with like-minded people all around the world helps us feel like we're part of something larger than ourselves.   

Ready to explore? Here are the books! 

Field guide and identification: 

• The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley 

A comprehensive guide:  

• The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible: Birds, Behaviors, Habitats, Identification, Art & Other Home Crafts by Paul Sterry, Sonya Patel Ellis, and Christopher Perrins 

Behavior and ecology: 

• The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think by Jennifer Ackerman 

Birding as an artform: 

• The Backyard Bird Collection: A Deluxe Set of the Backyard Bird Chronicles and the Backyard Bird Journal by Amy Tan, You can also purchase just The Backyard Bird Chronicles 

A bird-themed memoir and novel: 

• Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World by Noah Strycker  

• Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy 

Pickling

In recent years, making and eating pickles has surged in popularity as home cooks and restaurateurs embrace the sustainable (and delicious!) practice as a way to preserve an abundance of produce and add a little something special to a dish. Pickling is easy and fun and there are no ends to the innovation and creativity one can apply to the practice in terms of flavors and pickling products. We're not just talking cucumbers here. 

Find your pickling pals on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where you can find no end of viral content such as the hot pickle challenge, girl dinners, and distinctive creations like the pickle sandwich. This tangy trend is more than just a snack. It's a lifestyle.  

What's so great about pickling? 

• Eliminating waste: Pickling is a great way to preserve food products that might otherwise go bad or get thrown out. It's also a way to improve or liven up produce that you find bland or distasteful. (I'm talkin' to you fennel!)  

• Health benefits: Along with getting more produce into your diet, pickles can be beneficial to your gut health, especially when they are fermented. Many types of pickles offer abundant nutrients that can help our bodies in various ways.  

• Endless variety: From the types of foods you pickle to the flavor profile of your brine, there are endless possibilities when it comes to pickling.  

Ready to Explore? Here are the books! 

A comprehensive guide: 

• The Complete Guide to Pickling: Pickle and Ferment Everything Your Garden or Market Has to Offer by Julie Laing 

For beginners: 

• DIY Pickling: Step-by-step Recipes for Fermented, Fresh, and Quick Pickles by Rockridge Press 

Fermenting specific: Fermented Vegetables:  

• Fermented Vegetables: Recipes for Fermenting 72 Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs in Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Kimchis, Krauts, Pastes, and Relishes by Kirsten K. Shockey & Christopher Shockey 

For a wide variety of recipes: 

• Pickling Everything: Foolproof Recipes for Sour, Sweet, Spicy, Crunchy, Tangy Treats by Leda Meredith 

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon