By Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo

This is an edition of the WSJ Weekend Reads newsletter, a weekly look at our most colorful, thought-provoking and original feature stories on the business of life. If you're not subscribed, sign up here.

Danielle Gansky was 7 years old when she started taking medication for ADHD. By her late 20s, she had taken 14 different kinds of psychiatric pills.

Tens of thousands of kids who take prescription ADHD medication like Danielle did also wind up on other powerful psychotropic drugs. This week, we have an in-depth look at this trend of childhood overmedication and its lasting effects.

"I was living in a body hijacked by the medication," says Danielle, who at 29 still is struggling to wean herself off an antidepressant.

Other topics that we delve into include trans-Atlantic cruises, the new "Wicked" movie and the joy of doing nothing in retirement.

Enjoy your weekend with these and all the great reads below.

Leading Off

A Gateway Drug

Many children who are prescribed medication for ADHD end up taking other powerful psychiatric drugs. The results often are complicated.

Lower Energy Bills

It's never been easier to save money on utility bills while also making your home more comfortable.

See the Story

A New Era for Fountainhead

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Mississippi, which has just been sold, will get a restoration and be open to the public.

Health

New Guidance on Hormones

The FDA has called for the removal of its strongest warning label on hormone-replacement therapy. We look at what that means for women.

Travel

The Scenic Route From Rome to New York

Columnist Dawn Gilbertson took a trans-Atlantic cruise with her mom. She gives us the highs and lows of the experience.

Careers

Hybrid Work With a Purpose

Employees love remote and hybrid work. For many organizations, however, it has dulled innovation and worker performance among other things. There are steps employers can take to avoid the negatives.

Tech

Who's in the Group Chat?

You're not on WhatsApp? You must be from the U.S. But use of the messaging app stateside is starting to change, writes columnist Nicole Nguyen.

Family & Relationships

It's OK to Do Nothing

We are all told to stay busy in retirement -- to fill our days traveling, volunteering, socializing or taking care of the grandchildren. But there's also joy in doing none of it.

Style

Home Decor Gift Guide

We tracked down the best design gifts for even the trickiest people on your list, from your mixologist brother to a backyard ornithologist.

Arts & Entertainment

Movie Review: 'Wicked: For Good'

Kyle Smith gives us his take on whether the second part of the movie-musical adaptation rises to the heights of the first.

Beyond the Newsroom

WSJ | Buy Side: These are the gifts a professional tech reviewer recommends giving this year.

About Us

WSJ Weekend Reads is a showcase for the wide range of great feature writing at WSJ. Let us know what you think by emailing editor Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo at cristina.lourosa@wsj.com (if you're reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply).

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 21, 2025 16:57 ET (21:57 GMT)

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