Morning Coffee (11/27/13)

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I'm headed to Connecticut today to spend the rest of the week with my family, so regular posting will return on Monday. I hope those of you celebrating enjoy the holiday!

If you don't need to get anything done today, try GeoGuessr. (No, really. It's amazing and very addictive.)

Here's the trailer for NBC's live Sound of Music telecast. And it . . . looks pretty okay? I'm entirely saying this because they're so insistent that this is a production of the stage show, not a remake of the movie, but . . . yeah. I'm willing to give them a chance. (And there's a making-of special on NBC tonight, if you're curious.)

John Noble is back on Sleepy Hollow next week. Do you want to see pictures? Of course you do.

June Thomas on why you probably should be watching more international TV.

Intriguing: When These Complete Strangers Pose as Family Something Fascinating Happens

Some of these British attempts at labeling U.S. states are witty and hilarious, and I guarantee Americans would do worse at, say, labeling British counties.

The 50 States of Lego are both adorable and gently snarky.

How Food Network Created and Lost Foodies

Morning Coffee (11/26/13)

Happy Tuesday! It's snowing!

The Maltese Falcon figurine sold for over $4 million.

Major Crimes returned last night, and June Thomas has a great interview with star Mary McDonnell.

I don't watch much reality TV, but I am looking forward to The Great Christmas Light Fight.

Did you know that Ridley Scott made a short film about the Coca-Cola polar bears? I did not, but here you go.

This list of the supposed 25 most powerful female TV characters is less terrible than I expected! (Clearly my expectations are very high.)

Warning: You may not make it through this without choking up: 38 Pictures That Prove Cats Have Hearts of Gold

Some fun stuff here: Kim France's Holiday Gift Guide for Fug Nation

Awesome: Explore a museum's collection by color.

Morning Coffee (11/25/13)

Monday again. But a short week!

I love him: Biden borrows $10 for lunch

And I like this argument: Selfies Are Good for Girls

Vatican unveils restored catacomb with frescoes showing 'female priests'

24,000-Year-Old Body Shows Kinship to Europeans and American Indians

The one-hit wonders of 1998 have amazing staying power, at least so far.

Interesting: Ballet dancers as brands

10 Amazing Books and the Very Specifically Perfect Situations in Which to Read Them

Literary Beers for Unabashed Book Lovers

Morning Coffee (11/22/13)

Happy Friday! This was a very long week, for some reason.

I bet your Friday needs Sesame Street's "The Hungry Games - Catching Fur."

It probably also needs 18 Times That Thor's Tom Hiddleston Was Almost Too Cute To Handle.

In Defense of Adam Levine

I've been wanting a Jane Austen computer game for years. I should try this out.

The Onion: Siblings Gather Around PowerPoint To Hash Out Off-Limits Topics For Thanksgiving

Good to see Bradley Whitford, like the rest of us, is aware that Josh and Donna are married with kids.

11 Indispensable Life Lessons Every Woman Can Learn From 'Anne Of Green Gables'

Oh, Canada. Canadians save shark from choking to death on moose

Morning Coffee (11/21/13)

Here are the National Book Award winners.

Monty Python is reuniting for a live show!

The New York Public Library has acquired Tom Wolfe's papers.

Shonda Rhimes is writing a book.

Amazing: NHS chief called in to treat ill Cyberman on BBC set

I actually love reading about people's media diets.

I've never seen Going My Way OR The Bells of St. Mary's, but after reading this I really want to.

5 Wine Labels That Should Not Exist

Morning Coffee (11/20/13)

This is terrible and incredible and beautiful: Listen To The Boston Symphony Orchestra Announce President Kennedy’s Death, And Then Play Beethoven

Important: We’ve Been Measuring Rape All Wrong

The Brittany Murphy supposed poisoning evidence is really pretty iffy.

Yes yes yes: "'30 days of thankful' is all of the shit I hate the absolute most about Thanksgiving."

But this GoldieBlox ad is amazing and will make you feel better about the world.

Mainstream YA Article Bingo

Wines for Thanksgiving: Mixing Without Trying to Match

The Shock of Yes

Morning Coffee (11/19/13)

Need some adorable for your Tuesday? Here's a puppy taking daily naps with his toddler.

The fiftieth anniversary of the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show is getting a CBS special.

Huh: PD James claims to have solved 1931 cold case murder

Platinum Underdog: Why Taylor Swift Is the Biggest Pop Star in the World

How PBS is reviving Carmen Sandiego

Death of a Professor

Toys and games that killed in Tudor England

“Is this my best side?” – George VI on Indian Banknotes

Morning Coffee (11/18/13)

Almost Human premiered last night and I really like it, so if you missed it, you should watch the first episode on Hulu and then tune in for the second tonight on Fox at 8/7c. (After this it will just be on Mondays - it was a special Sunday premiere.)

Sad news: Doris Lessing has died.

Some of these covers are great. Especially Maroon 5 singing Taylor Swift.

A Wonk's Guide to the TV Galaxy

Classics That Prove Your Grandma Could Kick Bella Swan’s Ass

How to Cook Pretty Food

Fascinating history: Katie MacIntyre's exotic taste

Fun read on literary siblings: A Little Society

Morning Coffee (11/15/13)

Happy Friday!

If you're a Bones fan worried about the show's move to Friday (tonight!), check out what Marisa and Sarah have to say at Give Me My Remote.

I promise my friend Libby's post On BETRAYAL is not going where you think it is and is indeed suitable for Happy Friday.

If this is true, then I actually more or less agree with People about the Sexiest Man Alive for maybe the first time in recent memory. (I mean, maybe I wouldn't put him FIRST on the list, depending on my mood, but it is a Solid Choice.)

OMG, a zonkey!

Now I want to make Thanksgiving cocktails for our guests.

Hee! Literary Airlines

Burt's Bees Stages Classic Works of Literature in Six-Second Vines

These Biblical infographics are fascinating, and some are quite beautiful.

Morning Coffee (11/14/13)

It's the most wonderful post of the year! My friend Beck has finished her annual review of Oprah's gift guide.

If you've ever yelled at an author (or TV writer, etc.) because a plot didn't turn out the way you wanted, you should read what Gayle Forman has to say.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is wonderful, as always, in his Richard Cohen takedown.

I've only read a few of these supposedly incredibly tough books, and I didn't find any of them particularly tough, so . . . I don't know. I do like the line "Don't worry, the Ulysses is implied," though.

I agree with these recipe pet peeves.

Amazing: The Rise and Fall of Fox Civilization in Disney Films

Apparently "hey" is taking the place of "hi."

How 17th Century Fraud Gave Rise To Bright Orange Cheese

Morning Coffee (11/13/13)

A tough but important read: Hana Williams: The Tragic Death of an Ethiopian Adoptee and How It Could Happen Again

Authors Sarah Rees Brennan and Malinda Lo are saying important things about sexism and self-promotion at The Toast.

If you like holiday TV movies, make sure you bookmark Hallmark Channel's Christmas page. (I highly recommend catching a rerun of Snow Bride. It was adorable.)

Everything's coming up Wahlbergs: TVGN's doing a New Kids on the Block cruise reality show and A&E's doing a Wahlburgers restaurant reality show.

Watch Sherlock reimagined as the Friends opening, because why not?

The Beatles: Ringo Starr's Never-Before-Seen Photos of the Fab Four

Who Made Movie Popcorn?

Confessions of a Booker Prize Judge

Morning Coffee (11/12/13)

This Ariel Levy essay is beautiful and devastating.

Ooh: Literary hotels

The CW has given full seasons to all its new show. I am thrilled about one, happy about another, and the third made me make a lot of faces. You figure it out! (It's not hard.)

Ralph Lauren unveils Team USA uniforms for 2014 Winter Olympics

I am all in favor of the dry cider renaissance.

21 Reasons to Be Thrilled It's Finally Almost Winter

Richard Curtis's appreciation of White Christmas is spot on.

Mirrors finally bring winter sun to Rjukan in Norway

Morning Coffee (11/11/13)

Monday already?

The USPS made a deal to deliver Amazon packages on Sundays to certain cities. As long as they have people who don't mind working Sundays, that sounds like a win-win. God knows the post office could use the business.

I love The Sound of Music, but this is hilarious anyway: A Complete Curmudgeon's Guide To 'The Sound Of Music'

Amazing headline: J.J. Abrams' Mystery Book 'S.' Enrages Librarians (But really. All those tiny pieces. Virtually impossible to circulate intact.)

If you'd like to get your Monday off to a bittersweet, teary start, Yarn Harlot is here for you: Maybe it was Allergies

I love soup season.

I also love a fancy cocktail as much as the next girl, but a pizza cocktail? No. Just no.

Does Christmas shopping start earlier every year? Actually no. (Warning: I cited this at a party the other night, because I thought the historical aspect was fascinating, and I was told I was simply wrong. So. People are very attached to inaccurate claims that make them feel superior. Also water is wet.)

Amazing: 'Superheroes' nab attacker in Musselburgh Tesco

Morning Coffee (11/8/13)

Happy Friday!

Finally! The SiriusXM holiday stations have been announced!

PBS is airing the Neil Patrick Harris version of Company tonight. I saw it a few years ago and highly recommend it. Here's a taste.

The thoroughly delightful Hollywood Game Night is getting a holiday special.

Aww. For his 65th birthday, the Prince of Wales is guest editing an issue of Country Life magazine. That's kind of adorable.

Whoa: Disney and Netflix are teaming up for a bunch of Marvel shows.

I love this poster for the Psych musical.

Some Swedish cinemas are launching a new feminist rating system based on the Bechdel test.

Natalie Portman, like so many of us, was obsessed with The Baby-sitter's Club.

The Onion, but also true: Giant Burrito To Solve All Of Area Man’s Problems For 6 Precious Minutes

My Ten Essential Christmas Movies (UPDATE: Eleven!)

The old Love, Actually debate cropped up on my Twitter timeline this morning, which made me start a list of the movies I must watch each Christmas. There are plenty of others I like, or even love, but these are my top ten that make Christmas complete. (I think. I feel like I'm forgetting something. What am I forgetting?) The order is alphabetical; if it were by preference, White Christmas would be first, but after that I don't want to try to rank them. What are yours?

• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
• Goodfellas
• The Holiday
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The original. Don't come near me with that new abomination.)
• Little Women
• Love, Actually
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Nutcracker (Baryshnikov)
• White Christmas

EDITED TO ADD: I can't believe I forgot You've Got Mail!

Morning Coffee (11/7/13)

Emily Bazelon's piece about the Nazi anatomists is a difficult but essential read.

Wow: Tanning Salon Is Super Thankful Native Americans 'Brought Sexy Color'

Nice: Kraft is adding whole grains to and taking away yellow dye from its character mac and cheese.

In Marvel Comics, Ms Marvel returns as Muslim teen

Evelyn Waugh's brother may have invented the cocktail party.

How Does Beowulf Begin?

I had no idea people read and wrote so much in Iceland.

I also didn't know the NYPL publishes monthly lists of its most popular books, but it's fascinating.

Morning Coffee (11/6/13)

Oh no: Corgis are becoming endangered.

This sort of thing is so frustrating and sad: Biracial Girl Changes Name from 'Keisha' to 'Kylie' Because of Bullies

Jason O'Mara is starring in Matt Nix's new pilot. I love when people I like work with other people I like. (I mean, I like their work. I have no opinion of either as people.)

Whoa: A 15th Century Cathedral Transformed into a Modern Bookstore

Check out this awesome concert style Gatsby t-shirt.

Need to know what wine to pair with your leftover Halloween candy? Here you go.

Alan Cumming is guest starring on Arthur!

Why Do People Think Nigella Lawson Hates Feminism?

Morning Coffee (11/5/13)

Ooh, the Dating in LA and Other Urban Myths sizzle reel is out!

Grantland has a fun Q&A with Sleepy Hollow creator Phillip Iscove.

Dylan's Candy Bar is selling Candy Crush candy and I really want some.

Here's some well-deserved praise for Holly Black's The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, which you should really read.

WHOA: Game Of Thrones Meets Little Miss/Mr. Men Series

The Hairpin is imagining where Love, Actually characters are ten years later.

And that led me to this older piece of theirs about why many of the stories in that movie are actually pretty terrible. Which is completely true, even though we all love it.

Edgar Allan Poe Tried and Failed to Crack the Mysterious Murder Case of Mary Rogers

Morning Coffee (11/4/13)

Whoa: German police recover 1,500 modernist masterpieces 'looted by Nazis'

The Sound of Music live broadcast has cast the kids and Rolfe.

Huh! I didn't know Queen Victoria was into Halloween.

And here's the President giving out candy to adorable trick-or-treaters.

I bet you want to read about the Kitten Bowl.

My friend Faythe has a great new column about contemporary (realistic) YA novels.

Um. Mark Wahlberg is producing Julius Caeser movie The Roman, "an origin story in the vein of Batman Begins." So.

A great one from The Onion: College Unveils New Media Center Every Month

Morning Coffee (11/1/13)

Happy November! Because I was busy giving out candy last night, I don't quite have your normal Friday Happy links, but let's see what I can scare (hah) up.

Delightful news: Cougar Town will be back on January 7th.

Ooh, yay, PBS is going to air Vicious, a British sitcom starring Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as a long-time couple.

In case you didn't see it yesterday, here is Patrick Stewart, dressed as a lobster, in a bathtub.

This is at least theoretically a positive step, though it could go very poorly: DC Comics to Reveal Native American Teenage Superheroine

15 Things You Should Never Say to a Crafter

Ooh, and this Craft in America holiday special looks interesting.

'Secret' WWI diary paints 'vivid and visceral' picture

These are not actually the least popular American baby names, since they're in the top 1000, but it's still a fun list.