Going Through My Bookshelf

Over at NPR, author Lesley Blume has developed a "classic list of must-read children's books." While I applaud all of her choices (The Witches! From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler!), I have to add a few of my own:

• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: Okay, I may love Anne because she's a redheaded bookworm, but her feistiness, awkwardness, and imagination will warm your heart. And just try not to cry at something involving Matthew. Just try.
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh: Because Harriet isn't exactly a nice little girl. She's curious and a little bitchy, but she's eighty times cooler than anyone else in her class. I bet she grew up to do something really kick-ass.
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle: Her most well-known, and possibly her most endearing. Between Meg, Calvin, and Charles-Wallace, you know the universe is worth saving.
• The Giver by Lois Lowry: Oh geez, I freak out about this book. Best freakin' book ever. It's one of the most thoughtful, moving portrayals of a dystopian society ever written. Period.
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton: More than forty years later and Ponyboy's thoughts and struggles are still relevant. Stay gold, Pony.
• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi: Charlotte Doyle puts the kick in kick-ass. A thrilling tale set on the high seas. What more could you want?

I could keep going, but instead I'll leave it to you. Post your favorite childhood reads in the comments!

All of These Should Be on the Cover of Madeleine L'Engle Books

The Royal Observatory in the UK recently released their shortlist for the first ever Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Which means we all win.

Naturally, a few favorites:

Forget Mood Rings

It's like Willy Wonka meets 70s jewelry--heat-sensitive wallpaper!


Click through to see more of Shi Yuan's art/inventions.

I would just stand next to the wall and make flowers all day. (Actually, that makes me sound a little Yellow Wallpaper-esque.)

How Cozy Is This?

I would say today's a day I want to cuddle under the covers with a puppy, but that would be every day.

Step one: get a puppy.
Step two: get job that involves staying under covers.

That's reasonable, right?

Call Me Gnome, Not G-Nom-Ee.

I don't even know what to say about this: the Australian Gnome Convention.

Okay, so they volunteer and do environmental stuff. And rescue gnomes. And where hats that make them look like David.

My favorite parts of their website:

• "The Gnome Rescue: 1500 gnomes rescued from a fate worse than death."
• "Nazi Gnome reprieved! (ahem, it's a joke - right?) read the story..."

The website's a little overwhelming, but then so are gnomes.

Very Crafty

Whenever someone says something a little silly or outrageous, I like to say, "That's what my grandmother stitched on a sampler." Some Whedon fans are taking that seriously.

And more power to them! Why get your wisdom from grandma's samplers when you could get sampler messages from the likes of Buffy and Firefly? Click through to check out more.

This is yet another reason why I need to get to Comic-Con one of these days. There are more people like me out there.

Holiday by the Sea

It's like a beach out of a picture book.

Why Should I Worry? Why Should I Care?

Tuesday's challenge: try to get your office to sing along.





I freakin' loved this as a kid.

Tut Tut, It Looks Like Rain

I love art using everyday objects. So a whole collection of umbrella installations really makes my day. Here are just a few of my favorite images:

123Sleep!

We've all been there.

Who's Betting He Used the "Horny" Line at Some Point During the Evening?

The other costumes listed here are pretty ridiculous, but is it wrong that I think the narwhal costume is actually a good idea?

Of course, I think he could have gone a lot further with that. Narwhals aren't tan! They're dark gray! Better luck next time, Narwhal Boy.

But seriously, I would like to dress up as a ridiculous animal for Halloween at some point.

Sharks Have Fins; Pale Teen Stars Have Hair Poof

I hear Jimmy Fallon was the original choice for Edward Cullen.





Hopefully more to come...

(Jimmy Fallon, I never thought I would like you on Late Night. So far you have done a fantastic job changing my mind. Keep it up!)

Because Your Fiance Was a Dwarf?

For all of us who are sick of seeing cutesy status updates, here comes STFU, Marrieds. Because, seriously, no one wants to see your relationship plastered all over their Facebook feed every day.

Although it does give us glorious images like this one.

I don't know why you'd create a group about your engagement being canceled (send out a mass email, maybe), but what I really don't understand is the accompanying picture. Yeah, that's Willow. (Click through for a closer look.)

Post your suggestions as to why she chose Willow in the comments!

It Seems Like Years Since It's Been Here

A little sunshine for your Monday morning:

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. One of the loveliest songs ever.

Even Better Than a Massive Pillow Fight

What do you do when you manufacture and sell mattresses? Create the world's longest mattress domino chain, of course!





Coolest bed company ever!