Heartbreaking and fascinating: The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life
This series is great: Parenting by the Books: ‘Little Women’
The Hidden World Of Harlem’s African Braiders
Lady Jane Franklin, the Woman Who Fueled 19th-Century Polar Exploration
The Marsh Arabs of Mesopotamia
These Passionate Latvian Linguists Refuse to Lose Their Language
Friday, March 31, 2017
March Book Review: The Wages of Sin
(First - yes, Kaite Welsh and I have very similar names! We became friends on Twitter partially because of that - mutual friends thought it was funny - but so far as we know we are not related. Alas.)
I'm a big fan of historical mysteries, so I know there are a ton of good series out there, and it can get overwhelming. But I'm here to tell you that you should absolutely try Kaite Welsh's debut The Wages of Sin, the first in her series about medical student turned detective Sarah Gilchrist. There are a lot of "spunky Victorian lady detective" series, but the fact that this one is set in Scotland rather than England and that Sarah is among the first class of medical students at her university to include women sets this series apart.
One of my pet peeves with historical mysteries - and historical fiction in general - is when characters have completely modern worldviews, and especially when earlier feminist characters think just like contemporary feminists. Welsh does a great job of avoiding that trap here. Sarah's views are very progressive for her time, but this reads as organic to the character, her background and experiences and interests. For all her advanced views, Sarah is very much shaped by her time and culture, so she doesn't seem to be dropped into the story from the present day.
The mystery Sarah investigates arises naturally from her medical studies (and from her volunteer work at a clinic), which helps the narrative work, but it is also completely intertwined with important economic inequality and social justice issues of the time (and of... now), which adds heft to the novel. The reader learns what's really going on in various parts of Scottish society as Sarah herself does, which helps avoid preachiness, and the mystery plot is well-paced and complex enough to be satisfying without being unnecessarily ornate.
Sarah Gilchrist is a delightful, complex protagonist surrounded by interesting supporting characters, and I'm definitely looking forward to following them through more books. But I'm looking forward even more to returning to the fascinating world of late Victorian Edinburgh and seeing how the series develops through this time of social change.
(This review made possible by my Patreon supporters! If you'd like to see more reviews here, come join! I think we're only a few dollars a month from the next goal.)
I'm a big fan of historical mysteries, so I know there are a ton of good series out there, and it can get overwhelming. But I'm here to tell you that you should absolutely try Kaite Welsh's debut The Wages of Sin, the first in her series about medical student turned detective Sarah Gilchrist. There are a lot of "spunky Victorian lady detective" series, but the fact that this one is set in Scotland rather than England and that Sarah is among the first class of medical students at her university to include women sets this series apart.
One of my pet peeves with historical mysteries - and historical fiction in general - is when characters have completely modern worldviews, and especially when earlier feminist characters think just like contemporary feminists. Welsh does a great job of avoiding that trap here. Sarah's views are very progressive for her time, but this reads as organic to the character, her background and experiences and interests. For all her advanced views, Sarah is very much shaped by her time and culture, so she doesn't seem to be dropped into the story from the present day.
The mystery Sarah investigates arises naturally from her medical studies (and from her volunteer work at a clinic), which helps the narrative work, but it is also completely intertwined with important economic inequality and social justice issues of the time (and of... now), which adds heft to the novel. The reader learns what's really going on in various parts of Scottish society as Sarah herself does, which helps avoid preachiness, and the mystery plot is well-paced and complex enough to be satisfying without being unnecessarily ornate.
Sarah Gilchrist is a delightful, complex protagonist surrounded by interesting supporting characters, and I'm definitely looking forward to following them through more books. But I'm looking forward even more to returning to the fascinating world of late Victorian Edinburgh and seeing how the series develops through this time of social change.
(This review made possible by my Patreon supporters! If you'd like to see more reviews here, come join! I think we're only a few dollars a month from the next goal.)
Morning Coffee (3/31/17)
WHAT A WEEK. Time for some Friday happy links!
!!! I want to go to this: Inside the Mesmerizing World of Miniatures Coming to New York City
Wow, this is quite the concentration of people I like in one movie.
The Folger Shakespeare Library Will Lend Chilly Readers a Handmade Shawl
Well this is just DELIGHTFUL: Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, Wildly Close
In case you were concerned: Bo and Sunny Obama Are Just As Cute As Ever
HUH: Prosecco-Flavored Nail Polish Now Exists
Let's All Watch a Young Mary Berry Work Her Soothing, Sensible Magic in the 1970s. YES, LET'S.
Ooh: See the World’s Largest Collection of Fluorescent Rocks
I want all the candles.
5 fantastic Beauty and the Beast adaptations that go beyond Disney
Whoa, look at these 90s snack-themed doughnuts.
Let's make some spring pasta.
!!! I want to go to this: Inside the Mesmerizing World of Miniatures Coming to New York City
Wow, this is quite the concentration of people I like in one movie.
The Folger Shakespeare Library Will Lend Chilly Readers a Handmade Shawl
Well this is just DELIGHTFUL: Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, Wildly Close
In case you were concerned: Bo and Sunny Obama Are Just As Cute As Ever
HUH: Prosecco-Flavored Nail Polish Now Exists
Let's All Watch a Young Mary Berry Work Her Soothing, Sensible Magic in the 1970s. YES, LET'S.
Ooh: See the World’s Largest Collection of Fluorescent Rocks
I want all the candles.
5 fantastic Beauty and the Beast adaptations that go beyond Disney
Whoa, look at these 90s snack-themed doughnuts.
Let's make some spring pasta.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Afternoon Tea (3/30/17)
The rise of forensic science in an unlikely world—Hindi pulp fiction blockbusters
The True Cost of the Louisiana Purchase
The Masada mystery: Have archaeologists proven the ancient tale of mass suicide in the Judaean desert or twisted science for political end?
I haven't listened to this podcast, but this piece has some interesting points about access and the changing nature of fame: 'Missing Richard Simmons' And The Nature Of Being Known
Guardians of a Vast Lake, and a Refuge for Humanity
The Supposedly Pristine, Untouched Amazon Rainforest Was Actually Shaped By Humans
The True Cost of the Louisiana Purchase
The Masada mystery: Have archaeologists proven the ancient tale of mass suicide in the Judaean desert or twisted science for political end?
I haven't listened to this podcast, but this piece has some interesting points about access and the changing nature of fame: 'Missing Richard Simmons' And The Nature Of Being Known
Guardians of a Vast Lake, and a Refuge for Humanity
The Supposedly Pristine, Untouched Amazon Rainforest Was Actually Shaped By Humans
Morning Coffee (3/30/17)
Pillars of the West Shaken by ‘Brexit,’ but They’re Not Crumbling Yet
The UK has officially begun the Brexit process. Here's what happens now.
The Marine Photo Scandal and the Cost of Indifference
An Alabama Prison’s Unrelenting Descent Into Violence
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ President Trump’s company pursues second Washington hotel
70 days in, Donald Trump’s presidency is flailing
The Offender of the Free World
Devin Nunes's botched effort to scuttle the Trump/Russia investigation, explained
Donald Trump’s belief that Obamacare is “exploding” is false and self-destructive
The Future of the Left Is Female
I'm mostly enjoying Reza Aslan's show Believer, but this makes some good points: Reza Aslan and the Risks of Making Religion Relatable
Forbidden love: The WW2 letters between two men
The UK has officially begun the Brexit process. Here's what happens now.
The Marine Photo Scandal and the Cost of Indifference
An Alabama Prison’s Unrelenting Descent Into Violence
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ President Trump’s company pursues second Washington hotel
70 days in, Donald Trump’s presidency is flailing
The Offender of the Free World
Devin Nunes's botched effort to scuttle the Trump/Russia investigation, explained
Donald Trump’s belief that Obamacare is “exploding” is false and self-destructive
The Future of the Left Is Female
I'm mostly enjoying Reza Aslan's show Believer, but this makes some good points: Reza Aslan and the Risks of Making Religion Relatable
Forbidden love: The WW2 letters between two men
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Afternoon Tea (3/29/17)
Welcome to Afternoon Tea! It's a short list of interesting reading to provide you with a little break in your day.
Does Alexa Have Free Speech Rights?
This is a fascinating look at weddings in Iran: The Bride's Side
How Aristotle Created the Computer
TV’s Dead Zone: How the Cable Sector Is Killing Off Struggling Networks (The chart in this is amazing.)
All the President's Yachts: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of FDR's Floating White House
A great interview about the late Bob Silvers: “He Couldn’t Conceive of a Life Without Being the Editor of the NYRB”
Does Alexa Have Free Speech Rights?
This is a fascinating look at weddings in Iran: The Bride's Side
How Aristotle Created the Computer
TV’s Dead Zone: How the Cable Sector Is Killing Off Struggling Networks (The chart in this is amazing.)
All the President's Yachts: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of FDR's Floating White House
A great interview about the late Bob Silvers: “He Couldn’t Conceive of a Life Without Being the Editor of the NYRB”
Morning Coffee (3/29/17)
Now that the world is an unending hellscape of terrible news, I have a big backlog of links basically all the time. (Both because there's so much hard news and because the less urgent [and also more fun] stuff gets pushed back, though I try to fit in at least a few non-newsy links each day.) I figure more than about twelve links in a post will get overwhelming for you guys (maybe I'm wrong?), so... let's try something new! Morning Coffee will stay as it is, with a mix of current events and other stuff, so if you like that and don't want more, just keep reading what you're reading. But when I have a backlog I'm going to add in Afternoon Tea posts as well. They'll go up at 4pm Eastern on weekdays with a smaller batch of non-time-sensitive links, designed to provide you with a little afternoon break. Let me know how this works for you or if you have better ideas!
Trump is weighing a major escalation in Yemen's devastating war
Killing of a Hamas Leader Could Signal a New Conflict With Israel (Good thing we have Jared Kushner to solve this whole problem. Oh wait...)
Senate Committee to Question Jared Kushner Over Meetings With Russians
Sigh: Donald Trump Claims U.S. Constitution Bars 'Apprentice' Star's Defamation Suit While in Office
Paul Ryan is just not good at his job!
Useful: The Devin Nunes/Trump/wiretapping controversy, explained
Who Should Pay for Evan Karr's Heart?
Regretful Trump Voters Are (Mostly) a Myth
Kiersten White is doing a new Buffyverse YA book series!
This is so important and also FASCINATING: How to revive Massachusetts’ first language
The Trouble with Innocence
DNA Reveals an Early American Dynasty Centered on Women
Trump is weighing a major escalation in Yemen's devastating war
Killing of a Hamas Leader Could Signal a New Conflict With Israel (Good thing we have Jared Kushner to solve this whole problem. Oh wait...)
Senate Committee to Question Jared Kushner Over Meetings With Russians
Sigh: Donald Trump Claims U.S. Constitution Bars 'Apprentice' Star's Defamation Suit While in Office
Paul Ryan is just not good at his job!
Useful: The Devin Nunes/Trump/wiretapping controversy, explained
Who Should Pay for Evan Karr's Heart?
Regretful Trump Voters Are (Mostly) a Myth
Kiersten White is doing a new Buffyverse YA book series!
This is so important and also FASCINATING: How to revive Massachusetts’ first language
The Trouble with Innocence
DNA Reveals an Early American Dynasty Centered on Women
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/28/17)
What Russia's Latest Protests Mean for Putin
Uh: Venezuelan troops invaded Colombia this week. But just a little bit.
Trump's Anti-Immigrant Policies Are Scaring Eligible Families Away From the Safety Net
I just... Trump Reportedly Handed Merkel a $374 Billion Invoice for NATO
Donald Trump is extremely bad at making deals
Trump’s Terrifying Comey Tweet
Hee: BUY THE BOOK: Trump Got To Sit In A Big Boy Truck Because Today Was A Special Day!
Oh hey, we haven't had a Theranos update in a while! Theranos offers shares to investors if they promise not to sue
At Muirfield, the World’s Oldest Golf Club, Women Can Join. Finally.
CAN YOU IMAGINE being isolated for a year filming a British reality show and coming back to find out about Brexit AND Trump???
PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN: Did Senator Cory Booker and Mindy Kaling Just Set Up a Real-Life Date Over Twitter?
Deep in Brazil’s Amazon, Exploring the Ruins of Ford’s Fantasyland
Uh: Venezuelan troops invaded Colombia this week. But just a little bit.
Trump's Anti-Immigrant Policies Are Scaring Eligible Families Away From the Safety Net
I just... Trump Reportedly Handed Merkel a $374 Billion Invoice for NATO
Donald Trump is extremely bad at making deals
Trump’s Terrifying Comey Tweet
Hee: BUY THE BOOK: Trump Got To Sit In A Big Boy Truck Because Today Was A Special Day!
Oh hey, we haven't had a Theranos update in a while! Theranos offers shares to investors if they promise not to sue
At Muirfield, the World’s Oldest Golf Club, Women Can Join. Finally.
CAN YOU IMAGINE being isolated for a year filming a British reality show and coming back to find out about Brexit AND Trump???
PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN: Did Senator Cory Booker and Mindy Kaling Just Set Up a Real-Life Date Over Twitter?
Deep in Brazil’s Amazon, Exploring the Ruins of Ford’s Fantasyland
Monday, March 27, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/27/17)
Me elsewhere: Your TV news for the week.
Muslims inside FBI describe culture of suspicion and fear: 'It is cancer'
Trump says he'll destroy ISIS. His budget would make that a lot harder.
Yazidis who suffered genocide are fleeing again, but this time not from the Islamic State
Trump Supporters Are Getting Triggered by an Adaptation of a Novel Over 30 Years Old
How the White House Got James Comey Wrong
The GOP's True Health Care Problem
Trump did to Merkel what men do to women all the time
Barack Obama has a plan for the Trump era
I can't believe this Rabid Puppies nonsense is still happening. Here's the latest in their one-sided feud with John Scalzi.
How Did Aboriginal Australians Arrive on the Continent? DNA Helps Solve a Mystery
2,000-Year-Old Seeds Found in Chinese Tomb May Reveal Clues About the Past
Muslims inside FBI describe culture of suspicion and fear: 'It is cancer'
Trump says he'll destroy ISIS. His budget would make that a lot harder.
Yazidis who suffered genocide are fleeing again, but this time not from the Islamic State
Trump Supporters Are Getting Triggered by an Adaptation of a Novel Over 30 Years Old
How the White House Got James Comey Wrong
The GOP's True Health Care Problem
Trump did to Merkel what men do to women all the time
Barack Obama has a plan for the Trump era
I can't believe this Rabid Puppies nonsense is still happening. Here's the latest in their one-sided feud with John Scalzi.
How Did Aboriginal Australians Arrive on the Continent? DNA Helps Solve a Mystery
2,000-Year-Old Seeds Found in Chinese Tomb May Reveal Clues About the Past
Tags:
Barack Obama,
books,
current events,
Donald Trump,
FBI,
gender,
government,
health care,
history,
international,
ISIS,
law enforcement,
politics,
religion,
science,
science fiction,
TV
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/26/17)
As French Election Nears, Le Pen Targets Voters Her Party Once Repelled
9 bonkers things Donald Trump said in his new exclusive interview with Time
Again, doesn't matter now, but Dylan Matthews was right about this: A modest proposal for solving Republicans' Obamacare impasse
Same here, actually: Why would Democrats ever let Neil Gorsuch be confirmed?
This is... sort of good? Hill Republicans say they're growing frustrated with Mattis
Rex Tillerson Doesn’t Exactly Sound Like Someone Who Wants to Be Secretary of State
The World According to Bannon
"The theft, and then recovery, of Brady’s jersey was like a tale of Trumpian fan fiction."
There are now 3 rivers that legally have the same rights as humans
Interesting: Chinese maths textbooks to be translated for UK schools
How Scarlett Got Its Groove Back: The Link Between Pop-Culture Properties and Baby Names
A trove of anti-Soviet jokes recently declassified by the CIA offers a glimpse of Cold War humor
9 bonkers things Donald Trump said in his new exclusive interview with Time
Again, doesn't matter now, but Dylan Matthews was right about this: A modest proposal for solving Republicans' Obamacare impasse
Same here, actually: Why would Democrats ever let Neil Gorsuch be confirmed?
This is... sort of good? Hill Republicans say they're growing frustrated with Mattis
Rex Tillerson Doesn’t Exactly Sound Like Someone Who Wants to Be Secretary of State
The World According to Bannon
"The theft, and then recovery, of Brady’s jersey was like a tale of Trumpian fan fiction."
There are now 3 rivers that legally have the same rights as humans
Interesting: Chinese maths textbooks to be translated for UK schools
How Scarlett Got Its Groove Back: The Link Between Pop-Culture Properties and Baby Names
A trove of anti-Soviet jokes recently declassified by the CIA offers a glimpse of Cold War humor
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/25/17)
‘The closer’? The inside story of how Trump tried — and failed — to make a deal on health care
I can't believe this is real: ‘Hello, Bob’: President Trump called my cellphone to say that the health-care bill was dead
Obviously beside the point now, but this from Matt Yglesias is a good read: The Republican health care plan is totally nuts
Donald Trump Is Not Having Fun
Amazing: We Redacted Everything That's Not a Verifiably True Statement From Trump's Time Interview About Truth
I've seen a lot of misleading stuff going around, so: DC's Missing Teens: What's True and What's Not
Taliban Take an Afghan District, Sangin, That Many Marines Died to Keep
The corruption cases that could take down Benjamin Netanyahu, explained
The Gig Economy Celebrates Working Yourself to Death
A Scholarly Sting Operation Shines a Light on ‘Predatory’ Journals
How Bob Silvers and the New York Review of Books Transformed the Literary World
Early Tech Adopters in Ancient Rome Had Portable Sundials
I can't believe this is real: ‘Hello, Bob’: President Trump called my cellphone to say that the health-care bill was dead
Obviously beside the point now, but this from Matt Yglesias is a good read: The Republican health care plan is totally nuts
Donald Trump Is Not Having Fun
Amazing: We Redacted Everything That's Not a Verifiably True Statement From Trump's Time Interview About Truth
I've seen a lot of misleading stuff going around, so: DC's Missing Teens: What's True and What's Not
Taliban Take an Afghan District, Sangin, That Many Marines Died to Keep
The corruption cases that could take down Benjamin Netanyahu, explained
The Gig Economy Celebrates Working Yourself to Death
A Scholarly Sting Operation Shines a Light on ‘Predatory’ Journals
How Bob Silvers and the New York Review of Books Transformed the Literary World
Early Tech Adopters in Ancient Rome Had Portable Sundials
Friday, March 24, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/24/17)
I... well. Who knows what's going on with anything at this point, really? But I can offer some Friday Happy Links if you'd like a distraction.
I WANT TO GO THERE: There’s now a spy-themed bar in London where you have to crack codes to get cocktails
I wish this had been the most important political news of the week: This Adorable Pup Named Biden Just Got To Meet Former VP Joe Biden
Churchill trailer!!
New emoji are coming!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society cast is looking INCREDIBLE.
Ooh: Stunning 'new' cloud formations captured in updated atlas
Amazon is making a Victoria Woodhull movie with Brie Larson! (She was the first female presidential candidate, in 1872.)
Butterbeer ice cream?!?!
Let's have a The Royal We party.
Or run away to the Isles of Scilly.
I'm not convinced by this birthday cake mimosa idea but... you know, I'd try it.
The British Library's Medieval Manuscripts Blog takes a look at some Beauty and the Beast-adjacent holdings.
I WANT TO GO THERE: There’s now a spy-themed bar in London where you have to crack codes to get cocktails
I wish this had been the most important political news of the week: This Adorable Pup Named Biden Just Got To Meet Former VP Joe Biden
Churchill trailer!!
New emoji are coming!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society cast is looking INCREDIBLE.
Ooh: Stunning 'new' cloud formations captured in updated atlas
Amazon is making a Victoria Woodhull movie with Brie Larson! (She was the first female presidential candidate, in 1872.)
Butterbeer ice cream?!?!
Let's have a The Royal We party.
Or run away to the Isles of Scilly.
I'm not convinced by this birthday cake mimosa idea but... you know, I'd try it.
The British Library's Medieval Manuscripts Blog takes a look at some Beauty and the Beast-adjacent holdings.
Tags:
alcohol,
animals,
Beauty and the Beast,
books,
cute things,
Harry Potter,
history,
ice cream,
international,
Joe Biden,
movies,
science,
spies,
tech stuff,
The Royal We,
travel,
Winston Churchill,
WWII
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/23/17)
I'm just catching up on the developments overnight in the London attack, but I recommend the Guardian liveblog.
US Officials: Info suggests Trump associates may have coordinated with Russians
AP Exclusive: Before Trump job, Manafort worked to aid Putin
Warnings of a ‘Powder Keg’ in Libya as ISIS Regroups
Beneath Mask of Normal Nigerian Life, Young Lives Scarred by Boko Haram
This case should be getting more attention: Suspect in Manhattan Killing Hated Black Men, Police Say
This Is How Neil Gorsuch Thinks
This is a bit long and dense, but really interesting: History's Guide to Contested Liberalism
Why Verizon and AT&T are suddenly pulling their ads from Google and YouTube
Ooh: Shaking Up the Dinosaur Family Tree
Your TV Show Doesn’t Have To Be A Movie: In Defense Of The Episode (Again)
For Women's History Month, the blog Early Modern Notes is doing an interesting series on primary sources of women's writing. Find it all here.
US Officials: Info suggests Trump associates may have coordinated with Russians
AP Exclusive: Before Trump job, Manafort worked to aid Putin
Warnings of a ‘Powder Keg’ in Libya as ISIS Regroups
Beneath Mask of Normal Nigerian Life, Young Lives Scarred by Boko Haram
This case should be getting more attention: Suspect in Manhattan Killing Hated Black Men, Police Say
This Is How Neil Gorsuch Thinks
This is a bit long and dense, but really interesting: History's Guide to Contested Liberalism
Why Verizon and AT&T are suddenly pulling their ads from Google and YouTube
Ooh: Shaking Up the Dinosaur Family Tree
Your TV Show Doesn’t Have To Be A Movie: In Defense Of The Episode (Again)
For Women's History Month, the blog Early Modern Notes is doing an interesting series on primary sources of women's writing. Find it all here.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/22/17)
What Donald Trump Doesn't Understand About Libraries
A must-read on the Gorsuch hearing: How Dare You Question Our Precious Nominee?
Why women wore Handmaid's Tale robes in the Texas Senate
Hillary Clinton: “I Am Ready to Come Out of the Woods”
Vindication: Nancy Pelosi was right: Democrats had to pass the bill so people could find out what’s in it
This is fascinating and heartbreaking: A Janitor Preserves the Seized Belongings of Migrants (They're confiscating rosaries. Rosaries.)
'London Bridge is down': the secret plan for the days after the Queen’s death (This is very well done, covering the government, media, etc., and was so immersive that I spent a couple days catching myself thinking "Wait, DID the Queen die?" No. She's fine. She better be fine.)
Sad news for mystery fans: Colin Dexter has died.
So they're making a sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl in the Spider's Web, but it's based on the fourth book, which was written by another author, and it's going to have a new cast. And new director. So. Huh.
A ‘Triumphant Return’ for 17th-Century Tapestries
Uncommon Ancestry
Russia’s February Revolution Was Led by Women on the March
A must-read on the Gorsuch hearing: How Dare You Question Our Precious Nominee?
Why women wore Handmaid's Tale robes in the Texas Senate
Hillary Clinton: “I Am Ready to Come Out of the Woods”
Vindication: Nancy Pelosi was right: Democrats had to pass the bill so people could find out what’s in it
This is fascinating and heartbreaking: A Janitor Preserves the Seized Belongings of Migrants (They're confiscating rosaries. Rosaries.)
'London Bridge is down': the secret plan for the days after the Queen’s death (This is very well done, covering the government, media, etc., and was so immersive that I spent a couple days catching myself thinking "Wait, DID the Queen die?" No. She's fine. She better be fine.)
Sad news for mystery fans: Colin Dexter has died.
So they're making a sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl in the Spider's Web, but it's based on the fourth book, which was written by another author, and it's going to have a new cast. And new director. So. Huh.
A ‘Triumphant Return’ for 17th-Century Tapestries
Uncommon Ancestry
Russia’s February Revolution Was Led by Women on the March
Tags:
abortion,
art,
books,
current events,
Donald Trump,
government,
health care,
Hillary Clinton,
history,
immigration,
international,
libraries,
movies,
mysteries,
royals,
Russia,
Supreme Court
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/21/17)
Oh wow: Martin McGuinness, an I.R.A. Leader Turned Peacemaker, Dies at 66
How a Sleepy German Suburb Explains Europe’s Rising Far-Right Movements
The FBI’s director just confirmed it’s investigating the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia
All of Trump’s wiretap claims have now officially been debunked by the FBI and NSA
Of course he does: Tillerson plans to skip NATO meeting, visit Russia in April
Dahlia Lithwick is always worth a read: The Case Against Neil Gorsuch
The Reclusive Hedge-Fund Tycoon Behind the Trump Presidency
I really hope Sesame Street brings back Donald Grump.
Speaking of: Sesame Street Will Introduce Its First Character With Autism in April
Why do the big stories keep breaking at night?
Have you read this crazy story about the Thinx CEO yet? Because it is CRAZY. (Younger friends: None of that is normal. I promise.)
The Cottingley fairy hoax of 1917 is a case study in how smart people lose control of the truth
How a Sleepy German Suburb Explains Europe’s Rising Far-Right Movements
The FBI’s director just confirmed it’s investigating the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia
All of Trump’s wiretap claims have now officially been debunked by the FBI and NSA
Of course he does: Tillerson plans to skip NATO meeting, visit Russia in April
Dahlia Lithwick is always worth a read: The Case Against Neil Gorsuch
The Reclusive Hedge-Fund Tycoon Behind the Trump Presidency
I really hope Sesame Street brings back Donald Grump.
Speaking of: Sesame Street Will Introduce Its First Character With Autism in April
Why do the big stories keep breaking at night?
Have you read this crazy story about the Thinx CEO yet? Because it is CRAZY. (Younger friends: None of that is normal. I promise.)
The Cottingley fairy hoax of 1917 is a case study in how smart people lose control of the truth
Monday, March 20, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/20/17)
The first day of spring Google Doodle is very cute.
Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.
Whoa if true, as they say: Basque Separatist Group ETA Is Said to Promise to Disarm
Well, this sounds... great: White House installs political aides at Cabinet agencies to be Trump’s eyes and ears
In case you wanted to see the actual results of Meals on Wheels, here you go.
Defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting won’t kill PBS. It will hurt Trump voters.
Donald Trump Sees Himself in Andrew Jackson
GOOD: Man who triggered seizure in Newsweek’s Kurt Eichenwald on Twitter arrested by FBI
Please do: Palm Beach may slap Mar-a-Lago with big tax to pay for ‘devastating’ cost of Trump’s weekend trips
Well this is horrifying: Brazilian Goalie Who Fed His Lover to His Dogs Is Now Free, Signed to a Team, and Wants Custody of Their Child
Today in things I wish were surprising: Women in finance work just as hard as men — and are more likely to get fired
The Forged ‘Ancient’ Statues That Fooled the Met’s Art Experts for Decades
Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.
Whoa if true, as they say: Basque Separatist Group ETA Is Said to Promise to Disarm
Well, this sounds... great: White House installs political aides at Cabinet agencies to be Trump’s eyes and ears
In case you wanted to see the actual results of Meals on Wheels, here you go.
Defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting won’t kill PBS. It will hurt Trump voters.
Donald Trump Sees Himself in Andrew Jackson
GOOD: Man who triggered seizure in Newsweek’s Kurt Eichenwald on Twitter arrested by FBI
Please do: Palm Beach may slap Mar-a-Lago with big tax to pay for ‘devastating’ cost of Trump’s weekend trips
Well this is horrifying: Brazilian Goalie Who Fed His Lover to His Dogs Is Now Free, Signed to a Team, and Wants Custody of Their Child
Today in things I wish were surprising: Women in finance work just as hard as men — and are more likely to get fired
The Forged ‘Ancient’ Statues That Fooled the Met’s Art Experts for Decades
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/19/17)
Sad news: Chuck Berry has died.
No Magic in How G.O.P. Plan Lowers Premiums: It Pushes Out Older People
What is Donald Trump hiding in his tax returns?
Welp: Girl Guides of Canada cancelling trips to the U.S., citing travel concerns
It’s ‘nonsensical’ to cut the Coast Guard to pay for Trump’s border wall, dozens of lawmakers say
The CBO's other bombshell: the Affordable Care Act isn't imploding
In Trump's Fascist Aesthetic, Dissenters Are Losers and the Photograph Rules
The Murder of an Honorable Lawyer in Myanmar
Please don't put jungle gyms in movie theaters. That sounds TERRIBLE.
Hee: Guess The Media Outlet By Its Tweet
Fascinating: Remembering Nüshu, the 19th-Century Chinese Script Only Women Could Write
What Happens When an Archaeologist Challenges Mainstream Scientific Thinking?
No Magic in How G.O.P. Plan Lowers Premiums: It Pushes Out Older People
What is Donald Trump hiding in his tax returns?
Welp: Girl Guides of Canada cancelling trips to the U.S., citing travel concerns
It’s ‘nonsensical’ to cut the Coast Guard to pay for Trump’s border wall, dozens of lawmakers say
The CBO's other bombshell: the Affordable Care Act isn't imploding
In Trump's Fascist Aesthetic, Dissenters Are Losers and the Photograph Rules
The Murder of an Honorable Lawyer in Myanmar
Please don't put jungle gyms in movie theaters. That sounds TERRIBLE.
Hee: Guess The Media Outlet By Its Tweet
Fascinating: Remembering Nüshu, the 19th-Century Chinese Script Only Women Could Write
What Happens When an Archaeologist Challenges Mainstream Scientific Thinking?
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/18/17)
Why The Famine In South Sudan Keeps Getting Worse
Watch Ireland’s prime minister bash Trump’s anti-immigration views just feet away from Trump
Interesting: St. Patrick’s Day Events Highlight an Irish Divide Over Trump
How Bad Are Things With North Korea?
Britain's top spies say Trump's claims they helped wiretap him are "nonsense"
Paul Ryan: I’ve Been Dreaming About Kicking Poors Off Medicaid Since I Was a Drunk Frat Boy
NYPD Commissioner Says Trump’s Budget Would ‘Hobble’ Counterterrorism Efforts
Liberals Would Be Foolish To Primary Joe Manchin
The century of American global domination of language is over, a linguist says
Late Bronze Age weapons discovery hailed as 'find of a lifetime'
Whoa: Disney Invented A Room Where Your Phone Will Never Die
Obviously I need to read some Angela Carter.
Watch Ireland’s prime minister bash Trump’s anti-immigration views just feet away from Trump
Interesting: St. Patrick’s Day Events Highlight an Irish Divide Over Trump
How Bad Are Things With North Korea?
Britain's top spies say Trump's claims they helped wiretap him are "nonsense"
Paul Ryan: I’ve Been Dreaming About Kicking Poors Off Medicaid Since I Was a Drunk Frat Boy
NYPD Commissioner Says Trump’s Budget Would ‘Hobble’ Counterterrorism Efforts
Liberals Would Be Foolish To Primary Joe Manchin
The century of American global domination of language is over, a linguist says
Late Bronze Age weapons discovery hailed as 'find of a lifetime'
Whoa: Disney Invented A Room Where Your Phone Will Never Die
Obviously I need to read some Angela Carter.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/17/17)
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Let's have some happy Friday links.
Yay!!! Chelsea Clinton announces new picture book, She Persisted
Aw: Refugees in Canada are embracing the country’s silliest sport
I'm pretty impressed with these St. Patrick's Day manicures.
Aaah, look at these female author shirts. I want the Agatha Christie one.
Obviously I also need Game of Thrones wine.
Hero cat!!
!! Matthew Perry Once Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Don't worry, they were kids.)
This winery/WWII spy museum sounds like the perfect place for my family to go on vacation.
Navigating Vienna’s Imperial Past — Through Pastries (I feel we should navigate MORE things through pastries, really.)
I assume you want to know about the Queen's secret handbag code.
A statistician got curious about M&M colors and went on an endearingly geeky quest for answers
The Unsung Delight of a Well-Designed Endpaper
Yay!!! Chelsea Clinton announces new picture book, She Persisted
Aw: Refugees in Canada are embracing the country’s silliest sport
I'm pretty impressed with these St. Patrick's Day manicures.
Aaah, look at these female author shirts. I want the Agatha Christie one.
Obviously I also need Game of Thrones wine.
Hero cat!!
!! Matthew Perry Once Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Don't worry, they were kids.)
This winery/WWII spy museum sounds like the perfect place for my family to go on vacation.
Navigating Vienna’s Imperial Past — Through Pastries (I feel we should navigate MORE things through pastries, really.)
I assume you want to know about the Queen's secret handbag code.
A statistician got curious about M&M colors and went on an endearingly geeky quest for answers
The Unsung Delight of a Well-Designed Endpaper
Tags:
Agatha Christie,
books,
cats,
celeb stuff,
Chelsea Clinton,
food,
Game of Thrones,
history,
international,
math,
museums,
mysteries,
refugees,
royals,
spies,
sports,
wine,
WWII
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/16/17)
The good news: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Latest Travel Ban Nationwide
The bad news: Donald Trump Budget Slashes Funds for E.P.A. and State Department, as well as public eduction and HUD, and cutting funding entirely for Meals on Wheels and other programs for the poor, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more.
What a surprise: Neil Gorsuch Has Web of Ties to Secretive Billionaire
Ugh: Trump Admin May Let States Impose Medicaid Work Requirements
Donald Trump's tax plan would've nearly wiped out his 2005 tax burden
The GOP plan for Obamacare could kill more people each year than gun homicides
What the White House’s obsession with Andrew Jackson means for the world
Netherlands Considers a New Relationship to Muslims With Coming Election (Obviously the elections have happened, now, but it's still an interesting read.)
Boooo: Women's Retailer Modcloth To Be Bought By Jet.Com, Which Is Owned By Walmart
!!! Why This Court Decision Hinged on the Oxford Comma
I have so many questions: Design the cover for Dan Brown's next mystery
Cool: Soviet Military Mapping of the Cold War Era
The bad news: Donald Trump Budget Slashes Funds for E.P.A. and State Department, as well as public eduction and HUD, and cutting funding entirely for Meals on Wheels and other programs for the poor, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more.
What a surprise: Neil Gorsuch Has Web of Ties to Secretive Billionaire
Ugh: Trump Admin May Let States Impose Medicaid Work Requirements
Donald Trump's tax plan would've nearly wiped out his 2005 tax burden
The GOP plan for Obamacare could kill more people each year than gun homicides
What the White House’s obsession with Andrew Jackson means for the world
Netherlands Considers a New Relationship to Muslims With Coming Election (Obviously the elections have happened, now, but it's still an interesting read.)
Boooo: Women's Retailer Modcloth To Be Bought By Jet.Com, Which Is Owned By Walmart
!!! Why This Court Decision Hinged on the Oxford Comma
I have so many questions: Design the cover for Dan Brown's next mystery
Cool: Soviet Military Mapping of the Cold War Era
Tags:
books,
business,
current events,
Donald Trump,
fashion,
government,
health care,
history,
immigration,
international,
language,
maps,
mysteries,
refugees,
religion,
Supreme Court
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/15/17)
This is awful: New Hampshire GOP Pushes Voter Intimidation Bill That Would Send Cops to Registrants’ Homes
Despicable: A region in Italy wants to ban veiled women from being treated at hospitals
The GOP health plan is an act of class warfare by the rich against the poor
And: White House analysis of Obamacare repeal sees even deeper insurance losses than CBO
And: Trump signals his willingness to put even deeper cuts into Trumpcare
Trump rejects push to oust NSC aide
Trump Sold America a Miracle Cure: But when miracle cures fail, the patients don’t blame the salesman.
This is thorough and important: Why Is Silicon Valley So Awful to Women?
The Woolly Mammoth’s Last Stand
How The Americans Became the Most Relevant Drama on TV
Unearthing Armenia’s Giant, Ancient Earthenware
Hee: Ed Sheeran Songs That Should Have Been Sung By Somebody Else
Despicable: A region in Italy wants to ban veiled women from being treated at hospitals
The GOP health plan is an act of class warfare by the rich against the poor
And: White House analysis of Obamacare repeal sees even deeper insurance losses than CBO
And: Trump signals his willingness to put even deeper cuts into Trumpcare
Trump rejects push to oust NSC aide
Trump Sold America a Miracle Cure: But when miracle cures fail, the patients don’t blame the salesman.
This is thorough and important: Why Is Silicon Valley So Awful to Women?
The Woolly Mammoth’s Last Stand
How The Americans Became the Most Relevant Drama on TV
Unearthing Armenia’s Giant, Ancient Earthenware
Hee: Ed Sheeran Songs That Should Have Been Sung By Somebody Else
Tags:
current events,
Donald Trump,
funny things,
government,
health care,
history,
international,
music,
national security,
New Hampshire,
politics,
religion,
Russia,
science,
sexism,
tech stuff,
TV
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/14/17)
Just to warn you, the Winklevoss twins pop up in two unrelated links today.
Amid Divisions in U.K. Over ‘Brexit,’ Nicola Sturgeon Calls for New Referendum on Scottish Independence
Russian Espionage Piggybacks on a Cybercriminal’s Hacking
CBO estimates 24 million lose coverage under GOP plan. The devastating report, explained.
Tom Price is lying about the GOP health plan
Steve King Won't Back Down From His Tweet About 'Somebody Else's Babies'
The Great White House Freak-Out
Housekeepers Versus Harvard: Feminism for the Age of Trump
It’s Legal for 14-Year-Olds to Marry. Should It Be?
Robots Might Gather Evidence Better Than Humans in Child Abuse Investigations
No matter how much I read, I still don't understand Bitcoin, but I keep trying: Why Bitcoin lost 15 percent of its value in a few minutes
Neat! America’s First Writers Museum Is Slated to Open in May
To Have And To Hold?: Sex, Purity And Piety In Medieval Marriage
Amid Divisions in U.K. Over ‘Brexit,’ Nicola Sturgeon Calls for New Referendum on Scottish Independence
Russian Espionage Piggybacks on a Cybercriminal’s Hacking
CBO estimates 24 million lose coverage under GOP plan. The devastating report, explained.
Tom Price is lying about the GOP health plan
Steve King Won't Back Down From His Tweet About 'Somebody Else's Babies'
The Great White House Freak-Out
Housekeepers Versus Harvard: Feminism for the Age of Trump
It’s Legal for 14-Year-Olds to Marry. Should It Be?
Robots Might Gather Evidence Better Than Humans in Child Abuse Investigations
No matter how much I read, I still don't understand Bitcoin, but I keep trying: Why Bitcoin lost 15 percent of its value in a few minutes
Neat! America’s First Writers Museum Is Slated to Open in May
To Have And To Hold?: Sex, Purity And Piety In Medieval Marriage
Tags:
academia,
books,
crime,
current events,
Donald Trump,
economics,
feminism,
government,
health care,
history,
international,
law,
museums,
politics,
Russia,
spies,
tech stuff
Monday, March 13, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/13/17)
Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.
The astonishing dysfunction of Trump's State Department, in one quote
Trump's maternity leave plan only covers married birth mothers, because of course.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The President helped build a hotel in Azerbaijan that appears to be a corrupt operation engineered by oligarchs tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Um, Small World, indeed.
Today in headlines that look like they were designed JUST FOR ME: German spies investigate Scientology art museum conspiracy
The Nihilistic Purity of the Far Left Will Kill Us All
Awesome: Nike launches hijab for female Muslim athletes
This is amazing: Defense lawyer’s pants catch fire during trial in Miami
Eee, Libba Bray's new book!
Why April has become the home of prestige TV
The Century-Long History of Tapping Wall Street to Run the Government
The astonishing dysfunction of Trump's State Department, in one quote
Trump's maternity leave plan only covers married birth mothers, because of course.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The President helped build a hotel in Azerbaijan that appears to be a corrupt operation engineered by oligarchs tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Um, Small World, indeed.
Today in headlines that look like they were designed JUST FOR ME: German spies investigate Scientology art museum conspiracy
The Nihilistic Purity of the Far Left Will Kill Us All
Awesome: Nike launches hijab for female Muslim athletes
This is amazing: Defense lawyer’s pants catch fire during trial in Miami
Eee, Libba Bray's new book!
Why April has become the home of prestige TV
The Century-Long History of Tapping Wall Street to Run the Government
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/12/17)
The Conspiracy Theorist in Chief
The Bumbling Plot to Destroy Obamacare
It's Time to Take Sexism Seriously as a Political Force
The White House praised Exxon with a paragraph copied from an Exxon press release
Cressida Dick Will Be First Woman to Lead Scotland Yard
The Politically Subversive Power of Puppies
Ooh, drama: Why Was Times Theater Critic Charles Isherwood Fired?
Pluto Could Be Made A Planet Again, Along With 102 Other Celestial Bodies (Including the...moon?)
Why China's Screenwriters Are Thriving
The Book of Esther and the Jewish Festival Purim
3,000-Year-Old Child Footprints Found at Site of Ancient Egyptian Palace
This Medieval Knight’s Manor Houses Over 350 Mechanical Musical Instruments
The Bumbling Plot to Destroy Obamacare
It's Time to Take Sexism Seriously as a Political Force
The White House praised Exxon with a paragraph copied from an Exxon press release
Cressida Dick Will Be First Woman to Lead Scotland Yard
The Politically Subversive Power of Puppies
Ooh, drama: Why Was Times Theater Critic Charles Isherwood Fired?
Pluto Could Be Made A Planet Again, Along With 102 Other Celestial Bodies (Including the...moon?)
Why China's Screenwriters Are Thriving
The Book of Esther and the Jewish Festival Purim
3,000-Year-Old Child Footprints Found at Site of Ancient Egyptian Palace
This Medieval Knight’s Manor Houses Over 350 Mechanical Musical Instruments
Tags:
animals,
archaeology,
books,
current events,
Donald Trump,
government,
health care,
history,
international,
law enforcement,
media,
movies,
music,
politics,
religion,
science,
sexism,
social media,
space,
theater
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/11/17)
Iraqi forces retake archaeological museum in Mosul that was vandalized by the Islamic State
The GOP health bill doesn’t know what problem it’s trying to solve
Trump has set the US up to botch a global health crisis
WHAT: House Republicans would let employers demand workers’ genetic test results
Trump's Team of Weaklings
The White Supremacist Kansas City Shooting and the Need for Global Solidarity
Today in things I wish were surprising: Black People More Likely to Be Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, Study Shows
Whoa: Found: Time Crystals, a New Phase of Matter
This did... not go over well: HBO Made Fans Watch Ice Melt for 69 Minutes to Find Out When Season 7 of Game of Thrones Premieres
My Fair Lady is headed back to Broadway!
Mysterious Viking Ship Burial Yields a Trove of Artifacts
Where’s Waldo’s Elusive Hero Didn’t Just Get Sneakier. He Got Smaller.
The GOP health bill doesn’t know what problem it’s trying to solve
Trump has set the US up to botch a global health crisis
WHAT: House Republicans would let employers demand workers’ genetic test results
Trump's Team of Weaklings
The White Supremacist Kansas City Shooting and the Need for Global Solidarity
Today in things I wish were surprising: Black People More Likely to Be Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, Study Shows
Whoa: Found: Time Crystals, a New Phase of Matter
This did... not go over well: HBO Made Fans Watch Ice Melt for 69 Minutes to Find Out When Season 7 of Game of Thrones Premieres
My Fair Lady is headed back to Broadway!
Mysterious Viking Ship Burial Yields a Trove of Artifacts
Where’s Waldo’s Elusive Hero Didn’t Just Get Sneakier. He Got Smaller.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/10/17)
Time for our weekly break for some Friday happy links.
Some good news to start your weekend: A Self-Assured Swedish Cat Just Came Home After Nine Years Away
Maybe your weekend also needs wine and cake pairings.
Your weekend DEFINITELY needs dudes in suits.
Also at Go Fug Yourself: I want everything in the Brooks Brothers Fall/Winter collection, which I'm sure comes as a GIGANTIC SHOCK.
Can You Name The Best-Selling Book Title From The Visual Riddle? (I got 16/17 and I'm pretty mad about that last one.)
Ooh! Found: A Miniature Working Model of the National Archives Vault
I love dioramas! Let's go see them all.
Oreo drones!!
The world's largest knitted mitten! I love Sweden.
Whoa: If You Haven't Tried the New Starbucks Cookie Butter Bar, You Haven't Lived Your Best Life
The Original Hidden Picture Artists Were Dutch Masters
I'm skeptical of wine-infused coffee but I'd probably TRY it.
Some good news to start your weekend: A Self-Assured Swedish Cat Just Came Home After Nine Years Away
Maybe your weekend also needs wine and cake pairings.
Your weekend DEFINITELY needs dudes in suits.
Also at Go Fug Yourself: I want everything in the Brooks Brothers Fall/Winter collection, which I'm sure comes as a GIGANTIC SHOCK.
Can You Name The Best-Selling Book Title From The Visual Riddle? (I got 16/17 and I'm pretty mad about that last one.)
Ooh! Found: A Miniature Working Model of the National Archives Vault
I love dioramas! Let's go see them all.
Oreo drones!!
The world's largest knitted mitten! I love Sweden.
Whoa: If You Haven't Tried the New Starbucks Cookie Butter Bar, You Haven't Lived Your Best Life
The Original Hidden Picture Artists Were Dutch Masters
I'm skeptical of wine-infused coffee but I'd probably TRY it.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/9/17)
British TV streaming service BritBox is here!!!
And we're getting a new Smiley novel!!!!
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled terrible news, I guess: Trump’s New Ban Leaves Few Spots for Refugees, Even the Hunted
Right-wing groups strongly oppose Trump’s healthcare plan, pretend Trump has nothing to do with it
The Republican plan to pay for their new health care plan is: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Meet the Hundreds of Officials Trump Has Quietly Installed Across the Government (Click through and at least read the first paragraph. It's quite something.)
He ‘may not even understand Watergate’: Former Nixon lawyer schools Trump’s Obama-wiretap claim
Hm: Nigeria rejected British offer to rescue seized Chibok schoolgirls
Today in things I wish were surprising: STUDY: Women’s Voices Marginalized In 2016 News Coverage Of Foreign Affairs And National Security
Good for her: Chrissy Teigen Opens Up for the First Time About Her Postpartum Depression
!! Rabbit hole leads to 700-year-old Knights Templar cave
Huh: A Scottish-Style Whisky With Indian Characteristics
And we're getting a new Smiley novel!!!!
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled terrible news, I guess: Trump’s New Ban Leaves Few Spots for Refugees, Even the Hunted
Right-wing groups strongly oppose Trump’s healthcare plan, pretend Trump has nothing to do with it
The Republican plan to pay for their new health care plan is: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Meet the Hundreds of Officials Trump Has Quietly Installed Across the Government (Click through and at least read the first paragraph. It's quite something.)
He ‘may not even understand Watergate’: Former Nixon lawyer schools Trump’s Obama-wiretap claim
Hm: Nigeria rejected British offer to rescue seized Chibok schoolgirls
Today in things I wish were surprising: STUDY: Women’s Voices Marginalized In 2016 News Coverage Of Foreign Affairs And National Security
Good for her: Chrissy Teigen Opens Up for the First Time About Her Postpartum Depression
!! Rabbit hole leads to 700-year-old Knights Templar cave
Huh: A Scottish-Style Whisky With Indian Characteristics
Tags:
alcohol,
BBC,
books,
celeb stuff,
current events,
Donald Trump,
government,
health,
health care,
history,
international,
John Le Carre,
media,
politics,
refugees,
sexism,
spies,
TV
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/7/17)
Wondering what exactly is in the Obamacare replacement bill that came out last night? Read Sarah Kliff.
And if you want to know about the new travel ban - God, so many terrible things came out yesterday! - read Dara Lind.
Related: "Donald Trump’s top advisers try to cheer up the sulking commander in chief by reminding him of their looming plan to endanger the lives of some of the most desperate and vulnerable people on earth."
HE'S A CITIZEN: Khizr Khan Reportedly Told His “Travel Privileges Are Being Reviewed,” Offers No Comment
The Supreme Court’s latest punt has big implications for transgender rights
Uh: Ben Carson: slaves were immigrants with dreams their family could find prosperity in America
In dramatic shift, White House suggests secret intelligence proves Obama wiretapped Trump Tower
This former British lawmaker is at the heart of the Trump wiretap allegations (There are some WILD details in there.)
Marines’ Secret Trove of Nonconsensual Nude Photos Is About Power, Not Sex
I think this is getting lost a bit among the "exclusively gay moment" stuff, but it's a big deal: Beauty and the Beast Will Feature Disney’s First-Ever Live Action Interracial Kiss
HarperCollins has a nifty new site to celebrate its 200th birthday.
The Bittersweet Taste of British Sicily
And if you want to know about the new travel ban - God, so many terrible things came out yesterday! - read Dara Lind.
Related: "Donald Trump’s top advisers try to cheer up the sulking commander in chief by reminding him of their looming plan to endanger the lives of some of the most desperate and vulnerable people on earth."
HE'S A CITIZEN: Khizr Khan Reportedly Told His “Travel Privileges Are Being Reviewed,” Offers No Comment
The Supreme Court’s latest punt has big implications for transgender rights
Uh: Ben Carson: slaves were immigrants with dreams their family could find prosperity in America
In dramatic shift, White House suggests secret intelligence proves Obama wiretapped Trump Tower
This former British lawmaker is at the heart of the Trump wiretap allegations (There are some WILD details in there.)
Marines’ Secret Trove of Nonconsensual Nude Photos Is About Power, Not Sex
I think this is getting lost a bit among the "exclusively gay moment" stuff, but it's a big deal: Beauty and the Beast Will Feature Disney’s First-Ever Live Action Interracial Kiss
HarperCollins has a nifty new site to celebrate its 200th birthday.
The Bittersweet Taste of British Sicily
Tags:
Beauty and the Beast,
books,
current events,
Disney,
Donald Trump,
government,
health care,
history,
human rights,
immigration,
military,
politics,
publishing stuff,
refugees,
wine
Monday, March 6, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/6/17)
Me elsewhere: Your TV news for the week.
On Europe’s Far Right, Female Leaders Look to Female Voters
Trump Seeks Inquiry Into Allegations That Obama Tapped His Phones (THERE IS NO REAL ALLEGATION. Sigh.)
Smoke from the White House
"When a student asked, 'What would you change about your campaign?' Clinton replied, 'I’d win.'"
Kellyanne Conway's Battle for Trump's Favor
I love Norway: This site is “taking the edge off rant mode” by making readers pass a quiz before commenting
Oops? Harvard scientists shocked the world by turning hydrogen into a metal, but then lost the only sample
Hee: Outrage at inclusion of gay character in film about woman-buffalo romance
Oh, this looks great: V&A opera exhibition looks to put to rest prejudice about art form
Found in the Remains of a Former Gilded Age Mansion, an Ancient Roman Artifact Reveals Its Secrets
An irony-free zone: early French translations of Jane Austen
On Europe’s Far Right, Female Leaders Look to Female Voters
Trump Seeks Inquiry Into Allegations That Obama Tapped His Phones (THERE IS NO REAL ALLEGATION. Sigh.)
Smoke from the White House
"When a student asked, 'What would you change about your campaign?' Clinton replied, 'I’d win.'"
Kellyanne Conway's Battle for Trump's Favor
I love Norway: This site is “taking the edge off rant mode” by making readers pass a quiz before commenting
Oops? Harvard scientists shocked the world by turning hydrogen into a metal, but then lost the only sample
Hee: Outrage at inclusion of gay character in film about woman-buffalo romance
Oh, this looks great: V&A opera exhibition looks to put to rest prejudice about art form
Found in the Remains of a Former Gilded Age Mansion, an Ancient Roman Artifact Reveals Its Secrets
An irony-free zone: early French translations of Jane Austen
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/5/17)
At Greece’s Refugee Camps, Trying to Recreate the Everyday
SIGH: Trump, Offering No Evidence, Says Obama Tapped His Phones
The Strange Case Of The Russian Diplomat Who Got His Head Smashed In On Election Day
Presidential! Trump has responded to the Russia scandal by trolling congressional Democrats on Twitter
Josh Marshall has been doing an interesting series thinking through the various Russia options. Here's the Innocent Explanation.
What The CIA and FBI Knew About Trump Before 2016
The Daily Mail's Xenophobic Pseudo-Journalism Is Fueling The “Alt-Right”
The current Slate Academy is about fascism and I'm sure that's a total coincidence.
Time After Time premieres tonight and this explainer is hilarious.
Ooh, Jennifer Egan's new book sounds good.
The book this is excerpted from ALSO sounds good: The Marked Woman
Muslims Were Banned From the Americas as Early as the 16th Century
SIGH: Trump, Offering No Evidence, Says Obama Tapped His Phones
The Strange Case Of The Russian Diplomat Who Got His Head Smashed In On Election Day
Presidential! Trump has responded to the Russia scandal by trolling congressional Democrats on Twitter
Josh Marshall has been doing an interesting series thinking through the various Russia options. Here's the Innocent Explanation.
What The CIA and FBI Knew About Trump Before 2016
The Daily Mail's Xenophobic Pseudo-Journalism Is Fueling The “Alt-Right”
The current Slate Academy is about fascism and I'm sure that's a total coincidence.
Time After Time premieres tonight and this explainer is hilarious.
Ooh, Jennifer Egan's new book sounds good.
The book this is excerpted from ALSO sounds good: The Marked Woman
Muslims Were Banned From the Americas as Early as the 16th Century
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/4/17)
Thousands Of Civilians Flee Mosul Under Cover Of Night
Heartbreaking: Mass baby remains found at former Catholic home in Ireland
This seems super normal: “We cannot find the bill": inside the frantic hunt for the GOP Obamacare replacement (They mean that literally. I at first assumed they meant it was hard to come up with a replacement that would work - because OBVIOUSLY - but no, the bill is literally hidden.)
The Trump-Russia scandals: a quick visual guide
What We Know About Sergey Kislyak
Mike Pence used private email as governor, and it got hacked (BUT HER EMAILS.)
If you haven't seen it yet, here's an interesting blow-by-blow of the Oscar mistake.
Tom Hanks Has Been Keeping the White House Press Corps Caffeinated for Over a Decade Now
Roger Stone Versus the "Deep State"
!! Bees Can Learn to Play “Soccer.” Score One for Insect Intelligence
Ooh, Tina Brown's tell-all should be delightfully juicy.
The Story of Belle Gunness, One of America's Most Prolific Serial Killers
Heartbreaking: Mass baby remains found at former Catholic home in Ireland
This seems super normal: “We cannot find the bill": inside the frantic hunt for the GOP Obamacare replacement (They mean that literally. I at first assumed they meant it was hard to come up with a replacement that would work - because OBVIOUSLY - but no, the bill is literally hidden.)
The Trump-Russia scandals: a quick visual guide
What We Know About Sergey Kislyak
Mike Pence used private email as governor, and it got hacked (BUT HER EMAILS.)
If you haven't seen it yet, here's an interesting blow-by-blow of the Oscar mistake.
Tom Hanks Has Been Keeping the White House Press Corps Caffeinated for Over a Decade Now
Roger Stone Versus the "Deep State"
!! Bees Can Learn to Play “Soccer.” Score One for Insect Intelligence
Ooh, Tina Brown's tell-all should be delightfully juicy.
The Story of Belle Gunness, One of America's Most Prolific Serial Killers
Friday, March 3, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/3/17)
I'm still discombobulated from travel but I think it's time for some happy Friday links!
New music from Lorde!
YAY: Hidden figures no more: female Nasa staff to be immortalised in Lego
Aw, this is great: PBS NewsHour and the Washington Press Club Foundation Are Creating a Fellowship in Honor of Gwen Ifill
Awesome: Swedish Women’s Soccer Team Replaces Names on Jerseys With Quotes From Women
I saw this Beauty and the Beast tea at Disneyland the other day and didn't want to take it home in my suitcase, but if it pops up at my local store I'm sure I'll give in.
Ooh: IBM Watson Created a Modern Sculpture Inspired by the Work of One of Spain’s Most Famous Architects
This headline is AMAZING: Prince Charles is behind a plan to use nutella to help sterilize squirrels
KITTEN REALITY SHOW (I just looked and three of them were snuggling adorably.)
Heh: A Single Mouse Grounded a Plane in London
A Tolkien Truther From Colorado Says He's the Real King of England (In his defense... Donald Trump is president.)
Step Inside This Underground Cathedral, Carved into the Walls of an Abandoned Salt Mine
New music from Lorde!
YAY: Hidden figures no more: female Nasa staff to be immortalised in Lego
Aw, this is great: PBS NewsHour and the Washington Press Club Foundation Are Creating a Fellowship in Honor of Gwen Ifill
Awesome: Swedish Women’s Soccer Team Replaces Names on Jerseys With Quotes From Women
I saw this Beauty and the Beast tea at Disneyland the other day and didn't want to take it home in my suitcase, but if it pops up at my local store I'm sure I'll give in.
Ooh: IBM Watson Created a Modern Sculpture Inspired by the Work of One of Spain’s Most Famous Architects
This headline is AMAZING: Prince Charles is behind a plan to use nutella to help sterilize squirrels
KITTEN REALITY SHOW (I just looked and three of them were snuggling adorably.)
Heh: A Single Mouse Grounded a Plane in London
A Tolkien Truther From Colorado Says He's the Real King of England (In his defense... Donald Trump is president.)
Step Inside This Underground Cathedral, Carved into the Walls of an Abandoned Salt Mine
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/2/17)
Back from my trip! Also, there have been posts the past several days - just scroll back to see them.
The Islamic State’s ‘business model’ is failing, study says
Officials: Still No Actionable Intel From Yemen SEAL Raid (So, of course, Trump was lying about it.)
Sessions spoke twice with Russian ambassador during Trump’s presidential campaign, Justice officials say (and lied about it during his confirmation hearing)
Obama Administration Rushed to Preserve Intelligence of Russian Election Hacking
The Spies Who Love Putin
The Most Powerful Republican in America (and How He Paved the Way for Donald Trump)
The Threat of Moral Authority
How did we get to the envelope gaffe? The great Oscar drama of 2017
How The Oscar Flub Demonstrates The Limits of Black Graciousness
Cosmos Controversy: The Universe Is Expanding, but How Fast?
Ooh: Hundreds of Mysterious Stonehenge-Like Earthworks Found in the Amazon
Searching for California's Lost Viking Treasure Ship
The Islamic State’s ‘business model’ is failing, study says
Officials: Still No Actionable Intel From Yemen SEAL Raid (So, of course, Trump was lying about it.)
Sessions spoke twice with Russian ambassador during Trump’s presidential campaign, Justice officials say (and lied about it during his confirmation hearing)
Obama Administration Rushed to Preserve Intelligence of Russian Election Hacking
The Spies Who Love Putin
The Most Powerful Republican in America (and How He Paved the Way for Donald Trump)
The Threat of Moral Authority
How did we get to the envelope gaffe? The great Oscar drama of 2017
How The Oscar Flub Demonstrates The Limits of Black Graciousness
Cosmos Controversy: The Universe Is Expanding, but How Fast?
Ooh: Hundreds of Mysterious Stonehenge-Like Earthworks Found in the Amazon
Searching for California's Lost Viking Treasure Ship
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Morning Coffee (3/1/17)
(I'm traveling, so I put this list together in advance. Back to real time tomorrow!)
I <3 libraries: Cologne library opens its doors to refugees: 'You fill this room with life'
In Response to Trump, a Dutch Minister Launches ‘She Decides’
Answering 'cultural genocide': Iraq's looted treasures to be displayed at Venice Biennale
State lawmaker’s solution for pregnant workers: ‘You can quit’
This was comforting in general but ESPECIALLY because of what it said about New Hampshire: Clinton’s Ground Game Didn’t Cost Her The Election
The Young Trump: Jared Kushner is more like his father-in-law than anyone imagines.
Should designers dress Melania and Ivanka? The question is more complex than it seems.
The Man Who Became Donald Trump
How an Interoffice Spat Erupted Into a Climate-Change Furor
FASCINATING: How Think Tanks Became Engines of Royal Propaganda
1,800-Year-Old Shipwreck Found Almost Completely Intact Off Spanish Coast
A Computer to Rival the Brain
I <3 libraries: Cologne library opens its doors to refugees: 'You fill this room with life'
In Response to Trump, a Dutch Minister Launches ‘She Decides’
Answering 'cultural genocide': Iraq's looted treasures to be displayed at Venice Biennale
State lawmaker’s solution for pregnant workers: ‘You can quit’
This was comforting in general but ESPECIALLY because of what it said about New Hampshire: Clinton’s Ground Game Didn’t Cost Her The Election
The Young Trump: Jared Kushner is more like his father-in-law than anyone imagines.
Should designers dress Melania and Ivanka? The question is more complex than it seems.
The Man Who Became Donald Trump
How an Interoffice Spat Erupted Into a Climate-Change Furor
FASCINATING: How Think Tanks Became Engines of Royal Propaganda
1,800-Year-Old Shipwreck Found Almost Completely Intact Off Spanish Coast
A Computer to Rival the Brain
Tags:
abortion,
archaeology,
climate change,
Donald Trump,
fashion,
government,
Hillary Clinton,
history,
international,
libraries,
museums,
politics,
refugees,
science,
sexism,
tech stuff
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