Morning Coffee (3/14/14)

I saw the Veronica Mars movie last night. Here is my one-sentence review. It is only spoilery in that if you know what I wanted from the movie (in general, not any one area), my reaction basically tells you whether the movie provided what I wanted.

This is fascinating and completely non-spoilery, if you need something to pass the time before watching the movie: 'Veronica Mars' Costume Designer Salvador Perez Reveals Style Secrets From Original Series

Also, these imagined Veronica Mars book covers are amazing.

I'm sorry, I promise the rest of these are NOT about Veronica Mars.

Memories From the Set: Bradley Whitford Talks Stints on West Wing, ER, Frasier and More

The Exquisite Wistfulness of 19th-Century Vegetarian Personal Ads

Report: Only 20 Minutes Until Introverted Man Gets To Leave Party

Dirtbag Romeo and Juliet

Which Gilmore Girls Guy Is Your Soulmate? (I got Logan. I'll allow it.)

Morning Coffee (3/13/14)

What Paul Ryan Gets Wrong About 'Inner-City' Poverty

In-Depth Report Details Economics of Sex Trade

World War One: Soldier's diaries discovered in Devon

This speed reading app sounds like it would take all the fun out of reading. And give me a headache.

This assignment of a meat to each state is worth a read, if only for the hilarious New Hampshire caption.

A new Smurf origin story? Interesting.

Tagalongs vs. Peanut Butter Patties: The Great Girl Scout Cookie Regional Naming Rift

The Concise Roald Dahl

Morning Coffee (3/12/14)

This piece about Peter Lanza is difficult but interesting and well-written.

I don't watch The Bachelor, but this was a fascinating read anyway.

American Cheese-Makers: Stop Imitating Europe! Create Your Own Cheese Names.

Lost 16th Century Tudor Shilling Could Mean the British Discovered Canada

Twitter Knows When You’re Going To Be Sad, Hungover, And Late For Work

Heh: Should You Stay Up Late?

Two Monks Invent Medieval Art

Which Veronica Mars Character Are You?

Morning Coffee (3/11/14)

My friends Holly and Carrie do a Veronica Mars podcast, and I (along with several other guests) went on to talk about our predictions for the movie. Here's the non-spoilery section and the spoilery section. In the spoilery section you get to hear me swear, sort of, which doesn't happen often.

Who Creates Drama At HBO? Very Few Women Or People Of Color

I am so excited for Suffragette, for several reasons, but also because it's the first film shot in the Houses of Parliament.

Eee, I want to go to the Star Trek theme park.

Do you want an explainer explainer? Of course you do.

Interesting: Newly identified dinosaur fauna sheds light on evolution

Is it wrong that I kind of want to play this?

Yes, there's a BuzzFeed quiz for everything. Which Biblical heroine are you?

Morning Coffee (3/10/14)

Magna Carta is coming to Boston! I'm excited.

Kermit as Smiley in Animal, Piggy, Frog, Spy has just shot pretty far up on the list of "things I want most out of life."

Nice: Parents push to end gender division of boys' and girls' books

This full context makes much more sense than the earlier version going around: Favorite Artists vs Distinctive Artists by State

An interesting read: Sparkle, Shirley, Sparkle! (I really do recommend Temple's memoir. Fascinating.)

My friend Jessie wrote a great essay about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Onion: Arm & Hammer Representative Starting To Wonder What He's Doing At SXSW

Which Fandom Do You Actually Belong In? (I got the Whedonverse, which isn't the most wrong answer, I guess.)

Morning Coffee (3/7/14)

Happy Friday!

Penguin sweaters: separating fact from fiction

Those of you who, like me, love both Gossip Girl and word games will want to click this link.

I love everything about this: Tony Goldwyn (Fitz from Scandal) is playing Warren Jeffs in a Lifetime movie.

I am dubious about this but hoping for hilarrible: E!'s first scripted show will be a fictional version of the British royal family, starring Elizabeth Hurley.

I took the Guardian's Which BBC Channel Are You? quiz, which in and of itself is a ridiculous statement, and got BBC 4, which I assume surprises no one.

How the New York Times Resurrected the Monocle, Over and Over Again, for the Last 112 Years

Stylish Illustrations Celebrate the Interior Designs of Classic Films

Which Baby-Sitter Are You?

Morning Coffee (3/6/14)

One of my parents' neighbors passed away a few days ago, and I'd had no idea that she was the last living radium girl. Fascinating.

Here's a trailer for the new Annie. I will totally see this, and Quvenzhané Wallis sure is adorable, but . . . boy do I have CONCERNS.

This is a difficult but important read: A Train, a Narrow Trestle and 60 Seconds to Escape: How 'Midnight Rider' Victim Sarah Jones Lost Her Life

A Russia Today America anchor resigned live on air.

Can we please actually have this Manchester-Boston train now?

Stephanie Perkins's Isla and the Happily Ever After has a release date, and you should go enter this awesome book/tote bag giveaway!

My friend Tim Stevens was on the Daily Show talking about racist computers and it was awesome.

Those of you who join me in my fascination with cults will want to read this: Scientology's Vanished Queen

Morning Coffee (3/5/14)

Wow: Looking for the good Samaritan who saved the life of a man who jumped into the Potomac

The end of an era: Carl Kasell is retiring from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.

Huh: Chris Hayes is going to cameo on Revolution tonight.

Another casualty of climate change: Guacamole on our burritos?

The pope is getting his own gossip magazine.

The best Oscar-related article ever: Paging Bradley Cooper's Lawyers: He Might Own Ellen's Famous Oscar Selfie

Speaking of, here's Cleolinda's Storify of the best of the Oscars on social media. (Disclosure: I'm in it a few times.)

Veronica Mars fans, here's a behind-the-scenes video from a Jason Dohring photoshoot. You're welcome.

Morning Coffee (3/4/14)

Don't miss Price Peterson's Oscars recap.

Veronica Mars fans, here's a new version of the theme song from the movie.

And some new movie photos! (The captions are fun.)

All Alternatives Considered: How Slate thinks a daily podcast can fit into your evening commute

Here's everything you may want to know about Will, Kate, and George's tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Stages of Winter Rage

The Problem With Having Dinner With Cato the Elder

Which Classic Author Is Your Soulmate? (I got Austen, which, fine, but I was hoping for something a little more unexpected.)

Morning Coffee (3/3/14)

March already! Somehow!

The Oscar Best Picture Nominees As Pie Charts

Every Dress Worn by Best Actress Oscar Winners, 1929-Present

Korean family reunions: 'The sadness in my heart has finally dissolved' (I heard a fascinating radio story about that particular family. I can't even imagine.)

To Harriet, on her 50th birthday

Breaking news: Read novels to reduce anxiety. You don't say.

Why do we feel the need to solve movies?

Art at Arm’s Length: A History of the Selfie

BBC History is the best. Here's a quiz to find out if you would have been accused of witchcraft.