Morning Coffee (1/11/19)

Time for Friday happy links!

Your feel-good story of the day: Actor Joe Manganiello brings his love of Dungeons and Dragons to kids at Pittsburgh hospital

AMAZING: British Museum realises 'vase' is in fact an ancient mace-head displayed upside down

!! Netflix Orders ‘Shadow And Bone’ Series Based On Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse Novels From Eric Heisserer & Shawn Levy

I am obsessed with this New Yorker cover.

Starbucks’ Newest Drink Tastes Just Like Cookie Butter

Meghan Markle’s Royal Patronages Will Focus on These Four Interests

Heh: Fact-checking the mob song from ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Fug Nation Loves Slippers!

The Best Time of Day to Book Your Next Flight

Let's go! This Book-filled Hotel in Cambridge, England, Is the Ultimate Getaway for Bibliophiles

Oscar Project 2018: Beauty and the Beast

Movie: Beauty and the Beast

The animated Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and I love the cast of this new version, so I was very excited about it, but wound up a little underwhelmed. It was fine, but it wasn't enchanting or transportive like the original. Maybe my expectations were too high. Still a fun watch, though!

Availability: Streaming on Netflix!

Nominated In:
Costume Design: Yes! The costumes were gorgeous and intricate AND did a very good job of mirroring the animated version but working on their own.

Production Design: My answer here is pretty much the same as the above, actually. This movie did a great job of creating a world that was recognizably that of the original but also expanded and richer.

Catch up on all my Oscar Project posts.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Morning Coffee (2/24/17)

(I'm traveling, so I put this list together in advance. Back to real time on Thursday!)

Time for some happy Friday links!

My favorite headline of all time: Tom Hiddleston laughs off playing Eddie Redmayne’s elephant in school play

This is a very important investigation into the Finnish first dog: Finland Has a Very Good Boy

More important dogs of the world: Setting tails wagging: the costumed pups of the Rio dog carnival

!!! Here's Emma Watson Singing 'Belle,' Opening Song From Beauty And the Beast

Also: Emma Watson cried happy tears seeing Hermione's future in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (ME TOO, Emma Watson, me too.)

These are probably going to be gross but I will absolutely try them: It's Official: Peeps-Flavored Oreos Are Here

So cool: The Queen’s wedding cake saved by 3D printing

Let's go to this literary fashion exhibit: A Vanderbilt Library Comes to Life

Whoa: This Lego Booth Scans Your Face and Makes a Custom Kit So You Can Build Yourself Out of Legos

Next time I'm in Worcester I'll have to remember to go to Lois Lane.

These Miniature Dollhouses Are So Cute We Can Hardly Stand It

We Received a Press Release for Kid-Friendly Ecstasy for Children and I Need to Talk About It

Morning Coffee (2/17/17)

I... I think we all need some Happy Friday links, right?

How the Cats of Istanbul Became Movie Stars

I totally would/will buy an Ashley Biden hoodie to benefit underserved communities.

I will probably also buy this Duchess Kate coloring book.

I kinda want this ALA Read poster from the Beauty and the Beast movie.

Speaking of libraries, I'm mad they didn't make us learn library hand in library school.

Ooh, the Isle of Man has neat new stamps for the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.

The World's Tallest Sandcastle Has Been Completed in India

Hee: Jane Bennet's email inbox.

A Love Letter to London's Best Cheese-Soaked Potatoes (Why don't I have cheese-soaked potatoes RIGHT NOW???)

Gaze Upon the Presidents in Their Bathing Suits

Let's run off to Scotland and stay at the Queen Mother's castle.

Morning Coffee (11/15/16)

Post-election reading:

I know it doesn't change anything at this point, but it makes me feel better: Clinton wins New Hampshire

LAPD will not help deport immigrants under Trump, chief says

Good for Markey: Sen. Ed Markey says Donald Trump’s top aide Steve Bannon is a ‘white nationalist’

A bit of good news: Google will soon ban fake news sites from using its ad network

Autocracy: Rules for Survival

Other:

Sad news: PBS's Gwen Ifill has died.

The gorgeous Beauty and the Beast trailer will make you feel better. At least a little.

Let's read about the history of ballpoint pens. That sounds soothing. (No, really, it's very interesting.)

How to Watch President Obama’s Essential Sci-Fi TV and Films

Discover One of History’s Most Ambitious Maps

Morning Coffee (11/3/16)

Okay, let's take a QUICK break for some happy links to distract from the election...

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

I love everything about this up to and including all the puns: Tyler Hoechlin, Man of Steal-ing Your Heart

In other important Superman news: Here Is Barack Obama With a Tiny Superman to Remind Us That All's Not Lost

Aw, Tim Kaine made us a playlist.

The Obama Family's Stylish Private World Inside the White House

Ooh, the Hamilton Mixtape tracklist!

Hm, and Melissa de la Cruz has an Alexander and Eliza Hamilton YA novel coming out!

'Taylor Swift,' 10 Years Later

Recommend Me a Book is pretty fun to play with.

How 'Tumblr Pink' Became the Most Ubiquitous Color in Fashion Branding

Morning Coffee (9/23/16)

Let's take a break for some happy Friday links!

Me elsewhere: Pilot thoughts on Lethal Weapon and Bull.

Okay, this is political but also SO FUNNY so I'm throwing it in today - Clinton went on Between Two Ferns.

World's oldest library reopens in Fez: 'You can hurt us, but you can't hurt the books'

LOOK at a song from Hamilton in sign language. SO COOL.

Perfect: An Easy Guide to Writing the Great American Novel

Interview: Paige O’Hara Talks the Role of a Lifetime and 25 Years of Beauty and the Beast

TWO royal slideshows for you today because I can't pick. In honor of Will and Kate's trip to Canada let's look at their past royal tours - there's a lot of adorable here.

And here, for his birthday, is Prince Harry's life in pictures, in case you need that in your life today.

How Play-Doh Went From Being a Household Cleaning Supply to a Beloved Toy

How could I not show you Ashton Kutcher in a tux with a kitten on his shoulder?

Let's ogle fancy rings people wore to the Emmys.

Morning Coffee (8/28/16)

Media False Equivalence Is Trump’s Best Friend in the Debate Over Racism

How the “Hipster Nazis” of the Alt Right Got Big Enough for Hillary Clinton to Denounce Them

Astronomers just found a new planet that could potentially support life — and it's really, really close

Leavenworth's Spygate

What Barack Obama Thinks of Donald Trump

Alyssa Rosenberg makes a lot of good points here: Academy Award voters have an obligation to see ‘The Birth of a Nation’

Fascinating: Prestel: The British Internet That Never Was?

Aaah, some pictures from the live-action Beauty and the Beast!

Jamie Oliver's new child's name is not quite what I thought before, but still terrible.

I don't actually want there to be bunnies in my grocery store but this is very cute.

Morning Coffee (5/24/16)

Sorry this is a little late! The site I use to organize my bookmarks is currently down; cross your fingers that it's not gone forever, as that's where I organize all my recipes, too. The following is a selection of links I happened to remember in enough specificity to track down, so... welcome to my brain, I guess.

I generally agree with the notion that we've gone way too far with marketing glimpses of teasers for trailers for... but I AM FREAKING OUT OVER THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST TEASER, YOU GUYS.

Also EXTREMELY EXCITED about this: Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time” Will Feature Diverse Cast

11 reasons why Bernie Sanders lost this thing fair and square

"If this isn't the end for the Republican Party, it'll be a shame. They dominated American political life for 50 years and were never anything but monsters. They bred in their voters the incredible attitude that Republicans were the only people within our borders who raised children, loved their country, died in battle or paid taxes. They even sullied the word 'American' by insisting they were the only real ones."

Robin Wasserman, being smart as usual: What Does It Mean When We Call Women Girls?

I didn't really know who Blac Chyna was before reading this, but it was still fascinating and you should read it if you're interested in the interplay of celebrity and class and social media: How Blac Chyna Beat The Kardashians At Their Own Game

Awesome: Female WWII Pilots Can Now Be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

The man who has photographed every train station in Great Britain

Drowned worlds: Egypt's lost cities

The Seven Stages Of Aspirational Produce Shopping

Morning Coffee (4/17/15)

Happy Friday!

From the people who brought you the Kitten Bowl: The Paw Star Game, coming July 12th. Somehow the idea of kittens playing baseball is even sillier than kittens playing football. I can't wait.

I love this Alan Sepinwall piece on hope-watching vs. hate-watching.

The first all-girl quintuplets have been born in the United States, and one of them appears to be named after a John Green character.

The Morgan Library has a new director. I love the Morgan Library.

My new favorite thing: We Turned Eight Republican Presidential Candidates Into Sims and Dropped Them In The White House

Your Friday shirtless man: Poldark: Could Aidan Turner spark a surge in scything?

19 Emojis All Thirtysomethings Wish Existed

Hundreds Of Corgis Got Together For Corgi Beach Day And It Was Adorable

The Sequel To Beauty And The Beast Those Hot Blonde Triplets Deserve

Where I'm Writing About TV This Fall

Well, this sort of crept up on me. The first fall season show that I write about comes back tonight. So I figured it was time for a little roundup of where and about what I'll be writing this year!

At The Televixen, I will again be recapping each episode of Haven and Castle. I'll be aiming to have the recaps up either the night the show airs or early the next day, so by Saturday morning for Haven and Tuesday morning for Castle. I'll also be reviewing the first episode of almost every new show there, to help you get an idea of whether you should try it, and my Sunday morning TV news column and other occasional features will continue as well.

At Read the Screen, I'll be reviewing (though not recapping) each episode of Sleepy Hollow and Dracula. The Sleepy Hollow posts will probably be the first post on Tuesdays (so at about 11 Eastern), and Dracula posts will go up at some point over the weekend, depending on my schedule. I'll also be covering news about and occasionally checking in on other shows based on books or comics, including Elementary, Arrow, The Vampire Diaries, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and more.

At Vampire-Diaries.net, my colleagues and I will be continuing to cover all things Vampire Diaries, along with new spinoff The Originals. (We have awesome recaps there. I don't write them. That's part of why they're so awesome.)

And here? I'm thinking of writing about Beauty and the Beast, because I thought season one was really problematic in ways I didn't see anyone writing about much. I'm not committing to weekly posts on anything else, because I need to sleep sometime, but I'll probably write about whatever else strikes my fancy. But are there any specific shows you want my thoughts on? I'd rather write things people want to read.

And my other question: Do you want me to post links here to my reviews and recaps elsewhere? I don't want to be obnoxiously self-promoting, but I also don't want to expect people to check three or four different sites if they want to find my writing. So. Opinions? If I do post links here, should I give them their own posts or just throw them in the next day's Morning Coffee? Tell me in the comments!

What I Watched: The Vampire Diaries, Beauty and the Beast, Copper

ICYMI, I wrote about the pilot of Beauty and the Beast, which premiered last night, over at TheTelevixen. The short version: BOY, is this bad. And it's not even hilariously bad, as I'd hoped.

The Vampire Diaries, "Growing Pains (EP401)" - I LOVED this premiere. I MISSED YOU, SHOW. This made me VERY hopeful about season four - I love the reset provided by Elena's transition. And the Damon that was there last night is really my favorite Damon. I was also impressed by how well Trevino did with Klaus-in-Tyler. And the Stefan/Elena stuff worked better for me than it usually does. AND SOMEONE GOT STABBED WITH A SHOTGUN. I LOVE THIS SHOW.

Copper, "Better Times Are Coming (EP108)" - This episode made me think "Yes, THIS is what I was hoping this show would be." Election Day! War stuff! And OH MY GOSH that big reveal at the end. I'm glad I hung in there, even though this show has been a bit slow at times.

Morning Coffee (10/11/12)

Oh, hey, fun date.

Today at TheTelevixen: Beauty and the Beast was dreadful. Haven was good but heartbreaking.

Season four of The Vampire Diaries premieres tonight, and as usual, we've got everything you need over at Vampire-Diaries.net.

Oh hey, look, Harlequin's Christmas books are out. Now to begin my annual tradition of struggling not to BUY THEM ALL.

In theory, I want to read some stuff by the winner of the Nobel prize for literature, but has any phrase ever been such a turn-off as "hallucinatory realism"? No, no it has not.

Johnny Depp is making a TV show based on all of Shakespeare. ALL OF IT. This should be amazingly awful. I hope.

Cuteness for the day: Puppy and kitten think they're sisters.

Hobbit coins are now real. HOBBIT COINS. This has gone too far.

Ooh! The Queen is releasing her mother's diaries and letters.