Morning Coffee (12/28/18)

Time for Friday happy links!

This would be the first in Asia! Thai government backs same-sex civil partnership bill

Ooh! 'Hidden Figures' NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson to release autobiography next year

I remain cautiously optimistic: Agatha Christie’s ‘The ABC Murders’ Gets Premiere Date & First-Look Trailer

The Crown season 3 first look photos show majestic new cast

Watch original Hamilton cast members reunite to perform at Kennedy Center Honors

Aww: Tom Hanks’ Mr. Rogers Movie Gets ‘Beautiful’ Title

The Kid Who Would Be King looks really cute.

If you're stuck at your desk and bored today, this is a GREAT slideshow to flip through: 2018 Was a Very Big Year for the British Royals

Raven Cycle readers, make sure you catch this year's holiday short.

Champagne Cocktails Recipes For A Spectacular New Year's

Morning Coffee (12/22/18)

The correct take on Mattis, I think: There never were any “adults in the room”

U.S. Exit Seen as a Betrayal of the Kurds, and a Boon for ISIS

Oh no, GET WELL SOON: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Has Been Treated For Lung Cancer

The Republican Party versus democracy

Are Trump’s Immigration Policies Literally Making Us Sick?

Yay! Nevada Becomes First State With Majority of Women in Assembly

Of course: Trump Officials Plan to Rescind Obama-Era School Discipline Policies

CRYING FOREVER: Listen to Barack Obama on Lin-Manuel Miranda's new Hamilton remix

Gladys West, the 'hidden figure' of GPS, inducted into Air Force hall of fame

Simply Having a Gay Straight Alliance Reduces Suicide Risk for All Students

Morning Coffee (8/31/18)

Friday! GOOD NEWS ONLY.

Colin Kaepernick Wins a Ruling to Continue His Collusion Case Against the N.F.L.

Ayanna Pressley Already Broke a Double Glass Ceiling. Now, She's Running for Congress.

!! Watch Prince Harry sing part of Hamilton on stage with London cast

Ooh, trailer for My Brilliant Friend!

Hottest Heads of State updated and is hilarious as always.

Heh: 10 Ways You Know a TV Heroine Is a Real Badass Chick

Ooh, Go Fug Yourself has LOTS of fall floral dresses.

Bring it on (though to be honest there are other fall scents I prefer. I'M JUST HAPPY ABOUT FALL): The Bath & Body Works Fall 2018 Collection Has Over 40 Pumpkin Products

Quiz: Which Weasley Sibling from Harry Potter Are You? I got Ginny.

Oh no: Back to Hogwarts: Magical Harry Potter School Supplies

Morning Coffee (6/1/18)

Time for a break for some Friday happy links!

Heh: U.S. Geological Survey Answers Volcano-Marshmallow Question

18 Books We Can’t Wait to Read This Summer

Whoa: Carvel's Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake is now also a beer

Hear punk rock group The Regrettes cover 'Helpless' in latest Hamilton remix

Good for them: H&M Is Launching Its First-Ever Pride Collection

A good read for Book Expo week: How a book can become a hit before it’s even finished

This looks like a good series: Introducing Her Story: Ladies In Literature 2018

Hmm: J.Crew Will Relaunch This Fall

These sound great: Irving Berlin for Kids

Cute: These Little Mermaid Makeup Brushes Are Fin-tastic

Afternoon Tea (3/30/18)

This is a great interview: 'Failing Up' With Leslie Odom, Jr.

This soundtrack is GREAT: Jack Antonoff on the Love, Simon soundtrack: 'I wanted to go all-in'

The American Girl Doll Magazine Made Me a Feminist

The Trailblazing Woman Who Dreamed of Cheese

Fascinating: Some Anglo-Saxon Easter Customs

Morning Coffee (1/6/18)

Is Austria’s new government breaking sharply to the right? Not more than the rest of Europe.

The Teens Trapped Between a Gang and the Law

GOOD: Iceland Enforces Equality by Requiring Businesses to Prove They Pay Men and Women Equally

Dahlia Lithwick is always worth reading on legal stuff: Ratner Trap

And Jamelle Bouie, great as always: The Trump Brand

Whoa: Scientists 'hack' cells to create 3D shapes from live tissue

So the figure skating rules have changed and the skaters can use music with lyrics now and JASON BROWN SKATED TO HAMILTON.

This is a lot: Behind the Scenes of ‘Tosca,’ the Messiest Production in Met History

!!! Two dying memoirists wrote bestsellers about their final days. Then their spouses fell in love.

People. Stop it. James Norton 'got death threats' after playing Happy Valley baddie

Morning Coffee (11/11/17)

In Egypt, a Contender Emerges to Challenge President Sisi

The Worrisome Future of Abortion Rights

Lindy West, great as always: Brave Enough to Be Angry

Don’t call this man the “next Obama”

GLAAD TV Study: LGBTQ Characters Hit Record High but Still Lack Diversity

I would read this novel: After Night of Drinking, F.B.I. Supervisor Wakes to Find a Woman Stole His Gun

Amazing: Study Finds That Sheep Are Surprisingly Good at Recognizing Photos of Celebrities

Aw, this is great: Lin-Manuel Miranda to reprise his Hamilton turn in limited Puerto Rico run

3D printing has gone metal

Lenin the cat lover: rare photos of Soviet leader go on show in Oxford

Morning Coffee (11/10/17)

PHEW, we have survived another week. Time for some happy Friday links.

!!! Hillary Clinton Guest Edits Teen Vogue Volume IV

Make sure you click through for the pictures: Little girl's stolen puppy returned by thieves

In other important dog news: Stunned farmer finds flock of sheep in her home thanks to overzealous sheepdog puppy

Ooh: Bath And Body Works Dropped Two New Holiday Scents, Giving Us Even More Festive Cheer

Aw: Lin-Manuel Miranda brought his son to see Hamilton and his review is adorable

Romance Novels to Get You Through Tough Times

Okay, Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas are TOTALLY DIFFERENT but I may need to buy one of these: Harry Potter, Star Wars and Disney Sock Advent Calendars Are Now Available at Target

Now I also want some plaid shoes.

I'll definitely be making this for some holiday event: A Cranberry and Scotch Cocktail Perfect for a Holiday Crowd

William Sonoma has Hogwarts house aprons and spatulas!

Morning Coffee (10/6/17)

HAPPY FRIDAY. Okay, some more pleasant links to celebrate.

AWWWWWWWW: 'Tonight Show's' Female Writers Pen Thank You Notes to Hillary Clinton

Awesome: 75 Percent of the National Book Award Finalists Are Women

Heh: Siri says the national anthem of Bulgaria is 'Despacito'

New York Today: Javier Muñoz of ‘Hamilton’ on Acting

With everything else terrible that's happening in 2017, I'm very glad PIE BARS are now a trend.

Let's ogle some cozy slippers.

Democracy is great and whatever but aw: 70th wedding anniversary coin created for the Queen and Prince Philip

Found: A Giant Bronze Arm From the Antikythera Shipwreck

10 of the best railway stations in Britain

Hee! Saber-Toothed Kittens Were Really, Really Strong

Morning Coffee (8/13/17)

Donald Trump refuses to name the problem of white supremacist violence

"Why we voted for Donald Trump": David Duke explains the white supremacist Charlottesville protests

Unite the Right, the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, explained

Dozens of Women Are Considering Suing Google Over Alleged Workplace Sexism and Pay Inequity

Interesting: Mormon official ousted; first excommunication of a top church leader in decades

Ugh, this is such a hard issue: Save your local! Should volunteers help keep our public libraries open?

Ooh, the new Hamilton app looks fun.

Heh: Croatian Island Wants Tourists Who Don’t Behave Badly

Your Instagram Posts May Hold Clues to Your Mental Health

Sampling DNA From a 1,000-Year-Old Illuminated Manuscript

Afternoon Tea (5/5/17)

THE COOLEST JOB EVER: How to Decode an Ancient Roman’s Handwriting

The West Indian Island That Shaped Alexander Hamilton

This is lovely: A Life in Focus: Remembering Antony Armstrong-Jones, the First Earl of Snowdon

This method might be worth a try: How I Slowed the Flood of Library Holds

The 17​th​-Century Moon Mission That Never Got Off the Ground

Morning Coffee (1/6/17)

Time for some happy Friday links. It's been a weird week, huh? Remember, if you'd like to receive my thoughts on books in your email inbox, sign up here.

Ooooh: J.K. Rowling Says This Painting Is A Clue To Her Future Projects

I jumped up in the middle of writing this to try the Bookout app because it says it's like a workout tracker for your reading. SOUNDS GOOD.

Yeah, I absolutely want lip color that looks like Crayola crayons.

I don't often read actor interviews, but this one with Matthew Daddario of Shadowhunters is a COMPLETE JOY.

Aaah, look at this Hamilton hat knitting pattern.

Whoa: P.E.I. Lego aficionado recreates Anne of Green Gables out of iconic toy

Speaking of, let's have an Anne of Green Gables party.

I LOVED this stuff: Remembering Pepsi Holiday Spice, the Winter Tradition That Could Have Been

The Onion, BARELY: Man Not Accepting Any More Television Recommendations At This Time

The Ice-Skating Dandies of 18th-Century Paris

Striking New Maps Show the Beauty of Earth's Shadows

18 Book Bags (And Totes) You’ll Want To Spend Your Holiday Loot On

Morning Coffee (11/26/16)

Whoa: Castro died. The Times obituary is quite good.

A relief, given everything else going on in the world! Angela Merkel to Seek 4th Term as Germany’s Leader

Well this isn't worrisome or anything: Trump turning away intelligence briefers since election win

Trump Foundation admits to violating ban on ‘self-dealing,’ new filing to IRS shows

Can Anything Stop the Confirmation of Jeff Sessions?

Trump's Hamilton outburst ignores the theater's history as a place for political protest

Want to Know if the Election was Hacked? Look at the Ballots

Eight steps reporters should take before Trump assumes office

Fascinating: For Deaf Tennis Player, Sound Is No Barrier

Cool: Slo-Mo Video Reveals How WW1 Fighters Didn't Shoot Their Propellers Off

Morning Coffee (11/22/16)

Important! Throw That Sabra Hummus in Your Fridge Away Right Now

ISIS demolished a 2,900-year-old Assyrian ziggurat

This is extremely troubling: For foreign diplomats, Trump hotel is place to be

Related: A running list of how Donald Trump’s new position may be helping his business interests

And... um. Trump spokeswoman says Americans should ignore conflicts-of-interest, focus on Trump’s ‘sacrifice’

"Warren and Sanders are wrong, and in a way that signals a significant misreading of the landscape on the part of the most influential Democrats."

Donald Trump’s feud with the cast of Hamilton, explained

Why Keeping Only the Popular Parts of Obamacare Won’t Work

This is so cool: Space Archaeologist Sarah Parcak Uses Satellites to Uncover Ancient Egyptian Ruins

The Russian Schools Training Women To Be Housewives

Morning Coffee (11/21/16)

Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.

In case you missed it over the weekend, here's the Hamilton cast's statement to Mike Pence.

Obama Is Warning America About Trump’s Presidency. Are You Listening?

Let's make sure we're all aware that Trump's tax plan means single parents can't file as head of household.

There are a lot of scary things in here: Anti-Defamation League decries Stephen Bannon, while many other Jewish groups stay silent

Why misogyny won

Inside the fight to save Obamacare: how one longtime advocate plans to fight repeal

!!! Congressional panel calls for new Smithsonian museum of women’s history

Welp: Oxford Dictionaries announces 'post-truth' as its word of the year

What's Life Really Like For Women In Russia?

Protect Your Library the Medieval Way, With Horrifying Book Curses

Morning Coffee (11/11/16)

I'm not sure I actually have enough HAPPY links for you this morning, but I'm going with... emotionally neutral, at worst, and not election-related. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to have roughly half the links each day about current events and half about other things, and I will label those sections so you can find what you need.

The New York Public Library’s book train will make your nerdiest dreams come true

Let's talk about The Harrying of the North, because why not?

My non-verbal son communicates through ‘Hamilton’

Utopians are so maddening and fascinating to read about, especially right... now.

This is nifty: City of Women

The secret behind Italy's rarest pasta

The Mysterious Origins of Tiramisu, the Dessert That Took the '80s by Storm

Gold Rings Found in Warrior's Tomb Connect Two Ancient Greek Cultures

The History and Future of the Once-Revolutionary Taxidermy Diorama

Aw: 24 Moms That Are Way Too Pure And Wholesome For This World

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 (10/21/16)

I think we all need some Happy Friday links this week.

SUCH good news: Gugu Mbatha-Raw Joins Ava DuVernay’s ‘A Wrinkle in Time’

Ooh: JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth love story to be published next year

This is very cool: Using Math to Repair a 650-Year-Old Masterpiece

This piece about the new Taylor Swift coffee table book (which is on my Christmas list, obviously) gets at a lot of what I like about her.

Aww, look at this baby elephant trying to save her trainer. (Everyone's fine.)

Ha: What This Big-Ass, Twitter-Powered Metronome Is Doing in Downtown Austin

I'm not that into these particular Gilmore Girls posters, but hey, new Gilmore Girls posters!

This Chart Reveals Which ‘Hamilton’ Character You Are At Work

Hygge – a soothing balm for the traumas of 2016

A Brief History of the Haunted House

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 (8/12/16)

Let's take a break for some fun Friday links.

The President made us summer playlists. God, I'm going to miss him. Also, I'd been vaguely meaning to make a playlist all week and never got to it, so I am impressed, as the President is much busier than I am.

Simone Biles Has a Life-size Zac Efron Cutout, and Honestly, Zac Efron Should Be Flattered

I have never related so much to Michelle Obama, in that if I had the power to do so I would absolutely make Matthew Rhys sit next to me. I would probably also make him speak Welsh but I assume the First Lady's manners are better than mine.

Important military news: Italian Sailor Uses Mouth-To-Mouth to Revive Kitten

I'm a little burned out on essays about Hamilton but this one by Todd VanDerWerff is so lovely and the one I would recommend you read.

Speaking of: Lin-Manuel Miranda & The Rock teamed up to belt out a 'Beauty and the Beast' ballad for you. Of course they did.

This is perfect: Let me translate my emails for you.

I am relieved to report that Tonga's shirtless flag bearer seems like a good guy, as well as being hot.

The swimmers' grandmas continue being quite something: Watch Ryan Lochte's Grandma Carry an Olympic Torch in Her Nursing Home, Weep

PIKACHURRO.