Morning Coffee (4/15/19)

Me elsewhere: TV news for the week.

Aww, this hug is so great and important: Buttigieg looking to begin new era in politics with historic candidacy

This report is very long, but worth your time: How Rupert Murdoch’s Empire of Influence Remade the World

What It Takes to Pull Off India’s Gargantuan Election

Assange tried to use embassy as 'centre for spying', says Ecuador's Moreno

The People Demand Answers: What Happened to Julian Assange’s Cat?

Elizabeth Warren is the intellectual powerhouse of the Democratic party

Trolls hijacked a scientist’s image to attack Katie Bouman. They picked the wrong astrophysicist.

So sad. Please read about his incredible work, if you haven't: Ed Westcott, a Singular Eye at the Dawn of the Atomic Age, Dies at 97

Abuse Allegations Rock Vienna Ballet School

Yeah, not good! Transgender Community Reacts to IMDb Publishing Birth Names Without Consent

Morning Coffee (3/5/19)

House Judiciary panel launches sweeping Trump probe

Trudeau and Wilson-Raybould: The crisis that could unseat Canada's PM

Why Measles Is a Quintessential Political Issue of Our Time

The Gay-Rights Activists Hoping for a Legal Victory in Kenya

9 polling experts explain what could happen if Joe Biden doesn’t run for the presidency

Out Magazine’s Fresh Start Overshadowed by a Bitter Money Dispute

Ooh: Former ballerina takes legal action against managers of Balanchine’s ballets

Black History Trail Makes 200 Stops Across Massachusetts

Hollywood Diversity Report Finds Progress, But Much Left To Gain

Oh wow: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad women's race halted as rider catches men's race

Morning Coffee (2/22/19)

Time for Friday happy links! Back to all the terrible stuff tomorrow, I promise.

VERY EXCITED FOR THIS NUREYEV MOVIE.

OOH: Stieg Larsson's investigation of Swedish PM's assassination revealed in new book

!!! Mary H. K. Choi is back with another lovely, social-media tinged YA romance: Exclusive preview

This is exciting but it's weird that they don't mention they've already... done a bunch of movies? ‘American Girl’ Live-Action Movie in the Works With Mattel and MGM

Interesting: CBS Turns to Artificial Intelligence to Glean Viewers’ Emotional Responses to TV Shows

Ooh, NPR has a new history podcast!

Whoa: French Designer Uses The Spines Of Books To Create Extraordinary Dresses

Excited for this: Camryn Garrett’s Full Disclosure: Take an Exclusive First Look at the Book Cover

A bunch of my favorites are up for these YA Oscars! Go vote, YA readers!

I got 8/10: Can You Guess the Oscar Film From the IMDb Parents Guide Content Warning?

Morning Coffee (1/18/19)

Time for Friday happy links! Almost all books and movies and royals today. Sorry not sorry?

Aaah, Let It Snow cast!

Spider-Man: Far From Home Is First Marvel Film to Cast Out Trans Actors

Here's a look at Sarah Rees Brennan's Sabrina prequel novel!

Look, ballet logistics! Kate Visits the Royal Opera House in Oscar de la Renta

And: Behold, Kate Middleton Making Pizza

I Can Already Tell Who My Favorite Captain Marvel Character Is: Goose the Cat

This is gorgeous and sounds great: 'This Time Will Be Different' Is A New YA Novel About Family History, A Flower Shop, And Moving Forward

A+E Studios Partners with Swoon Reads to Develop YA for TV/Film!

Oh, this could be good: Disney Rings ‘Hunchback’ Bell: David Henry Hwang To Script Live Action Musical, Alan Menken/Stephen Schwartz Writing Music

Morning Coffee (12/30/18)

Horrifying: How a Crackdown on MS-13 Caught Up Innocent High School Students

Delays, frustrations as Congo’s presidential election begins

Court dissolves North Carolina elections board with election fraud scandal still under investigation

Of course: New E.P.A. Plan Could Free Coal Plants to Release More Mercury Into the Air

Malware attack disrupts delivery of L.A. Times and Tribune papers across the U.S.

This is an essential look at both Trump and the TV industry: How Mark Burnett Resurrected Donald Trump as an Icon of American Success

The Border Dividing Ireland Has Long Been Invisible. Brexit Threatens to Make It Real.

Sono Osato, Japanese-American Ballet Star, Is Dead at 99

A Journey Into the Solar System’s Outer Reaches, Seeking New Worlds to Explore

Papers reveal saga of horse given to John Major by Turkmenistan

Afternoon Tea (11/20/18)

What a story: How the World’s Only Feudal Lord Outclassed the Nazis to Save Her People

I Found the Best Burger Place in America. And Then I Killed It.

Some Libraries Are Facing Backlash Against LGBT Programs — And Holding Their Ground

Relief efforts want money. So why do we insist on donating canned goods?

13 Dance Books to Read After Being Dazzled by ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’

Afternoon Tea (11/7/18)

How a Group of Gay Male Ballet Dancers Is Rethinking Masculinity

The ‘Doctor Zhivago’ Nobel Dust-up

Cheesy music: Swiss experiment with sound to make cheese tastier

After years of being mistaken for a 'Parent Trap' villain, I talked to the actress who played her

The real Lake of Grendel

Afternoon Tea (11/6/18)

This is wild: Was Gary Hart Set Up?

Ezra Miller Is the Gender-Bending, Goat-Delivering Hollywood Star of the Future

Brown Point Shoes Arrive, 200 Years After White Ones

Migrants Bring Cricket (and Victory) to Life in Northern France

Sylvia Plath is My Problematic Fave. So What Does This Say About Me?

Afternoon Tea (10/16/18)

This was great and, as I said yesterday, I need to read more Val McDermid: Val McDermid on What It’s Like Judging the Man Booker Prize

Why Count All the Squirrels in Central Park? Why the Heck Not

Five Books About Girls Who Don’t Care If You Like Them Or Not

Becoming a Ballerina Kept Me From Coming Out as Queer

Revisiting the Prayer at Valley Forge

Morning Coffee (9/18/18)

This from Hillary is great, of course: American Democracy Is in Crisis

Ugh, of course: Trump to Cap Refugees Allowed Into U.S. at 30,000, a Record Low

Hearing Set for Monday to Hear Kavanaugh and His Accuser

Alumnae Of Christine Blasey Ford’s High School Circulate Letter Of Support

Alexandra Petri, perfect as usual: Every man should be worried. At least, I’m worried.

Gross: Ted Cruz Campaign Is Mailing Donation Requests Disguised as Legal Summonses

Here are the Emmy winners!

Aaah, Mary Poppins Returns trailer!!

I've read this book and it is SOOOO good, EEEE: Exclusive cover reveal and excerpt: ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ by Casey McQuiston

In wake of suit against New York City Ballet, audiences and funders should demand answers

Morning Coffee (8/30/18)

Just so we're clear, THIS IS RACIST: U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question

SO IS THIS: Florida's Republican Candidate For Governor Just Said A Vote For His Black Rival Would "Monkey This Up"

Speaking of: Who is Andrew Gillum? Meet Florida’s history-making Democratic nominee for governor.

This is frightening: C.I.A. Officer-Turned-Candidate Says PAC Obtained Her Security Application

Don McGahn to Leave White House Counsel Job This Fall, Trump Says

And related: How the Trump Administration Is Remaking the Courts

Trump lawyer Giuliani got paid to lobby Romanian president (Not the point but it must be KILLING him that he's now just "Trump lawyer Giuliani.")

How Facebook Failed The Rohingya In Myanmar

In City Ballet Shake-Up, One Dancer Out and Two Suspended

5,500-year-old tomb in Meath the ‘find of a lifetime’

Afternoon Tea (11/14/17)

This is fascinating and this book immediately went onto my Christmas list: The First Woman to Translate the ‘Odyssey’ Into English

Aww, my friend Tim! Shopping for a Life He Didn’t Yet Have

The Secret History of Cricket Magazine, the ‘New Yorker for Children’

I wish to read a romance novel series about these brothers immediately: When He Needs Advice, a Philadelphia Flyer Turns to His Brother the Dancer

The Ancient Roman Cult That Continues to Vex Scholars (The Precession of the Equinox takes down another copyeditor, I see.)

Morning Coffee (9/22/17)

Whew. We made it to Friday. As is tradition around here, we're going for links on the lighter side today.

Hey, Patreon patrons at the $3 level or higher! Our September hangout is tonight at 9pm ET! Get in touch with your Skype handle! And if you're not a patron yet, there's still time to join in time for this!

Aww, look at the Autumn equinox Google doodle!

Whoa: She's a Ballerina. And a Quantum Physicist. And Maybe an Astronaut.

Awesome: Once Teased For Her Love Of Bugs, 8-Year-Old Co-Authors Scientific Paper

This is perfect: If Bostonians Loved Other Local Institutions the Way They Love Their Local Sports Franchises

Ooh, Hank Green is writing a novel.

The best fashion headline ever: This Winter, It’s Chic to Look Like a Muppet

This is fun, from author Kevin Kwan: What to Buy to Look Like: A Crazy Rich Asian

Sold: This new novel set in an idyllic English country bookshop is as soothing as it sounds

Oh gosh: Chrissy Teigen’s Daughter Luna Got a Talking Elmo and Their First Meetup Is Just Adorable

Now I want to try spiced wafers.

CUTE GIANT TOTE BAGS.

Afternoon Tea (7/11/17)

Cool! Royal Shakespeare Company to Monitor Heart Rates at ‘Titus Andronicus’

Zelda Fitzgerald's Ballet Years

The Glamorous Pearl Earring King Charles I Wore to His Execution

This is so interesting: Why People From Manchester Are Mancunians, Not Manchesterians

I need to read more Philip Kerr: The Third Reich's Good Cop

Morning Coffee (12/16/16)

Time for some happy Friday links!

My friend Beck reviews Oprah's gift guide every year and I look forward to it SO MUCH.

I have Rainbow Rowell's Carry On in hardcover but LOOK AT THE PAPERBACK. I may need that too.

This is COMPLETELY DELIGHTFUL: Michael Caine Loves The Muppet Christmas Carol as Much as You Do

Attention: WORLD'S LARGEST GINGERBREAD VILLAGE

Playbill made a Broadway baking playlist! Perfect for all your cookie baking this time of year.

Aw: Mom Didn’t Sell Any Knitted Goods At A Fair, So Twitter Bought It All

Oh fun: New York City's Holiday Vintage Subway Trains Are Back

Why Hershey's Kisses Have Been Part of the Cultural Fabric of the Holidays Since 1907

Bookish snowmen!

Happy 200th Birthday, The Nutcracker!

Holiday Ornaments for Book Lovers

The 15 Most Beautiful College Libraries in America

Morning Coffee (8/18/16)

Wow: North Korea’s No. 2 Diplomat in London Defects to the South

Washington's Sunni Myth and the Civil Wars in Syria and Iraq

Oh, fascinating: Ultra-Orthodox paper ‘makes history’ with partial photo of Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump’s plan to subject immigrants to “ideological tests,” explained

Mikhail Baryshnikov: Donald Trump's Rhetoric "Reminds Me of the Soviet Union of My Youth" Baryshnikov! His first public endorsement! Let's go watch The Nutcracker.

Donald Trump is totally going to launch his own TV network when he loses

Insurance companies really are the worst: Aetna CEO Threatened Obamacare Pullout If Feds Opposed Humana Merger

GOOD FOR THEM: NPR Website To Get Rid Of Comments

This was so funny it derailed my whole afternoon yesterday: "Author Philippa Gregory has said she now insists on a 'clause' in her contract with film makers to stop them changing historic facts in her work." There are NOT A LOT of historic facts in her books, you guys. She messes with history ALL THE TIME.

"What’s happening to our website? Who owns us now? Who’s in charge? Nobody knows. Why don’t you bring us a dog?"

Morning Coffee (3/4/16)

Happy Friday!

It's been QUITE A WEEK, so I'm pretty sure you need shirtless Irish farmers snuggling baby animals. You're welcome.

This piece on what it's like to host a presidential debate has a lot of interesting logistics (my favorite!) and also a very heartwarming Hillary Clinton story.

Go JJ Abrams: "Bad Robot will reportedly work with its agency partner CAA and studios Warner Bros and Paramount to ensure women and minorities are submitted for writing, directing and acting jobs for the company in direct proportion to their representation among the US population."

The Outlander stars are being very pretty for Saks, and I plan to make a friend in New York and/or Los Angeles go take pictures of their Outlander-themed windows for me. (Or I guess they'll probably turn up online.) I LOVE DEPARTMENT STORE WINDOWS.

I'm not even that into video games, but this piece on video game market research was fascinating, if tonally odd - it seemed to spend a lot of time justifying the existence of market research in the first place, and surely that's a no-brainer? Anyway, I enjoy any article about GIANT DATABASES OF MINUTIAE.

Awards show best-dressed list, explained (Brie Larson's dress still looks like a weird optical illusion to me in almost every picture. Help.)

Someone try this and let me know how it is: Amazon Echo Now Lets You Investigate the Murder of Bruce Wayne’s Parents

STRESS-RELIEVING BALLET PUPPIES

Why yes, I do want to read about 16 Perfect Lip Balms. (My current lip balm obsession is Perfectly Posh's Santa Monica Smooth.)

How to Tell If You Are in a Du Maurier Novel: "You have escaped disaster, and things have for the most part ended well, and yet you cannot shake a sense of dread and foreboding.

Someone is crushing your spirit. You try as hard as you can not to inconvenience them while they do it."

Morning Coffee (2/12/16)

Happy Friday!

Awesome: Microsoft’s Cortana Designed to Not Put Up With Dudes’ Bullshit

How Intel Eliminated Its Own Gender Pay Gap

The World's Longest-Running Experiment Is Buried in a Secret Spot in Michigan

The Great British Television Map is AMAZING.

This yarn puzzle game looks really neat and someone should play it since I cannot.

This is gorgeous: Misty Copeland and Degas: Art of Dance

I'm excited to read A.O. Scott's book about criticism.

Whoa: Mesmerizing Graphics Strip Classic Books Down To Their Punctuation

Hahaha: A Player Asked For Healing. The Cleric Handed Them This.

Men In Western Art Who Are So Beautiful It Has Made Them Sleepy

Morning Coffee (11/24/15)

I love this annual feature from Vox: How to Survive Your Family's Thanksgiving Arguments

ISIS, a history: how the world's worst terror group came to be

The Female ISIS Suicide Bomber in the Bathtub Was Exactly None of Those Things

Perhaps the craziest thing in this totally insane New Yorker crime story is that NO ONE in it is sympathetic.

“All the world was made for you”: Talking Back to Ophelia in 1918

This Enya profile is fascinating. She named her castle Manderley, you guys.

Singin' in the Rain is coming to Broadway!!

Ooh, a Balanchine movie could be interesting.

Fascinating: The Invisible Library

The Onion, barely: Carly Fiorina Shares Heartbreaking Story About Father Of 3 Who Couldn’t Meet Sales Goals

Morning Coffee (8/26/15)

Heh: Christie Says "Pushy" Granite Staters Don't Like to Wait for Answers He thinks New Hampshire is pushy? HE'S FROM NEW JERSEY.

Reporter: Do you write all your tweets?
Trump: People are shocked at how smart I am.
Reporter: Do you type your own tweets?
Trump: Thank you.

Eee! My friend Susan Adrian's new book Nutcracked has been officially announced. It's about Christmas AND ballet AND magic, and I read an earlier draft and loved it. Don't worry, I'll remind you when it comes out.

I am so curious to see how Colbert's new show shapes up.

Interesting: Connecticut to Require All 11th Graders to Take the SAT It's not mentioned much in the story, but I'd hope this would make it more likely for some underprivileged students to consider college, since the SAT will now be free and something all students take, rather than a separate thing that must be sought out and purchased.

Hear, hear: Can Walton Goggins Just Be in Everything, Please?

UM: "At one point, the Beatles asked Stanley Kubrick to direct them in “The Lord of the Rings.” John, Paul, George and Ringo would respectively play Gollum, Frodo, Galdalf [sic] and Sam."

Great House Therapy: Marilla and Matthew’s God-Fearing Avonlea Orphan Sanctuary