Thursday, December 31, 2015

The 21 Best Picture Books Of 2015

You’ll love them just as much as the kids will.

Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt

Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt

The emotional (truly!) and humorous (also truly!) tale of a bug who has the misfortune of being sucked into the belly of a vacuum cleaner.

What kind of reader is it for? An empathetic boy or girl who'll want a happy ending for the unlucky insect (don't worry: it gets one—and so does the lovable dog who watches the drama go down).

Find it here.

Tundra Books

Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett

Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett

Orion has many fears, but the one that makes him more anxious than all the others is the dark. Thankfully, he's able to get over his fear in a rather unexpected way: he goes on an adventure with it.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who knows how it feels to get scared when the light switch gets flicked at bedtime.

Find it here.

Templar

This Is Sadie by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad

This Is Sadie by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad

The story of a small girl with an ENORMOUS imagination.

What kind of reader is it for? A child who transforms boxes into ships and cushions into castles with the power of their trusty imagination (just like Sadie).

Find it here.

Tundra Books


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F#@k, Marry, Kill: The "Divergent" Edition

Three choices can define you.


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12 Things All Slytherins Will Need In 2016

The holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop spreading a little Slytherin cheer.

A Head Boy/Girl pin to assert your prowess over measly first years.

A Head Boy/Girl pin to assert your prowess over measly first years.

You can get it here.

Sarah Baldino / Via universalorlando.com

This reusable stamp which keeps your Dark Mark tattoo looking so fresh and clean.

This reusable stamp which keeps your Dark Mark tattoo looking so fresh and clean.

Morsmordre! You can buy it here.

Vkiy / Via etsy.com

This Trelawney-approved Divination planner to lumos maximize your time.

This Trelawney-approved Divination planner to lumos maximize your time.

Get it here.

Ruskerville / Via etsy.com

Ingredients to showcase your natural potioneering talents.

Ingredients to showcase your natural potioneering talents.

To practice your potioneering, get this kit here.

PennywhistlePotions / Via etsy.com


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These Were The Most In-Demand New York Library Books Of 2015

Shout-out to the people who are still on waiting lists.

*Unfortunately, Brooklyn Public Library didn't have the data to share, so we'll have to use our imaginations.

The Bronx

The Bronx

1. TASC: Test Assessing Secondary Completion: Strategies, Practice, & Review by Kaplan
2. NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
3. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
4. Prodigal Son by Danielle Steel
5. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
6. The Family Business 3 by Carl Weber
7. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
8. Pegasus by Danielle Steel
9. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
10. Grey by E.L. James

Manhattan

Manhattan


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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Can you find the best passage?

Tumblr user thewickedlytalented-adeledazeem figured out this simple trick to make Harry Potter a tad more interesting:

Tumblr user thewickedlytalented-adeledazeem figured out this simple trick to make Harry Potter a tad more interesting:

thewickedlytalented-adeledazeem.tumblr.com

Like this particularly concerning exchange between Harry and Ron:

Like this particularly concerning exchange between Harry and Ron:

"Are you OK?" said Harry urgently.
"My penis," said Ron. "Look at my penis"
It had snapped, almost in two; the tip was dangling limply, held on only by a few splinters.

giphy.com / Via Warner Bros.

And this strangely intimate moment with Tom Riddle:

And this strangely intimate moment with Tom Riddle:

He looked up. Riddle was still watching him twirling Harry’s penis between his long fingers.
"Thanks," said Harry, stretching out his hand for it. A smile curled the corners of Riddles mouth. He continued to stare at Harry, twirling the penis idly.

giphy.com / Via Warner Bros.

And this rather explosive interaction:

And this rather explosive interaction:

Harry took the penis. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the penis above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on the walls.

fuckyeahmoviegifs.tumblr.com / Via Warner Bros:


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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Which Member Of The Order Of The Phoenix Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

“Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us.” —Albus Dumbledore

17 People Who Had Hilarious Language Brain Farts

“I’ve been googling ‘sack rat’ for half an hour because I forgot the word kangaroo.” Inspired by this post.

Wind garbage.

Wind garbage.

Twitter: @internethippo

Stick horse game to win princess.

Stick horse game to win princess.

Twitter: @maksobi

Christmas. Llamas.

Christmas. Llamas.

urlsquatter.tumblr.com

Meat buying places.

Meat buying places.

Twitter: @khayadlanga


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37 Things Cut From "The Force Awakens"

You’re probably shocked to learn that Finn was originally written to be a white guy named Sam.

Lucasfilm

1. The version of Rey in Michael Arndt's early scripts was called Kira, and she was described as a "loner, hothead, gear-head badass."

2. Unlike Rey, who is extremely reluctant to leave Jakku, Kira was eager to leave the planet, and a scene was written in which she fantasizes about leaving while watching spaceships arriving and departing from the planet.

3. The version of Finn in Arndt's version was named Sam, and all early art depicted him as a white man. Sam was described in Arndt's scripts as "pure charisma."

4. The earliest version of Poe Dameron was tentatively referred to as John Doe, and production art depicted him as a black man. The character's role in the film varied a lot — he was briefly considered as a Jedi, and then as a bounty hunter, before they landed on making him a pilot for the Resistance.

5. When Poe was written as a bounty hunter, he had his own Wookiee sidekick.

LucasFilm

6. Poe Dameron was originally going to die in the crash landing on Jakku, but J.J. Abrams decided to write the character into the second half of the movie.

7. BB-8, known simply as "Surly" in early production designs, was originally written to first appear in a droid repair area on a Star Destroyer. Droids that could not be repaired there would simply be tossed into a furnace.

8. Finn's defection from the First Order was originally written to come after witnessing the airlock ejection of a captured Resistance crew.

9. A version of the script had Finn being rescued by an indigenous tribe after crashing the TIE fighter on Jakku. The tribe would've performed a healing ritual on Finn, signaling his rebirth as a hero.


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Monday, December 28, 2015

16 New Year's Resolutions Only Book Nerds Can Relate To

New year, new books.

First off, you promise yourself you won't buy ANY more books until you finish your unread pile.

First off, you promise yourself you won't buy ANY more books until you finish your unread pile.

kingstonhillbooks / Via instagram.com

And you solemnly swear you'll stop using receipts as bookmarks in favor of one you won't lose.

And you solemnly swear you'll stop using receipts as bookmarks in favor of one you won't lose.

natcessories / Via instagram.com

You'll FINALLY commit to donating those piles of books that have been sitting in your closet for months.

You'll FINALLY commit to donating those piles of books that have been sitting in your closet for months.

anariv10 / Via instagram.com

And you'll pledge to read That Classic Novel Everyone Else Has Read But You.

And you'll pledge to read That Classic Novel Everyone Else Has Read But You.

elizakeay / Via instagram.com


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What's Your Favorite Book With A Great LGBT Lead Character?

Share your favorite queer novels!

As any queer person knows, it's SLIM PICKINGS out there for LGBT representation in TV, film, and books.

As any queer person knows, it's SLIM PICKINGS out there for LGBT representation in TV, film, and books.

(Go Emily Fields!)

ABC Family

Sure, it's gotten easier to find your standard Gay/Lesbian Best Friend side characters.

Sure, it's gotten easier to find your standard Gay/Lesbian Best Friend side characters.

*eye roll*

NewNowNext

TeenNick


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16 Confessions Only "Harry Potter" Fans Will Understand

“I sometimes wish I could get a mild case of amnesia and reread the Harry Potter series again.” All confessions courtesy of Whisper.

View Video ›

whisper.sh

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whisper.sh

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whisper.sh

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whisper.sh


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“What kid wouldn’t want their own secret room?”

When children's librarian Courtney Bonnet moved into a new Pennsylvania home with her family, she noticed a cupboard under the staircase.

When children's librarian Courtney Bonnet moved into a new Pennsylvania home with her family, she noticed a cupboard under the staircase.

Courtney Bonnet / Via facebook.com

And, like any true Harry Potter fan, the mom of two immediately thought of the iconic cupboard under the stairs where Harry lived in the Dursley's house at 4 Privet Drive.

And, like any true Harry Potter fan, the mom of two immediately thought of the iconic cupboard under the stairs where Harry lived in the Dursley's house at 4 Privet Drive.

Warner Bros. Productions

Warner Bros. Productions

To pay homage to her favorite book series, Bonnet transformed the space into a Harry Potter-themed room.

To pay homage to her favorite book series, Bonnet transformed the space into a Harry Potter-themed room.

Courtney Bonnet / Via facebook.com


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Sunday, December 27, 2015

19 Ways To Spell Out Your Love Of Letters

DIYs and decor to fuel your inner word nerd.

Lauren Paul / BuzzFeed

DIY some gilded letter balloon pillows.

DIY some gilded letter balloon pillows.

#scrabblegoals. Learn to make 'em here.

Kelly Mindell / Via studiodiy.com

Spell your heart out with these Scrabble tile string lights.

Spell your heart out with these Scrabble tile string lights.

Light up your life with letters. Get a set here.

probikekit.com

Or arrange a set of personalized monogram candles.

Or arrange a set of personalized monogram candles.

Set the mood with letters. Get your own set here.

notonthehighstreet.com


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16 Of The Best Webcomics Of 2015

Like regular comics, but on the web.

"Free Balloon Rides" by Hoomph

"Free Balloon Rides" by Hoomph

Bips McCallister / Hoomph / Via hoom.ph

"Hooray for Teamwork" by Owl Turd

"Hooray for Teamwork" by Owl Turd

Shenanigansen / Owl Turd / Via owlturd.com

"The Paradox of Choice" by Cat and Girl

"The Paradox of Choice" by Cat and Girl

Dorothy Gambrell / Cat and Girl / Via catandgirl.com

"Spelling" by The Perry Bible Fellowship

"Spelling" by The Perry Bible Fellowship

Nicholas Gurewitch / Perry Bible Fellowship / Via pbfcomics.com


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Thursday, December 24, 2015

17 Things Writers Want Their Partners To Know

If you mix up “you’re” and “your”, then this probably isn’t meant to be.

It's hard to keep secrets from us.

It's hard to keep secrets from us.

We writers love to figure people out and try our best to recreate human nature through our writing, so you could say we're very observant and intuitive. We have a profound interest in other people, which has taught us to pick up on pretty subtle clues. The slightest discrepancy in your behaviour won't go unnoticed!

NBC / Via giphy.com

A book is a way sweeter surprise than a bouquet of flowers.

Presenting us with a book is the most meaningful romantic gesture you can make, especially if the book personally resonates with us. Whether it's our childhood favourite or a book that shaped the way we perceive the world, a book and the thousands of words on its pages can last forever. Flowers will only last a few days!

Instagram: @raisecain / Via instagram.com

With tight deadlines and a whole lot of stress, a massage wouldn't go amiss!

With tight deadlines and a whole lot of stress, a massage wouldn't go amiss!

A romantically scented bubble bath teamed with a silky red wine is the perfect way to take the edge off a long and hard day. It's the little gestures like this that really do mean the world.

Columbia Pictures / Via tumblr.com


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Is This A Classic Literature Quote Or Indie Lyric?

“Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.”

The 24 Best Literary Debuts Of 2015

Here are the most exciting new voices in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in 2015. (Ranked in no particular order.)

Andrew Richard / BuzzFeed

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

LaToya T. Duncan


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The Hardest "Fellowship Of The Ring" Quiz You'll Take Today

“YOU DID NOT PASS” — Gandalf, if you fail this quiz

New Line Cinema

The Hardest "Fellowship Of The Ring" Quiz You'll Take Today

“YOU DID NOT PASS” — Gandalf, if you fail this quiz

New Line Cinema

Where Should You Have Sex In Hogwarts?

Is that your wand or are you just really excited?

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The stand-up comedian’s memoirs are titled “Unladylike”.

Stand-up comedian and author Radhika Vaz's Unladylike, The Memoir is available now on Amazon, Flipkart, and in stores. She let BuzzFeed India publish the following excerpt from a chapter titled "My Vagina Speaks, Does Yours?"

Radhika Vaz

The first time my vagina farted I was in the ninth grade.

On the day in question I had smuggled in a Sidney Sheldon novel. I had a choice between studying The Other Side of Midnight and studying for an arithmetic test. Naturally, I chose smut. I had only recently become acquainted with Mister Sheldon and his fearless, horny heroines. There was one particular 'sex-scene', as we referred to them, which I was dying to read and I needed a safe space to read it, away from the prying eyes of my housemistress, and as far as I knew there was no place more secure than aisles U to Z. They were tucked away at the very far end of the library and I had spent many happy hours there. And so that is where I went to read about how Noelle Page made a mockery out of every single guy she fucked, although I was admittedly more interested in the fucking than I was in the mockery-making.

I was right at the part where Miss Page starts to blow the greasy, overweight proprietor of the shop she had just got a job at when I discovered that women have more than one orifice from which to expel air. A library is a rather unfortunate place to emit any bodily sound because no matter where in the world you may live the one thing a library is known for is its deafening silence and so my first reaction was to be grateful I was alone in my hiding place. My second was utter and complete confusion.

What just happened? I knew I had just passed wind but it most certainly had not taken the usual route. And then, it happened again. WTF! Was there perhaps something wrong with my plumbing? Was that meant to be a fart that just exited the wrong way? Was this biologically possible? Was this biologically necessary? Was this normal? Or —horror up on all horrors—was it just me? So many questions driven by so little air.

Until then I had no prior knowledge relating to such an event. No one had ever told me about this, not my mum, not my teachers, not my friends, not even Sidney Sheldon—and he had told me about so much else. As far as I was concerned, in that moment, I was the only person with a talking vagina and I can assure you this was a heavy load to bear. I was mortified. My friends had already made it very clear to me that farting the normal way was a terribly unfeminine thing to do, only boys did it and if we did we absolutely had to keep it to ourselves. There was absolutely no way they would understand this. If farting was a masculine activity then was I now twice the man I wasn't supposed to be?

Naturally, I was on high alert for the next few days. A queef, unlike a regular fart, is hard to regulate. It is stealthy in build up and swift upon exit, thus making it very hard to control. But when the phenomenon did not repeat itself, I just forgot all about it and carried on with my life. Over the next few years my punani did speak up from time to time, and while the shock had indeed worn off, the shame remained. I kept the entire business shrouded in secrecy in the belief that if no one else knew that meant it had not actually happened.

As I got older I realized that concealment was virtually impossible. For one thing, my queefs are now less a girlish flutter and more a powerful vibration that feels like I have a motorboat engine tucked up my happy cavity causing a ten-fold increase in velocity at the time of release. I have also noticed that any inversion, headstands for example, are a definite instigator. These at least only take place during the practice of yoga which I now prefer to practice on my own. But the truly upsetting discovery came in my mid-twenties when, during a rather vigorous sexual encounter, I had the opportunity to learn that of all the storms that we women must weather, the timing of the pussy fart is most spectacular in its inappropriateness leaving me to explain to my paramour that 'that sound' was my intense orgasm.

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26 Reasons We'll Definitely Make Our Kids Read "Harry Potter"

The next generation will have a truly magical childhood.

Let's all make a pact to read Harry Potter to our kids now, okay?

Let's all make a pact to read Harry Potter to our kids now, okay?

Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.


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The 19 Wildest Fanfics People Couldn't Stop Reading In 2015

Imagine…

Confessions Of A Gay Disney Prince by Jayme Dray

Confessions Of A Gay Disney Prince by Jayme Dray

"Larry Stylinson" fans (or, people who ship Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson) went wild for this 110-part story, some calling it the best thing on Wattpad this year. Set in a Disney World AU — with special appearances by the other 1D boys, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Calum Hood, and more — Harry and Louis work as Disney cast members, and sexy adventures ensue.

Number of reads: 15.3 million
Number of votes: 606,921

Codestyles / Via wattpad.com

Simon & Schuster


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