Friday Link Dump: Librarian Shaming, Dogs vs Cats and Norman Reedus

-The above gif melted my brain so I had to share it so it could melt yours.

-25 famous movies you might not realise were based on books. (BuzzFeed)

-Librarian Shaming is my new favourite kind of shaming. (Tumblr)

-This is a pretty fair and accurate summary of the Goodreads drama of late. (Salon)

-Today is International Day of the Girl Child and you should totally watch Jon Stewart's interview with Malala Yousafzai because she is probably the best human alive right now. (YouTube)

-Bill Murray does what he wants and it's brilliant. (Tumblr)

-This is what it would look like if Disney princesses were reality TV stars. (BuzzFeed)

-Which Disney Villain are you? Apparently I am Jafar. (BuzzFeed)

-Norman Reedus looks gorgeous in GQ. (GQ)

-This list of Aussie TV shows from the 90s is pretty much what my childhood looked like. (BuzzFeed)

-Dogs vs Cats. Dogs win. (BuzzFeed)

-This is my new favourite meme. (BuzzFeed)

-This week I learned that there is such a thing as penis beaker and I laughed a lot. (BuzzFeed)

-Popcorn Salted Caramel Icecream, get in my belleh. (Spicy Icecream)

-Brides Throwing Cats is the best Tumblr of the week. (Tumblr)

-Jimmy Kimmel has done another round of celebs reading mean tweets about themselves. It never gets old. (YouTube)

Friday Link Dump: Hiddles, Kitties And Giggly Ron Swanson

-First up: TOM HIDDLESTON IS COMING TO SYDNEY AND I WON TICKETS TO SEE HIM! SQUEEEE! Ahem...

-This is what it's like to ghostwrite popular YA series. (Refinery 29)

-Want to know what David Bowie reads? Here's his top 100. (Open Book)

-Can you guess the famous author by their face? I got two wrong, not too shabby. (BuzzFeed)

-This parody Sex and the City Twitter account is pure golden hilarious genius. (Twitter)

-This glimpse at Into the Woods makes me sooo excited to see it. (Pajiba)

-I was fascinated by this account of a brave young girl who rebelled against the Nazis. (The Toast)

-Another fascinating story is that of the transgender model who was one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery. (BuzzFeed)

-I would like to go to pretty much all of these haunted places. (iO9)

-Vulture has literally compiled every time Chis Traeger said literally on Parks and Recreation. There's actually less there than I thought there'd be. (Vulture)

-Meanwhile a giggling Ron Swanson is my favourite Ron Swanson. (Pajiba)

-Hyperbole and a Half has a new post up, yay! (Hyperbole and a Half)

-Usher sang a new kind of ABCs on Sesame St and it will put a smile on your face. (YouTube)

-A pug. In wigs. You're welcome. (Instagram)

 

-One of my co-workers set up an Instagram for her two adorable cats, Sassy and Purrl, and you should totally go follow it because did I mention they're adorable? (Instagram)

 

-This cat with a toy ice cream on his head amused me way more than it should have. (YouTube)

-Interspecies friendships are the best. (BuzzFeed)

-I really want this blueberry cheesecake stuffed French toast in my belly. (Spicy Icecream)

Review: Lost Cat by Caroline Paul, Illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton

At the risk of getting kicked off the internet, I have a confession to make: I'm not a cat person. I mean, they're cute and all, and I'm sure they make great pets... for other people. But I prefer the loyal adoration of dogs over the hot-and-cold independence of cats. That's just me.

What drew me to Lost Cat was the possibility of finding out what pets do when their owners aren't around. In humorous, touching anecdotes and adorable and clever illustrations, Lost Cat reveals how the author, Caroline, dealt with the disappearance and reappearance of her cat and the feelings of loss, betrayal and hope that went along with it. It also explores her depression as a result of an injury and also her grief over another type of loss. It sounds like heavy stuff, and there are some very sad moments, but more than anything it's a funny, heartwarming tale. I think this comes down to the first-person, conversational language. Caroline isn't afraid to poke fun of herself and her outrageous behaviour - like using spycams and GPS to track her "cheating" cat. Her affection for her little family is also incredibly clear, and the feelings of betrayal at the disappearance of her cat, the grief over the loss of another, and the ultimate acceptance that a cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do, are beautifully rendered.

Lost Cat is a quick and enjoyable read, and the illustrations, drawn by Caroline's partner Wendy, really enhance the story. I liked Wendy's inclusion in the story - she wasn't a cat person, either - until Caroline converted her. I'm still not quite converted into wanting to actually own a cat, but I was nevertheless affected by this story. A pet is a pet at the end of the day, and no matter what animal it is, the love and affection you feel for them is the same. They are with us for such a short period of time and it makes you think WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES - until you remember that they create more awesomeness in 10 years than some people create in 100. That, more than anything, is what Lost Cat is about.

Rating: 3.5/5

Fine Print
Published: 2013, Bloomsbury
Source: Netgalley
Get It: Book Depository

Related
And now for a cat gif party, because reasons...

OK, I may be a little bit converted.