Friday Link Dump: Bookish Cocktails, Instagram Paraodies And Tom Hanks Being Tom Hanks

-Shameless self promotion: I joined BuzzFeed recently and have written a few posts if, you know, you want to check them out... There's History According to Tumblr, 100 Parks and Recreation GIFs, 21 Signs You're Anne Shirley, 25 Times Disney Face Characters Were Adorable, 10 Australian Celebs Before They Were Famous, and The 39 Stages of Being a Bride. (BuzzFeed)

-Closer to home (as in, this blog), I'm getting caught up on book reviews and wrote three this week for books I loved: Stardust by Neil Gaiman and Six Impossible Things and Wildlife by Fiona Wood. (This blog!)

-Reynje from Wordchasing did an awesome post about the Melbourne locations seen in Six Impossible Things, which author Fiona Wood expanded on. (Wordchasing, FionaWood.com)

-Find book recommendations similar to what you've read and liked on Go Book Yourself. (Tumblr)

-I would like many of these bookish things in my home. (BuzzFeed)

-And I would like many of these bookish cocktails in my belly. (BuzzFeed)

-Apparently they are remaking Little Women and this could be really bad. (Crushable)

-Jamie Dornan, a.k.a. the incredibly hot Huntsman from Once Upon a Time has been cast as Christian Grey. Which makes me actually want to see the movie. Oh god. (Hypable)

-Here are some web series that will appeal to fans of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, apparently. (Hypable)

-Pitchfork Review Generator: in case you need inspiration for your snark. (Pitchfork Review Generator)

-I love Hocus Pocus and I was very happy to find out I am Winifred. Which Sanderson sister are you? (BuzzFeed)

-This artist has been doing drawings of Disney characters dressed up as other pop culture icons and it's awesome. (Tumblr)

-Hot guys of history. Oh yeah. (Tumblr)

-MamaMia Spoilers is my new fave Twitter. (Twitter)

-I am in awe of this Deadspin writer's ability to monitor 10 screens at once and get work done and wow. My eyes hurt just looking at a picture of his set up. (The NY Times)

-Here are some people that are already winning at Halloween. (Junkee)

-10 reasons why TV is better than film right now. I kinda have to agree - I watch waaay more TV shows than movies these days coz the latter just haven't been as good. (The Guardian)

-I'm loving these two Instagram parody accounts: Satiregram and Thisisrealstagram. (Instagram)

-Salted caramel is the best. Make ALL the recipes. (BuzzFeed)

-Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock playing chopsticks on a big (or, er, Big) piano is my favourite thing ever. Followed closely by Sandra Bullock rapping. (YouTube)

-I am super excited to watch The Grand Budapest Hotel. It looks so fun. (YouTube)

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)

Bookish Buys: Pop Culture Patterns At Wee Little Stitches

I am obsessed with the pixel people cross-stitch patterns that Wee Little Stitches creates. They are all inspired by awesome movies, TV shows and books and I want pretty much all of them. I have a couple so far but I have told myself I must actually use one (or at least start on one) before buying any more. That doesn't stop me from admiring them, anyway. I've selected some of my fave bookish patterns to feature here, but the whole shop is worth a look - it's pretty amazeballs.

Harry's foes

Tolkien quote

Lord of the Rings

Wesley and Buttercup 

Lupin and Tonks

Princesses

Friday Link Dump: Trailers, Bookshelfies and Mash-ups

-The best fictional libraries. I want all of them. (Paste)

-Now this is a selfie trend I can get behind. Bookshelfies. As in, selfies with your bookshelf. Love it. (Tumblr)

-This fundamentalist preacher accidentally used an image of Modern Family for the cover of his self-published book and was quite concerned when he found out it was a show that featured a gay couple. So in his eyes, homosexuality is wrong, but using Google images to source a cover for your book, thereby publishing something you don't own the rights to, is totally OK. Riiiiight. (BuzzFeed)

-Aziz Ansari is releasing a book and I for one can't wait. (EW)

-Where do you stand on the New Adult genre? The Huffington Post published opinion pieces for and against. Both make good points. (The Huffington Post)

-Flavorwire lists 40 trashy books that are "worth reading", although they have a very loose definition of trashy. (Flavorwire)

-The Toast did some awesome mental illness-related essays this week, including this discussion on medication and this personal story about how reading Georgette Heyer helped the writer to cope with anxiety. (The Toast)

-If you don't mind the illusion of movie magic being destroyed a little, check out this peek behind the scenes of the special effects on Game of Thrones. (Jezebel)

-After watching Orphan Black over one weekend recently, I am totally obsessed with the show and its actors. So I'm super excited that Tatiana Maslany has been cast in Parks and Recreation (Vulture) and Big Dick Paul Dylan Bruce is going to star in... wait for it... Flowers in the Attic as none other than Bart Winslow! (The Huffington Post)

-So many trailers were released this week. I am most excited about The Book Thief, which is one of my favourite books. I was really nervous about it being adapted, but from the trailer it looks brilliant (YouTube). The Divergent teaser looks decent. (YouTube). And Zac Efron looks mighty fiiiine as a doctor, (Just Jared) and Jon Snow's abs revealed themselves in the teaser for Pompeii (YouTube).

-I know I'm relieved that Alexander Skarsgaard (and his penis) will return to True Blood next season (AV Club). And in case you were wondering (I know it's the reason you were looking really closely at the screen), this is the book he was reading in THAT scene. (EW)

-What do you get when you cross Beyoncé songs with Cinderella? Amazingness. Meanwhile this Disney Dudez video amused me way too much. (YouTube)

-I am obsessed with this Mean Girls musical parody. I wish a Mean Girls musical would really happen. It would be so fetch. (YouTube)

-These comics shed light on exactly what the creative process feels like. (BuzzFeed)

-Nine shows that really should have quit while they were ahead. (The Vine)

-I really need to use some of these internationally-sourced insults in my life. (BuzzFeed)

-I love me a mash-up - especially when it's as awesome as Mad Rock (Mad Men + 30 Rock). (Tumblr)

-Some amazing comedians auditioned for roles on The Office - and didn't make the cut. But you can watch their auditions here! (Junkee)

-Vintage photos that make you go "WTF". I just wish this was a Tumblr instead of a Twitter. (Twitter)

-Baby + dog = cutest friendship ever. (BuzzFeed)

-The real places that inspired Disney movie settings. Gorgeous. (BuzzFeed)

-Tumblr gets deep - and weird - at night. It's all documented for our amusement here. (Tumblr)

-I love the Teens React series, and this week they discuss Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" with funny and impressive results. (YouTube)

-Reality Bites is being adapted for TV and I'm not sure how I feel about it. (Gawker)

-Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Cupcakes. I need these in my tummy right now. (Bakerella)

-These parents win at Facebook. (BuzzFeed)

-Bunny Mamma is my new favourite Instagram. And I really, really want a bunny. (Instagram)

-1999 really was the best year for summer songs. (BuzzFeed)

-These corgi gifs made my week. (BuzzFeed)

Friday Link Dump: Thor, Audiobooks and The OC

-This blog features recipes inspired by Game of Thrones. Totally want my own feast now. Plus Flavorwire discusses the sexism and violence in Game of Thrones - and why it's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm inclined to agree.

-I am so freaking excited for Thor: The Dark World. The trailer looks amazeballs. And so does Chris Hemsworth pretty hair.

-This video features some awesome quotes about how to get over writer's block. How timely for me.

-A clever The Lizzie Bennet Diaries fan created a LBD-themed Monopoly that you can download for free.

-BuzzFeed compiled a list of audiobooks read by celebs. I need to get me some of these.

-I actually didn't know a lot of these Harry Potter movie facts. Fun!

-Disney characters know how to throw shade. Totally going to use some of these next time I get into an argument.

-Meanwhile, this talented GIF creator puts moving Disney characters against real backdrops with magical results.

-Max Irons photo gallery. Need I say more?

-Apparently Downton Abbey season four will feature some new love interests for Lady Mary. And I want to watch it less and less.

-This list of the best TV friendships is brilliant. Troy and Abed, Lorelai and Rory AND Seth and Ryan? Yes, please. Plus Junkee lists their top five The O.C. episodes and I can't believe it's been 10 years since it started.

-Here's some GIFs of kids being awesome. 

-This Tumblr features adorable and funny illustrations. Love.

Friday Link Dump: Puppy Gifs, Book Lists And Food Porn

Hello lovely readers! Sorry for the lack of posting in the last couple of weeks, it's been quite hectic in my real world. For instance, I turned 27 AND celebrated my first wedding anniversary. Cue musings on the shortness of life and other fun stuff. But you're here for links, and by golly, do I have some for you:

-BuzzFeed lists some books you should read in your 20s.

-Prepare to have your mind blown by the handwritten outlines of famous authors.

-The Review Locker compares the cast of three The Great Gatsby adaptations. It seems like the new one has some winners. I can't wait to see it!
 

-I'm really keen to see About Time, which looks like The Time Traveler's Wife in that it involves time travel and stars Rachel McAdams, but it's British and therefore more awesome.

-I've been watching so much Parks and Recreation, and it's great food porn. And amazeballs in general. You know what else is amazeballs? A Storm of Swansons, which is what you get when you cross Parks and Recreation with Game of Thrones.

-You can now insert Tobias from Arrested Development into your own photos and video. It's incredibly addictive and entertaining.

-Here are 100 insightful and often hilarious behind-the-scenes shots from famous movies.

-I wish the Disney Princess Academy would happen. I want to go to there.

-Taking your bra off at the end of the day really is the best feeling ever.

-When I discovered Owl Turd comics I was entertained for hours (well, many minutes, at least). Meanwhile here are what random tweets look like as a comic.

-Fashion in History is a pretty AND informative Tumblr.

-Pets on Roombas makes me really want a Roomba. And an adorable pet to ride it. 

-Richard Armitage with Cats is probably the best Tumblr in existence. Next to Puppy Gifs, of course.
 

-This dog waiting patiently for a treat made me giggle like crazy. So much adorable.

-George Takei is awesome. That is all.

Friday Link Dump: Trailers, Hidden Rooms And The Anatomy Of A Book

 -The trailer for City of Bones is here and even though I didn't love the book, I'm kinda excited for the movie. It looks fun.

-I'm even more excited for the The Great Gatsby movie, especially after seeing the new trailer.

-I also can't wait for the new season of True Blood. It looks so awesome.

-When I grow up, I totally want a hidden room through my bookshelves and/or wardrobe.

-The anatomy of the book is pretty interesting.

-This is what Game of Thrones would look like if Westeros had Facebook. Meanwhile, you can learn Dothraki if you have enough time and, er, interest. And here's an entertaining remix featuring big Game of Thrones moments.

-The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is sadly over, but Hypable have listed their top ten episodes of the web series. I agree with pretty much all of them except their number one.

-Here's a  very cool way to deliver writing advice.

-Melina Marchetta is doing a Q&A session on Goodreads on April 30.

-Here are the real life people that inspired the looks of Disney characters.

-This parody of Taylor Swift's '22' is both hilarious and depressing. The latter mainly because this is basically my life at 26...

-But hey, informercial people failing at life in GIF form will make you feel better about your own life.

-And these The Golden Girls insults are well, pure gold.

Friday Link Dump: Jennifer Lawrence, Toy Story and Disney Princesses

Like a conspiracy theory? Here are some famous ones about iconic literary characters. Mostly about them being gay.

What does your favourite Disney princess say about you? They've got me down to a T (or tea), except for one thing: I express my emotions through puppies on Tumblr, not cats.

Two teens decided to recreate the Toy Story movies using real toys and real people. Amazing.

Here's how to throw a historically accurate Downton Abbey dinner party. I don't know if I could ever be bothered, to be honest, but I wouldn't mind wearing some of Lady Mary's pretty dresses.

It's official: Jennifer Lawrence won at the Golden Globes in more ways than one (17, to be exact). She also wins at life.

On this blog
I talked about spoilers. Do you love 'em or hate 'em? 
I drooled over pretty bookmarks.
I reviewed So Much To Tell You by John Marsden and Alaska by Sue Saliba.

Note-worthy: Disney Princesses are the Best Role Models (Really!)

 
If you want to read my fangirling about the Disney princesses, head on over to The Uniblog, where I've written a guest post on how awesome they are. Coz, y'know, they're really awesome.

Bookish Buys: Holiday Edition

I'm finally getting all the crap awesome stuff I accumulated overseas out of boxes and into their rightful places (well, I'm trying to find places for them, anyway). Turns out I bought a lot more than shoes! Including a bunch of cute stationery and bookish things I thought I'd share...

I nabbed an Alice in Wonderland mug from Urban Outfitters - it's extra awesome because the Cheshire Cat disappears (except his smile) when you fill it with hot water. Then from The Strand, I picked up a tote and these pretty editions of Grimm's Fairy Tales and Heidi - I could have bought SOOO much more from there, but somehow I managed to limit myself.

I went a bit crazy at the New York Public Library and bought these notebooks that look like little leather-bound books, a pen that looks like an old-school quill, and another two pens that look like flowers (complete with a vase!). I'm such a sucker for novelty stationery.

And yes, if you spotted it in the background, that is a Beauty and the Beast figurine. My fiance bought it for me for my birthday at Disneyland (because yes, I'm still a seven-year-old at heart). The rose is a little glittery snowglobe, and it plays "Tale As Old As Time" - soooo sweet.

And of course, I bought Betty Freakin' White's book If You Ask Me - and got it signed by the golden girl herself. Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited?!

The Darren Criss Appreciation Week

I didn't plan it, but somehow Darren Criss has popped up on my blog every day this week, thanks to my association of him with Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went. Because I'm kinda obsessed with him I wouldn't want the rest of the days in the week to feel left out, I've decided to declare it the Darren Criss Appreciation Week (it's not too late to declare it on a Thursday, right?). So, in honour of the warbling wonder, today's post is brought to you by the letter D - for Darren, of course - and Disney! Put the two together and you get Delightful: