Something to add to your "to read" pile

Tina Fey's Bossypants is the funniest book I've read in a while, but Mindy Kaling's (Kelly from The Office) book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) ran a close second. I would highly recommend it. And if you haven't read Mindy's article "Flick Chicks" that ran The New Yorker--you should. Her take on romantic comedies is spot on. If you're even a casual rom-com watcher you will find yourself nodding your head and muttering, "that is so true!"

I'm getting itchy just looking at it...

Welcome to my nightmare.

A photo of a 1961 Hollywood audition for a black cat via Cup of Jo

Stocking stuffer fit for the, um...Queen

I give you, the Solar Queen. Place her in sunlight and watch Her Majesty wave with a subtle twist of the wrist. This gesture cultivated over centuries is the true mark of royalty. I'm thinking she would be a great addition to my desk at work.

You can buy her at Kikkerland Design. For more awesome stocking stuffer (or white elephant) ideas I also recommend fredflare.com and urbanoutfitters.com.

Holiday gift idea: All my friends are dead.

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, an under-$10 gift for your office holiday party or a little something for that friend who's hard to buy for, I suggest All my friends are dead by Avery Monson and Jory John.

If you're a dinosaur, all your friends are dead. If you're a pirate, all your friends have scurvy. If you're a tree, all  your friends are end tables. Each page of this clever book showcases the downside of being everything from a clown to a cassette tape to a zombie. It's really a children's book for adults. As one reviewer said, "...it teaches valuable lessons about life while exploring each cartoon character's unique grievance and wide-eyed predicament." From the sock whose only friends have gone missing to the houseplant whose friends are being slowly killed by irresponsible plant owners (like you), this book is all-at-once silly and poignant. All my friends are dead will make you want to call/text/email or write everyone you love.

Revenge is my favorite new show of the season

As I'm sure you know I occasionally enjoy a good nighttime drama (okay, okay...soap), but it's been a while since I've found one I've really liked. This fall season I am loving Revenge (ABC). It is well-written, well-acted and has great twists and turns. I thought Ringer would be the "mysterious" drama I'd love, but Revenge has me hooked. If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend it. You can get all caught up on Hulu.

Here's a description of the show (thanks, Wikipedia):
Emily Thorne, whose real name is Amanda Clarke, moves back to The Hamptons to take revenge on the people who caused the death of her father David and destroyed her family. When she was a little girl, Amanda's father was arrested on trumped-up terrorism charges, and was tried and convicted for treason. He died in prison. Emily feels her life was destroyed; she ended up in juvenile detention and on her 18th birthday inherited the wealth of the company in which her father invested. She changed her name to Emily Thorne and decided to take revenge on the people responsible for her father's downfall.

Gallery hosts A Tribute To The Best Of Bill Murray's Characters

I love Bill Murray. He is one of my all time favorite actors. So you can imagine how excited I was when I heard that this month Gallery1988 Melrose in LA is hosting a tribute to Bill

called 'Please Post Bills'. It's a collection of over 100 pieces of art (paint, print, sculpture) celebrating the screen legend and his films. From Dr. Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters" to Herman Blume in "Rushmore," Raleigh St. Clair of "The Royal Tenenbaums," Phil in "Groundhog Day," Bill Murray (according to HuffPost and me) is a character god. You can check out LAist for photos of the actual art seen in the gallery (the show runs through November 26). I hope, I hope to see it before it closes.

Kids Reenact "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and the "The Hills"

If you're looking for something to crack you up check out all the Kids Reenact videos at Babelgum. There is "Keeping Up With the Kardashians", the "Real Housewives of New Jersey", "The Hills" and "The Jersey Shore" It should probably be considered child abuse, but I still find them hilarious. The kid who plays Scott is spot on. So is the girl playing Teresa Guidice and the girl playing Audrina. Justin Bobby...he he.