All Arts & Culture
Top Picks: Songs of Christmas cheer, Jeremy Renner as The Bourne Legacy, and moreTwo e-readers work well with little lighting, the 'Charlie Brown Christmas' soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday, and more top picks.- Verbal EnergyHail to the neologizers in chiefUS presidents 鈥� and one president in particular 鈥� seem to have a knack for coining new terms.
- 鈥楾he Hobbit鈥�: 40 questions to test your knowledge of Bilbo Baggins and co.
Do you think you know everything about the journey of Bilbo Baggins as recorded in J.R.R. Tolkien鈥檚 'The Hobbit'? 'The Hobbit' was published as a prelude to Tolkien鈥檚 trilogy, 'The Lord of the Rings,' on September 21, 1937. Since then, the story has been revised to tie in more with the dark trilogy but still has kept more of its lighthearted fairy tale tone of the original.
'The Hobbit' has seen stage production and radio and film adaptation, the first film being composed completely of cartoon stills. The first animated film aired on US television in 1977.
The newest 'Hobbit' adaptation, directed by Peter Jackson ('The Lord of the Rings') will be a trilogy itself. Part one is set to release in theaters on Dec. 14, 2012, with Ian McKellen returning to the big screen as the wizard Gandalf and Martin Freeman playing the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Can鈥檛 wait for 'The Hobbit' to come to theaters? Take this 40-question quiz to see if you鈥檙e a true 'Hobbit' fan.
Golden Globe Awards: The 2012 nomineesWho are the nominees for the prestigious Golden Globes? Check out our list.
Chocolate turtle cookiesThis "thumbprint" fudgy, nutty cookie with a caramel center is perfect for holiday parties.
Anarchy for children? A pro-anarchy kids' book angers the Tea Party'A Rule is to Break: A Child's Guide to Anarchy,' by John Seven and Jana Christy, was called 'downright shocking' by a Tea Party publication and received a blurb from activist Bill Ayers.
America's 4 parenting culturesWhat parenting culture do you belong to? Do you spank? Attend church regularly? Believe teens need birth control education? Let your belief in the inherent goodness of humans guide your parenting? There are "Four Family Cultures" or moral ecosystems in the US, say researchers at the University of Virginia's Culture of American Families Project. See where you fit in to the four cultures of Faithful, Detached, Engaged Progressive or American Dreamer.鈥� Stephanie Hanes, Modern Parenthood Blogger
Web transforms adoption: Closed adoption over, commodification inFor good or ill, the era of closed adoption effectively is over with online databases, archives, and social media, says a new report by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. Meanwhile, unregulated adoption websites contribute to the commodification of adoption.
Pasta with chestnuts, pancetta, and sageChestnuts are nutty and slightly sweet and pair beautifully with woodsy sage and salty pancetta. Add them all to a thick pasta for hearty and satisfying meal.
Why no new Christmas carols?We're still singing songs from the nineteenth century. Why nothing newer?
Ravi Shankar bridged cultures by bringing sitar to the West, but at a costRavi Shankar collaborated with some of the biggest names in rock, jazz, and classical music. But in India critics said he was commercializing spiritual sitar music that was not properly understood.
3 compelling photo books for gifting this winterThese photo books capture the world in images that are by turns amusing and heartbreaking.
Mo Yan's Nobel acceptance speech draws ire from criticsChinese writer Mo Yan's comments on censorship and his unwillingness to sign a petition for the release of Noblist Liu Xiaobo have angered some fellow writers.
Lena Dunham's legal representative asks that leaked book proposal be taken downLena Dunham's proposal for her advice book, 'Not That Kind of Girl,' leaked online and was posted in full on the website Gawker.
Is a new 'Harry Potter' short film in the works?'Harry Potter' cast members are reportedly filming a short movie that will be screened at the franchise's theme parks. What will the new film show?
'Sesame Street' tackles the big 'D,' DivorceSesame Street made a first attempted a segment on divorce in 1992, but it made preschoolers cry so it never aired. It has now returned to divorce with segments airing online only.
Paul McCartney to front Nirvana for a benefit concert?Will Paul McCartney fill the role of Kurt Cobain for a Nirvana reunion? Representatives won't confirm anything, but rumors say the group will perform a new song with the former Beatle.
'Game Change' sequel will come next fall'Double Down: Game Change 2012' will follow the 2012 presidential election and the figures involved.
'Downton Abbey' insider Jessica Fellowes shares her behind-the-scenes takeFellowes, author of 'The World of Downton Abbey' and 'The Chronicles of Downton Abbey' and niece of 'Downton' creator Julian Fellowes, discusses how the sets keep master and servants separated, why American and British audiences aren't that different, and more.
12-12-12: An auspicious date for a $1,212,120 wedding?12-12-12 is the latest triple-date marketing opportunity for the wedding industry. Banking on Chinese numerology, one Vegas wedding package is priced at $1,212,120 and includes a private jet.
