The Book We’re Talking About: ‘Sweet Tooth’ By Ian McEwan

What is it about?
McEwan’s most autobiographical novel to date tells the story of Serena, a young book lover and math scholar who is assigned to an exciting mission by the British security service during the early 70s. She is asked to coerce a modernist writer into penning anti-Marxist articles, but, predictably, falls in love with him instead. As the story unfolds, the reader becomes aware that Serena, clearly capricious enough to dismiss her duties as an agent, may not be a very reliable narrator.

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The Book We’re Talking About: ‘Sweet Tooth’ By Ian McEwan.

Introducing Mind Lab: The all singing, all dancing, interactive psychology class | Neurobonkers | Big Think

How is our consciousness connected to the world?
Explore the unconscious
functions of the brain with visual illusions
and mysterious perceptual
phenomena.

via Introducing Mind Lab: The all singing, all dancing, interactive psychology class | Neurobonkers | Big Think.

Holiday Gift Guide 2012 | Common Sense Media

Great Holiday Gifts for Kids

No matter how much planning you do ahead of time, shopping for holiday gifts can feel overwhelming. Let us help! Our guide is packed with 100+ holiday gift ideas hand-selected to inspire, educate, and entertain kids of all ages and stages. Whether your list includes young children, tweens, or teens, now it’s easy to find presents that kids and parents will both feel good about. All of our picks are arranged by age and media type and include movies, video games, books, music, TV shows on DVD, apps, and websites.

Our expert editors are completely independent, so their selections are based solely on kids’ best interests. We’ve provided buy links for many titles, but they’re simply for your convenience.

Giving without guessing makes for happier — and more fun — holidays for everybody.

Print the full guide

Start Your Gift Search Here!

Holiday Gift Guide 2012 | Common Sense Media.

5 of the most kid-friendly airlines in the world – A Luxury Travel Blog

Have you ever felt all eyes on you – and your children – while waiting to board at the gate? The truth is your anxiety is likely warranted. As a parent, the possibility of things “going sour” during a flight are endless: delays causing snacks to run out, ear pain caused by cabin pressure, and of course, a toddler’s boredom resulting in cries and tantrums. The looks from other passengers can get intimidating and even worse, unsympathetic flight staff can make one feel as if no one is on your side.

It certainly doesn’t need to be this way. Some airlines are known to be extremely family friendly, sometimes going above and beyond one’s expectations. The five airline carriers below are equipped with compassionate staff and unique amenities giving “flying the friendly skies” a whole new meaning. It’s always wise to confirm amenities and offerings with the airline prior to booking.

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5 of the most kid-friendly airlines in the world – A Luxury Travel Blog.

3 of the world’s most magical travel experiences for children – A Luxury Travel Blog

By Paul Johnson on Nov 02, 2012

Any parent will know that if you find a holiday that the kids will enjoy, the chances are you’re going to have a great time too. Here we pick three very different luxury travel experiences – from three different continents – and hopefully you’ll find one to suit your family. Which one would you choose and why?

Become knights and damsels in the Loire Valley

Waterpark fun in the Caribbean

Young Explorers in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

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3 of the world’s most magical travel experiences for children – A Luxury Travel Blog.

Breast Cancer Study: Strong Social Ties Improve Chance Of Survival

You don’t need a study to tell you that good friends and a close family can help boost the morale of a women facing breast cancer. But arguing convincingly that a close social network can increase a woman’s survival rate? That takes a study.

New research by scientists at Kaiser Permanente and published in the November 2012 issue of the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that women with strong social networks had a lower mortality rate than socially isolated women. The scientists, led by Candyce H. Kroenke, Sc.D., MPH, followed 2,264 women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer between 1997 and 2000 and found that socially isolated women were 34 percent more likely to die of breast cancer and other causes than women with close social ties.

continue reading: Breast Cancer Study: Strong Social Ties Improve Chance Of Survival.

High School Dropouts Worsened By Lack Of Support, Becoming A Parent: Survey

Absence of parental or educational support and becoming a parent are the two top reasons cited by respondents for dropping out of high school, according to the 2012 High School Dropouts in America survey of 513 adults aged 19 to 35.

Nearly one-quarter — 23 percent — of Americans attribute their failure to complete high school to a lack of parental support or encouragement, followed by entering parenthood at 21 percent. Missing too many days of school ranked third at 17 percent. Other reasons for dropping out include failing classes (15 percent), uninteresting classes (15 percent) and suffering from mental illness (15 percent).

continue reading: High School Dropouts Worsened By Lack Of Support, Becoming A Parent: Survey.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are | Video on TED.com

 

 

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are | Video on TED.com.