If you’re looking for a way to spend time with family members without actually interacting with them, do as you did on those dates back in high school: go to a movie. There are plenty of feel-good flicks conveniently released for the holiday season; bond with your little brother while watching The Adventures of Tintin or fill out an entire row in front of Matt Damon and ScarJo in We Bought A Zoo. Too many opinions? Tickets to the movie with too many plot lines, please — New Year’s Eve!

Oh, you already saw all those movies? And there are still more estranged relatives to bond with?! Click through our holiday movie theater picks. Warning: they have absolute nothing to do with the holidays, and most of them will probably make you cry.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: December 21st

It’s the highly anticipated movie based on the best-selling book, and even if you didn’t read it, it’s still a solid mystery/thriller film. Directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network), starring Daniel Craig and introducing Rooney Mara, who just earned a Golden Globe nomination for this role.

The Flowers of War: December 21st (limited release)

Directed by Zhang Yomou (Hero, House of Flying Daggars), Christian Bale stars in China’s “non-foreign foreign film” about an American priest who helps save the lives of Chinese citizens during the Nanjing Massacre. And it better be good: The Flowers of War is the most expensive movie ever made in Chinese history.

In The Land Of Blood And Honey: December 23rd

Why the heck hasn’t Angelina Jolie come out with a third Tomb Raider movie yet? She’s been writing and directing (her directorial debut!) In The Land Of Blood And Honey, a romance between a Bosnian Muslim woman and a Serbian army officer during the Bosnian War. Croatian journalist James Braddock accused Jolie of stealing the plot from his book published in 2007, but she denies ever having seen the book. Ever. Even though the premises are incredibly similar.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: December 25th

The film based on the best-seller by Johnathan Safran Foer stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Warning: you will cry, since it’s about a boy who begins an amazing and unique search after his father dies in the 9/11 attacks, in the same way you were affected by the other movies that Stephen Daldry has directed (The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot).

The Iron Lady: December 30th

Meryl Streep has already collected nominations for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Judging from the trailer, it’s an ideal mixture between her roles and Julia Child in Julie & Julia and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, with just a hint of Donna’s self-doubt from Mamma Mia!.

What movie are you getting out of the house to watch before the year ends? Which of these five films is worth watching before 2012?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

It seems like new social shopping sites (like Groupon) are popping up every day. Some of them are even specifically focused on one thing, such as vacations, wine, shoes, and more. One of the newest sites I’ve come across is Bookperk, a Groupon-like site geared towards readers.

Bookperk pairs new bestselling books with exclusive merchandise and/or experiences that are only available to members of the site. Some of the current offers available right now are copy of Emily Post’s Ettiquitte along with a package of thank you cards and the Cowboys and Aliens graphic novel and movie poster. And like other shopping sites, the deals change daily, so if you find something you love, don’t wait too long or it might be gone!

Once you sign up for Bookperk (it’s totally free), you’ll start getting newsletters with all the daily perks. The deals are great and they offer a lot of different genres, so there’s something for everyone. You may even be able to cross a few Christmas presents off your list early!

As a total book lover, I think this site is pretty cool. I can’t wait to purchase my first perk!

It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime of the yeeeear. Halfway to it, anyway. In a ‘Christmas in June’ inspired feeling, we can all celebrate because today is exactly six months away from Christmas. And, that being my all-time favorite gift-giving holiday, I rounded up a few presents I want now.

Is there anything better than spending a day reading on the beach, getting a golden glow, and sipping on a Pina Colada? I mean, I’m just guessing that would be the best. My beach days are usually more about trying to keep my hair from birds-nesting in the wind, spraying on SPF 75, and half-heartedly drinking warm beer that’s on the verge of boiling in the sun. But I do love opening up a good book, getting lost in the story, and ignoring the fact that there’s an elderly man walking back and forth wearing a a speedo thong.

And that’s why I asked all our wonderful CollegeCandy writers to tell us their favorite beach read. Because who knows books better than our writers? (Okay, that sounds cocky, I was just trying to drive home the point that they picked some great books…)

initiating the gallery...

With devices like the eReader, Kindle and iPad 2 at our fingertips, reading is supposed to be easier than ever, despite the slow extinction of the printed (and pricey) paperback. But try walking into a bookstore for new novels – you’ll find the Best Sellers’ shelves covered in leftovers of celebrity franchises, from Conrad and Kardashian to Bieber’s biography! Sure, we finally have the convenient medium to encourage more frequent reading, but are we running out of leisurely literature too fast these days?

I think it’s time to turn back to the assignments of our high school English classes, the novels taught every year not only to prepare us for those Advanced Placement tests, but also to enlighten us through universal themes and lessons before we went off to college.  Obviously, these stories have withstood the test of time over and over again: according to Focus Features, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre has been adapted into 20 silent films, 27 “talkies” (for theater and television), 23 radio dramas, 48 plays and 8 musicals – and today marks the premiere of Jane Eyre, the film version starring Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are Alright), Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds, 300) and Jamie Bell (The Eagle, Jumper).

The dynamic plot revolving around a bold governess and her mysterious employer is simultaneously an epic love story, a Gothic tale and a piece of social commentary. So in honor of Jane Eyre’s rebirth to a new generation, let’s resurrect some of the narratives we thought used to bore us to death. Here are five more high school books worth a reread in college:

So dust off those covers, and flip them open – for real this time, especially if you never actually read them back in high school!

What other books should we add to our nostalgic reading list?

[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like Spreezio, Teach Parents Tech and We Are Hunted) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

If you’re an avid reader and book-lover like I am, your bookshelf is probably crammed with dozens of books. Mine is filled with several of my favorites, of course, but also dozens of old textbooks and cheap paperbacks I have never even opened probably won’t ever read again. Books that have been packed and moved and unpacked 6 times in the last 4 years. In my never-ending quest to get organized (and spend less money on moving boxes), I’ve decided to do something about all the books that I don’t use and are just sitting there collecting dust.

Of course I considered selling them or donating them, but I’ve discovered something better: swapping them.

PaperBackSwap is an online “book club,” where members can exchange books they’ve already read with other members.

Want to get started? First, sign up for an account. Then, list all the books you’re willing to swap. As a bonus, PaperBackSwap will give you two free book credits once you list your first 10 books, which are good for any books listed on the site. Search for available books by title, author, or genre, and then simply order the book and wait for it to arrive in your mailbox! The books you order are yours — so once you finish you can choose to keep it, give it away, or swap it again!

If any fellow users want to order one of your books, PaperBackSwap will notify you so you can ship it out to them. Once they get your book, you’ll receive a credit for another book (one book = one credit)!

While membership is free, you do have to pay postage for the books you send (you don’t have to pay shipping on books you order), but that’s still a whole lot cheaper than buying books (even used ones) every time you want something new to read!

Despite its name, PaperBackSwap isn’t just for paperback books — you can swap hardcovers, audio books, or even old textbooks (which is perfect for the new semester)!

PaperBackSwap saves tress (book recycling, yo!), helps keep your shelves less cluttered, and is a great way to get lots of new books to read without spending a lot of money. Definitely a great find for all the book worms out there!

There’s plenty more web where that came from. Check out the other sites that are on Laura’s web radar!

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!). So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

It’s tough to buy gifts for the friend who loves to read. The choice should seem obvious, shouldn’t it? Buy a book. But what type of book? What has she read? What does he want to read? Hardcover or paperback? New or used? The questions are endless. And that’s before you even get into accessories. Are bookmarks too cliché? Will she even use them? Are all those gadgets really necessary?

All valid questions. But more importantly, all answerable questions. College Candy is breaking down the answers for you. With prices ranging from $11.99 to $139 we’ve got all your bases covered, from the books, to the book lights to the book shelves.

So no more standing in the middle of Barnes and Noble staring at the stacks of bestsellers attempting to figure out which one is actually worth reading. I’ve done the hard work for you and scoured those (cyber) shelves to provide you with the best gift options for the bookworms in your life.

Get even more gift giving inspiration in CollegeCandy’s Holiday Central!

Here are ten things you are definitely never too old for:

1. Glitter: Although you got away with wearing glittery lip gloss and questionable glittery eye shadows as a preteen, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little glitz and glam now. Seriously, if Lady Gaga and Katy Perry can rock glitter on a daily basis, so can you. Not sure how to pull off glitter without looking like a five-year-old that got a little too crazy at the arts and crafts table? Add a glittery top coat to your nail polish or go for a subtle glitzy shimmer in your eyeshadow. Want to be a little over the top? Go for the gold in a metallic glittery shirt. Worst case scenario is that you look like a Claire’s employee. Best case: you look hot.

2. Pigtails: Preschoolers aren’t the only ones that can rock this look. While you probably don’t want to be known as “pigtail girl” around campus, going out with pigtails could be a fun and flirty alternative to your everyday hair. You probably had your pig tails pulled up high, so for a more-adult approach to this look that you’re never too old for — sport them lower. Also, pigtails work incredibly well when you’re working out.

3. Licking the bowl of batter: You know you did it when you were younger. Your mom baked a cake and you couldn’t keep your little hands out of the chocolately goodness. Go ahead — dip your finger in the mix. Or, just dig in with a spoon. Or don’t even cook the batter and just go after the cookie dough. You’re definitely not too old to enjoy any kind of sweets — baked or not. Go ahead, no one’s looking!

4. Sleeping With A Stuffed Animal: Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you have to leave your favorite stuffed animal at home, you know the one that you have been sleeping with since you were two years old. While you probably shouldn’t bring your Beanie Baby collection and your CareBear stuffed animal set along with you, you don’t have to give up your best bed buddy entirely now that you’re 21. However, we do recommend you refrain from setting up your Polly Pockets on your dorm desk.

5. Reading Books For Girls: Who says that just because you’re an English major writing a thesis about Shakespeare’s heroines that you can’t appreciate your favorite book as a fourteen year old? Even though you aren’t writing essays about the importance of Harriet the Spy, it doesn’t mean you can’t go back to those old books you loved. Now that you’re older, maybe you’ll get something entire different out of them. Also, just because you never got the chance to read that Judy Blume novel you wanted to read, you don’t have to give up hope. Read it! No one will judge you reading a book for a high school girl. You can still feel young at heart with each turn of the page.

6. Disney Movies: Every group of girls should at least have a Disney night throughout their college career. Remember how you loved The Little Mermaid so much? Watch it. You don’t always have to watch rated-R movies and crappy comedies about bromances. For so many kids, Disney was a main staple, so chances are that you and your friends will all have your own opinions about the best movies and the best Disney princesses.

7. Calling Your Parents: So you had a bad day in class — call your mom and cry about it. Although you may feel silly calling your mom to cry when you’re away at college, it’s not silly at all. You used to do it all the time, back in the days of glittery lip gloss and tutus. Not only will you feel better to be consoled by your mom or dad, you will make your parents feel like you still need them. In fact, call your parents frequently. I’m not talking about every day, but check in and say hi. Just because you’re out of the house doesn’t mean you can’t count on them. However, I think it’s safe to say that the one time you shouldn’t call your parents is when you’re drunk…all you need is one slurred word and they’ll have campus safety on the lookout for you.

8. Top 40 Hits: Just because it’s 2010 and the Backstreet Boys haven’t had a major hit in a few years doesn’t mean you can’t rock your body and sing along to “I Want It That Way.” In fact, you’re never too old for top 40 hits from back in the day. Remember when Britney was a school girl with pigtails? If not, you should re-vist this because no matter how grown up you are, pop music can still make you feel whatever age you were when it was a hit. Instant nostalgia anytime, courtesy of iTunes and the radio!

9.  Old TV Shows: You are never too old to go back and re-watch TV series’ such as Boy Meets World, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, and Clarissa Explains It All. In fact, you’re never too old to indulge in the drama of your favorite coming-of-age WB (remember when it was called the WB?) shows such as Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While these shows might be a blast from the past, it doesn’t mean you can’t watch them with as much glee as you once did.

10. Saying “When I Grow Up”: Just because you’re “grown up” now doesn’t mean you can’t think of the future and what you want it to bring you. With the same vigor that you possessed when you were dying for your mom to paint your nails, get excited about the future and when you “grow up.” Don’t be scared to say things like “I’ll get botox when I grow up” and “I can’t wait to grow up and not drink boxed wine.”

Close to her 30^th birthday, Anderson sees her ex-boyfriend from college (who she clearly had deep feelings for) walking hand-in-hand into De Beers with his then girlfriend, resulting in their engagement. This incident sparks her year-long contract with herself to remain sexually sober. Why? Because through the shock of her ex-beau’s engagement, Anderson realizes that after years and years of sex: “I’d had enough sex without love; maybe it was time to look for love without sex?”

While the concept for her sexual journey – questioning casual sex in today’s society – seems well-rooted, the delivery of this twelve month personal discovery falls flat. Flirting around topics, Anderson doesn’t really dive into anything; instead she chooses to dance from one thing to another in each chapter. For example, in the chapter “September or Dressing Around,” Anderson embarks on a less-sexualized wardrobe – so she buys a turtleneck. Instead of defining what new clothes will add to her year without sex, Anderson uses the chapter to discuss everything from shopping with boyfriends, high school fashion choices, and femininity. If all of these topics rolled into each other and told the story like it should be told, they wouldn’t seem out of place, but since they are strewn together – the story of her buying a turtleneck gets lost in the midst of everything else.

The entire novel falters at exploring anything too closely. It’s as if Anderson, who has since resumed having sex after the 12 months, didn’t really learn anything. Instead, she just decided to write a book and chronicle this experience that amounted to nothing in the end. If that was her plan, and it was just some lighthearted experiment, Anderson should admit it, instead of marketing Chastened as a life-changing experience for her.

All in all, readers will be scratching their heads at the end saying “What was so special about this?” Even though readers will want to cheer for Anderson to find what she’s look for – which is so clearly an intimate relationship beyond the bedroom – readers will also be questioning whether Anderson truly understood anything in the end.  Memoirs usually reach some grand conclusion, but Anderson seems to come full circle, back into herself – the same Anderson that took the vow to be sexless twelve months prior. Nothing’s changed.

Critics overwhelmingly have hounded Anderson for the flat line ending. However, the LA Times said it best: “As she resumes sex at the conclusion of the book, it’s still all about her, and it’s still loveless.” Ultimately, Chastened is truly an “unexpected story” that chronicles a year without sex for no real apparent overwhelming reason. Reading this memoir is like sitting on a train going nowhere fast  — it won’t get you anywhere.

Thank you to Viking Publishing for generously providing a review copy.

Anyway, after looking at the price tag I realized that I didn’t need to fork over my hard earned money for some organization and sanity – I could make these myself! And so can you.

You don’t even need a good taste in music. In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t like the record you’re melting… All you need is a little time and some H2O and you’re on your way to adorable dorm decor.

Materials:
2 vinyl records – you can get these super cheap at flea markets, old-school record stores or from that collection that’s been gathering dust in your parents’ basement.
1 pot of boiling water
1 heat resistant bowl (or another large pot)
1 flat piece of wood

This Is How You Do:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, making sure to have enough to fill your heat resistant bowl to two or three inches.

2. Pour the water into the bowl (be careful), then dip your record into the hot water, until around ¼ of the bottom is submerged.

3. Once the record heats up it should bend easily. Put slight pressure on the record so it bends, forming a 90 degree angle. Take care to not move your hand so much so the water line is straight.

4. If you want, you can use the piece of wood to flatten out any waves that form in the record. Simply press the flat part of the wood onto the bottom of the record. (The record should still be in the hot water for this step.)

5. Lift the record from the water, give it a moment to cool, dry it with a towel, and you’re done! Repeat all the steps to make your matching bookend.

Now all you need is your Harry Potter collectors’ series (oh, and all those boring text books) to put your retro bookend to good use.