Have you seen the trailer for the new movie adaptation of On the Road? It looks pretty awesome. It’s hard to believe that Jack Kerouac’s iconic book hasn’t been made into a movie yet. The novel is an emblem of the Beat generation. It’s a travel story and coming-of-age tale, both of which make very popular movies. Even though one of the stars is Kristen Stewart, the movie looks like it could be great. And who knows, maybe K Stew will be awesome and totally redeem herself for Twilight. Maybe.

The hype surrounding the movie got us thinking about books we read in school. There’s nothing that kills a great book quite as much as a boring high school English class. But it turns out that lots of the books your high school teachers made you read were pretty awesome. On the Road is one of them. For most people, it’s a love-it-or-hate-it novel, but it’s definitely worth a read whatever your experience happens to be. Here are 8 more books you probably got assigned in school that are worth a second look if you skipped over them the first time.

Full disclosure: I’m an English major and book nerd, but I promise that these books really are awesome. I have a million more books I could add to the list, but I did my best to narrow it down.

initiating the gallery...

Did we miss any? What are YOUR favorite books?

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. She is “that person” who starts dancing at a party when everyone else is standing around, and if there were a Facebook stalking Olympics, she would be a gold medalist. She also loves cheesy 90s music, and almost died of happiness when Vanilla Ice retweeted her. Once. Follow her on Twitter.

[Lead image via Edyta Pawlowska/Shutterstock]

I never read the popular Hunger Games trilogy, but the buzz surrounding the upcoming movie is making me wish that I had. The books sound like serious page turners, and I love stories with strong, take charge female heroines. I’m definitely planning on seeing the movie. It looks pretty awesome from the preview clips that are floating around the internet right now. And to get ready for the premiere, our friends over at College Fashion have put together some great fashions inspired by the movie. Check it out and get excited!

The new trend in movie world seems to be “throw everyone likable in a movie and see what happens.” In the case of New Year’s Eve, it was an epic failure. But I mean, Jessica Biel, really? Isn’t it time to just let Mary Camden return to obscurity.

But anyways, back on topic, the trailer for Friends with Kids came out today and it includes an all-start ensemble cast of hilarious people. Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, and Maya Rudolph alone make me want to buy a ticket right now. Throw in a few people from left field like Adam Scott (hello Parks and Rec people making it big) and Edward Burns and I’m already waiting in line at the theater.

Or I was. Then I watched the trailer and subsequently figured out the plot for the whole movie. But still, it looks good…check it out and let me know what you think.

Jenni  actually can’t even afford to see a movie at NYC prices and is unsure why she’s acting like she already bought a ticket. Either way, she’s definitely had PG-13 rated dreams about Jon Hamm. You can follow her on Twitter @mayorjenni.

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Yes ladies, tomorrow marks the release of Dear John and I. just. can’t. wait.

Call me cheesy. Call me girly. Call me pathetic. Just don’t call me between the hours of 9pm and 11pm when I’m soaking up the chick-flick of the decade with my girls and an overpriced, oversized package of Twizzlers.

And don’t tell me you’re not excited about this one, too. Dear John has all the elements of the perfect movie and here are 5 reasons why I’m already holding tickets to the opening night premiere.

1. I love a good cry. Dear John is adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel by the same name.  Sparks also happens to be the tear-jerking genius who wrote The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, both of which left me heaving into my Diet Coke in the movie theater. As sadistic as it sounds, sometimes I just need me a good cry and after having watched the trailer, um, a lot, I’m positive this movie will give me one.

2. Channing Tatum. As if I even need to mention this. I have admired his chiseled jaw, gorgeous lips, and Adonis-like abs since Step Up came out in 2006. Even after I finally gave up trying to teach myself all the dances in the movie, my love for Channing stuck with me. He was my profile picture on Facebook for awhile. I mentioned him in my final article for my school newspaper. I planned my life as Mrs. Zahra Tatum…

Where was I?

Oh yeah, anyways, all psychosis aside, yes, he was a stripper (NSFW), but he’s gaining real credibility as an actor. I know we’ll get to see a more serious side of him in Dear John, and I’m excited to see how his acting ability has grown. And his pectorals. Because he’s shirtless in this movie…a lot.

3. The trailer is girly glue. You have all the elements of a perfect romance movie: the shirtless guy with sex appeal, the strangely beautiful girl, the gut-wrenching separation and the hot kiss (and I mean hot - if you don’t want to see the movie after that, you don’t have a heart…or a libido).

4. Amanda Seyfried. I am a huge Amanda fan. She went from an unknown to a cult favorite in Mean Girls. Now, she’s a rapidly rising star. She has also found the quickest way to my heart by stunning me every time I see her on the red carpet. Although part of me wants to hate her for getting to roll around half naked with Channing, I can’t help but admire her quirky beauty and be eager to see her try her hand at a romance movie.

5. Everyone Wants Some Lovin’. In this month dedicated to love and romance, it’s nice for those of us without either to get to witness both (without having to watch our friends get all gross, kissy and lovey dovey in front of our faces). And it doesn’t hurt that the guy in love happens to be really, ridiculously good looking.

Did I mention that Channing will be shirtless?
Sigh. I can’t wait!

I knew I just couldn’t lie to the intelligent ladies that you are, so I scrapped the article and came up with this.

Here are some of the worst snack options and their greener replacements to reduce your environmental impact… and your waistline. Seriously, think about this next time you go shopping; we’re all probably doing more harm than we even know.

Culprit #1: Tyson
Why it sucks: Tyson is one of the largest companies in the meat industry.  According to the movie Food, Inc. (which you all should see!), such large scale farming contributes to pollution, greenhouse gases, depletion of resources, antibiotic resistance and illness in workers and consumers, and poor employee treatment.
Don’t eat: Tyson’s fried chicken fillet sandwich. For so many reasons. Gross.
Eat instead: Gardenburger’s Original Veggie Burgers

Culprit #2: Smucker’s
Why it sucks: In environmental impact scores, Smucker’s ranks a lowly 463^rd out of 500 U.S. companies with a score of 7.8 out of 100.  I think if you got a 7.8% on a test you’d officially get an F-.
Don’t eat: Smucker’s Goober Jam/Peanut Butter sandwich
Eat instead: Trader Joe’s Organic Peanut Butter and banana sandwich

Culprit #3: Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
Why it sucks:  This beverage company, like most, use large amounts of plastic to make single-serving bottles of soda and juice.  Not only is soda linked to obesity and diabetes, but the plastic is also very energy intensive to make and often end up in landfills.  Yeah, Best Stuff on Earth, my a**.
Don’t drink: Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, Snapple, or any of that crap.
Drink instead:  Club soda with a squeeze of lime.

Culprit #4: Hormel
Why it sucks:  All of their products are heavily packaged in unnecessary amounts of plastic and glass, both of which use a lot of energy to make and never decompose.
Don’t eat: Hormel Compleats Microwave Meals
Eat instead: Amy’s Microwave Meals

Got an opinion on the food industry or specific corporations?  Have your say in the comments section!

I know I lead a charmed life by any standards. I’m single during my senior year, I love my family, I have the most amazing friends, I go to a great school, and I live within five blocks of the most scrumptious fro-yo in the world. Life is great. So why the heck didn’t I feel as great as I should?

Well, even now, a few weeks later and finally back in Happyville, I don’t have an answer to that question. Something was just off, and I can’t really explain what it was. All I know is it’s over now thanks to a few things I did for myself. If you’re feeling funkadelic (and not the good kind) – whether caused by boys, school, or an unsolved perpetrator – maybe a few of these activities will help you claw your way out.

Outdoor Activities: Exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy (and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, as Elle Woods would say). So get out and go for a hike, or play tennis, or take a dance class! Go solo or with friends, either way, take some time for yourself!
Set a short-term goal for yourself; reaching goals will give you a sense of accomplishment, which generally makes people feel happy and productive. Setting an attainable, short term goal will force you to be proactive and get you motivated.

Even better, make a to-do list of things you want to accomplish and add a few tasks on there that you’ve already completed. Then cross them out. That black line of ink you drag across a bullet point on a to-do list is one of the best feelings in the world. All hail you, master of the list.

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food/Chunky Monkey: This is sex in a carton. The food gods literally captured sex and bottled it up for the world to enjoy. Both flavors offer chocolaty goodness that you can’t find anywhere else. Yeah, it’s not the healthiest approach to life, but indulging in this will make you feel better, I swear. If you’re worried about the calories and your funk is from the new muffin top you’re sporting, try Skinny Cow ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. They’re almost as good and half the calories (but really, nothing beats Chunky Monkey).

Mani-Pedi: This time-honored tradition can’t be overlooked. There is something magical about getting a mani-pedi at a cheap, local salon. The manicurists may talk about your bad cuticles, but you won’t ever know it, so sit down in the big comfy massage chairs, read all the trashy tabloid magazines, and relax. A little polish can do wonders for your mental health.

Go See a Movie By Yourself: You won’t have to share the popcorn or the arm rest. It’s glorious. This seems intimidating at first, but will give you some major confidence as you see a movie stag and do an activity just by yourself. Nowadays, we are always surrounded by people, whether in your environment or through texting and Facebook, so it’s nice get away every once in a while and hang out with the coolest person you know (yourself, obvi.).

What about you? Have you been in a rut recently? If so, what did you do to get out of it?

This week was a good, if not totally random, week for music. I mean, who groups Daughtry, Jack White’s the Dead Weather, and the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer in one category? I do. And I love them all.

Though, in totally different ways.

Chris Daughtry I love in a good-boy rocker kind of way. Jack White I love in a creepy weirdo fascination kind of way. And the 500 Days of Summer I love in a Zooey Deschanel kind of way. I love music in lots of different ways and this week is a prime example of how much my love can vary.

Daughtry – Leave This Town

Chris Daughtry is one of those musicians people of all ages love. I desperately wanted him to win American Idol. So did my mom. But alas, he didn’t. And it’s probably a good thing, because he got the freedom to do whatever he wanted. And now? Many people forget was even on American Idol. Which I think is a sign of a super successful American Idol contestant.

His first album, with his band Daughtry, was a huge hit, so I was totally excited for their second album, Leave This Town. And so far, I’m pretty thrilled with it. I especially love, “Every Time You Turn Around,” with its jungle-like sounds in the background (Hey, I’m a sucker for jungle animals) and “whoo hoos” throughout the song. Lots of the lyrics on the album are super cheesy, which leaves Daughtry in the position of being a rock band, without really being hardcore. I can see a lot of music critics taking issue with this; but I have to respect Daughtry for it. I always love a super nice rocker. I’m pretty sure the slower ballad, “Life After You” is going to be a huge hit because it has a little bit of that “Home” feel to it. And check out the lyrics: “All that I’m after is a lifetime of laughter/As long as I’m laughing with you.” Yes, it’s all cheese, but who doesn’t love cheese? I hope Daughtry sticks around a long time and I know I’ll be listening to their new album for quite a while. And when I’m dealing with an awful break up. This music seems about right for that.

The Dead Weather – Horehound

OK, so I’m a really big White Stripes fan. People are usually really surprised when I tell them this. There’s nothing about me that makes me look like I would be a Jack White lover, but I’m totally into him. And his completely strange relationship with Meg too. He’s just so weird, I can’t help it. Call it just a fascination; I don’t mind, but I do know the White Stripes can sing like whoa and I’ll give a little listen to anything Jack White decides to do. So, cut to me being super excited that he started a new band and just released a new album. The band is The Dead Weather and the album is Horehound. And I like. A lot.

Jack ditches his guitar and goes with the drums instead. He is joined by The Kills’ Alison Mosshart who I think compliments Jack’s voice perfectly. I love “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” probably because it really does sound like the White Stripes would sing. The back and forth between White and Mosshart is awesome and I’ve probably listened to this song about 50 times and am pretty sure I’ll never get tired of it. “Come on look me in the eye/You wanna try to tell a lie/I’ll bet you can’t and you know why/I’m just like your mother.” Every time the song ends, I find myself going, “Whoo, I need more. I’m also totally into the bluesy feel of “Will There Be Enough Water” and the sort of Western feel in “Rocking Horse.” My overall theory is that Jack White can do whatever he wants and I’ll still love him. Probably the creepier the better.

Various Artists – 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack

I usually don’t get very excited about soundtracks. They generally don’t do anything for me, unless it’s a movie I really, really love with a soundtrack that has my favorite artists on it. This lovely combination just doesn’t happen all that often, but when I heard 500 Days of Summer was starring Zooey Deschanel, I immediately thought, “I wonder what the soundtrack will be like!” And you know, it really is good, even if it does only include one song by Zooey’s band She & Him.

I don’t really know too much what the movie is about, but I feel like the soundtrack has given me a really good idea of the general feel of the plot, which I think is a sign of a good soundtrack. I never realized how much I enjoyed The Smiths until I heard them singing “There is a Light That Never Goes Out.” I immediately loved it and wondered why I don’t listen to them more. Of course, I loved She & Him’s version of “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want,” but I also quite enjoyed The Smiths’ as well. I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of Regina Spektor (I know. But her voice has always been a bit grating to me), but I actually kind of enjoyed her here. Both of her songs on the soundtrack, “Us” and “Hero” felt especially summery and perfect for what I presume the movie is about.

In fact, that’s what I liked most about the whole album – it’s so summery. From The Black Lips “Bad Kids” to Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True to Feist’s “Mushaboom” to Mumm-Ra’s “She’s Got You High,” the whole album just screamed fun and summer to me. And how could I not love that? Oh, and bonus (as if you needed more): France’s own Carla Bruni has a light and airy track on there too. Absolutely amazing. Just like 500 days of summer would be.

Some movies make you laugh till your tummy hurts, while some movies inspire you with their message. There are some that make you terrified to sleep alone after watching, or ones that are so graphic and disgusting that they make you puke in your mouth and consequently scar you for life. And then there are  the ones that make you shed a tear (or in my case, bawl my eyes out till they are puffy and swollen).

Those are my favorites. Sound strange? Then tell me you’ve never had one of those days when you just wanted to have a good cry. It’s ok. Everyone needs a little release (followed by a giant brownie) now and then. If you’re having a day like that, check out on of these: my list of the best tear-jerkers of all time.

Titanic.

I do not believe anyone who says they never cried at all during this two and a half hour love story. I can’t seem to hold back the tears every time I see Jack shivering in the water telling Rose that she shouldn’t give up and that she will have plenty of babies and grow old. By the time Rose realizes that Jack is dead, I’m  sobbing and running from the room to grab tissues to wipe the dripping snot from my nose.

The Notebook.

I always say that The Notebook is the best romantic love story since Titanic. How could you not cry when the old version of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams dance in the nursing home after she finally realizes that he is her husband and former lover? When she starts losing her memory two minutes after that it’s heartbreaking. By the time they die in each others’ arms at the end of the movie (shoot, did I ruin the ending?!), I am down a box of tissue…and a sleeve of my sweatshirt.

A Walk to Remember.

In this classic bad-boy-falls-in-love-with-good-christian-girl story, the tears begin to fall when the guy decides to show his love for his dying girlfriend by building the telescope, and start flat-out pouring when he learns how to dance and even asks for help from his estranged father. I cry for the sad ending, but also for the realization that there are only like 5 guys on earth who could actually turn from being the jerk to the devoted sweetheart.

Marley and Me.

I know that all dogs (and humans) grow old and die but as someone who has an attachment to dogs, finding out that the playful and mischievous Marley got sick and died sent me into fits of sobs. (Note: this might have something to do with the fact that I have yet to forgive my mother for accidentally running over my puppy when I was 9. Either way – sad movie.)

Forrest Gump.

How could you not feel sorry for Forrest? He’s just so naive and cute and kind. Forrest lost everyone that was important to him and each passing sent me running for more tissue. Not a good movie to see with a boy. Just sayin’…

Anyone have any other tear-jerkers to add?

I Love You, Man was funny (duh).  It made me laugh till I peed a little and also reaffirmed my love for Jason Segel. Any man who can make fun of man Uggs but still pull them off gets bumped up on my list. For real. (P.S. Jason, I’m a NJG (Nice Jewish Girl); call me. My mom makes a mean matzo ball soup. True story.)

But anyways, I digress. More than Paul Rudd’s perfect delivery of awkwardness, my major crush on Jason Segel, and the screenplay stealing words right out own personal daily vernacular (hellllllo, I’ve been saying Totes Magotes since I came out of the womb… not that I am proud of it), there was actually something thought provoking about this movie (and, no, I’m not talking about the genius that was the random made up words… Jobin? Hilarious).

What I realized was that this movie would NEVER fly if the tables were turned.

Why is it that a man can be a ‘girlfriend’ guy without ANY friends of his own and not only is it so acceptable that  we can turn it into a movie that makes you pee in your pants, but also leaves women everywhere thinking, “Aw, how cute, I wish I had a fiancé JUST like Paul Rudd”? Fact is, if it was about some chick who just always happened to be a ‘boyfriend’ girl with no girlfriends or a maid of honor, guys would say she’s batsh*t insane and girls wouldn’t feel sorry for her. We would go around saying she pushed us all away and alienated herself  by being so clingy with her boyfriend that she even chose to see the SATC movie with him over us. Ruuude.

We’ve talked about it right here on this very site:
Single Girl has tons of friends.
Girl gets boyfriend.
Girl and boyfriend spend every minute together, start dressing alike and talking to each other in puppy love speak (vomit).
Boy learn what Manolo’s are.
Girl no longer has any friends.
Girl gets engaged and no one feels sorry that she has no friends left.

So why is it with a dude it all of a sudden becomes a perfect topic for funnyman fodder?  I’ve seen the real man version of Paul Rudd’s character and it really isn’t that funny or sweet; it’s actually sort of pathetic. But in this case I’m supposed to root for him and feel sorry for him and believe that he can make a guy best friend in like 2 hours who thinks he is a super cool at not at all awkward dude? Come on.

Don’t get me wrong – I peed my pants and aw’ed my way through this entire movie (and really, really fell in love with Mr. Segel-Ugg-man) but I did sorta feel like a hypocrite while I did so.

If this movie was about your ex-best friend, who is now your ex-BFF because she gave up her weekly mani-pedi session with you to cuddle with her boy, you wouldn’t be lining up to see the flick and readily quoting one-liners from it on your Facebook status as we speak. You’d be talking sh*t about her to your other friends and venting to anyone who will listen that you would never ditch your friends for a dude.

You know I’m right.
Totes magotes.