This week's links. Enjoy.
The Art of Friendship
Thoughtful essay by Jessica Vivian Chiu in the Paris Review on what makes a good friend — and takes heart from the unusual decades-long friendship between the writers Sherwood Anderson, Theodore Dreiser, and the sculptor Wharton Esherick, friends for over twenty years, mostly living in different cities.
The Immovable Mr. Darcy
From Intelligent Life: "The grumpy, snooty hero of 'Pride and Prejudice', is about to reach his double century—and he has never loomed larger. What's his secret? We asked seven authors for their verdict, starting with the columnist and novelist Allison Pearson."
Tree Houses: Fairy Tale Castles in the Air
Feeling stressed about the holidays? Take a mental break with this slide show of tree house photos from the new book by Philip Jodidio.
All I Want For Christmas is You
Really cute rendition of the classic holiday song, done backstage before the Late Night show and featuring Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey, and The Roots playing toy instruments.
Top Ten Time Travel Books
From Albert Einstein to Douglas Adams, author Michael Brooks picks out the best scientific and fictional accounts of an enduringly compelling dream.
Windows on the World
Lovely Vanity Fair slide show featuring photos of the best department-store holiday window displays in London, Paris, Tokyo, and New York.
Workplace Distractions: Why We Can't Get Anything Done
From the WSJ: "Office workers are interrupted—or self-interrupt—roughly every three minutes, academic studies have found, with numerous distractions coming in both digital and human forms." Thought provoking article about how we're all finding it increasingly harder to get things done.
Handmade Holiday Food Gifts
Marisa McClellan, the writer behind the blog Food in Jars, shares 8 of her favourite recipes for food gifts, including Mulled Apple Cider Concentrate, Candied Clementines, Ginger Curry Candied Almonds, Persimmon Chutney and Pickled Cranberries.
(photo of jenny's dining room by nicole franzen via this is glamorous)