Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. Enjoy!

It's been a while since I've been able to do a Link Love page. Easter crept up on me and now it's the busiest part of the semester. It's been crazy at UNT and I'm writing this while taking a break from work at my desk (avoiding editing and grading). What about where you are? How are you? What's up?

My Writing

Two Years Ago: Resurrection: This piece from the Spiritual Uprising blog brings me back to a time in my life that was so painful, but also molded me so much.

An article of mine that I've looked at a lot lately: Listen to Your Body

What I read this week:

Popery (Catholicism/Spirituality/Religion):

Vatican to host first-ever conference to reevaluate just war theory, justifications for violence (National Catholic Reporter): I have always been a little uncomfortable with just war theory, as I don't think it fits very well with the Gospels. I'm so grateful for this meeting even taking place. So much to think about.
A Letter to God from a Dying Priest (Catholic Link): A touching read about gratitude.

Pens:

I Like Words (Letters of Note): This story about a man whose letter launched his career was really interesting.
Old-Fashioned Niceties That Deserve a Comeback (Real Simple): Although some of these are not pen related, I first noticed this article for the first few items about pens and writing letters and thank you notes.

Paperbacks (Books and Writing):

12 Contemporary Adult Fairy Tale Books For Grown Women Who Need A Touch Of Magic (Bustle): Although I've only read one of these (and I adore it--Miss Peregrine's), I think they're all going on my to-read eventually list. Seriously. Everyone needs fairy tales.
10 Things That Happen When You Run Out Of Space To Put All Your Books (Bustle): THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. Buy me bookshelves as a housewarming gift?
Stunning Video Game Is Like An Ancient Greek Urn Come To Life (Fast Co Design): Not actually a book, but interesting to the classically literate, this is a really cool new take on the "Grecian Urn."
How to Host a Vintage Themed Library Party (Book Riot): This is awesome!
Book Fetish: Volume 200 (Book Riot): I love these beautiful book covers!
What Happens to a Book After you Donate it to the Library? (Book Riot): Here's some helpful information for us book lovers.

Movies and TV:

8 Lorelai & Rory Moments That Made It Hard To Be A 'Gilmore Girls' Fan (Bustle): I hate to say it, but this article is spot on. Although Lorelai + Rory are like my favorite characters ever (outside of the realm of Harry Potter), there were times when they were the worst. This article details the times they were so, so wrong and why.
Check out this comic where superman doesn't have to be a superhero to save the day: I saw this and thought it was beautiful.
Heinrich Himmler's stash of books on witchcraft is discovered in Czech library after being hidden for 50 years (Daily Mail): Why is this in movies/tv? Because it proves that Supernatural is real, obviously!

Life in General:

It's hard to date when you're fat, but not for the reasons you might think (UP Worthy)
Photographer captures wisdom and ageing beauty of rural women (ABC News): I love this move to recapture and refocus the idea of the "crone." Beautiful older women from rural areas--so much of my family connects with this.
"In Pieces" by Dean West & Nathan Sawaya (Behance): This photography project is incredible. If you love legos, this is for you!
What An Epic Battle About Laundry Really Said About my Marriage (Verily): I think this is important for anyone who lives in community. The way we fight about the little things so impacts how we address the big things.
I look several years younger than I really am, and it affects my entire life (Hello Giggles): Everyone always tells me that I should be grateful I look young. I usually want to punch them for that. It's not fun. I'm not grateful. I'm sick of being talked down to because they think I'm a kid. Thank you, Rachel, for writing this and making me know I'm not alone!
Advice to Your Daughters: Don’t Waste Your Time on My Boys (Blunt Moms): Honestly, I would say this to college students.
Why It Doesn’t Matter How You Feel About Your Friends (Storyline): I think this is really, really important. I always try to tell people that I appreciate them. In the last week, I've had people go up to bat for me in a really awkward situation and I'm so grateful. It's good to express that.
Blackout tattoos are the latest tattoo craze to go viral (Hello, Giggles): What an interesting idea. I'm genuinely curious (though I could never do this).
Myers Briggs and Dinosaurs: Two of my favorite things. SQUEE!

Be Aware:

The Moment I watched My Daughter Limit Herself for a Boy (Babble): Admittedly, this is a parenting article, but I think it reflects on how we limit ourselves. Interesting article.
Facebook post over sexist customers goes viral (Indy Star): This is ridiculous that they think it's okay, but it's not at all surprising. Be aware of how your actions affect others!

Tough and Awkward Topics:

The Politics of Pigmentation (Philadelphia Print Works): There is an ongoing conversation between my friend and I about the misbelief that lighter is beautiful (at least, I consider it a misbelief). Growing up, this was not part of my life. I am always interested in different perspectives and how we can decolonize beauty.
This Fanny Pack-Wearing College Student Is Our New Anti-Period-Shaming Hero (Connections at Mic.com): This guy is my hero.
'Girls & Sex' And The Importance Of Talking To Young Women About Pleasure (NPR): Whatever you think about sex and morality, this is important.

To make you Laugh:

10 Life-Changing Tips to Make Your Home So Much Cleaner (Mom.Me): This article is ridiculously funny. My friend, Ruby, shared it on facebook and I had to share it with you. For all those moms (or single teachers--REPRESENT!) who struggle to keep their homes clean enough to meet weird societal magazine standards, this article is for you.
Language Rivalry Turns Violent (UD News): Every year, the University of Dallas Newspaper prints an April Fools edition (which is usually around the same weekend that droves of high school seniors come on campus and are incredibly confused by said newspaper). This article is my favorite from this year's edition. I love this faux-quote from a Classics major: “I don’t see what the problem is,” a Latin student said while taking a break from what he called a noble fight. “It’s not like we have a superiority complex or something. We just happen to study the language of poetry, science, history, reason, law, civilization itself and God.”

Education and Teaching:

Why Are Some Academics So Unprofessional? (The Chronicle of Higher Ed): This. Article. Is. Truth. No, really. I've seen it in my department. I saw it in my alma mater. We struggle because we're so overwhelmed.
Narrating Your Professional Life: Writing the Academic Bio (Grad Hacker): This article is from a few years ago, but I've had several friends ask me lately about how to write a bio for the upcoming conference. This is a great resource.
Mortua lingua discipulorum auxilio reviviscit (Cornell Chronicle): I would love to see this happen in other places. LOVE IT!

Simplicity and Minimalism:

From Clutter and Depression to Minimalism and Contentment (Nourishing Minimalism): If I'm honest, I relate to this so much more than I want to. I grew up surrounded by hoarders. My room is more full than I would like. Now that I'm getting ready to move into a bigger place,I'm really anxious about making sure my stuff doesn't expand. It's hard. It takes work. But it's so, so worth it!
Her Home Has Been Named The Most Organized Home In America. See For Yourself Why… (Trend Frenzy): Not actually about minimalism (because minimalism and organizing are actually very, very different), but I really like this video for the ideas that it gives me about how to organize the things I do have. I like things looking clean and easy to access. As I'm getting ready to move, I'm really thinking about how to make my belongings work in the new space. Good ideas here.