Web Reads: Desserts that changed the world

New media. Studies show that teens are turning away from Facebook and turning toward Vine, the Twitter-owned service featuring 6-second videos. One of the masters of the Vine form is Biola University graduate Zach King, who creates short videos with fabulous fool-the-eye illusions.

Photographs. As a new grandmother, I understand the urge to take pictures of children. Russian photographer has perfected the form, producing lovely pictures of her children with their pets and dramatic Russian landscapes. Those who prefer photos of children modeled on Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings will enjoy these.

Philosophy. A link on Instapundit led to this visual thought experiment from a philosophy professor. Using an empty mayonnaise jar, golf balls, rocks, and sand, the professor showed his students the importance of setting correct priorities.

Sweet tooth. Some of us like our history with a little bit of sugar. Do you want to know which pastry cost Santa Anna his leg? How about the milkshake that almost did in Castro? Here is a listing of 11 desserts that changed the world.

Reading. If you need an incentive to read more this year, one blogger has issued a 50 state reading challenge. Readers try to read at least one book written by an author born in each of the 50 states.

Thriller. On my first date with the young man who became my husband, we went to see the movie Anatomy of a Murder starring Jimmy Stewart. Perhaps that explains why I enjoyed novelist Paul Levine’s case for crowning Anatomy the best legal thriller of all time.