Reading While Eating for July 12: It’s Too Darn Hot

Marko Djurica / Reuters Lightning strikes over buildings during a thunderstorm in Belgrade, July 11, 2011. Thunderstorms are common during the summer in Serbia.

Here are some chill links to help you cool off in this sweltering July heat wave. It helps to think about cold places …

Get Down! Film buffs will love this montage of cinema’s most memorable bank heists. (The Daily What)

A Long Ride: A car shaped like a banana is setting out to travel the world. (NPR)

Tune in: Listen to this clip of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” (circa 1888), the first sound recording for commercial use. Article here (The Daily) and sound here (National Park Service).

Don’t Try This At Home: A skate shoe brand owner is building a skateboardable house for himself.  (Thought Catalog)

Tin-Tin: Get ready for the movie version of The Adventures of Tintin. (TIME)

What Should I Watch Tonight? See this map of the U.S., based on Netflix local favorites in each state. (BuzzFeed)

Keep It Cool: With temperatures going up to 100°F on the East Coast, stay cool by watching this slideshow of animals eating frozen treats. (LIFE)

Design FAIL: Hitting the waterslide is another way to stay cool, but stay away from this one. (Huffington Post)

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Reading While Eating For July 19: Bring the Funk

China Daily / Reuters A child lies on a piece of 3D pavement artwork featuring a shark as she poses for a photograph for her family inside a shopping mall in Fuzhou, Fujian province, July 17, 2011

Today’s links feature some funky inventions and some funky turns of phrase.

Livin’ on a Prayer: Learn more about a special mass for motorcyclists that takes place every year in New Jersey. (TIME)

Come Fly With Me: OUT: Magic Carpets. IN: a $1.6-million magnetic bed that floats in the air. (Dornob)

Skater House: That floating bed might work well in this Malibu mansion, which is being designed for a professional skateboarder. (Archinect)

College Slang 101: Parents and incoming freshmen can learn all of the collegiate colloquialisms in an online dictionary of college lingo. (Her Campus)

#InventionFails: Would you ever put illuminated tires on your car or bathe in a portable sauna? See the sketchiest inventions of the 20th century. (LIFE)

News Junkies: Here’s a time-lapse of the front page of the New York Times’ website. (The Daily What)

Olivia B. Waxman is a TIME contributor. Find her on Twitter at @OBWax. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.

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