British Invasion: The 10 Best Imports from Across the Pond

In the past five years there has been an invasion of hotties from Britian. This list will include the best of the best of British actors making their mark on Hollywood. My top 3 are basically in a three-way tie but I had to number them so this is what I came up with. Enjoy!

10. Ben Barnes
 (WireImage.com)
Ben hit the scene in 2008 as Prince Caspian in the Narnia series. He reprised that role in last years The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This year he can be seen in Killing Bono. Ben's other film credit includes the lead in Dorian Grey.

9. Nicholas Hoult
 (MTV)
Nicholas bust on to the scene when he starred as the precocious child in About a Boy. Since then Nicholas has grown into a fine young man and can be seen in this years X-Men: First Class. He was in both A Single Man and Clash of the Titans in 2010 and he currently has two projects in the works to come out in 2012.

8. Rupert Friend
 (Belfast Telegraph)
Rupert has not been a blockbuster type of movie but this guy has leading man qualities. Most will recognize his role as Mr. Wickham in 2005 Pride &Prejudice and as Prince Albert in The Young Victoria. This year he can be seen in 5 Days of August as an American journalist covering the Russia-Georgia conflict in 2008.

7. Jamie Campbell Bower
 (Starz)
Jamie has been in his share of hit movies. He was Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2007 with Johnny Depp. He then starred in Twilight Saga: New Moon as Caius, the leader of the Volturi. He has managed to star in another blockbuster, in Part 1 and 2 in the finale of the Harry Potter series as Gellert Grindelwald. He will reprise his role as Caius in the Twilight Sage finale as well as star in the TV series Camelot as King Arthur.

6. Tom Sturridge
 (Esquire)
Most people might not know very much about this actor other than he is the best friend of a certain Robert Pattinson. Tom however is well known in his home country as a great young talent. He has had roles in movies like Being Julia and Pirate Radio. I'm most excited to see him in this years On the Road, a film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's novel. It must be hard living in the shadows of your best friend but I think in good time his star shall shine on its own right.

5. Henry Cavill
 (Men's Health)
You may or may not know who Henry Cavill is depending on if you had Showtime or not. He starred in the TV series The Tudors as HenryVIII best friend the Duke of Suffolk. For those who dont know him, you will in the next couple years. He will be starring in this years Immortals about the Greek gods and next year he will put on the famous red and blue spandex in Superman.

4. Alex Pettyfer
 (Disney)
Alex's breakout year has had its ups and downs and its only March. He has starred in two movies so far this year, I Am Number Four and Beastly. It appears that Alex isn't handling his knew found fame because he went on a bit of a tirade after his girlfriend Dianna Agron broke up with him. I have high hopes for Alex getting his life back together and staring in great movies  in the future.

3. Max Irons
 (Getty)
He hasn't yet been seen in his lead role in Red Riding Hood, yet fans are flocking to this Brit. Perhaps partly due to his parents. He is the son of acclaimed actors Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack. It appears he got the acting genes from them. Max, though new to American audiences has already impressed his home country with his stage performances. Max's best attributes are his mothers eyes and his fathers charisma...I dare you to not fall in love with him.

2. Robert Pattinson
 (GQ)
Rob has been in Hollywood for what seems like forever but he has just been very productive in the past five years. Rob technically got his start six years in a support role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as Cedric Diggory. The entire world, however,  knows him as Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga movies. Since he burst through Hollywood in 2008 Rob has been going none stop. He has reprised his role as Edward a couple of times and is currently filming part 1 and 2 of the Twilight finale. In between those movies he has starred in Remember Me and will star in this years Water for Elephants and Bel-Ami. It also was announced a two months ago that he will star in the Cronenberg film Cosmopolis next year. As it stands, Rob is the Hollywood "It" guy and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.
1. Andrew Garfield
 (Vogue)
Andrew hasn't hit the fandom levels that Rob has yet and may not get there but he might have something better. He had a supporting role in last years biggest movie, Oscar nominated The Social Network. Many even believed he deseved a supporting role nomination. He was also in last years film adaptation of the novel Never Let Me Go. His biggest claim to fame might be his next role in which he puts on the famous spidey suit in next years The Amazing Spider-Man.

The 15 Must Read Books

Hey guys I'm sorry it took so long to get this weeks post in but my computer died after six years. Here is the list of books I believe everyone should read. Classics that are the foundation for all that is great in the literary world.

1. Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen just had a way with telling a love story. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy have one of the greatest love stories of all time. Must read for the romantic in us.

2. Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe gives an inside tale of life in colonial Africa from the natives perspective and how they deal with their traditions vs. the changes of tomorrow.

3. On The Road - Jack Kerouac's across country journey that defined the postwar generation.

4. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of life in during Prohabition America.

5. The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck's Wrath is the quintessential American novel. It completely sums up life during the Depression with its humanistic and religious undertones.

6. Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell's tells the tale of the old south on the eve of the Civil War. Plus heres an epic love/hate story between Scarlett and Rhet.

7. Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury's commentary of what he saw was wrong with American culture during
 the early stages of the Cold War. The temperature 451 relates to the temp that paper burns.

8. 1984 - George Orwell story of life in an oligarichal society in which the government ( Big Brother) is always watching.

9. Heart of Darkness - Jospeh Conrad's take on colonial Africa from the white mans perpective.

10. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh's novel was ahead of its time. Many have debated the romantic nature of Charles and Sebastians relationship. Great story of life and faith.

11. Sophie's Choice - William Styron's take on a Holocaust survivors story filled with a love story and how
guilt and secrets can eat away at a persons psyche.

12. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger's angst ridden tale of teenager Holden Caulfields journey to
find himself.

13. Lord of Flies - William Golding's novel about the adventures of a group of schoolboys trying to govern
themselves on a deserted island. The debate of human nature is called into question on whether we are
interested in the common good or individual welfare.

14. Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison's novel addresses the social and intellectual issues facing African-
Americans in the early 20th century.

15. To Kill a Mockingbird -  Harper Lee's  novel is a social commentary of life in the post-depression south
and the racial inequality that starts to emerge.

The 25 Male TV Characters You Would Date

This is the inaugural list of many list to come. I know many of you might disagree with what I chose but this my personal list. I do want to hear your ideas for datable tv character as well as other lists I should do. Thanks to Erica Balanc for contributing to this list even though I didnt put he favorite on here.

25. Ted Mosby played by Josh Radnor in How I Met Your Mother
 (Courtesy of CBS)
Ted is your every mans man. He is the guy next door that you've been friends with forever. Yes he is kind of a dork in his endless attempts a romance but he's got a heart of gold and just wants to find his true love.

24. Dr. Fitch Copper played by Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie
 (Courtesy of Showtime)
Dr. Fitch Cooper or Coop as hes known at the hospital is not someone you want to have a long term relationship with but I would still date the man for a week. He's an asshole Ivy League docter who knows he's hot and has the worst bedside manner of any tv docter. I do find his nervous tick of touchy people inappropriately a little adorable since it does make him a little more human.

23. Tony DiNozzo played by Michael Weatherly in NCIS
 (Courtesy of CBS)
Tony DiNozzo catches bad guys for a living so that gives him brownie points off the bat. Hes the jokester of the NCIS crew and is usually saying something inappopriate but we love this ladies man just the way he is.

22. Luc Laurent played by Gilles Marini in Brothers & Sisters
(Courtsey of ABC)
Luc is the perfect example of a perfect man. He's tall, dark and handsome. What makes him datable is that he's a smoking hot French artist who will whisper sweet nothings to you, make you breakfast in bed and then paint a picture for you.

21. Ezra Fitz played by Ian Harding in Pretty Little Liars
( Courtesy of ABC Family)
Mr. Fitz as he's known to most on the show is the adorably cute English teacher. He is having a relationship with one of his students but true love doesn't know age. He likes to take Aria on cute out of town dates to art museums. His biggest datable qualities is his commitment and his potential to be the next great American writer.

20. Patrick Jane played by Simon Baker in The Mentalist
(Courtesy of CBS)
Sure Patrick Jane helps solve crimes with his psychic abilities but this guy is also a wounded bird. Not much is known about his past other than his wife and daughter were killed by a known serial killer. The things that make Patrick datable is his intelligence, loyalty and wit.

19. Dr. Mark Sloan played by Eric Dane in Grey's Anatomy
(Courtsey of ABC)
Sloan is your typical alpha male jerk. He started off on the series as the guy who had an affair with his best friends wife. Now he's turning into the romantic thats trying to prove to Lexi that they belong together while his friend Callie is pregnant with his child.

18. Dexter Morgan played by Michael C. Hall in Dexter
(Courtesy of Showtime)
Yes I know he's a serial killer with mommy/daddy issues but he's a serial killer with a heart of gold. Dexter would do anything for his son. He's wounded after the brutal murder of his wife Rita so he needs someone to comfort him.

17. Dean Winchester played by Jensen Akles in Supernatural
(Courtesy of CW)
Dean is the good brother on Supernatural. The most important thing to this guy is his family. So much so that he sold his own soul to save his brother. He drives a sweet car, loves a good burger and has a good sense of humor.

16. Dr. Sam Bennett played by Taye Diggs in Private Practice
(Courtesy of ABC)
Sam is a good docter and at the beginning of the series a great husband and father. Since then he has broke the cardinal rule by shacking up with his ex-wifes best friend. Still his dreamy good looks a bedside manner can forgive any wrong he commites.

15. Mason Lockwood played by Taylor Kinney in The Vampire Diaries
(Courtsey of CW)
Oh Mason you're young life was cut too short. If you were still alive we would date you because you were the cool laid-back surfer uncle. Sure you fell in love with the wrong woman which got you killed but people do crazy things for love.

14. Justin Walker played by Dave Annable in Brothers & Sisters
(Courtesy of ABC)
Justin Walker is just great. He's ex-military whos going to school to be a docter. Sure he had the dark time when he was addicted to everything but the kitchen sink but its his flaws that makes us love him so much.

13. Michael played by Shane West in Nikita
(Courtesy of CW)
Sure Michael isn't the most honorable person but just look at him.

12. Mr. Schuester played by Matthew Morrison in Glee
(Courtesy of FOX)
He can sing, dance and has an affinity for vests. Plus he's a high school teacher whos just looking for love.

11. Don Draper played by Jon Hamm in Mad Men
(Courtesy of AMC)
Yes he's a sexy, savvy advertising god but he's also a scumbag who cheated on his wife more times than I can count. Still I would date him for at least a coluple days.

10. Jim Halpert played by John Krasinski in The Office
(Courtesy of FOX)
Jim is the guy you bring to meet your parents. The guy you end up marrying. He is so adorablely sexy and dorky that you cant help but love him. Too bad Pam's already stolen his heart.

9. Tim Riggins played by Taylor Kitch in Friday Night Lights
 (Courtesy of NBC)
He's a bit of a womanizer, but what high school guy isn't. His puppy dog eyes and football skills make all the girls in Dillion swoon for him.

8. Stephan Salvatore played by Paul Wesley in The Vampire Diaries
(Courtesy of CW)
Known as the good brother to most in Mytic Falls, this guy has a dark past that his been trying to right for over a century. Yes his a vampire who could kill you in seconds but he only eats rabbits these days. He also will do anything to protect Elena or his brother Damon.

7. Eric Northman played by Alexander Skarsgard in True Blood
(Courtesy of HBO)
He the top badass on the show but he gets datable points for his sexy Viking ways and for protecting Sookie at all costs.
6. Dr. Jackson Avery played by Jesse Williams in Grey's Anatomy
 (Courtesy of ABC)
He's hot and a docter need a say more. Oh then theres the fact that his grandfather is the most famous surgeon in the country, so bonus points for having a good family name.

5. Damon Salvatore played by Ian Somerhalder in The Vampire Diaries
 (Courtesy of CW)
Sure he's a bi-polar vampire but he is trying to change his ways. Being in love with his brothers girlfriend Elena has made him a little crazy but in his mind he would die to save Elena and his brother.

4. Dr. Jack Shephard played by Matthew Fox in LOST
 (Courtsey of ABC)
Every good show needs a hero and Jack was destined for that role. He's a docter who battled through daddy issues and alcoholism to save his friends and the Island from the Smoke monster by sacrificing himself.

3. Duke of Suffolk played by Henry Cavill in The Tudors
 (Courtesy of Showtime)
The best friend to the King of England...Oh and he's a nice guy who is just plan hot.

2. Seeley Booth played by David Boreanaz in Bones

 (Courtesy of FOX)

He's a Army sniper turned FBI agent who is taking the bad guys down while pining after his partner Bones. Family, service and commitment are his biggest qualities but I also love his quick wit.

 

1. Neal Caffrey played by Matthew Bomer in White Collar
 (Courtesy of USA)
The former art thief is now helping the FBI solve white collar crime. He wears a suit and fedora like they were made for only him. His best attributes include a love for all type of art, a wine connoisseur and his amazing singing voice. Bonus is that he can steal you a Monet or make a flawless reproduction of one.