MTV's biggest night is upon us. The MTV Video Music Awards are taking place Sunday in Inglewood, California with Katy Perry hosting the show. 

From Lady Gaga's meat dress to Miley Cyrus' barely-there costumes in 2015, the VMAs have always been a place for stars to push the boundaries with over-the-top attire. 

We've already taken a look at the craziest fashion from the show's 34-year history. Keep reading to see the craziest looks celebrities are wearing to the show this year. Be sure to check out the best and worst looks of the night here.

Cardi B brings back the cone bra with this stunning pantsuit that also has its own train.

Demi Lovato looks like a genie in a gorgeous see-through top with shimmering MC Hammer pants.

Rapper Justina Valentine went for a see-through look too.

The MTV Video Music Awards show is a huge event in the music world.

Of course, it's not just the music that gets people talking. All eyes are on what the show's celebrity attendees wear on the red carpet.

This year's event held at The Forum in Inglewood, California, didn't disappoint with a number of celebrities showing up to the awards show in some stunning outfits as well as a few over-the-top ensembles. 

Here are the best and worst looks celebrities wore to the event.

BEST: Lorde went for a romantic look in a lavender ballgown with a dramatic train.

MEH: Demi Lovato mixed textures in a sheer lace bodysuit tucked into sequined harem-style pants. The back of her bodysuit is also completely see-through.

WORST: Cardi B's white jumpsuit combines a cone bra, a choker neckline, an off-the-shoulder detail, and a cape-like skirt.

Warning: Huge spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season seven, episode seven, "The Dragon and the Wolf." If you aren't caught up on the series or the season, read at your own risk. 

After a slightly disappointing episode last week, "Game of Thrones" delivered a satisfying season finale that gave us everything we love about the series. "The Dragon and the Wolf" had everything we've come to expect from a "Game of Thrones" season finale: shocking deaths, Tyrion bickering with Cersei, and some partial nudity in the form of Jon Snow's bare butt. 

We get to see a lot of characters come together in King's Landing to watch a wight set free from a chained box, and we finally see the Stark children working together to avenge their father's death in Winterfell. 

Here's our recap of "The Dragon and the Wolf:"

SEE ALSO: Why 'Game of Thrones' fans might have to wait until 2019 for the final season

Most of the characters on the show gather in King's Landing to watch the captured wight revealed.

Tyrion leads his group of heroes into the dragon pit of King's Landing, where they're to meet Cersei to discuss a truce and introduce her to an undead wight. 

Cersei has a look of terror on her face as the wight gets within inches of her, and everyone else who's never seen them before does as well. Except for Qyburn, who looks at it like it's pizza delivery. 

 Jon Snow stupidly tells Cersei that he will stay loyal to Daenerys, no matter what.

Brienne is shocked to see The Hound alive, especially since the last time they crossed paths, she killed him.

The two bond over their fondness for Arya Stark, and Brienne confirms that she's safe in Winterfell and can protect herself now. 

The Hound threatens what's left of his brother, The Mountain.

In the dragon pit, The Hound immediately goes up to The Mountain. He notices his creepy zombie eyes and says, "You're even uglier than me now. What did they do to you?" Then he says, "You know who's coming for you," which could confirm that we'll get Cleganebowl sometime in the last six episodes.  

As drones become increasingly popular and affordable, photographers are beginning to experiment with angles and concepts otherwise unachievable.

Paul Brennan, Vice-President of content operations at the photography and stock-image database Shutterstock, told Business Insider that drones present "a huge opportunity" for creators to explore environments that would otherwise be unquestionable.

"With this technology, photographers and videographers are able to get closer to wildlife and extreme nature than ever before," Brennan said.

Business Insider has compiled a list of the most breathtaking photographs taken by drones from Shutterstock's vast database that prove that the sky really is the limit when it looking at things from a different angle.

The photos include everything from landmarks and everyday scenes we all recognise to rarely explored landscapes.

Keep scrolling to see 50 breathtaking photographs taken by drones across the world.

Watch parasols pop up around Tikvesh Lake in Macedonia.

Witness the palm trees' shadows grow through the afternoon over Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece.

Gaze down on the mismatching rooftops of the city of Palermo in Italy.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The world of iPhone accessories is vast, and can range from basic to extravagant.

All of the products on this list cost under $20 and will help keep your iPhone charged and protected, and help keep you entertained.

For many people, myself included, our smartphone is the center of our digital world. Why not make the most of it?

SEE ALSO: 9 accessories that’ll help you get more out of your MacBook

A phone case

One of the biggest reasons people don't put an iPhone case on is because of the added weight and bulk, but with this case, that's not a problem. 

Heftier cases will provide more support, but if you're looking for the bare minimum to prevent scratching and some resistance if your phone falls, this is a good option.

Caseology Slim Clear Cushion Grip iPhone 7 Case, $10.99, available at Amazon

Caseology Slim Clear Cushion Grip iPhone 7 Plus Case, $11.99, available at Amazon

A portable battery

I've beaten this drum before, but for good reason. There's no reason not to have an external battery pack anymore; they're inexpensive, can fit easily in a pocket or purse, and will charge your phone in a pinch. 

Jackery Pop Slim 5000mAh External Batter Pack, $16.99, available at Amazon

A pair of Bluetooth earbuds

I love a good pair of headphones, but it's easier to wear a pair of earbuds if you're commuting or going on a trip. In this price range you shouldn't go in expecting an audiophile experience, but Monoprice's option seems to satisfy most people's needs.

The one thing to consider is that these earbuds only have a five-hour battery life, which is fine for a commute but not extended travel.

Monoprice Large-Driver Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds, $14.99, available at Amazon

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the "Game of Thrones" season seven finale: "The Dragon and the Wolf."

The seventh season of "Game of Thrones" came to a devastating close Sunday night with the long-predicted destruction of the Wall. But before fans were treated to the epic blue flames of an undead dragon, there were several small but significant moments tucked throughout the episode. 

Keep reading for a look at the nine details you might have overlooked in the season seven finale.

While trying to win Cersei's trust, Jon Snow warned her that the real enemy wouldn't negotiate.

While speaking of the Night King and his army, Jon assured Cersei that they were dealing with "a general you can't negotiate with."

He meant that literally. According to the "Game of Thrones" showrunners, the Night King will never speak.

After the season six finale, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss said the Night King wouldn't have any lines on the show.

"We don't think of the Night King as a villain as much as Death [...] In some ways, it's appropriate he doesn't speak," Benioff and Weiss told Deadline in 2016. "What's Death going to say? Anything would diminish him. He's just a force of destruction. I don't think we've ever been tempted to write dialogue for the Night King. Anything he said would be anticlimactic."

Later in the dragonpit, Daenerys said a phrase in High Valyrian we last heard on season three.

"A dragon is not a slave," Daenerys told Jon, first in High Valyrian and then again in the Common Tongue.

This was part of the epic moment when Daenerys bought the Unsullied in Astapor, back on the third season.

The great thing about movies is that no other artistic medium is better at transporting you to another place.

To honor that quality, we took a look at the best movie from each state, plus Washington, DC. We looked at reviews, other resourcesthat analyzedmovies fromdifferent states, and our own professional opinion.

Each film on this list captures its setting, while also telling a great story.

ALABAMA: "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962)

The state's history as the flashpoint of race and criminal justice in United States history has made it the setting of excellent films about those subjects, whether serious dramas like "Selma," thoughtful satires like "Talladega Nights" and "Borat," or goofy comedies like "My Cousin Vinny."

The great forerunner of them all is "To Kill a Mockingbird" starring Gregory Peck, based on Harper Lee's seminal novel, which has a moral clarity few films can match.

ALASKA: "Grizzly Man" (2005)

Werner Herzog's documentary tries to peer into the soul of Timothy Treadwell, an environmentalist who dedicated his life to protecting Alaska's grizzly bears, only to be eaten by one.

The film combines Treadwell's own footage with Herzog's research into the circumstances of Treadwell's death and the nature of his relationship to wildlife. It's harrowing, darkly funny, and unforgettable.

ARIZONA: "Midnight Run" (1988)

Arizona has a wealth of great films that take advantage of its beautiful desert landscapes and idiosyncratic suburbs — like "The Searchers,""Thelma & Louise,""Johnny Guitar,""Raising Arizona," and "My Darling Clementine."

The greatest Arizona film, though, is the overlooked "Midnight Run," about a criminal accountant who jumps bail and get chased by a bounty hunter, the FBI, and the Mafia. It stars Robert De Niro, in an extremely good leather jacket and one of his rare excellent comedy roles, Martin Brest, Yaphet Kotto, and Charles Grodin.

The mouse as we know it has largely kept the familiar old design ever since it was invented in the late 1960s, but a company called Evoluent has a different vision of how computer mice should be designed.

Since 2002, Evoluent has designed vertical mice that let you hold the mouse vertically rather than horizontally.

I tried the $110 Evoluent Vertical Mouse C Wireless, and I won't use a regular mouse again if I don't have to.

Check out the Vertical Mouse C:

SEE ALSO: This computer mouse by Logitech is considered the best you can buy — here's why

First, check out this weird design. It doesn't look anything like conventional mice we've used.

See what I mean?

We usually hold regular mice with our hands in a horizontal position.

Warning: Spoilers if you have not seen the season finale of "Game of Thrones."

The words "Game of Thrones" normally bring death, destruction, and political intrigue to mind — but that's not all that "Game of Thrones" has to offer.  

There's a lot of romance on "Game of Thrones" that tends to get overlooked in the midst of the battles, and wars, between Houses. 

The romantic relationships on "Game of Thrones" range from steamy and loving to tempestuous and insidious. 

Keeping all of that in mind, we decided to take a look at all of the romantic relationships featured on "Game of Thrones," and rank them from worst to best.

Here they are:

37. Craster and his daughters/wives

Craster is a wildling, and former ally of the Night's Watch known for marrying and sleeping with all of his daughters. Craster also would sacrifice any male children his daughters bore.

Incest, sacrifice, and nonconsensual relationships aren't uncommon occurrences on "Game of Thrones," but the combination of all three makes Craster and his unfortunate daughters/wives the worst relationship on "Game of Thrones."

36. Walder Frey and his child brides

It's hard to consider Walder Frey's relationships with his endless stream of disposable child brides relationships at all.

The nonconsensual nature of Walder Frey's relationships with his young brides makes these so-called relationships some of the all time worst on "Game of Thrones."

35. Sansa Stark and Ramsay Bolton

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish arranges for Sansa to marry Ramsay, after the Boltons have taken over Winterfell. 

Unsurprisingly, the man who castrated Theon Greyjoy for fun turned out to be a less than stellar husband, physically and psychologically tormenting Sansa.

Sansa exacts revenge upon Ramsay and has him eaten alive by his own dogs, restoring House Stark as the rulers of the North.

In the southwestern city of Sasebo, Japan, a hotel run almost entirely by robots has been so successful in its two-year run that owners are now inspired to open 100 more locations around Japan.

Hideo Sawada has run the aptly named Weird Hotel as part of an amusement park since July 2015, but business has been so good that Sawada's travel agency H.I.S. Co. plans to expand to several more cities in the coming years and overseas within the next five.

"Having robots in charge of the reception and placing robots everywhere, we aim to make it the most efficient hotel in the world," Sawada told reporters in March, upon the opening of his second hotel, near Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture.

Here's what it's like to stay there.

SEE ALSO: 11 Japanese customs that are shocking to foreigners

The original robot hotel sits in Sasebo, Japan, as part of the Huis Ten Bosch amusement park.

To check in, arriving guests can either talk with a humanoid robot who speaks Japanese or a dinosaur who speaks English.

While dashing, dinosaurs in bow ties can't make beds. Housekeeping staff at the Weird Hotel are still very much human.

Warning: Spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season seven. If you aren't caught up with the series, read at your own risk. 

Season seven of "Game of Thrones" was one of the most brutal yet. Some major battles have brought some major deaths, including one that made dying look really, really cool.

Not as many major characters died this season as expected. Those deaths will probably come in the last six episodes of the series.

But there were some roastings, epic betrayals, and wights that ended lives in season seven. 

Here is your guide to who died on "Game of Thrones" so far this season:

SEE ALSO: 'Game of Thrones:' Who is alive (and dead) in all the major houses

Obara Sand

Time of death: Episode two, "Stormborn."

Cause of death: In his attack on Yara's fleet, Euron Greyjoy stabs the daughter of Oberyn Martell in the gut with a spear. By the end of the battle, her body is hanging from the ship, so she's definitely dead. 

Nymeria Sand

Time of death: Episode two, "Stormborn."

Cause of death: In Euron's attack, he strangles Nymeria, who is a daughter of Oberyn (and not Arya Stark's direwolf, who shares the same name). At the end of the battle, her body is also hanging from the ship.

Tyene Sand

Time of death: Episode three, "The Queen's Justice" (kind of).

Cause of death: Cersei locks Ellaria up in a dungeon with her daughter, Tyene, who she poisons the same way Ellaria poisoned Myrcella: with a kiss and a poison called "The Long Farewell." So Ellaria has to watch her own daughter die a brutal death, and in another sick twist, decompose before her own eyes, and there's nothing she can do about it.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• If you don't mind wires, Status Audio's CB1 headphones offer the best audio quality I've heard in headphones costing less than $100. The headphones themselves are comfortable when listening for extended periods of time, and unlike most studio monitor-style headphones, the cable is manageable. 

Regardless of what music you listen to, you want it to sound good. I've had the opportunity to test dozens of headphones, and while my absolute favorites tend to be pretty spendy, I've noticed you don't have to spend a small fortune to get headphones that sound nice.

Below, you can find my favorite headphones for $100, which is still more than most people spend on a pair (I used earbuds from a drugstore for years), but if you're willing to make the investment in any of these, you'll be happy. I've done my best to pick headphones from a variety of styles, including earbuds, on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, and more with options that run the gamut in price from under $50 to just under the $100 limit.

Which pair speaks to you will depend on your personal preferences, but despite the hard price cap, there is some variety.

Although the Status Audio CB1 headphones are our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Sony MDR7506 Professional headphones, the iFrogz Impulse Duo earbuds, the Plantronics BackBeat 500 headphones, and the Grado SR80e headphones.

SEE ALSO: 15 Bluetooth speakers actually worth your time

The best overall

Why you'll love it: For the money, I can't think of a pair of headphones that sound better than Status Audio's CB-1 headphones.

These are the headphones I use at my desk every day, and I'm still impressed with how they sound months after trying them for the first time. 

The CB-1's are over-ear wired headphones, which makes them best suited for desk use rather than on the go, but they're not overly bulky. There's enough padding on the earcups and headband for you to have long listening sessions without feeling any discomfort, and the cable is pretty manageable. 

As for their sound, the CB-1's are pretty neutral, with no overly noticeable treble or bass boosting. I've used them to listen to everything from the latest pop singles to 1950s jazz and it all sounded great. There's also a clarity you get with these headphones that I'm used to hearing from options that cost more than twice the price. You can hear the little nuances of songs that would have been buried when listening with lesser headphones.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself noticing things you've never heard before on recordings you thought you knew well.

Pros: Balanced sound, excellent clarity, comfortable, over-ear design, affordable

Cons: Better for sedentary use than portable use, bigger than headphones you might be used to

Buy the Status Audio CB-1 over-ear headphones on Amazon for $79.99

The best headphones for neutral sound

Why you'll love it: If you're absolutely devoted to hearing your music completely untouched, you'll want Sony's MDR7506 headphones. 

In the tech world, a product that's a year old is typically considered old, and anything over five years old is considered ancient. Sony has sold the MDR7506 for over 12 years, and as someone who's owned a pair, I completely understand why.

These headphones were made to present music without any added bass or treble so professional audio editors could use it to mix albums. While their ubiquity in that niche world is great, there's also a lot to love about them as a regular music lover.

Listening with the MDR7506 headphones is a little strange at first, you'll notice your music sounds different, and it might take a couple of tracks before you start getting comfortable with it. Like eating foods without added sugar, you'll realize that the headphones you've used before were coloring the sound, however subtly. 

Because this pair of headphones was designed for audio editing, it has a very long cable that makes it difficult to use on-the-go. I did it for a year, and while I appreciated the audio quality, I eventually made them my go-to headphones for listening to music at home.  

Pros: Neutral sound, affordable, comfortable

Cons: Not suited for portable use

Buy the Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones on Amazon for $79.99

The best Bluetooth earbuds under $50

Why you'll love it: If you're interested in good-sounding headphones that can be stashed in your pocket at a moment's notice, you'll want the iFrogz's Impulse Duo.

For a pair of earbuds that cost under $50, the new Impulse Duo from iFrogz impressed me. The brand kept a similar design to earbuds it released last year, and instead focused on improving the audio quality. This resulted in a pair of earbuds that look great and sound pretty good for the price.

In a world where most Bluetooth earbuds are a string with an awkward dongle attached close to one end, the Impulse Duo's design sticks out. The technology is all built into a dongle with a pair of magnets that you can use to clip the headphones onto your clothes. After trying a fair share of Bluetooth earbuds, it's still the smartest design I've seen.

As for the sound, it's impressive what iFrogz managed to come up with at such an aggressive price. Music doesn't sound distorted, even at high volumes, and there's a fair amount of clarity present. These earbuds are best-suited for people who are on-the-go and want a pair of earbuds they can stash into a pocket at a moment's notice. I have headphones that sound better, but I wear the Impulse Duos when I'm out and about on weekends.

Pros: Great design, pretty good sound, affordable, wireless

Cons: Not as good sounding as other options on this list

Buy the iFrogz Impulse Duo earbuds on Amazon for $44.95

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season seven, episode seven "The Dragon and the Wolf."

Season seven of "Game of Thrones" came to a fiery end Sunday night and set up a final season full of death and destruction.

Show fans finally got to learn Jon Snow's real name, saw one of the biggest bad guys meet his end, and saw the Wall come down. But what parts had people talking the most? 

Social-media monitoring platform Brandwatch found more than 100,000 "Thrones"-related mentions on Twitter during the 80-minute finale as it aired on HBO and found the moments when the reactions peaked. 

Here are the five most talked-about moments from the "Game of Thrones" season seven finale:

SEE ALSO: What you need to know about the 'ice dragon' in the 'Game of Thrones' season finale

5. Fans were surprised when Euron Greyjoy left the council in fear of seeing a wight in person.

9:44 p.m. ET — Around 1,000 mentions 

Jon and company finally made it to King's Landing with the wight in tow in the hopes of forming a truce with Cersei Lannister and securing her army in the fight against the undead. But after the Hound released the wight and it was killed, tough man Euron Greyjoy stood up and asked if the undead creatures could swim. 

When Jon tells him no, Euron decided to leave. 

"I'm taking the Iron Fleet back to the Iron Islands," he said. "I've been around the world. I've seen everything, things you couldn't imagine, and this, this is the only thing I've ever seen that terrifies me." 

Fans were quick to joke about his fearful exit.

But later on in the episode, Cersei made it clear to Jaime that it was all a trick and that Euron is now on his way to Essos to find the Golden Company. 

4. After a rough season, Theon finally stepped up to seek redemption by deciding to rescue Yara and earned Jon Snow's forgiveness.

9:56 p.m. ET — Around 1,200 mentions

Theon finally spoke to Jon about his struggles as a Greyjoy who was raised by Ned Stark and how awful he feels about his past mistakes. Jon forgave Theon for everything he has the authority to forgive him for and told him that he will always be a Stark. 

"Our father was more of a father to you than yours ever was," Jon said. "But you never lost him. He's a part of you. Just like he's a part of me. You don't need to choose. You're a Greyjoy, and you're a Stark."

Theon then decided to save Yara from Euron, but when he's confronted by one of the Ironborn, the two fought. Theon managed to gain the upperhand after the soldier kneed him in the crotch, and Theon killed him. 

Fans were pleased to see Theon's attempt at redemption. 

3. Fans finally had the satisfaction of seeing Littlefinger die at Arya's hand after a trial in which the three Stark kids — Arya, Bran, and Sansa — took him down.

10:05 p.m. ET —Around 2,200 mentions

Fans have been frustrated with the Winterfall plot this season, but they were finally treated to a satisfactory conclusion when the Stark kids confronted Lord Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger.

He believed that Sansa was about to accuse Arya of crimes, but his plan majorly backfired on him. 

"You stand accused of murder, you stand accused of treason, how do you answer these charges ... Lord Baelish?" Sansa asks. She continued to call out his other crimes — murdering Lysa Arryn, their aunt; conspiring to murder Jon Arryn, Lysa's husband; betraying their father, Ned Stark; and much more.

Littlefinger then begged for his life, but it's not enough. Arya finally slit his throat and fans cheered. 

Hurricane Harvey, which has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, has dumped over 2 feet of rain on Houston, Texas, and two more feet are expected.

The forecast suggests Houston will get 50 inches of rain — as much as the city of 2.3 million people usually receives in an entire year.

The deluge has turned the city's roads into rivers, covered in feet of water:

Here's what Houston looked like before and after Hurricane Harvey:

SEE ALSO: 'Texas has never seen an event like this': Harvey pummels state with 'catastrophic,' 'unprecedented' flooding — here's the latest

DON'T MISS: Harvey is causing destruction and 'unprecedented' flooding in Texas — here's what it looks like on the ground

Since the storm's landfall on Friday, Houston has received over 25 inches of rain, with some areas seeing over 30 inches.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/901928809473114112
Before the flood and after on Buffalo Bayou in Houston. Just an unreal amount of water https://t.co/8CcdEdKhtEpic.twitter.com/J33MHpA80R

Source: The Weather Channel

The National Hurricane Center projects Houston will get 50 inches of rain total, causing "catastrophic and life-threatening flooding."

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/901877188525510657
This is insane. #houstonfloodpic.twitter.com/oddenJiGnE

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

It was still raining Monday morning, and the deluge isn't expected to stop until at least Tuesday. Brock Long, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said officials were still focusing on rescue and recovery and would have to wait until the storm passed to evaluate the damage.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/901861989470932992
The left is Memorial Parkway on Saturday.

The right is Memorial Parkway Sunday morning. #Harvey#HoustonFloodhttps://t.co/88qQ8fcKZ4pic.twitter.com/RKevt6b92A

With Fitbit's newest product, the fitness company is moving beyond the wrist to a new body part: the ears. 

On Monday, Fitbit launched its first-ever pair of wireless headphones, the Fitbit Flyer. 

While Fitbit has branched out from wearable fitness trackers before with its Aria smart scale (the Aria 2 launched Monday as well), headphones are a totally new wearable for the company. But Fitbit CEO James Park called wireless headphones "a natural extension" of Fitbit's fitness-focused product lineup. 

The headphones come in two colors, cost $129.95, and are designed to go hand-in-hand with Fitbit's new smartwatch, which also launched Monday. 

While we haven't had a chance to fully test the Flyer yet (we have it in our offices and will publish our review in a few weeks), here's everything we can tell you so far.

SEE ALSO: Fitbit just unveiled three new products — including its first pair of wireless headphones

Fitbit Flyer is intended to be a companion to Fitbit's new smartwatch, the Ionic.

Since the watch can store music — more than 300 songs — you'll be able to leave your phone at home while exercising.

Fitbit Flyer comes in two colors: Lunar gray ...

• George R.R. Martin was already a successful author when he began to write "A Song of Ice and Fire" in 1991

• He has been writing stories since childhood

• Before his writing career took off, Martin was a chess tournament director and a journalism professor

In the summer of 1991, a startling scene popped into George R.R Martin's mind.

A boy watched a man get beheaded, and then found some dire wolf pups in the snow.

"It just came to me so strongly and vividly that I knew I had to write it," he told Rolling Stone.

So Martin began to write "Game of Thrones," the first installment in the series that would become "A Song of Ice and Fire." The book was published in 1996 and sales were "solid," according to the Guardian.

However, Martin's idea would ultimately snowball into a huge success. As of 2016, the Guardian reported that the books have sold 70 million copies. The series also launched HBO's smash hit "Game of Thrones" in 2011.

According to Forbes, Martin is now worth $15 million. But how exactly did this New Jersey native come to be one of the most talked about authors in the US?

Here's a look at the life of the man who Time once dubbed the "American Tolkien":

SEE ALSO: An inside look at how J.K. Rowling, one of the most influential people alive, turned rejection into unprecedented success

Martin was born September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey, to longshoreman Raymond Collins Martin and his wife Margaret Brady Martin.

Source: GeorgeRRMartin.com

The "R.R." portion of his artistic name dates back to his upbringing. The first "R." stands for Raymond, his father's name and Martin's middle name. The second stands for Richard, his Confirmation name.

Source: Adria's News

Martin caught the writing bug at a young age. According to his official website, as a kid he started "selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included."

Source: GeorgeRRMartin.com

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Dagne Dover has mastered handbags of all sorts, including the work bag Insider Picks editor Ellen Hoffman carries every day, the weekend bag perfect for short trips, and the smart, work-appropriate backpack. Dagne Dover was founded and now led by CEO Melissa Mash (above, middle), COO Deepa Gandhi, and creative director Jessy Dover, who are among the many inspiring female founders in the retail world today. 

Naturally, we wondered what the CEO of the company that is holding its own against big designer handbag names carries in her own bag. 

These are the everyday essentials Mash totes as she leads Dagne Dover. 

A good dry shampoo

A good dry shampoo that's effective, not greasy (and that smells good) is hard to find.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Mini, $12, available at Sephora

Sunscreen

This is the smoothest, non-sticky sunscreen I've found. It feels like regular lotion. The mousse version is awesome for easy application, but this size is great for reapplying on the go.

Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 40), $28, available at Amazon

A key cable

Not having a charger when you really need it is the worst! I like to make sure I have my tech tools while on the go. This key cable by Native Union helps me streamline my tech instead of having a bunch of loose cords floating around in my bag.

Native Union Key Cable for Android Devices, $29.99, available at Amazon

Native Union Key Cable for iOS Devices, $29.99, available at Amazon

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• Toaster ovens serve as a miniature version of the traditional oven and they offer an array of functions, including broiling, roasting, toasting, and convection cooking. The Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven with Element IQ is at the top of our list because of its durability, patented heating technology, and stylish, easy-to-clean design.

Living in environmentally-conscious times, it may feel like a waste heating up a full-size oven just to make a small meal. And, if you have a small kitchen, a traditional oven may not be an option. This is where toaster ovens can help you save on space and utility bills.

Even if you have a large kitchen, a toaster oven is useful for the heavy-cooking holidays, such as Thanksgiving when you need to cook and warm several dishes at different temperatures at the same time.

There are almost as many heating options available as there are brands. When buying a toaster oven, you also want to consider how much space you will have. Most models will fit between your counter and the bottom of your cabinets. If space is at a premium in your dwelling, be sure to pay special attention to the dimensions of the toaster ovens you are interested in.

We examined the ratings and reviews of hundreds of top users and experts to see which toaster ovens offer the best value for your money, do what they say they can do, and perform consistently. Read on to learn all about our top picks.

Although the Breville Mini Smart Oven is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Cuisinart Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler, the Oster Large Capacity Digital Convection Toaster Oven, the Panasonic Flash Xpress Toaster Oven, and the Breville Compact Smart Oven.

The best toaster oven overall

Why you'll love it: The Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven with Element IQ has the power of a traditional oven with faster pre-heat times and a smaller footprint in your kitchen.

The main feature that sets the Breville Mini Smart Oven apart is its use of Element IQ variable power distribution. It works like this: Food is cooked more quickly and evenly using the power of four individual quartz heating elements. This distributes heat throughout the appliance where it is needed. The oven adjusts the wattage of the heating elements up to 1,800 watts for flexible cooking based on the heating menu options you choose. The pre-set menu options include toast, bake, broil, roast, cookies, reheat, pizza, and bagel.

With dimensions of 16 by 13 by 9 inches, the Breville Mini Smart Oven is the smallest toaster oven Breville makes, and it can fit four slices of toast or an 11-inch pizza inside. Among the many features that make the unit easy to clean are the removable pull-out crumb tray. You should change it often to ensure the device doesn’t malfunction, as most toaster ovens are designed to stop functioning when crumbs build up to an unsafe level.

Expert reviews of the Breville Mini Smart Oven were almost all positive. Compact Appliance rated it highly for its basic functions as well as the sleek, stainless steel design. The reviewer found the “Smart” term in the name of the device to be a bit misleading because there is no special Wi-Fi functionality. Amy Says Cook performed an in-depth review and found this toaster oven preheats quickly and allows for total cooking control. Time 4 Toast, which exclusively reviews toaster ovens, recommended this model despite the high price because of the Element IQ technology.

The Breville Mini Smart Oven has more than 1,200 five-star reviews on Amazon. Buyers report that this toaster oven is durable and performs just as well if not better than traditional ovens. The biggest complaints are that the buzzer is extremely loud and that the handle to the oven door sticks out too far.

Pros: Durable, easy to clean broad array of cooking functions

Cons: No convection feature, loud

Buy the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven with Element IQ on Amazon for $149

The best convection toaster oven

Why you'll love it: The Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler allows urban dwellers with the smallest of kitchens to enjoy the benefits of convection cooking.

The Cuisinart Toaster Oven is user-friendly enough for even novice cooks to use with its customizable settings, automatic shut-off, and digital control panel. Most other toaster ovens feature controls on the side panel of the device, but the TOB-195 switches things up by putting the buttons and LCD at the bottom. This allows for a narrower appliance that's perfect for tiny spaces. This model has a 0.6-cubic-foot capacity, which fits six slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza, or two smaller chickens.

The Cuisinart TOB-195 caught the attention of Good Housekeeping, which gave the toaster oven good grades for cooking toast consistently and for its convection cooking. However, it lost points because the crumb tray was only accessible from the rear of the unit and the boiler pan was not deep enough to contain all the drippings from a roasted chicken. Other expert reviews include Cooking Detective, which liked how well-designed and versatile this model is, and The Best Toaster Oven Reviews, which appreciated the three-year warranty and digital control panel.

Around 71% of the reviews of the Cuisinart TOB-195 on Amazon are for five stars. Buyers comment that this model does a superior job of cooking cakes, pizzas, casseroles, and more. There are also some verified purchasers who have used their toaster oven regularly without it failing for more than a decade. The top critical review complained of the glass door exploding while cooking a potato, but we could not find any other reports of this happening.

Pros: Excellent toasting, roasting, and convection cooking capabilities

Cons: Hard to clean

Buy the Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler on Amazon for $179

The best budget toaster oven

Why you'll love it: Even if you are on a tight budget, you can take advantage of the roominess of the Oster Large Capacity Digital Convection Toaster Oven.

The Oster Toaster Oven is the only toaster oven that costs less than $100 to make our list. What sets it apart is the smooth electronic control panel that operates much like a built-in microwave oven. With dimensions of 19.5 by 14 by 11 inches, it does take up a fair amount of counter space, but it also fits a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish or baking pan. You can use this model to toast six bread slices or bake a 12-inch pizza.

The cooking functions included in the Oster oven include defrost, toast, convection bake, warm, pizza, bake, and broil, which runs at any temperature for proper melting and browning.

The Oster Toaster Oven was reviewed by a number of experts. Good Housekeeping liked it because of the consistent and even toasting as well as the convection cooking abilities. However, the reviewers found it cooked slowly and emitted excessive heat. Top Ten Reviews noted that this Oster model has an outstanding touchpad that is ideal for people who have trouble turning knobs. And, the Best Toaster Oven Reviews liked that the oven features an interior light and large capacity.

At the time of writing, the Oster oven had nearly 1,600 five-star reviews on Amazon. Buyers enjoy this unit because it holds an accurate temperature and runs quietly. Others found it had completely replaced their full-sized oven. The only complaint we could find is that there may have been a manufacturing defect at some point since some buyers found the handle got extremely hot and required a potholder to open.

Pros: Easy-to-clean, dishwasher safe accessories, completely digital touchpad

Cons: Takes up a lot of space

Buy the Oster Large Capacity Countertop 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven TSSTTVMNDG on Amazon for $75.44 (originally $102.44)

The INSIDER Summary:

• Lonely Planet recently released a list of the 10 coolest neighborhoods in the world.
• The neighborhoods include Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York, and Vesterbro in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• According to Lonely Planet, these hip 'hoods will make traveling like a local easier than ever.

There are plenty of cool neighborhoods out there, but a city's coolest spot can sometimes be hard for travelers to find.

Lonely Planet just revealed a list of the world's 10 coolest neighborhoods that you need to visit right now. According to the site, now that travel is often rooted in homesharing and ridesharing, it's easier than ever to live like a local when you travel.

And what better way to live like a local than to explore neighborhoods outside of tourist-filled city centers? The Borgo San Frediano neighborhood of Florence, Italy, for example, is located in a less hectic part of the city, but is filled with hip bars, restaurants, and shops that locals love. Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood is still an underrated gem among locals and tourists alike, despite being a great place to get a genuine New York experience.

Keep reading for the 10 coolest neighborhoods in the world, according to Lonely Planet.

Borgo San Frediano, Florence, Italy

Borgo San Frediano is located across the Arno River from busy downtown Florence and many popular tourist destinations. Walking across one of the city's many beautiful bridges is reason enough to check out this less-traveled neighborhood.

Further incentives are hip bars like Mad Souls & Spirits, which show the locals' side of Florence.  

Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea

Seongsu-dong is known as the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, of South Korea, according to Lonely Planet. In other words, this neighborhood is as trendy as they come.

Seongsu-dong has everything you need in a cool neighborhood. From the gorgeous Seoul Forest park to ultra-modern coffee shops like Center Coffee and Cafe Onion, this neighborhood is quickly drawing in residents and visitors.

The Triangle, Lisbon, Portugal

The Triangle neighborhood in Lisbon is where three streets meet, and it's a hub for creatives and entrepreneurs, according to Lonely Planet.

Within the Triangle, you'll find design-oriented cafes like Hello, Kristof and Dear Breakfast.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Emilia Carke and Kit Harington continue to prove they are co-star goals.
• The two have been best friends for years, even though they didn't share a single scene together until season seven.
• From Grammy appearances to adorable Instagram posts, these are some of Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington's cutest co-star moments.

Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke have the best friendship. These two hot actors, who play Jon Snow and Daenerys on ‘GoT,’ have had some adorable co-star moments over the years that we’ll never forget!

Even though Jon Snow and Daenerys didn’t share a scene together until "Game of Thrones" season 7, Kit Harington, 30, and Emilia Clarke, 30, have been besties for years. When they did start filming scenes together, they had a blast on set. Emilia posted an Instagram photo in Aug. 2017 of herself and Kit that will make your heart melt. Emilia and Kit were all dressed up as Daenerys and Jon, but Kit had on his glasses. Okay, Kit is even hotter WITH glasses! Emilia captioned the photo, Wait….. did I NOT tell you guys?! Um yeah. Now if he’d only bend the bloody knee there’ll be no problems….. #modragonsmoproblems #igot99problemsandjonsnowisone #whichroundsmeupto100problems #youknownothingjonsnow.”

Emilia also posted a hilarious Instagram video of Kit pretending to be a dragon when the cameras weren’t rolling. Seriously, Kit and Emilia are just the cutest. During a break in filming, Kit and Emilia went to a concert with co-star Nathalie Emmanuel, 28. Of course Emilia snapped some epic photos of her night out with her co-stars! When Kit was on the cover of "Entertainment Weekly" in 2016, Emilia grabbed the magazine and posted the most incredible Instagram selfie. She acted like she was totally surprised that Jon Snow was alive. LOL, Emilia!

Wherever these two co-stars are, they always have so much fun. At the 2016 Emmys, the two gorgeous co-stars struck a pose in what’s possibly the most beautiful photo ever! Even though Jon Snow and Daenerys are falling in love on "Game of Thrones," don’t expect a romance to happen between Kit and Emilia. Kit has been in a loving relationship with co-star Rose Leslie, 30, who played Ygritte, since 2012.

The "Game of Thrones" season 7 finale is going to be one of the show’s most epic episodes ever. Will Jon Snow and Daenerys finally give in to their feelings? Kit and Emilia’s chemistry is FIRE! 

Kit Harington & Emilia Clarke looked incredible at the 2016 Emmys. Ice and fire together and looking so fierce!

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Kit Harington & Emilia Clarke are such goofballs on the set of ‘Game of Thrones!’

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If ‘Game of Thrones’ said the cutest Instagram photo would win the Iron Throne, Kit Harington & Emilia Clarke would totally have it in the bag.

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