What We're Reading: Tracy

Dollhouse and Miniature Dolls, 1840-1990, by Marcie Tubbs.

This beautiful new reference book details over 1,500 dolls designed for dollhouses, dating from 1840 through 1990. Beautiful photographs depict dolls made of every material imaginable: wood, paper, china, bisque, celluloid, even cardboard. This long-awaited title is sure to delight doll collectors and dollhouse lovers everywhere.

What We're Reading: Laurie

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

In postwar Germany unfolds the story of teen Michael Berg who meets and falls in love with Hanna, a woman twice his age. Michael and Hanna develop a deep relationship and then Hanna suddenly disappears. The next time Michael sees Hanna, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a terrible crime. Michael is shocked and unable to comprehend why Hanna refuses to defend herself in court. Could she possibly be keeping a secret more shameful than murder?

What We're Reading: Barbara

Vamped by Lucienne Diver

Think Clueless meets Twilight and you have an idea of what to expect in Vamped. When Gina Covello finds herself turned into a vampire by Bobby, a suddenly hot chess club geek, she is touched by his thoughtfulness of providing her with the appropriate designer clothes she should have, considering she is the reigning school diva. After all, her parents had her buried her in a lacy white dress that was so hideous that the thought of people seeing her wearing it in her coffin makes her want to die all over again. However, even with his unexpected love and devotion, Gina has problems. After all, how is she supposed to maintain her appearance when - hello - she has no reflection. Also, Mellisande, the vampire vixen who turned Bobby is not only interested in him, but is also turning her classmates into vampires and trying to turn them against her. Will Gina manage to keep her boyfriend, continue as the school diva and stop a vampire war – all without a stylist? Find out when you sink your teeth into this deliciously light teen novel.

What We're Watching: Tammy

Milk starring Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco, Alison Pill, Victor Garber. Directed by Gus Van Sant.

Sean Penn gives an Oscar-winning performance as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to office. This was a very moving film that displayed the political landscape in the 1970s and the controversy over Proposition 6.

What We're Watching: Tracy

Shark Week: 20th Anniversary Collection, produced by the Discovery Channel.

A perennial summer TV favorite, this year's Discovery Channel Shark Week begins August 2. But with this special four disc DVD set, you can host your own Shark Week whenever the mood strikes you. Stock up on some gummi sharks and Goldfish crackers, pop this in the DVD player, and enjoy some of the best shark shows from the last 20 years. For this year's schedule, check the official Discovery Channel Shark Week site at: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/sharkweek.html.

WHAT WE'RE READING: EDWARD

BOOK OF UNHOLY MISCHIEF by ELLE NEWMARK

Venice at the end of the 1400s is an exciting place. The Renaissance is in full bloom. Knowledge of the world is ever expanding with the discovery of the New World. Slowly everyone in Venice becomes interested in the search for the book. This book has the knowledge of the alchemists. It is said to contain the secrets for both immortality and instructions for making gold. Luciano tell the story of this time based on what he sees. Going from an orphan to the apprentice to the chef for the Doge of Venice, he learns much about the search for the book. Does his master's book of recipes hold the key for important formulas and information? Is it the book that everyone is looking for?

What We're Watching:Laurie

Doubt starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Directed by John Patrick Shanley.

The film is set in 1964 at St. Nicholas Church in the Bronx. Streep plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier the tough, hard-nosed principal of this Catholic school. She is very traditional and strict, and believes the students should be very disciplined. Sister Aloysius runs the school with fear and an iron fist. Hoffman plays Father Flynn, a progressive minded, compassionate priest, who wishes to break from the dated traditions of the Catholic Church and run the school in a more open, warm-hearted way so as to mimic the social changes taking place in the world.
When the school admits its first African American student, Sister James, a young nun (played by Adams) notices that Father Flynn is paying more attention to him than to the other boys. Sister James mentions her observation to Sister Aloysius who immediately begins a campaign to destroy Father Flynn's reputation and have him removed from her beloved institution. Rated PG-13.

What We're Reading: Alice

Black Hills by Nora Roberts

New York City boy Cooper Sullivan's summer visits to the Black Hills of South Dakota result in a great friendship with and ultimately a deep love for local girl Lilian Chance. Their shared experience of discovering a hiker's body deep in the hills will forever haunt them.
Lil and Coop both know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But now they must work together to unearth a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts who has singled them out as prey.

What We're Reading: Tracy

Duck! Rabbit!, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.

Remember the classic sight gag from childhood, a doodle that can look like a duck or a rabbit depending on which way it's viewed? Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal has built an engaging and funny story on this simple premise, while artist Tom Lichtenheld provides the perfect illustrative accompaniment.

What We're Watching: Tracy

Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore.

Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel, Watchmen, received a faithful adaptation in its long-awaited screen treatment. The director's cut adds an additional 25 minutes to the running time. Fans can finally take it home Tuesday, July 21.

What We're Reading: Edward

NOT EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY by BRUCE TULGAN

For Generation Y self-esteem is king. When they were growing up, every kid who showed up for an activity got a trophy. So how can employers get these high maintenance works motivated to achieve success at work. Tulgan dispels fourteen of the most common myths about Generation Y in the workplace. In a chapter on what he calls "in loco parentis management", he shows managers how to get Generation Y workers to realize what expectations are realistic. And how to set them up for success in the world of work.

What We're Watching: Laurie

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist directed by Peter Sollett. Starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.

You read the book, now see the film! The film stays true to the book, veering slightly in that Norah asks Nick to be her boyfriend for five minutes. Norah helps Nick get over his recent break up with Tris while unknowingly already having a crush on him. She has listened to, and loved, many of the mixed CDs Nick has made for Tris during the course of their relationship. Nick is the perfect guy for Norah whom she meets at just the right time. Nick makes Norah realize that she doesn't have to settle for her immature, loser boyfriend, Tal. Nick and Norah embark on a quest to find out the secret location of where their favorite band is playing in Manhattan not realizing that their love for music may change their lives forever.
Dennings and Cera have good chemistry and do a great job in creating fun, memorable characters. This movie has the potential to become a teen cult classic ranking right up there with Sixteen Candles or Pretty in Pink. This film is rated PG-13.

What We're Reading: Tracy

This sequel to Weird Michigan includes scores of strange stories and sights that didn't make it into the original volume. Featured are a wide range of fascinating attractions, from the modern (Ann Arbor's "fairy doors") to the ancient (Beaver Island's megalithic stone circle) and everything in between (St. Ignace's 1950s Mystery Spot and Curio Fair). There's even an entry for Sterling Heights: the yard dubbed Tiki Paradise at 3701 Metro Parkway!

What We're Reading: Edward

PORTRAIT OF A LADY by DIANE STUCKART

Leonardo Da Vinci is serving at the Court of the Duke of Milan, making machines of war. A Lady in Waiting falls to her death from a locked tower room. Leonardo is told to solve this mysterious death. He sends his apprentice, Dino, to become a Lady in Waiting to the Contessa. During the investigation, Dino is attracted to Gregorio, a soldier in service of the Duke. Gregorio is deeply involved in the deaths of two women. Readers of the first mystery in this series, QUEEN GAMBIT, know that Dino is really Delfina. Will Leonardo, the renaissance genius, realize that Dino is really a girl? Will he solve this new mystery ?

What We're Reading: Tish

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka.

This fast-paced, high-energy collection of short works features one of today's most popular writers and illustrators writing about what it's like to grow up as one of six brothers. This autobiography will draw chuckles of amusement from readers of all ages.

What We're Listening To: Cathy

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith. These books are really good at giving a sense of place. Precious Ramotswe is the owner of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency in Gaborone, Botswana. In this episode she is desperately trying to save her tiny white van from being junked and also trying to find the person who is throwing games on a local professional soccer team. We also finally find out what the name of the "other apprentice mechanic" is at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. Lisette Lecat is wonderful as the narrator of these stories. She gets all of the pronunciations and accents and pacing just right.

What We're Reading: Cathy

Stone's Fall by Iain Pears gives us a view of early modern espionage and the beginnings of the arms race. It's told by 3 different people in three different times (going backwards): In 1909 by a reporter hired by John Stone's widow to find out the truth about a possible illegitimate child; in 1890 by a spy working for the British government, and in 1867 by Stone himself. As you read, you find that things and people weren't quite what they seemed in the earlier part of the book. If you liked The Little Book by Selden Edwards, I think you'll like this one too.