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.