Rod Stewart’s SOULBOOK is obviously a labor of love. Rod sings 13 soul standards like “It’s a Rainy Night in Georgia” and “Love Train.” Stevie Wonder joins Rod on “My Cherie Amour.” Mary J. Blige shows up on “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” And Jennifer Hudson sings a duet with Rod on “Let It Be Me.” I love these songs and clearly Rod Stewart does too. I consider “Tracks of My Tears” to be the strongest track on the CD. Listen to it and if you don’t care for it, then you won’t like this album. But, if it strikes the same chord in you that it does in me, then go to AMAZON and take advantage of their $8.99 sale price. Best Buy has it for a buck more. Either way, this is a very affordable CD full of classic soul hits. I enjoyed it. GRADE: B+

Nick Hornby bursts with confidence: after all he opens his new novel in a toilet in Minneapolis. The Juliet referred to in the book’s title is an actual person–a woman rock star Tucker Crowe once had a passionate relationship with–and an album titled Juliet that chronicles the breakup of that relationship (think Joni Mitchell’s Blue). Shortly after that album’s release, Tucker Crowe left that rest room in Minneapolis and mysteriously retired from the rock world. Now, 20 years later, another Tucker Crowe album has been released: Juliet, Naked made up of Crowe’s early acoustic version of those songs. The Tucker Crowe obsessive Internet community, is rocked by this news. Brits Duncan and Annie, after visiting all the important Tucker Crowe American sites, find upon their return to the placid English community of Gooleness, that their relationship is disrupted by Juliet, Naked. Duncan considers it a masterpiece, Annie prefers the older studio version of Juliet. When Annie writes a review for the Tucker Crowe blog, she gets an amazing response, from Tucker Crowe himself. Although Juliet Naked is more discursive than Hornby’s other novels like High Fidelity and About a Boy, Hornby explores obsession and the fragility of relationships in this latest novel. GRADE: B

Celtic Thunder, like Celtic Woman, is a group put together to market pop music with an Irish flavor. Celtic Thunder’s new CD, Take Me Home is a mixed bag. The Irish songs like “The Homes of Donegal” and “Midnight Well” are entertaining. But “Wichita Lineman”? Or “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”? Since when is Paul Anka Irish? Then there are the overdone songs, “Every Breath You Take” and “You Raise Me Up.” Sting and Josh Groban did them better. Celtic Thunder fans will buy this CD no matter what I say. But, for the rest of you, be warned. GRADE: C

Michael Moore’s latest documentary with the ironic title is sure to cause plenty of viewers to panic. Moore’s critique of our economic system’s flaws together with his scathing indictment of our politicians should be a warning that more Bad Things are going to happen on top of all the Bad Things that have happened because NOTHING GOT FIXED! Throwing $700 billion to the banks ranks right up there with Nero burning Rome to the ground according to Moore. I found much of Moore’s presentation powerful and truthful. My only complaint is that Moore’s movie goes on a bit too long. Ten minutes less would have made CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY a better film. But, by all means see it. GRADE: B+

One of the highlights of the Indianapolis BOUCHERCON was the panel on Edgar Allan Poe. Mike Connelly, Sue Grafton, Peter Lovesey, John Lutz, and Sara Paretsky delighted the SRO audience with their insights on Poe. And, immediately after hearing their incisive commentary, I wanted to reread some Poe. I think it was Sara Paretsky who mentioned the special aspects of Poe’s only novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. I reread it and rediscovered the haunting story that influenced H. P. Lovecraft’s “Call of Cthulhu.” If you haven’t read The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket be prepared to be creeped out. Poe throws in horror, madness, and high adventure to create his own special blend of weird fiction. What better way is there to celebrate Poe’s 200th Birthday than to read one of his forgotten works.

Patti Abbott recommended THE NOIR THRILLER and she’s right: it’s a terrific book. It’s basically a study of hundreds of 20th Century thrillers, both books and movies. The chapters are topical. “Hard-Boiled Investigators,” “Big Shot Gangsters and Small-Time Crooks,” “Strangers and Outcasts,” “Fatal Men,” and “Fatal Women” give you a glimpse of the way Horsley organizes her material. And I really love the cover photo of Rita Hayworth. It really sets the tone for this insightful book. Horsley’s book should be the Official Book of upcoming NoirCon. GRADE: A

This documentary of two California independent bookstores, Cody’s and Kepler’s, is a moving but ultimately saddening experience. Both bookstores find themselves struggling to survive in an era of big box stores and Internet booksellers like AMAZON and B&N. This film shows how Cody’s tries an expansion strategy that backfires. Kepler’s actually closed its doors causing the community to find the resources to keep the bookstore open. Anyone who loves bookstores will find this documentary absorbing–and disturbing. There’s plenty to think about when this film rolls its credits. PAPERBACK DREAMS was shown at BOUCHERCON and several PBS stations are currently airing it. The DVD will be available in December. Don’t miss it.

Once again, Daedalus has some irresistible DVDs for sale. MOTOWN: THE EARLY YEARS features Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and the Four Tops performing their hits. You can order this gem for $6.98. Then there’s MOVIE SONGS LIVE with Frankie Valli, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, Yvonne Elliman, B.J. Thomas, the Trammps, the Cowsills, the Fifth Dimension, Irene Cara, and Lulu. This DVD is a mere $5.98. Hours of great music for a pittance! Don’t miss out! Go to daedalusbooks.com to save.

The Indy BOUCHERCON is in the books, but I’ll treasure some of the memories forever. The bestowing of the Don Sandstrom Award on the much deserving Art Scott was the highlight of the convention for me. Bill and Judy Crider, Jeff and Jackie Meyerson, Patti and Phil Abbott, Jeff and Ann Smith, Lynn Kaczmarek, Steve Stilwell, Tina Karelson, Beth Fedyn and Joe Vigna, Ted Hertel, Ted Fitzgerald, Maggie Mason, and dozens of other friends generated so much humor, levity, and merriment that the entire weekend seemed to have a laugh-track. Great friends, great food, and great conversation. Life doesn’t get much better than this!

If you’re as big a fan of Bernard Cornwell’s wonderful Sharpe series of historical novels, you’ll want to have Mark Adkin’s great companion to the series. You’ll find Adkin devotes a chapter to each of the Sharpe books. There’s a glossary of characters, both real and imagined. Adkin also provides invaluable maps of every battle and skirmish in the Sharpe series. This is a terrific reference book which will enhance your understanding of the historical context of the Sharpe series. GRADE: A