Among other things, this week's picks offer a musical memoir, a menu of the kind of comfort food you can't eat, and a suggested use for spam that doesn't involve fried eggs. In addition, you'll find the usual excellent reviews, and some talk about politics and sports and everything in between!

Let me take a moment to remind those of you who are chosen that you are invited to submit your own pick for next week (due to space considerations, please limit it to one). Please feel free to email me your picks (including the URL) by next Tuesday.

MUSIC

From Music Editor Connie Phillips:

CD Review: Blue October - Foiled by Erin McMaster
Witty and charming Erin brings her own flavor to this review of a CD that has received a good amount of attention at Blogcritics. She also brings to it the unique angle of being from the same hometown and having seen several live shows.

CD Review: Fishscale by Ghostface Killah by Sterfish
Sterfish lends a distinctive voice to this review examining the release from all angles and giving a bit of insight into Ghostface Killah in general.

Secondhand Smoke: A Memoir of Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush by Jewels Richardson. Jewels takes us on a stroll down memory lane, telling us of her backstage experiences in this informative and interesting read.

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

Self-Help for the Hindsighted by Elizabeth Colville
While hundreds of thousands of books are published around the world every year, we know most won't stand up against the classics. Elizabeth suggests that Bertrand Russell's 1930 The Conquest of Happiness is the self-help book par excellence - just the text to sort out Paris Hilton. Excellent writing is combined with distinctly original thought in this article.

Comfort Food for The Mind by Richard Marcus
Which books on your shelf are the equivalent of macaroni cheese and fruit jelly? What do you read when you're ill, tired, or just want to escape? Richard explains his choices - and might just provide you with some new suggestions, if your current collection is becoming a little too well-thumbed. He concludes: "A person can't live on hobbits alone."

TV/FILM

From TV Editor Joan Hunt:

HGTV: Make A Statement in Your Living Space by Jim Wynne
A look at home decorating shows through a whimsical eye. By whimsical, I mean "not hilarious" but rather having a "focal point". Oh, forget it. Just read this and you'll see what I mean.