It's hot. You're wilting. Too hot to go outside and play? Probably. But here's an idea – stay comfy and stay connected by catching up on literally everything here at BC, where we bring the best of the week to your attention so you don't have to expend too much effort. Unless you want more lemonade or iced tea. We can't do that for you.

Let me 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: 

In CD Review: Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime II, Kanrei delivers all the great history of the band as well as every little nuance of the CD.

Richard Marcus gives an educational and entertaining look at the history of acoustic blues and how John Hammond inspired Rory Block in CD Review: The Lady and Mr. Johnson - Rory Block.

Earvolution's Interview: J-Henry - An Artist to Watch is a great look inside this up
and coming artist. And it's delivered with such style.

Joan Hunt takes us way back to Joe Bonamassa's roots in Featured Artist: Joe Bonamassa, her biography and profile of one of this month's featured artists.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

The Modern Pea Pod walks us through their interesting and funny requirements for nautical-themed rock in CD Review: White Whale - WWI.

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

It is hard sometimes to get an overview of the book market. What are authors writing? What are publishers publishing? What are readers buying? Tiffany Leigh provides an excellent overview of one sector of the market, young adult, which has, she says, changed beyond all recognition. She concludes: "All great YA fiction has one truism in common: it respects the readership, and treats its readers like adults." And it is a lot
more than Harry Potter.

My second choice is an excellent, traditional-style review. Bonnie returns to a darker time, that of the black death, with The Great Mortality. It was a review that certainly made me want to read the book.

From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch: 

TV/FILM