All Arts & Culture
Bestselling books the week of 5/17/12, according to IndieBound*What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
Is Virginia really the best-read state in the nation?The state also had more cities on Amazon's list of the top 20 most well-read areas than any other.
'Follies' and 'La Boheme' take Los Angeles by storm'La Boheme' makes a classic new again, while Sondheim's 'Follies' is a show only now being hailed as a masterwork.
Most popular baby names ... for now. Beware, Sophia.The most popular baby names in the US are Sophia (for girls) and Jacob (for boys), according to the Social Security Administration's new list of top 2011 baby names. But if history is any guide, it won't take long before Sophia goes the way of Barbara (No. 764).
Cancelled shows 2012: ABC and the CW announce what won't be returningTV networks ABC and the CW shared what will be cancelled at the end of this season.
The strange history of the English languageLinguist David Crystal, author of "The Story of English in 100 Words," analyzes vocabulary from "shellacking" to "Twittersphere."
Why Lady Gaga Indonesia concert may be canceledLady Gaga: Her concert in Indonesia was sold out. But Islamic conservatives raised concerns that Lady Gaga might corrupt young people. Threats of violence prompted police to cancel the concert permit.
How fast can they write? E-books push writer productivityA dozen books a year? Some writers are accelerating the pace in this brave new world of e-books.
Jessica Simpson: New maternity clothing line to show off baby bumps. Of courseJessica Simpson says her a 'vintage '70s' maternity clothing line is for moms to proudly show off their "baby bumps." Indeed.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon and ParmesanThe cheese gives the dish a salty-meatiness and the lemon provides a balancing freshness.
The Aleppo CodexThe most accurate Biblical codex in Jewish tradition 鈥� a book revered both for its linguistic precision and its beauty 鈥� has been a victim of intentional deceit and government cover-ups.
Reader recommendation: The Divine ComedyMonitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Jessica Sanchez: Chula Vista welcomes home their American IdolJessica Sanchez returned home to throngs of fans eager to catch a glimpse of their American Idol finalist.聽 Can Jessica Sanchez go on to win American Idol Season 11?
Top baby names of 2011: Sophia, Jacob and... Briella?The top baby names of 2011 are out, thanks to the US Social Security Administration. 'Sophia' has knocked 'Isabella' out of first place for girls and 'Jacob' leads the baby names list for boys. 'Briella', as in "Jerseylicious" star Briella Calafiore, made the biggest jump in popularity.
Donald Duck Dunn defined the Memphis soul soundDonald Duck Dunn, bass player for Booker T. & the MGs, passed on in Tokyo. The heavy bass notes of Donald Duck Dunn provided the musical bedrock for The Blues Brothers, and such soul stars as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, and Sam & Dave.
Time Magazine style breastfeeding a global goalTime Magazine has upped the debate about breastfeeding 鈥� and in particular, the sort of extended breastfeeding that health organizations say should be a global goal. Save The Children and others say mothers should breastfeed their children for at least two years.
Facebook, Twitter and creating your own digital brandFacebook, Twitter and the importance of your digital brand. Call it being your own personal spin doctor, or call it simple self-awareness, but the in the digital age it has become increasingly important to monitor and control your online image.
Breathe into it: parenting as yogaBreathe into it: parenting as yoga, and other tips from our expert on how to become a better, more effective parent, while also maintaining your own sanity and well-being.
21 smart nonfiction titles we think you'll enjoy this summerHere are 21 promising nonfiction titles appearing just in time for summer 2012.
15 summer 2012 novels we think you'll likeHere are 15 fiction titles that look promising for the best of summer 2012 reading.
