‘Baby’ Not Nursed to Full Health
Your child will be perfect because you’re motivated and because you’re using “The Perfect Baby Handbook” by Dale Hrabi, illustrated by Kagan McLeod.

Sozzi’s Brand New ‘Day’ a Winner
This is a worthy collection with enough strong dance tracks to keep the listener entertained.

This ‘Garland’ Book Over the Top
Author Susie Boyt never had a chance to ask for an autograph from her favorite star because that star died five months after Boyt was born. Still, in the new book “My Judy Garland Life”, Boyt explains why she will always love Judy.

‘cradlesong’ Good, But Missing Something
So it’s nice to say that he’s back, with his latest solo effort, “cradlesong,” a new collection of material that thankfully is as adventurous and rewarding as previous solo material.

Daisy takes the road less traveled
Daisy’s ballsy determination and confidence shines through on her first single through Robbins Entertainment, “Everytime,” which has a strong, catchy beat and is full of hooks.

Story Isn’t Quite ‘Paradise’
Just don’t look too hard behind any façade because, as you’ll see in “The Other Side of Paradise” by Staceyann Chin, some people don’t just get handed The Good Life. They have to fight for it.

It’s ‘Just Dance,’ But the Beat’s a Bit Flat
It straddles an awkward line: there’s a few big names on here, such as Rihanna and Ne-Yo, with more traditional dance artists like Kim Sozzi.  It allows for the names to sell the disc while mixing in some lesser known dance artists to give the CD some dance cred.

A Chat with Tiffany
The Tiffany of 2009 isn’t doing the cheesy dance moves anymore, but is instead consistently putting out engaging music in various genres. While Tiffany is no stranger to Connecticut, her return to the state for Hartford Pride is a welcome one, both for her fans and for Tiffany herself.

This Book Not Worth ‘Open’ing
Author Jenny Block had her doubts about her marriage. It just wasn’t working out, but in the book “Open”, she writes about a solution that worked for her.

"Amanda Leigh" a Personal Triumph for Mandy Moore
This leads me to her newest CD, “Amanda Leigh,” released on May 26.  What results is easily one of the best releases of the year so far, and even more so is a standout release out of the thousands of CDs I’ve listened to over the years.

ONLINE FIRST: An Interview with Swing Out Sister's Corinne Drewery
One might say it was a “Beautiful Mess.” That’s how the chaos leading up to deadline was described to them, and that phrase became the inspiration for the name of Swing Out Sister’s latest album, their ninth original full-length disc, recently released in the U.S. on Shanachie a year after its original U.K. release.

Peaches the ‘Cream’ of the Crop
Her fourth album, “I Feel Cream,” continues in the fine legacy of naughty songs with catchy beats, but with this album, she continues the refinement begun on her last album, “Impeach My Bush.”

Get to Know Washington’s Women
Would you believe that our First Ladies weren’t so-called until our nation was several years old? In fact, would you believe that the first “First Lady” really wasn’t? Read more in “Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women” by Autumn Stephens.

Love it Before It’s ‘Gone’
Staring straight down the middle of middle age, Johnnie Ray Rousseau knows things could be worse. Although many of his friends have died of AIDS or diseases of living, Johnnie Ray is in shape, strong, and healthy. He’s also avoided becoming an Auntie, which he fears is his destiny as a going-on-older gay man.

Everything’s Coming up Daisy!
Daisy, an artist from Sweden, is following an unusual trek, signing to the U.S.-based Robbins prior to a release in her home country or elsewhere in Europe.  It’s an unusual move for Robbins too, which normally grooms acts from within the U.S. or licenses hot European offerings.  However, based on what I’ve seen, it’s an astute move.