Manhattan Murder Mystery by Woody Allen
Reviewed by Charlotte
I know, when you think 'Woody Allen' it's 'Manhattan' or 'Annie Hall' that spring to mind, but bear with me; delving into his lesser-known works can prove equally rewarding. This is another favourite of mine, as a married couple (Allen and Keaton) stumble across the perfect crime. It's a comedy

Damages
Reviewed by Charlotte
Glenn Close is perfectly cast as Machiavellian lawyer Patty Hewes in this new hit series. Combining the menace of the Sopranos with the snappy wit and glamour of 'The Devil Wears Prada', this is best watched in one nail-biting sitting. If you missed it on Sky, now's the time to

Monster Love by Carol Topolski
Reviewed by Charlotte
A grimly compelling tale of a crime hidden beneath the veneer of suburbia, 'Monster Love' is the most exciting novel I've read so far this year. Dark secrets are revealed chapter by chapter, keeping the reader hooked until the last page. A definite contender for Richard & Judy's next group

The Wire
Reviewed by Charlotte
This Emmy-award scooping drama is now in it's final season in the U.S., but has been criminally ignored on these shores until now. The city of Baltimore is crumbling under an onslaught of drugs and corruption, while an overworked, underpaid police department struggles to keep up by getting dangerously close

Five people you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Reviewed by Rachel
My first Albom buy and definately my favourite. Albom's writing is quite simplistic and nostalgic, and always deals with death (but not in a bad way!). This book had a lot of great characters, the main character being a old man who has just died, and floats through meeting

Grits by Niall Griffiths
Reviewed by Rachel
Griffith's writing has been compared a lot like Irvine Welsh's and it is! The writing style is similar and the storyline's are quite graphic and brutal, however, I find Griffith's writing a lot more twisted and interesting. Grits is based in West Wales and is about aload of young,

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
Reviewed by Mechelle
Esme has spent her entire adult life in a psychiatric hospital after being committed as a teenager - a punishment for her rebellious nature. Now an elderly lady she is released into the care of neice Iris, who knew nothing of Esme's existence. O'Farrell weaves together the different strands

The Athenian Murders by Jose Carlos Somoza
Reviewed by Charlotte
A whodunnit with a difference. As a translator works on an ancient greek text, he is slowly drawn into what seems to be a murder investigation... The ending contains an amazing twist, but I'm not going to spoil it for you. Somoza's unique style makes him one of the few

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie
Reviewed by Mechelle
One of greatest books of 2007 and winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, Half of a Yellow Sun is an emotionally gripping story set during the Biafran war of the 1960s. This is a well-researched and beautifully written tale of human love and human brutality, of ordinary people and their emotional

Echoes Silence Patience Grace by Foo Fighters
Reviewed by Mechelle
As a long time fan who has watched this mega band progress from underground grunge drop-outs to big-time stadium rock gods I have never been disappointed with anything they've produced. With trademark all-out rock numbers, and gentle stirringly beautiful low-key lullabies, this is yet another album with something for everybody.

The Jungle Book by Disney
Reviewed by Mechelle
Finally! One of the all time greatest Disney animations, The Jungle Book is now available on limited edition DVD. This is a classic, with a selection of the best songs you'll ever find in a Disney film, brilliant animation and ultimately a great story. An absolute must-have.

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Reviewed by Dav
It's jam-packed with rhythm, randomness and genuine flair from the crazy creative mind of Tom Waits. An often unsung hero of the music industry, he has inspired many bigger name artists with his atmospheric and layered works.

Forever Changes by Love
Reviewed by Graham
Stunning guitar, lightning fast acid trip mood changes, psychedelic beauty meets smouldering L.A. doom. From the shimmering delicacy of 'Old Man' to the electric workout rage-fest of 'A House Is Not A Motel'. Worth it just for the bonus track, 'Your Mind/ And We Belong Together'. A 2006 benefit concert

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Reviewed by Ian
With this album, Arcade Fire raise the bar set by Bruce Springsteen in the musical realm of introspective folk/rock. The bittersweet final track is an emotional conclusion to a mighty and significant debut.

By The Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Reviewed by Rachel
I bought this album not long ago and it's superb. Even without their well established name this is raw, funky and a great car-driving album. My favourite song on this album has to be "Dosed".