April Gutierrez has turned in an eloquent review of Deerskin by Robin McKinley, a retelling of Charles Perrault's "Donkeyskin." Look for it on the Fction page.

On the music front, Debbie Skolnik thoughtfully examines John Wesley Harding's Trad Arr Jones CD on the English Traditions page. Also, Jayme Blaschke's brilliant review of Altan's Best of Altan CD captures the spirit of the album. Check it out on the Celtic Traditions page -- and while you're at it, check out his updated bio.

Marian McHugh all but tripped over a treat in her library: Beyond the Deepwoods: The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart, with illustrations by Chris Riddell. Marian shares her thoughts and her review on the Fiction page.

Check out April Gutierrez's review comparing two biographies of poet Dylan Thomas: The Days of Dylan Thomas by Bill Read and Welsh Dylan: Thomas's Life, Writing and His Wales by John Ackerman. April's cogent commentary is on the General Non Fiction page. This review has been picked by the Editor as a featured review for its excellence in writing. The official Jethro Tull website is our choice for Featured Website. It's everything that a band site should be: informative, interesting, and creative. And it has great swag!

Debbie Skolnik's review of Stardust by Neil Gaiman is as lovely and lucid as the book itself. Jayme Blaschke turns his attention to Martha Wells' City of Bones in his incisive review, also on the Fiction page. Haven't seen Shakespeare in Love yet? Don't go without checking out L.G. Burnett's review on the Video page. On the music front, Chuck Lipsig hails Groupa, a Swedish folk band, and their CD Fifteen Years, at once an overview and an introduction to U.S. audiences.

Laurie Thayer reviews the 1991 film The Doors, following on the heels of her review of Strange Days: My Life With and Without Jim Morrison by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison. (Maybe it's just me, but has anyone noticed a trend in Laurie's writing?) Resident blues expert Jeff Skolnik sings the praises of Live and Uppity, a new CD from Saffire -- The Uppity Blues Women. Look for his review on the American Roots page. Jo Morrison turns in a lively review of Liz Knowles' equally lively CD The Celtic Fiddle. And check out Jayme Blaschke's review of Clannad's Rogha: The Best of Clannad.

There's nothing quite like hearing a book described by one who cherishes it to get you running for the nearest book store or your own bookshelf. Read Michael Jones's review of Emma Bull's novel War for the Oaks for just such an experience.

Jo Morrison reviews Tunes of the Munster Pipers: Irish Traditional Music from the James Goodman Manuscripts, a compilation of over 500 tunes painstakingly edited by Hugh Shields, while Duke Egbert explores The Devil's Music: A History of the Blues by Giles Oakley. Both are under Music Related reviews. The House Band kept Chuck Lipsig up all night writing a thorough review of The Complete House Band, a collection which consists of the CDs Groundwork; October Song; Rockall; Stonetown; and Word of Mouth. You'll find these in the Celtic Traditions section, while Chuck gets some well deserved sleep. Brendan Foreman examines two collections of artists from Rounder which explore American folk roots: Southern Journey: Voices from the American South: blues, ballads, hymns, reels, shouts, chanteys and work songs; and Southern Journey: And Glory Shone Around, a collection of Sacred Harp hymns. (Brendan explains that "The Sacred Harp is a compendium of some 573 four-part folk hymns, that has been the bible of sorts to a southern rural singing movement since 1840. Sacred Harp singing is often called shape-notesinging due to the specific notation that "The Sacred Harp" hymnal uses to represent its music.") Don't miss Jo Morrison's review of a trio of albums from Night Sun: Night Sun, Calling, and Home.

Debbie Skolnik has a contribution of two CD reviews: Sandy Bull Re-Inventions: Best of the Vanguard Years, an eclectic sampler of instrumental music, and Four Legged Tales: Animal Stories From Here and Away told by Laura Simms.

Laurie Thayer follows up her review of Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's novel The Deer's Cry with a review of Kennealy-Morrison's autobiographical Strange Days: My Life With and Without Jim Morrison.