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It feels like the dog days of summer have already descended on New York. Cases of “swamp head” run rampant, and yet there’s work to be done. This very newsletter was completed, I’m happy to say, with the clarifying power of books (Wuthering Heights and Andrew O’Hagan’s The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe). Look here for an array of heat-and-doldrums antidotes, from YA crossover to graphic novels to street lit. Missed out on ALA 10’s book programming? Barbara Hoffert wraps it all up, plus offers a first showcase of academic titles.—Heather McCormack

• ALA 2010: ALTAFF Programming Takeaways
  Four popular ALTAFF book programs brought in the crowds at ALA 2010 in Washington, DC. If you weren't there, here's what you missed.   more » » » 
• Prepub Exploded: January 2011, Pt. 2
  In this edition of Prepub Exploded, we're continuing to highlight January 2011 titles. Look for Kim Edwards's next big novel and memoirists ranging from Annie Proulx to Ron Reagan.   more » » » 
• 25 Reasons Why Academic Publishing Is Sexier Than You Think
  As Prepub Alert expands, you'll see a separate section for academic titles that every library, public as well as academic, might want to consider. I'm not quite there yet, but in the meantime take a look at these big fall 2010 and early 2011 titles.   more » » » 

• Graphic Novels Prepub Alert: Sophie Crumb & Wimpy Kid No. 5
  This month: more kick-ass ladies, adaptations of popular literature, reissues of past notables, and remixes starring well-known characters, real and fictional. Holmes is hot: at least five series of old and new stories are coming out.    more » » » 
• Top Twenty Holds from Morristown & Morris Township (NJ) Library
  Behind every best seller you're likely to find a library hold. In Morristown, NJ, Anna Quindlen's latest and Michael Lewis's excavation of the recent credit crisis are as coveted as thrillers.    more » » » 

• 35 Going on 13: Summer Reads
  My libraries have been signing up eager youngsters for Summer Reading. Like many other hard-core readers, I found that my best summers were those that gave me limitless access to our local library. Here is a sampling of recent and forthcoming teen reads to help you bring back the magic of summer reading.   more » » » 

• The Word on Street Lit: Karen Williams, Deja King & Kiki Swinson
  This month's column features something old and something new. I was giddy as a new groom reading Karen Williams's Dirty to the Grave. It's that GREAT. Another trend I've noticed is the reissuing of street lit titles in mass market paperback.   more » » » 

• Parenting Short Takes: Seeing Ghosts & Verbal First Aid
  I'm not awarding any stars in this column, but there were some good parenting titles reviewed this month. I was especially impressed with Kaiser Greenland's approach to teaching young children mindfulness.   more » » »