Lookin' Up
Cross-eyed Rosie
Uncle Ostrom Records (2003)
Cross-eyed Rosie's bluegrass-inspired music is laid-back and enjoyable. The six-member band features strong vocals (credit singer Zoe Kaplan '97) and a guitar-mandolin-fiddle-bass combination with Jon Ostrom '94 on the guitar. The band's repertoire includes traditional tunes they've arranged ("Wayfaring Stranger" and "Ragtime Annie") as well as originals, including several selections from contributing songwriter James Loveland '96 ("Rosalie" and "Hole in the Road," to name two). Check out the talented group and their debut CD at www.crosseyedrosie.com.

Traveler
Tim O'Brien '76
Sugar Hill Records (2003)
Thus far, O'Brien has explored country, bluegrass, Cajun, Celtic and traditional influences in his music. In Traveler his singer-songwriter inspiration came from the literal, spiritual and emotional journeys he's made over the past 30 years. The 11 original songs (and a cover of "I've Endured") range from the upbeat "Kelly Joe's Shoes" ("Now I had a lot of fun in those black Chuck Taylors . . . I can see where I've been in the color fadin'") to the sweet love song "Fell Into Her Deep Blue Eyes" ("I'd never leave her, I wouldn't compromise; I'd rather end it all if I couldn't fall into those deep blue eyes.")

Because I Could Not Stop My Bike--And Other Poems
Karen Jo Giammusso Shapiro '86
Matt Faulkner, illustrator
Whispering Coyote Press (2003)
Shapiro took 26 classic poems from English and American literature and translated them into lighthearted parodies for kids and parents. Written in the styles of such well-known poets as Emily Dickinson, Robert Burns, Christina Rossetti and William Shakespeare, the charming takeoffs include "Oh, Mommy! My Mommy!" (Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!") and "Macaroni and Cheese" (Poe's "Annabel Lee"). Each is accompanied by witty illustrations and apologies to the original poet.

Pretty Dead
Gerry Boyle '78
Berkley Prime Crime (2003)
It's journalist Jack McMorrow's girlfriend, Roxanne, a social worker, who takes center stage in Boyle's seventh mystery novel. Roxanne receives a report that a child may have been abused. The alleged victim is the daughter of David and Maddie Connelly, scions of a wealthy and politically connected Boston family. The Connellys, summering in Blue Harbor, Maine, appear to have done nothing wrong--until one of David's young assistants is found dead. Are the Connellys good people or are they killers? As he pursues the story, McMorrow must ask himself whether his need for answers is worth putting Roxanne's career--and life--at risk.