Choose your adventure

House of Meetings --Martin Amis (Knopf Canada, $29.95) The story of two brothers in love with the same woman. Yes, it takes place in a Soviet gulag, but Amis's British wit makes even this dismal setting amusing.

Too Far From Home --Chris Jones (Anansi, $32.95)

The harrowing account of three astronauts stranded at the space station after their ride home is grounded when the space shuttle Columbia explodes.

Big Man Coming Down the Road --Brad Smith

(Penguin Canada, $25) Three hard-boiled Ontarian siblings deal with the strange last requests in their dead father's will.

*****

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

- Screen play

It's difficult to be a sun worshipper in the 21st century--the inclination to soak up the rays is tempting, but the fear of irreparable skin damage is commensurate. Worst of all, what if the bottle of sunscreen in your luggage leaks? Perfectly portable, Dermalogica's wipes provide full-spectrum coverage and zero mess. http://www.geebeauty.com

- Thongs for the memories

Sure, you can wear sandals 24/7 during your vacation--provided you've brought a second pair.

Day: Nike Blazer thong

$45; http://www.nike.com

Night: Paul Smith slider

$300; http://www.nicolastoronto.com

Day: Nike Celso thong

$25; http://www.nike.com

Night: Coach Lyndsay sandal

$110; http://www.coach.com

*****

THE SUMMER SOUNDTRACK

Sky Blue Sky

--Wilco

(Nonesuch, 2007)

Recommending a Wilco album is like reminding someone to breathe. But hot dang if Sky Blue Sky hasn't raised the stakes. The reason: guitar, and lots and lots of it--lilting, chiming, shimmering, bracing, dweedly-dweedly guitar.

The six-string graffiti scribbled across candlelit epics such as Impossible Germany and Side with the Seeds is downright electrifying, and provides a dazzling counterpoint to Jeff Tweedy's narcoleptic drawl.

Kim Hughes