School is cool, but sometimes it’s nice to get the abbreviated version before investing time and money on academic endeavours.

The 101 Things I Learned series of books offers a glimpse into a variety of career paths including business school, film school, fashion school…you get the picture.

Each book is written by an expert in that particular field and includes handy black-and-white step-by-step illustrations.

It’s no MBA, but at least you’ll get the FAQs part down.

$10.20 each at Amazon.ca

Need a long weekend beach read? Herewith, our editors' favourite summer page turners.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
If Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was your pre-teen bible, pick up Blume's more mature novel, Summer Sisters. It follows two best friends from grade school to their 30s and blends adolescent whimsy and angst with some very grown up topics. (PS: Check out Judy Blume on Twitter). $10 at Amazon.ca
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton
Members of Team Jennifer will enjoy sinking their teeth into. But we’d never diss Angie—why mess with a gal with a knife collection? $16 at Amazon.ca
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

The Recessionista by Alexandra Lebenthal
"Too Big to Fail Goes to the Beach," is how New York Magazine's Jessica Pressler described Alexandra Lebenthal's hot summer debut novel, The Recessionistas. A fabulously juicy read. $19 at Amazon.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
From the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked is the author’s latest look at what happens when love, parenting and relationships get in the way of life. The story of a washed-up musician also deals with one of Hornby’s favourite subjects: music. $21 at Amazon.ca
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

One Day by David Nicholls
Expressed in snapshots of the same day spanning twenty years, this tale of two opposites, Dex and Em, who connect just before graduation, go their separate ways, yet stay in touch, sucked us in right from the start (perhaps because it begins with the pair bantering and snogging). $13 at Amazon.ca
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

We consider doodling one of our favourite pastimes, but the intricate black and white drawings by Tim Barnard put our hobby to shame.

The Deer Hunter, Barnard’s new show at The Gallery, includes a mural by the Montreal-based former Calgarian, in addition to illustrations and paintings. Barnard has worked for clients such as Aldo and Lifetime Collective so his work fits right into the gallery/fashion boutique. The mural will be a permanent fixture in the shop but take in the rest of the show before the end of the month.

Until August 31 at The Gallery, 1013 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-452-6511, www.gallerystyles.com

If your favourite summer reads include steamy romance novels with a barely-clad Fabio on the cover, put down the paperbacks and pick up Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Marriage of the Century.

The story of “Liz and Dick” by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger reveals the often shocking marriage of the twice married (and twice divorced) couple. Their stormy union—filled with plenty of sex, scandal, fame and fortune—began on the set of Cleopatra in 1962 and spanned over 20 years, making them the most glamorous on-again-off-again duo Hollywood has ever seen.

$18.89 at Amazon.ca

Maybe it’s the heat but we’ve missed those MTV misfits.

While waiting for Jersey Shore to hit Miami revisit favorite moments from Season One ($13.99 on iTunes). Get fashion tips from J-Woww, see Snooki’s self-defense moves, and learn the fine art of creeping from The Situation. And if that isn’t enough to feed your fix, the Jersey Shore Soundtrack ($9.99 on iTunes) features singles by Enrique Iglesias, Ludacris and Pauly D himself.

Just don’t forget to switch over to Mad Men when your pals come calling or you’ll become a social grenade.

Jersey Shore Season 2 premieres July 29 (7 p.m. PDT/10 p.m. EDT) on MTV Canada, www.mtv.ca

Although they’re a self-proclaimed rock and roll band, Ghostkeeper’s sound is also haunted by a number of other genres including experimental blues, country, folk, pop and the dreaded indie.

Spearheaded by songwriter and frontman Shane Ghostkeeper and Sarah Houle (vocals and drums), who both hail from Northern Alberta, the Calgary-based quintet also includes bassist Scott Munro, and two multi-instrumentalists.

Their self-titled sophomore album speaks to the Métis way of life and fittingly, of ghosts of loved ones who have passed.

Ghostkeeper plays the Calgary Folk Music Festival at Prince’s Island Park on Saturday; Ghostkeeper, $9.90 at iTunes.

So much to do, so little time. To help you through a packed festival month (not to mention weekend), herewith, our five event picks.

1. Calgary Folk Music Festival, July 22-25. This year’s line-up includes youngsters The Avett Brothers, Stars, St. Vincent and Michael Franti and Spearhead and legend Roberta Flack. The best acts are spread out over the four-days so your best bet is to get a weekend pass, $165 (single day tickets from $47).

2. Fiestival Latin Festival, July 24-25. In between Folk Fest shows, head to Olympic Plaza and get those hips shaking at this multicultural event highlighting Latin culture. It’s free admission so pop in for a bite and to see one of the many international Latin bands before returning to the park.

3. Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival, July 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be tight but go early before the crowds, and the other events you have planned this day. Buy a bag of chips ($3 each or two for $5) and start scooping. From mild to fire hot and salsas with a twist, choose from over 40 different kinds. There’s live entertainment and a children’s area for tiny tasters. Festival runs along Kensington Rd. and 10th St. NW.

4. Calgary Fringe Festival, July 30-August 7. Breathe. You’ve got a week to check out all of the Fringe Festival’s indoor theatrical, the street performers, musicians and outdoor stage events.

5. Mount Royal Conservatory’s Shakespeare in the Park, Monday to Saturday until August 21 (except July 22-25). When the festival madness has calmed down, one more thing to do before summer’s end is take-in a couple of classics. Emerging theatre artists take the stage in Othello and Much Ado About Nothing. Make it a dinner date with a pre-ordered picnic basket from The River Café. Suggested donation, $20.

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In the wise words of 50 Cent: “We gonna party like it’s yo birthday.” But this time, instead of in da club, it’s in the park.

In honour of the 100th anniversary of Calgary’s parks, The City is hosting free concerts in the park throughout the summer. One Sunday a month, rock out to different Alberta bands while checking out a park in each of the city’s quadrants.

The next concert on July 17 includes Los Morenos, The Joe Defendants and Sherry-Lee Wisor Trio.

“Go, go, go, go.”


See a complete schedule here.

Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are allegedly feuding and everyone has a bone to pick with Miley Cyrus, but no one does bickering, drama and high-school-like theatrics like the Gallagher brothers did back in the day.

Since breaking up last year (again), Liam and Noel have called it quits for real this time so it looks like a greatest hits album is the last hoorah from the beloved British bad boys of Oasis. Released last week, Time Flies…1994-2009 ($10.99) is the complete singles collection with 27 songs spanning fifteen years and eight albums. A deluxe version ($24.99) includes their 37 videos and the last recorded Oasis live show in July 2009 at The Roundhouse in London.

That’s how drama is done, ladies.

At iTunes.