—Pretty Little Liars: This ABC Family show, which premiered June 8, is based on the Sara Shepard book series about four girls (Spencer, Hannah, Aria and Emily) who begin receiving text messages from someone using the name “A” who threatens to expose their secrets—including long-hidden ones they thought only Alison (their former clique leader) knew. Sounds like a guilty pleasure…
—Chris Lehrecke’s Spun lamp: Lehrecke, a furniture designer, created this lamp using wood found near his New York house, and it’s topped with an aluminum shade. It’s eye-catching but beware—it’s also wallet-draining, as it costs a shade under $4,000. (See www.RalphPucci.net.)
—Artist Steve Ohlrich: This artist not only produces intriguing works that range from still lifes to creative compositions, but Ohlrich (who lives in Wisconsin) teaches courses in Highland Park, Ill., including a course for those 14 and up on figure drawing. See www.SteveOhlrich.com.
—Season two of True Blood (on DVD) : It starts off with a bang—a murder victim who is literally missing a heart—and concludes with death, a marriage proposal and a kidnapping. In between, True Blood deftly walks the line between horror and comedy, keeping the viewer’s attention the entire time. And what gay person can’t identify with the disenfranchised vampire population?
—Inseparable: Desire Between Women in Literature: This Emma Donoghue book writes about Sapphic love in this very detailed work that examines literature by everyone ranging from William Shakespeare to Agatha Christie.
—Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com)