See, Hear, Read: three local experts tell us what books, movies and music they’re craving this month

“Danger Mouse is known for his eclectic palette. He has worked as a producer for Beck, the Black Keys and U2, and is also one half of Gnarls Barkley. With Rome, he and composer Daniele Luppi have created an homage to 1960s Italian cinema that is both majestic and dreamy. Norah Jones and Jack White contribute vocals. It took Danger Mouse and Luppi five years to capture the feel of a classic Italian film score; they recorded straight to tape using vintage equipment—no computers. It’s brilliant.” —PAUL AZEVEDO Owner of Slinky Music

Rome, Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi (May 17)

“Anne Enright’s writing is just so good—it sings, it has a rhythm. She doesn’t shy away from the dark-ness in life, not in her Man Booker winner The Gathering, and not here. The Forgotten Waltz tells the story of a woman reminiscing about the love of her life on a snowy day in Dublin—while she waits for his young daughter to show up on her doorstep. Enright’s strength lies in her characters; they have taut interactions that are very true to life.” —CHRISTINE HAYNES General Manager of World’s Biggest Bookstore

The Forgotten Waltz, by Anne Enright (May 31)

(Illustrations by Grafilu; Photographs: top courtesy of Focus Features; middle courtesy of EMI; bottom courtesy of McClelland and Stewart)