5 Things You Should Know About

BOOKS

Anathem By Neal Stephenson; out now What ever happened to the great novel of ideas? It has morphed into science fiction, and Stephenson is its foremost practitioner. Here he imagines a postapocalyptic world where cloistered monks keep the secrets of mathematics safe from the fallen civilization around them. A-

MOVIES

The Women Written and directed by Diane English; rated PG-13; out now There's not even one male in this update of a Clare Boothe Luce play. But the men aren't missed, what with all the dames who surround Meg Ryan's Mary Haines, the doing-it-all mom whose spouse is doing someone else. More authentic than the femme films of summer, if a little less fun. B-

Towelhead Written and directed by Alan Ball; rated R; out now Making the offensive funny is not easy. It's even harder when your protagonist is a 13-year-old girl, and your subjects are sex and race. Ball's film is as cringe-inducing as an after-school special but with a larky tone that invites the audience to feel complicit. One word: ick. F

MUSIC

Do You Know By Jessica Simpson; available now With its pat narratives, modern country excels at masking a lack of depth with a high gloss of feeling. So, good career move! Simpson navigates her twangy debut without incident until Dolly Parton shows up for a duet, clears her throat and reminds us to stop grading on a curve. C

TELEVISION

Whatever, Martha! Fine Living Network; Tuesdays, 9 p.m. E.T. Alexis Stewart watches reruns of Martha Stewart Living with Jennifer Koppelman Hutt and cracks risqué jokes about her mom's short shorts. Does anyone need to see this besides a family therapist? Take the DIY approach: mix some margaritas and make fun of MSL yourself. D