Do you have time to keep up with the latest in movies, books, food, drink, fashion, and design? Didn't think so. No worries: Our user-friendly primer will take busy people one step closer to... Total Cocktail Party Dominance
By Jason Adams and Mark Adams

(FORTUNE Magazine) – MUSIC

We know--your CD collection has some glaring omissions. So we've devised a two-part plan to help you get up to speed. First, there are the classics you've undoubtedly missed. We'll supply you with a few of those and suggest CDs with the same vibe, only newer. (You're welcome!) From there, we recommend that you go to the All Music Guide (allmusic.com) for links to similar artists old and new you may also enjoy.

If you: Have a working knowledge of the Beatles, the Who, and the Rolling Stones...

Check out: The Kink Kronikles by the Kinks ($22.98, Warner Brothers).

Why: You'll quickly realize that "You Really Got Me" was a great novelty song, but that tracks like "Waterloo Sunset" and "Shangri-La" on this two-CD compilation are why the Who's Pete Townsend said that singer-songwriter Ray Davies should be the poet laureate of England.

If you: Have virtually no working knowledge of any hip-hop beyond that little old lady rapping in The Wedding Singer ...

Check out: The Sugar Hill Records Story box set ($49.98, Rhino).

Why: Sugar Hill Records of New York City is where hip-hop began in the late 1970s, and tracks like Grandmaster Flash's "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" and the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" set the stage for Run-D.M.C., Eminem--and every rapping granny in between.

If you: Think the Bob Marley's Legend album you've had since that boozy freshman year of college defines reggae...

Check out: The Harder They Come soundtrack ($18.98, Universal).

Why: Essential cuts by Jimmy Cliff ("The Harder They Come"), the Maytals ("Pressure Drop"), and Desmond Dekker ("007--Shanty Town") are not only a good primer on reggae and its defining movie from the early '70s, but you might also finally feel a little sheepish about that We Be Jammin' dance you "mastered" in your dorm room.

If you: Think your daughter's copy of Avril Lavigne's Let Go seriously rocks ...

Check out: Horses by Patti Smith ($13.98, Arista).

Why: This 1975 debut changed the course of female rock singing forever, with Smith outdoing any frontman in the machismo department while offering the emotional complexity only a woman can. Everyone from Chrissie Hynde to, yes, young Avril owes her a debt of gratitude.

If you: Think Shania Twain exemplifies mainstream country music...

Check out: The Essential Johnny Cash ($24.98, Sony) and RCA Country Legends by Dolly Parton ($11.98, RCA).

Why: To clear up that pesky Shania Twain problem with a bracing dose of the genius of the recently departed Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Parton's "Jolene."

If you: Think your The Very Best of Frank Sinatra album encapsulates all you need to know about jazz ...

Check out: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook ($33.98, Polygram) and A Love Supreme by John Coltrane ($17.98, GRP).

Why: Arguably the finest moments for voice and saxophone in American music, both of which pay homage to the great storytelling of legendary creators: Cole Porter--and God.

If you: Consider cobalt, royal, and azure your favorite blues ...

Check out: The Essential Bessie Smith ($24.98, Sony) and King of the Delta Blues Singers by Robert Johnson ($11.98, Sony).

Why: She was the Empress of the Blues. He was the King of the Delta Blues. Need we say more?

If you: Need a new record that is sure to be an instant classic to look forward to ...

Check out: The as-yet-untitled album from Fiona Apple, due next February.

Why: Apple once again teams up with critic's darling and much-lauded songwriter Jon Brion (the guy responsible for Aimee Mann's heralded comeback and the scores for the Paul Thomas Anderson movies Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love), and the CD's advance buzz is great. If their past collaborations are any indication, the buzz should prove correct.

If you: Absolutely love, love, love your copy of the Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits 1974-78 ... sadly, you may be beyond our help, Space Cowboy. Good luck.

MOVIES

While you were busy spending your ten bucks on the likes of The Matrix Reloaded, T3, and The Hulk, people were actually putting out movies that you can talk about at your Oscar party. Movies that you should know about. Herewith, a crib sheet for everything besides Best Special Effects. You have that one covered.

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

What you need to know: This little runaway success of a movie starring relative unknowns (though co-stars Parminder K. Nagra and Keira Knightley have found mainstream success on ER and in Pirates of the Caribbean, respectively) is a pretty good bet for Best Foreign Film.

Your take: "Even though it's really a British picture, it's essentially Bollywood's answer to My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

FINDING NEMO

What you need to know: Place your bets now. This is a lock for Best Animated Feature.

Your take: "Interesting side note: The price of clown fish went through the roof after its opening in May."

LOST IN TRANSLATION

What you need to know: This little sleeper of a hit set in Japan will probably boost director Sofia Coppola to her famous father's level--and garner star Bill Murray his first Oscar nod.

Your take: "The storytelling, which relies more on visuals than it does on plot, is an outgrowth of Coppola's photography background."

CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS

What you need to know: A documentary of the average-seeming Friedman family--whose lives were torn apart when their high school science teacher father and 18-year-old son were slapped with child-molestation charges.

Your take: "Hey, man, it was winner of the 2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize. I say it's a sure thing for Best Documentary."

THE HUMAN STAIN

What you need to know: Based on the Philip Roth bestseller, the movie is loaded with previous Oscar winners Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, and director Robert Benton.

Your take: "The ironic thing is that even though Nicole's character, Faunia Farley, is a cleaning lady, she's really smarter than Hopkins's college professor."

MYSTIC RIVER (Oct. 8)

What you need to know: Director Clint Eastwood took home an Oscar for his work in Unforgiven, and now the early buzz at Cannes about this dark drama indicates that Sean Penn might again be short-listed for a Best Actor nod for his role as an emotionally damaged cop.

Your take: "If you really think about it, it's impressive that they were able to translate Dennis Lehane's dense and complex book to film."

KILL BILL: VOLUME ONE (Oct. 10)

What you need to know: In Quentin Tarantino's first film since 1997's Jackie Brown, Uma Thurman stars as a comatose bride who later comes back in a 25-minute fight scene.

Your take: "The movie was so long, they split it in two--which could both help and hurt Tarantino's chances for a shot at Best Director."

SYLVIA (Oct. 17)

What you need to know: Could be the first time in five years that Gwyneth Paltrow will be back in the Oscar hunt for her portrayal of poet Sylvia Plath to Daniel Craig's Ted Hughes.

Your take: "I'm telling you, the guy playing her husband is that guy from Tomb Raider."

COLD MOUNTAIN Dec. 25)

What you need to know: Stacked with Academy-friendly talent like Kidman and Renee Zellweger, this Anthony Minghella-directed adaptation of Charles Frazier's Civil War love story cost Miramax $83,460,000, the most it has ever shelled out for a film.

Your take on it: "You know, Ryan Adams says he turned down the part of Georgia that went to the White Stripes' Jack White."

Oscar Watch 2005! THE LIFE AQUATIC (2004)

What you need to know: It's Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums director Wes Anderson's first big-budget movie, a Jacques Cousteau--style high-seas adventure starring Bill Murray.

Your take on it: "I'd bet for Anderson to take home the Best Director Oscar, but I got screwed in last year's office pool."

The Classics: Movies

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) The father of all war films.

High Noon (1952) The benchmark for Westerns.

North by Northwest (1959) In Hitchcock's classic, Cary Grant makes being terrified a little bit funny and utterly stylish.

The Apartment (1960) The heart-wrenching romantic comedy that paved the way for every other heart-wrenching romantic comedy, from The Graduate to Jerry Maguire.

Dr. Strangelove (1964) Stanley Kubrick's vision of nuclear war is so close to reality it's almost not funny. Almost.

The Godfather (1972) Screw Citizen Kane. This is the greatest American movie. Period.

American Graffiti (1973) Yes, George Lucas made a great movie. No, it did not star a guy named after a Midwestern state or Jar Jar Binks.

Rushmore (1998) When Bill Murray finally wins an Academy Award, remember that he should have won it for his role in this reinvention of the offbeat romantic comedy.

BOOKS

If you own: Jack: Straight From the Gut, by Jack Welch.

What it is: The inside story of the management style of the American CEO whom many, himself included, consider America's greatest CEO.

Why not trade it in for: Nelson: Love & Fame, by Edgar Vincent.

What it is: The inside story of the management style of the British admiral whom many, himself included, considered history's greatest military hero.

If you own: Good to Great, by Jim Collins.

What it is: A synthesis of the brilliant ideas that inspired boring companies like Walgreens and Fannie Mae.

Why not trade it in for: Genius, by Harold Bloom.

What it is: A synthesis of the brilliant ideas that inspired enthralling writers like Shakespeare and Goethe.

If you own: Rick Steves' Best of Europe.

What it is: A travel guide for people who can't get enough Disney World.

Why not trade it in for: The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton. What it is: Travel writing for people who can't get enough Baudelaire.

If you own: Body for Life, by Bill Phillips.

What it is: A plan to pump you up in six weeks.

Why not trade it in for: Ultimate Fitness, by Gina Kolata.

What it is: An explanation of why suckers fall for six-week plans to pump themselves up.

If you own: The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.

What it is: Scooby-Doo meets Cryptonomicon.

Why not trade it in for: Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett.

What it is: The Autumn of the Patriarch meets Pride and Prejudice.

If you own: The Martha Stewart Cookbook.

What it is: A collection of unnecessarily complicated recipes for Type A's who like to stuff snow peas.

Why not trade it in for: Is There a Nutmeg in the House?, by Elizabeth David.

What it is: A collection of deceptively simple essays and recipes for Type B's who like to stuff their faces.

If you own: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht.

What it is: James Bond for Jackass viewers.

Why not trade it in for: Surviving the Extremes, by Kenneth Kamler, MD.

What it is: Into Thin Air for Lancet readers.

If you own: Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, MD.

What it is: Hypothetical mice discover the meaning of life, which turns out to be simple.

Why not trade it in for: The Big Questions, by Lou Marinoff.

What it is: Brilliant philosophers discover the meaning of life, which turns out to be complicated.

If you own: Living History, by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

What it is: The story of an ambitious, strong-willed lawyer whose lawyer husband--Bill Clinton--asks her to put her career on hold. She does.

Why not trade it in for: Gellhorn, by Caroline Moorehead.

What it is: The story of an ambitious, strong-willed writer whose writer husband--Ernest Hemingway--asks her to put her career on hold. She dumps him.

If you own: The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger.

What it is: Fictional portrayal of a crazy editor of Vogue that raises the question, "Don't these people have anything better to do with their time?"

Why not trade it in for: D.V., by Diana Vreeland.

What it is: Factual portrayal of a crazy editor of Vogue who raised the question, "Why don't you rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne like the French do?"

The Classics: Books

The Power Broker, by Robert Caro: The best personality analysis ever done.

Remembrance of Things Past, by Marcel Proust. Granddaddy of novel-reading bragging rights.

The Orwell Reader, by George Orwell. A collection of perfect essays that explain why everyone always quotes its author.

Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. The great American novel has already been written--this is it.

The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway. The most compelling (and shortest) book by America's all-time greatest writer.

The Second World War, by Winston Churchill. The 20th century's epic tale, told in minute detail by one of its key players.

Dispatches, by Michael Herr. The most personal and intense story of war in Vietnam.

ARCHITECTURE

Quick--name your favorite architect. Hmm. Can you name one architect? Okay, here are three who are changing the world--and why you should know them.

Daniel Libeskind: The thinker. At 57, an age when most of us are checking the balances on our 401(k)s, the Polish-born Libeskind has transformed himself from one of his field's leading theorists to one of its most important builders. His Jewish Museum in Berlin, which opened in 2001, got him noticed. But it's his inspirational design for the former World Trade Center site--a soaring, 1,776-foot spire that somehow manages to merge the mundane practicalities of office space with an elegant memorial--that will make him a household name.

Norman Foster: The maestro. The guiding spirit of London's rebirth in the '90s has designed Bilbao's subway stations, rebuilt the Reichstag, and is currently working on plans for the 170-story Millennium Tower in Tokyo--which will be the world's tallest and perhaps coolest-looking building. Don't have a billion to spend on a skyscraper? You can get one of his sleek, functional desk sets for under $500.

David Rockwell: Mr. Inside. Best known for his spectacular, theatrical interiors--from Planet Hollywood (well, the decor was a success) to the Mohegan Sun casino to the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park. Now cooking up projects with MacArthur Fellows and architecture studio-of-the-moment Diller and Scofodio.

DESIGN LEXICON

To understand design, first you must speak its language. Here are nine key names and ideas with which to familiarize yourself. Should any of them pop up at a cocktail party, we've even provided a helpful adjective to drop into conversation.

Tom Ford Gucci designer whose kinky-elegant aesthetic made the 1970s seem cool again. Helpful adjective: decadent.

The Bourellec Brothers Furniture makers with an eye for flexibility and a sense of humor. IKEA for grownups. Helpful adjective: playful.

Spain as the New France Good cheap wine. The world's most inventive cuisine. Pro-American. Oh, and the Spanish make better movies than the French too. Helpful adjective: ¡Estupendo!

Superlightweight The holy grail of design in everything from parkas to shoes to MP3 players. If this trend continues, you'll have to tether your carry-on. Helpful adjective: airy.

Steelcase Indestructible, gunboat-heavy 1950s office furniture being snapped up by hipsters with strong backs. Helpful adjective: sturdy.

The New Dior Under the guidance of Hedi Slimane, the granddaddy of Paris couture houses has been rescued from the licensing hell of vinyl luggage and pungent colognes. Stole the 2003 men's shows in Milan. Helpful adjective: impudent.

Alessi Swanky Italian housewares manufacturer whose coffee and tea sets have raised the beverage bar for cool elegance. Helpful adjective: metallic.

Renewable decor Eco-friendly interior design movement based on the idea that one's home should be constructed of quickly regenerated green materials that one might feed a panda: bamboo, sisal, cork. Popular in Hollywood. Helpful adjective: crunchy.

Converse Inadvertently retro sneaker maker, just purchased by Nike for relaunch. Trade in your Pumas. Helpful adjective: old school.

DINING

The It mineral: Sea salt Like olive oil, spring water, and balsamic vinegar before it, good old sodium chloride is now being elevated to finicky connoisseur status. The ones to know: Trapani (Sicily), Jurassic (Utah), Celtic (Brittany, France), and Anglesey (Wales).

What it says about you: I am not afraid to taste my food.

The It speed: Slow The slow food movement's tenets are rooted in the homestead tradition: If you want a BLT, you raise the pig, lettuce, and tomato yourself rather than popping down to the deli. Its practical application for those of us who are less agriculturally inclined is to support the use of independent and organic farming, where nonsterile seeds are used and a variety of animal breeds are raised. For example, while Holstein is the beef of choice for the large commercial producers, a smaller farm's might come from a tastier Scotch Highland. Along with gourmet stores and butchers, many chefs today are choosing to use "heirloom" vegetables and meat for their restaurants because they tend to be, while less pretty perhaps, much more flavorful.

What it says about you: See above--and pass the Anglesey, please.

The It beverage: White tea Wanna stick it to your co-workers who taunt you for not drinking that murky swamp water they extract from the coffee machine? Already a hot trend in beauty products, green tea's paler sibling has more antioxidants and less caffeine, and has a light sweet flavor instead of tasting like a freshly cut lawn.

What it says about you: I am not a follower, sirs; I am a trendsetter--with very clean teeth.

The It course: Dessert No need for sweet-tooths to finish their dinner, thanks to the all-dessert restaurant. Top spots include Sugar in Chicago, Finale in Boston, and Dessert Cafe in Philadelphia. And Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes of Portland, Ore., are aiming to be the Starbucks of chocolate by serving gourmet truffles and hot chocolate, with plans for soon moving into other West Coast locales.

What it says about you: I am tired of hiding my peas under the mashed potatoes.

The It meal: Drinks Part economic necessity, part socialization, six-course group sit-down dinners are becoming a thing of the past. Restaurants are opening up more floor space to bar patrons, and prestigious caterers like Abigail Kirsch in New York City are seeing more "all cocktail" dinners--drinks along with entree-type foods served in appetizer portions, allowing for more interacting and fewer loosened belts.

What it says about you: I may be a little late for work tomorrow.

FASHION

Casual Friday was sort of a cute idea, briefly, but you know the rule: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Are you really angling for that last waitron slot at Applebee's? Or do you want that corporate apartment in Paris? Here's a breakdown of designers whose names you probably already know, what their clothing says about you, and what branch office you are most likely to get transferred to if you start showing up for work in their stuff.

WEAR THIS LABEL Ralph Lauren Purple Label

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Clubby, classic

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR London

WEAR THIS LABEL Calvin Klein

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Clean, serene

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR Tokyo

WEAR THIS LABEL Giorgio Armani

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Strong, silent

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR Los Angeles

WEAR THIS LABEL Prada

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Arty, moody

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR Berlin

WEAR THIS LABEL Burberry

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Plaid, tweedy

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR Boston

WEAR THIS LABEL Paul Smith

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Caffeinated, slim

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR New York City

WEAR THIS LABEL Dolce & Gabbana

TO PROJECT THIS LOOK Creative, wacky

THEN PACK YOUR BAGS FOR Amsterdam

DRINKING

First came the single-malt craze, followed by the superpremium vodkas: Grey Goose, Ketel One, Skyy. Now every high-octane libation has gone high class. A primer to bring with you on your next visit to the duty-free shop.

ALCOHOL Hendrick's Gin ($28)

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM CHEAP STUFF More fragrant--smells like cucumber

BEST USED IN Martini

ALCOHOL Montecristo Rum ($28)

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM CHEAP STUFF Less sweet

BEST USED IN Mojito

ALCOHOL Three Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey ($65)

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM CHEAP STUFF Smoother finish

BEST USED IN Highball

ALCOHOL Ciroc Vodka ($30)

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM CHEAP STUFF Made from grapes; fruity taste

BEST USED IN Gimlet

ALCOHOL Herradura Reposado Tequila ($37)

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM CHEAP STUFF Mellower; made with 100% blue agave

BEST USED IN Moderation