What they are . . .

Lining up for in

London:

“Sherlock Holmes”

Audiences are flocking to see director Guy Ritchie’s vision of London hometown boy Sherlock Holmes in this racy version of the renowned detective novels. Fallible and bare-headed -- no deerstalker here -- Holmes (Robert Downey Jr., above) and a fast-talking, slick version of ex-army Dr. Watson (Jude Law) battle an evil genius in a stylish and murky 19th century London.

Reading in Mexico:

“Arrebatos Carnales” (“Carnal Raptures”)

Historian Francisco Martin Moreno has shot past Dan Brown on the bestseller lists with his description of the love lives and driving passions (we’re not talking politics here) of some of Mexico’s most important national figures, including Porfirio Diaz, Pancho Villa and the prolific 17th century nun, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz.