(Clockwise from left) Jackets of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Moby?s Hotel; Amartya Sen

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Shobhaa De may fast be disappearing off the shelves as of now, but are their days numbered? So it seems, what with a spate of much-awaited titles eyeing a summer release. And if the book corner is gearing up for a stiff fight over shelf space, the music gallery is no less crowded with loads of veterans slated to cut new discs. Here?s a round-up of the season?s potential lords of the rack.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (J.K. Rowling)

Though the writer and her publisher have kept the book a tightly wrapped secret, fans have managed to piece together information about the much-awaited sixth volume of Harry Potter. According to websites tracking the book, Harry will spend his shortest summer holiday at Privet Drive, Wormtail will reappear and a new Minister of Magic instated. Also, there?s more about Voldemort?s birth.

The Solomon Key (Dan Brown)

The author who ruled for most of last year is likely to sustain his dream run. After the tremendous success of The Da Vinci Code, Brown?s forthcoming novel is one of the most highly anticipated works. Speculation is rife about the read likely to feature Harvard professor Robert Langdon again. It will be set in Washington and focus on Freemasons.

Saturday (Ian McEwan)

The Booker-winning author of the best-selling Atonement is expected to do well with his upcoming title. The story follows a day in the life of a London neuro-surgeon whose comfortable existence goes topsy-turvy with a string of incidents, mundane and mind-blowing.

The Argumentative Indian (Amartya Sen)

This collection of essays by the Nobel Laureate economist will dwell on contemporary India in the light of its argumentative tradition.

Also figuring on the must-read list are Paul Theroux?s Blinding Light, Kazuo Ishiguro?s Never Let Me Go, Umberto Eco?s The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana and Arundhati Roy?s collection of essays, The Ordinary Person?s Guide to Empire.

From books to beats...

Hotel (Moby)

Play and 18 catapulted Richard Melville Hall aka Moby (Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, was his great-great grand uncle) to superstardom. Expectations, thus, are sky high for the American music maker?s latest release. Lots of sampling, vocals by Moby himself and even a touch of political consciousness is likely to assure electronica nirvana and a little more. First single out: Lift me up.

Guero (Beck)

Video game sound effects, random shouting in Spanish, and rhymes about popsicles and vegetable vans could be the real highlights of Beck David Campbell?s latest. Guero, Spanish for ?white boy?, is his follow-up to 2002?s Sea Change, a moderate hit. There was a lot more freedom while recording this set, Beck has said, which prompted him to even attempt some rap songs. First single out: E-Pro.

Bleed Like Me (Garbage)

Personal and professional break-ups later (the band had called it quits a while back and singer Shirley Manson separated from her husband recently), the motley crew of producers, musicians and a singer is back. The passage of time hasn?t softened the music as the new album is said to be as hard-rocking as any Garbage album. First single out: Why do you love me.

The Emancipation of Mimi (Mariah Carey)

Is the squealing diva?s career well and truly over? Emancipation? might well prove critics wrong. First single out: It?s like that.

New albums are also expected from Oasis, Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails, Dr Dre, 50 Cent, Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and even reality TV star Paris Hilton.