THE LIST: DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week

“National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (PG): If you’re jonesing for Indiana Jones and can’t wait until your favorite globe-trotting archaeologist shows up Thursday on the big screen, here’s the next best thing: dauntless treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage).

The hero of 2004’s “National Treasure” returns for more fractured history lessons as he searches for 18 missing pages from the diary of Abraham Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth, which could prove the key to an international conspiracy. Silly, breezy escapism, with nothing on its mind but unpretentious fun. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Also out today: “Strange Wilderness” (R); “The Color of Freedom” (R); “Flock” (R); “The Air I Breathe” (R); “Square Pegs: The Complete Series” (Unrated); “The James Stewart Western Collection” (Unrated); “Cranford” (Unrated); “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium” (G); “What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?” (Unrated); and “Company” (Unrated).

CDS

Scarlett Johansson, “Anywhere I Lay My Head”: Yeah, we know, when most actors or actresses launch vanity music careers, the sounds that issue forth tend to be about as pleasant as a brick to the groin.

So what makes Johansson any different?

Well, for one, she has great taste in source material, as her debut consists almost solely of Tom Waits tunes.

And she also managed to recruit an ace supporting cast for the record, which is produced by TV on the Radio guitarist Dave Sitek and features guest appearances by David Bowie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist Nick Zinner and Celebration’s Sean Antanaitis.

Hey, it has gotta be better than Dogstar, right?

Also in stores: French Kicks, “Swimming”; Julianne Hough, “Julianne Hough”; Mason Jennings, “In the Ever”; King’s X, “XV”; Mates of State, “Re-Arrange Us”; Jesse McCartney, “Departure”; Mudhoney, “Lucky Ones”; 3 Doors Down, “3 Doors Down”; and The Wedding Present, “El Rey.”

BOOKS

“Odd Hours” by Dean Koontz: The quirky Pico Mundo fry cook is back in the fourth of Koontz’s “Odd Thomas” series, and with him is a new companion who could give Elvis a run for his money. This time the guy who sees ghosts is drawn to the sea as sinister forces align against him.

Also hitting shelves: “The Front” by Patricia Cornwell; “Snuff” by Chuck Palahniuk; “Blood Trail” by C.J. Box; “Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors” by Bill Bryson; “Executive Privilege” by Phillip Margolin; “Moon Shell Beach” by Nancy Thayer; “Blind Rage” by Terri Persons; and “Raven Rise” by D.J. MacHale.