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Popular Culture January 2019
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| Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam HorovitzCh-Check it out: This sweeping, laugh-out-loud memoir charts the meteoric rise of the influential hip-hop group Beastie Boys, offering an experience "as innovative and raucous as the band's music" (Publishers Weekly).
Featuring: photographs, playlists, and recipes; guest essays from Spike Jonze, Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, and more.
Don't miss: the authors’ moving tributes to bandmate Adam Yauch, who died in 2012. |
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| Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of '80s and '90s Teen Fiction by Gabrielle MossWhat it's about: Snarky and nostalgic, this immersive deep dive into the "frivolous" young adult novels of the 1980s and '90s examines the historical contexts behind the genre's popularity.
What's inside: a bright color palette that includes reproductions of classic book covers; interviews with authors and artists. |
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This will only hurt a little
by Busy Philipps
What it is: a memoir by the beloved comedic actress known for her roles on Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek and Cougar Town, who has become a breakout star on Instagram.
Reviewers say: "Philipps paints a picture of what it's like to be a woman in the world of acting, from sexism to body shaming to juggling parenthood and career in a celebrity memoir that stands apart in a crowded field" (Library Journal).
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| Guru by RuPaulWhat it is: a pithy collection of encouraging aphorisms and full-color photos from showbiz stalwart RuPaul, the Emmy Award-winning host of the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race.
Want a taste? "You're born naked and the rest is drag."
Topics include: Ru's secrets to success; the importance of finding one's tribe; the interplay of drag culture and masculinity. |
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| She Wants It: Desire, Power, and Toppling the Patriarchy by Jill SolowayWhat it's about: In this candid and eye-opening memoir, Transparent creator Jill Soloway (who is nonbinary) reckons with their place in male-dominated Hollywood, offering insights on gender, sexuality, and the #metoo movement.
Did you know? Soloway was inspired to create Transparent after their own parent came out as transgender.
Book buzz: She Wants It is a New York Times Editors' Choice pick. |
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| Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia ChaudryWhat it is: a gripping examination of then-teenager Adnan Syed's involvement in the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, a story that will be familiar to listeners of the wildly popular Serial podcast.
What sets it apart: Written by attorney and Undisclosed podcast host Rabia Chaudry, Adnan's Story offers legal perspectives missing from Serial, revealing how police misconduct, inconsistent evidence, and Syed's incompetent lawyer (who was later disbarred) marred the investigation. |
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| I'd Know That Voice Anywhere: My Favorite NPR Commentaries by Frank DefordWhat it is: beloved sportswriter Frank Deford's favorite contributions from his 37-year tenure as the sports commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition.
Don't miss: "The Other Winnie-the-Pooh," in which Deford sardonically notes the similarities between the titular bear and Babe Ruth.
Reviewers say: "A rich collection for anyone interested in the sporting life" (Booklist). |
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Bored and brilliant : how spacing out can unlock your most productive and creative self
by Manoush Zomorodi
What it is: The host of WNYC's "Note to Self" explains the connection between boredom and being unplugged from the constant presence of social networks, drawing on interviews with scientists, famous artists and everyday thinkers to explain how the idle mind can ignite original, highly creative thinking.
Who it's for: anyone who has felt overwhelmed by the technology in his/her life.
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| Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast by Marc Maron & Brendan McDonaldWhat it is: a revealing collection of interviews from comedian Marc Maron's WTF podcast, which has aired biweekly since 2009.
Notable guests: Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Barack Obama, Robin Williams, Terry Gross, Leslie Jones, and Sarah Silverman.
Why you might like it: Forgoing a standard transcript format, Waiting for the Punch organizes interviews by theme (such as Growing Up, Identity, and Mental Health) to give the collection an intimate narrative quality. |
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Unqualified : love and relationship advice from a celebrity who just wants to help
by Anna Faris
What it is: popular actress and host of the hit podcast Anna Faris Is Unqualified shares laugh-out-loud stories about her misadventures with romance to offer offbeat counsel on navigating the bizarre, chaotic and ultimately worthwhile challenges of finding love.
Reviewers say: "Goofily self-deprecating, casually profane and occasionally raw, earnest and blunt, like Ms. Faris herself" (The New York Times).
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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