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Popular CultureNovember 2014
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"Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American writer
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New and Recently Released!
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| Even This I Get to Experience by Norman Lear"Flat out, one of the best Hollywood memoirs ever written," says Booklist of this one, by Emmy Award-winning producer Norman Lear. Lear, best known for bringing touchy social and political issues to the small screen, was behind such sitcoms as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son. With more than 50 years in show business under his belt, along with three marriages and a strong interest in politics, Lear is both entertaining and engrossing, and his memoir is a can't-miss look at 1970s culture. |
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| The History of Rock 'n' Roll in Ten Songs by Greil MarcusAs the title suggests, rock critic Greil Marcus has selected ten songs -- all recorded between 1956 and 2008 -- that he feels effectively embody the spirit of rock 'n' roll. Many of the songs have been re-recorded, for example Etta James' "All I Could Do Was Cry," which was later recorded by Beyoncé. Musically minded readers may not agree with all of Marcus' choices, but that's part of the fun. His in-depth analysis explores unusual connections between versions and calls attention to the different aspects each performer draws out. For more in-depth and song-specific analysis, try Dave Marsh's Louie Louie. |
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| Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith by Joe Perry with David RitzThe rise and fall -- and rise again -- of Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry takes center stage in this memoir, which details his early years, the formation of the hard rocking Aerosmith, and its dissolution and eventual reemergence. In addition to candid tales of alcohol-fueled excess, tumultuous relationships, and bad management, Perry also includes an appendix written by his own guitar techs and a discography. Fans will not want to miss out on Rocks, which has earned praise from fellow rockers Jimmy Page, Slash, Perry Farrell, and Gene Simmons. |
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| The Opening Kickoff: The Tumultuous Birth of a Football Nation by Dave RevsineIn the early days of college football, intense media coverage, injuries, and concerns about the corrupting influence of money were the order of the day; some might argue that hasn't changed much at all. Using the Wisconsin team of 1890s as a focal point, noted sports journalist and broadcaster Dave Revsine provides a detailed history of the emergence and development of college football through 1915. For a different take, try Michael Weinreb's Season of Saturdays, which uses 14 iconic games to highlight the history of college football. |
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| Cosby: His Life and Times by Mark WhitakerFamed comedian Bill Cosby has written his own books (I Didn't Ask to Be Born), but this well-researched biography offers a different perspective. Tracking both Cosby's personal life and his professional trajectory, author Mark Whitaker explores how the pioneering actor and comedian paved the way for other African Americans in television and advanced both civil rights and race relations. "An eye-opening book and a pleasure to read," says Kirkus Reviews |
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| The Mushroom Hunters: On the Trail of an Underground America by Langdon CookAs in Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, author Langdon Cook brings readers into a fascinating subculture -- in this case, the world of mushroom hunters, traders, and buyers. Though some highly prized mushrooms can bring top dollar from Michelin starred restaurants, there are also plenty of itinerant pickers scrounging for a living wage. Foragers don't always get on with each other, with forest rangers, or with the owners of the private land they scour for morels and truffles. Their stories -- as well as a few choice recipes -- can all be found in this "beguiling, surprising book" (The Seattle Times). |
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| Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play It by David M. EwaltWith the advent of video and Internet games, you'd be forgiven if you thought that interest in Dungeons & Dragons had petered out in the early 1990s. But the role-playing game with the multi-sided dice still retains tens of millions of fans -- and author David M. Ewalt is clearly one of them, despite several years away from the game. In Of Dice and Men, he traces D&D's creation in the 1970s, the public hysteria that linked it to satanic rituals and teen suicides, and its decline and recent renaissance. He also writes of his own experiences with the game as a teenager and an adult. Whether you're a fan or always wondered what the appeal was, Ewalt's take is "witty and absorbing" (Booklist). |
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| Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players by Stefan FatsisSports reporter Stefan Fatsis was merely a Scrabble dabbler when he started the research that became this book, but he soon became a Scrabble fiend. In fact, his interest evolved into near-obsession as he delved into the colorful, intense world of competitive Scrabble, and he ranked about 180th in the U.S. at the time of the book's publication. Populated by such characters as a vitamin-popping stand-up comic and a three-time champion who plays by Zen principles, Word Freak will be a delight to anyone who has ever known the joy of a well-played triple word score. |
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| Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries by Jon RonsonIn this entertaining collection of essays, author Jon Ronson dives headfirst into the eccentricities and peculiarities of contemporary culture. From unmasking the interests of British pop stars (Robbie Williams is a UFO enthusiast) to investigating what horrorcore rap duo Insane Clown Posse really believes in (God, apparently) to a "real-life" Chicago superhero, Ronson himself plays a part in his stories, such as by replicating James Bond's road trip in Goldfinger. While often amusing, some stories are dark -- murder, suicide, and the sub-prime mortgage market all appear in this compelling compilation of Ronson's journalism. |
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| Turn Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love & Karaoke by Rob SheffieldIn this follow-up to Love is a Mix Tape, which ended with the unexpected death of author Rob Sheffield's wife, the music lover and Rolling Stone writer picks up where he left off. Having moved from Virginia to NYC, he wanders around aimlessly and grief-stricken until he discovers karaoke's power to heal. Despite being a terrible singer, Sheffield nevertheless comes to feel completely at home on stage and within the karaoke community. Each chapter shares its name with a meaningful song title and mixes tales of the karaoke underground with Sheffield's own musings on overcoming grief and falling in love again. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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