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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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| 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 International Bank of Bob : connecting our worlds one $25 Kiva loan at a time
by Bob Harris
The television personality and regular contestant on Jeopardy! explains how he was compelled to use his good fortune to help the world's working poor, describing the founding of his Kiva.org microloan portal and his visits to world regions where his organization's loans have enabled people and small businesses to revitalize. 30,000 first printing.
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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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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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