Yolo County Library
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Biography and Memoir September 2016
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Assholes : a theory of Donald Trump
by Aaron James
"Finally, the unnerving, seemingly inexplicable phenomenon that is the political rise of Donald Trump explained--just in time to save democracy and the world. When Aaron James first published his groundbreaking and bestselling book Assholes : A Theory in2012, little did he or we know that he had written one of the prophetic books of our time. Donald Trump was featured prominently in that book as an exemplary asshole, of course; in this urgent new broadside, Aaron James applies the tenets of asshole theory rigorously and directly to the man as Trump continues his relentless drive to become the Republican presidential candidate. Never has an account of the asshole as a major problem for the rest of us been more called for. Never have the techniques of what James calls 'asshole management' been so desperately needed. I'm not joking. A book of potentially world historical importance. At the very least an instant bestseller"
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The long game : a memoir
by Mitch McConnell
A candid memoir by the Republican Senate Majority Leader traces his childhood battle with polio and the philosophies that have shaped his career, sharing his views on such topics as the strained relationship between Congress and the Obama administration, Hillary Clinton's moderate stance and the government shutdowns surrounding the Obamacare battles.
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Kick Kennedy : the charmed life and tragic death of the favorite Kennedy daughter
by Barbara Leaming
"Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy was the incandescent life force of the fabled Kennedy family, her father's acknowledged "favorite of all the children" and her brother Jack's "psychological twin." She was the Kennedy of Kennedys, sure of her privilege, magnetically charming and somehow not quite like anyone else on whatever stage she happened to grace. The daughter of the American ambassador to the Court of St. James's, Kick swept into Britain's aristocracy like a fresh wind on a sweltering summer day. In a decaying world where everything was based on stultifying sameness and similarity, she was gloriously, exhilaratingly different. Kick was the girl whom all the boys fell in love with, the girl who remained painfully out of reach for most of them. To Kick, everything about this life was fun and amusing--until suddenly it was not. For this is also a story of how a girl like Kick, a girl who had everything, a girl who seemed made for happiness, confronted crushing sadness. Willing to pay the price for choosing the love she wanted, she would have to face the consequences of forsaking much that was dear to her. Bestselling and award-winning biographer Barbara Leaming draws on her unique access to firsthand accounts, extensive conversations with many of the key players, and previously unseen sources to transport us to another world, one of immense wealth, arcane rituals and rules, glamour and tragedy, that has now disappeared forever."--Provided by publisher
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Her again : becoming Meryl Streep
by Michael Schulman
A thoroughly researched biography of Meryl Streep—nominated for 19 Oscars, winning three—explores her beginnings as a young woman of the 1970s grappling with love, feminism and her astonishing talent.
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Old age : a beginner's guide
by Michael E Kinsley
A deeply personal portrait of aging and illness by the beloved Vanity Fair columnist and founder of Slate draws on his battles with Parkinson's to trace the experiences of Baby Boomers against periods of dramatic cultural, economic and health-care changes.
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Dark night : a true Batman story
by Paul Dini
A semi-autobiographical graphic novel details the author's recovery process after a vicious beating, detailing how he imagined Batman at his side, keeping his most dangerous villains at bay and protecting him during his darkest moments
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Chasing the last laugh : Mark Twain's raucous and redemptive round-the-world comedy tour
by Richard Zacks
Draws on newspaper accounts, correspondences and unpublished materials in a lively account of Mark Twain's late-life adventures abroad that describes how his literary failures and debts compelled his five-year international lecture tour, a period that helped him rediscover his voice as a writer and humorist. By the author of Island of Vice.
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September and October Birthdays
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| The Theft of Memory: Losing My Father, One Day at a Time by Jonathan KozolSeptember 5, 1936. Though The Theft of Memory includes a biography of acclaimed education advocate Jonathan Kozol's father, Harry Kozol, this is primarily an informative but heartwrenching account of Jonathan's responsibility for his aging parents. Jonathan recounts his family's history and his estrangement from his father as a young adult; he also relates details of Harry's career as a neuropsychiatrist. Nearing 90, Harry began to experience symptoms of dementia and increasing physical frailty; his worsening condition brought father and son closer, though the difficulties of supervising Harry's care became exhausting for Jonathan. Publishers Weekly calls this a "clear-eyed and deeply felt" consideration of aging, dementia, and family relationships. |
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| Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl by Donald SturrockSeptember 13, 1916. Writer Roald Dahl led an adventurous and emotionally complex life. Not only did he pen several adult novels and many highly acclaimed children's books -- he worked with British intelligence during World War II and also served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. He enjoyed multiple romances and was married twice (the first time to actress Patricia Neal). Drawing on extensive research and interviews with friends and family, former BBC producer Donald Sturrock deftly sculpts an intricate portrait of the man, often making connections between his books and his personality in this riveting literary biography. Sturrock also offers a selection of Dahl's letters to his mother in Love from Boy, due out this month. |
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| Stand Up Straight and Sing! A Memoir by Jessye NormanSeptember 15, 1945. Grammy-winning soprano Jessye Norman credits her successful career in part to her mother's admonitions to stand up straight while singing. Growing up in segregated Augusta, Georgia, Norman soloed in church when she was four and fell in love with opera at age nine when she heard a recording of the music. Her memoir includes details of the support she received from her family and community, the development of her opera career, influences from other musicians, including Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price, and her participation in the civil rights movement. Reading Stand Up Straight and Sing! is like enjoying a conversation with "a good friend -- a famous one" says Kirkus Reviews. |
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| Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D.G. KelleyOctober 10, 1917. Acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, bebop co-creator, and mentor to many other great musicians, Thelonious Monk was mercurial and impossible to categorize. In this comprehensive biography, American Studies scholar Robin Kelley draws on extensive research, including interviews, to produce a detailed account of Monk's life. A classically trained pianist (unlike what some reports say) who suffered from bipolar disorder, he was an enjoyable companion who loved his family and friends -- and was loved in return. He was always on the cutting edge of jazz, seeking out new chords and techniques and continuously expanding his art. Library Journal calls this the "most thorough possible" study of the man himself and his music. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Yolo County Library
226 Buckeye St. Woodland, California 95695 530-666-8005
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