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Popular Culture November 2017
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| I'll Have What She's Having: How Nora Ephron's Three Iconic Films Saved the Romantic Comedy by Erin CarlsonAnybody who recognizes the source of this book's title will enjoy this engaging exploration of three much-loved romantic comedies: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. While the focus is on Nora Ephron (who scripted Harry and co-wrote and directed the other two), there are also plenty of goodies for fans of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Entertainment journalist Erin Carlson also sheds light on the challenges that women face in a youth-oriented and male-dominated Hollywood, both as actors and directors. |
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| Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast by Marc Maron and Brendan McDonaldFor nine years, Marc Maron has hosted the popular WTF podcast, interviewing notables from comedians (Patton Oswalt) and musicians (Bruce Springsteen) to the former leader of the free world (President Barack Obama). Here, he's organized his guests' revelations into 11 categories (like "Identity" or "Relationships"), each of which provide insight into their lives -- and the human experience in general. "Profound and powerful," says Kirkus Reviews, with plenty of humor as well. |
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The Improv: An Oral History of the World-Famous Comedy Club that Revolutionized Stand-Up
by Budd Friedman
Have you heard the one about the aspiring Broadway producer who bought a closed restaurant and changed the course of American comedy? It's no joke-his name is Budd Friedman, and his legendary club helped shape the stand-up comedy that is still a staple of entertainment today. From the microphone to the iconic brick wall, the Improv has been the launching pad of the nation's most talented comedians. By providing a stage for them to riff on everything from race and religion to politics and sex, the Improv not only generated legions of comedy fans, it reinvented the art form by overturning the comedy traditions of the Borscht Belt. The Improv features true insiders' accounts of a unique institution in America's cultural history and the man who unofficially provided the laugh track for an entire nation.
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Significant Zero: Heroes, Villains, and the Fight for Art and Soul in Video Games
by Walt Williams
From the award-winning videogame writer behind Spec Ops: The Line comes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how today's blockbuster video games are made. When his satirical musings in a college newspaper got him discharged from the Air Force, it became clear to Walt Williams that his destiny in life was to be a writer--he just never thought he'd end up writing video games, let alone working on some of the most successful franchises in the industry--Bioshock, Civilization, Borderlands, and Mafia among others. Significant Zero offers a rare look inside this fascinating, billion-dollar industry and a path forward for its talented men and women--gamers and nongamers alike--that imagines how video games might inspire the best in all of us.
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| Crash Override: How Gamergate (Nearly) Destroyed My Life... by Zoë QuinnIn 2014, video game designer Zoe Quinn was the target of an ex-boyfriend's revenge campaign that spiraled wildly from accusations of unethical behavior to hate mail, death threats, and other forms of online (and IRL) abuse. This harassment -- which targeted several other women in the video game industry -- came to be known as Gamergate, and while Quinn started hiding her location, she refused to stay silent. In her book, Quinn outlines her efforts to find justice, describes the legal system's weaknesses when it comes to online abuse, and talks about the victims' advocacy group she founded. She also provides practical steps for creating a safe internet culture. |
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Slayers & Vampires: The Complete Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Buffy & Angel
by Edward Gross
Featuring interviews with cast and crew members, an unauthorized chronicle of the story behind the making of two of the biggest cult television series includes coverage of how they were successfully spun from a failed movie, the network battle for their control and how their productions and story lines continue to influence television today.
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The World of James Bond: The Lives and Times of 007
by Jeremy M. Black
This book presents an insightful and thoroughly entertaining exploration of the politics of the Bond books and films. Class, gender, violence, sex, race—all are themes that Black scrutinizes through ongoing shifts in characterization and plot. His informed analysis provides a fascinating history of the enduring and evolving appeal of James Bond.
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Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead
by Paul Vigna
Published to coincide with the premiere of the eighth season, a guide to the popular AMC hit series by the reporter for the Wall Street Journal's "Walking Dead" column shares insider coverage of its story lines, characters, development and cultural relevance.
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| Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian's Love Letters... by Annie SpenceHave some books near-memorized? Wanted to throw others across the room? If so, you'll love this collection of letters to books -- whether love letters or break-up letters, they clearly capture reader Annie Spence's opinions! As a librarian, she's also got a professional curator's eye, but anyone who's ever ogled someone else's bookshelves will find plenty to agree (or disagree) with -- and that's part of the fun. |
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The Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl: Loving the Skin You're in
by Tess Holliday
A plus-size model and the woman at the forefront of the body-positive movement, in a funny no-holds-barred account, shares her personal story and offers inspiration and tips to women everywhere that will show them how to love their imperfections and be comfortable in their own skin, no matter how much they have.
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| The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead... by David BianculliThis in-depth examination of the history of television staunchly proclaims that the best era for TV is... now! (Well, starting in 1999, though TV critic David Bianculli allows for some exceptions before then). Dividing programs into several genres (such as "workplace comedy" or "spies"), and highlighting five shows within each category, this well-researched and comprehensive analysis will have you reaching for the remote -- to try intriguing new shows -- in no time. |
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| True South: Henry Hampton and Eyes on the Prize, the Landmark Television Series... by Jon ElsePublished to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the making of the 1987 civil rights documentary Eyes on the Prize, this sweeping, thorough history reveals the impact that the landmark PBS series had on documentary film-making. More importantly, it sheds light on how Eyes on the Prize shaped how the U.S. understood the civil rights movement itself. Mixing memoir, biography, and history, True South is a compelling read for those interested in civil rights or documentary film-making. |
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| Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (And Everything in Between) by Lauren GrahamPublished last year to coincide with the return of Gilmore Girls (on Netflix), this collection of brief, diary-style essays about actress Lauren Gilmore's experiences on the set (of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood) also shares stories about her upbringing, early jobs, and future plans -- another novel? Producing a movie with Mae Whitman? More Gilmore Girls? It's all possible. For a special treat, pick up the audiobook version -- Graham narrates it herself. |
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| TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time by Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller SeitzWith a complex rubric that incorporates six criteria (innovation, influence, consistency, performance, storytelling, and peak), television critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz rank the 100 best scripted American television shows of all time. Which is quite an undertaking -- one that may lead you to binge-watch the best. The essays that accompany their decisions are sure to provoke discussion, and are complemented by short lists of other bests as well as supplementary appendices. Don't know what to watch next? We're pretty sure TV (The Book) can help. |
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| The Daily Show (The Book): An Oral History by Chris SmithA cultural behemoth, The Daily Show ran for 16 years under the leadership of the beloved Jon Stewart, and this uncensored history of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television show highlights its evolution. With quotes and stories shared by contributors like Stephen Colbert and Mo Rocca, guests like John McCain, and other, less well-known, individuals, no fan of the show should miss out on leafing through this entertaining, enjoyable narrative. |
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Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything
by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
Rabid Seinfeld fans will want to scoop up this detailed, engaging behind-the-scenes history of the famous "show about nothing." Even casual fans will appreciate learning just how much "Seinfeldia" has been absorbed into popular culture (Jerry's puffy shirt, man-hands, and the Soup Nazi come to mind). You'll also learn how many of the misadventures portrayed on the show came from the daily lives of the writing staff (many of whom were interviewed for the book) as well as how quickly the show itself took off -- against the expectations of network executives and even its creators, Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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