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| Paul Simon: The Life by Robert HilburnWhat it is: an energetic and thoroughly researched portrait of the singer-songwriter's life and prolific seven-decade career.
Why it's significant: Music journalist Robert Hilburn was granted rare access to Simon, becoming the first biographer to interview him -- which he did for more than 100 hours over the course of a year.
Don't miss: gossipy tidbits about Simon's partnership and eventual rift with Art Garfunkel, from which the two never fully recovered. |
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| Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story by Chris NashawatyWhat it's about: the chaotic, drug-fueled production of the 1980 sports comedy Caddyshack and its enduring status as a cult classic.
Is it for you? Fans of the film will appreciate this humorous and unexpectedly moving behind-the-scenes account.
Try this next: Violet Ramis Stiel's heartfelt memoir Ghostbuster's Daughter chronicles her relationship with her father, Caddyshack director (and comedy legend) Harold Ramis, including anecdotes about his career. |
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Pretty mess
by Erika Jayne
A tell-all memoir by the popular music performer and star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills traces her rise to fame, her decision to accept a role on reality television, the ups and downs of her family life and the obstacles she overcame to achieve success.
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| So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know by RettaWhat it's about: In this engaging essay collection, comedian and Parks and Recreation actress Retta humorously ruminates on everything from her Liberian immigrant parents and abandoned med school aspirations to her addictive personality and eclectic hobbies.
Want a taste? "I know that meeting a black woman with a love for hockey is a bit like stumbling upon a unicorn in the woods."
Media buzz: Retta's NBC television series Good Girls premiered earlier this year and was recently renewed for a second season. |
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| The Soul of Basketball: The Epic Showdown Between LeBron, Kobe, Doc, and Dirk... by Ian ThomsenWhat it's about: The 2010-2011 NBA season marked a turning point for the sport, beginning with LeBron James's controversial decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat and bolstered by the league's rising popularity and financial success.
About the author: Ian Thomsen is a writer at Sports Illustrated and an NBA.com contributor.
Reviewers say: "A fine work of sports journalism and a must for every bookish roundball fan" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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27 Club: Musicians Who Died at 27
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| On the Road with Janis Joplin by John Byrne CookeWhat it is: a poignant memoir tracing the final three years of Janis Joplin's life, written with insight and empathy by her former road manager.
Why you might like it: John Byrne Cooke's unique perspective of Joplin provides a fully rounded portrait of her artistry and personality, portraying her not as a music legend but as a vulnerable human being.
Did you know? In the final years of her life, Joplin recorded nearly 200 songs. |
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| Here We Are Now: The Lasting Impact of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. CrossWhat it is: a concise and fast-paced analysis of the Nirvana frontman's influence on American culture -- from rock and hip-hop music to high-end fashion and addiction studies -- written to coincide with the 20th anniversary of his death in 2014.
Further reading: Music journalist Charles R. Cross utilizes Cobain's own diary entries in the revealing biography Heavier Than Heaven. |
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| Starting at Zero: His Own Story by Jimi HendrixWhat it is: a heartwrenching posthumous memoir by musician Jimi Hendrix, constructed from letters, lyrics, interviews, and diaries.
Topics include: Hendrix's rebellious Seattle childhood and brief stint in the military, his self-taught music skills and early career clashes with Little Richard, for whom he served as a band sideman.
Reviewers say: "An essential primary source for any devoted Hendrix fan, but will also appeal to those with a more casual interest" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Amy, my daughter
by Mitch Winehouse
Written by her best friend--her father--this candid account of the life and legacy of Amy Winehouse, filled with never-before-seen photos and spanning her entire career, goes beyond her public persona, revealing the woman behind one of the greatest talents of our time.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Patchogue-Medford Library 54-60 East Main Street Patchogue, New York 11772 (631) 654-4700www.pmlib.org/ |
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