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Popular Culture March 2018
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On power : my journey through the corridors of power and how you can get more power
by Gene Simmons
The KISS front-man and successful entrepreneur shares his personal philosophy about the secrets to building, keeping and utilizing influence to achieve success in professional and personal arenas, drawing on the examples of famous historical figures to outline provocative views on how civilization is driven by power.
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Uncommon people : the rise and fall of the rock stars
by David Hepworth
The award-winning music journalist and author of Never a Dull Moment presents an elegy to the age of the rock star that explores the defining moments and turning points in the lives of 40 rock stars from 1955 to 1995, including Chuck Berry, Elvis, Madonna, David Bowie and Prince.
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The little book of country music wisdom
by Chris Parton
Built on a mix of homespun hand-me-downs and first-hand experience, the gorgeous, illustrated Little Book of Country Music Wisdom offers the wise words of country stars past and present on a variety of topics like love, family, fun, work, health, heartache and even death to offer the full, big-picture view of country wisdom. This collection includes Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Bryan and more.
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The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir
by Jenifer Lewis
What it is: an uplifting account of actress Jenifer Lewis' childhood, career trajectory, love affairs, and struggles with mental illness.
About the author: Currently appearing in the television show Black-ish, Lewis is known for portraying mothers (hence the title), and writes with both humor and honesty.
For fans of: Lewis herself, of course -- but also anyone who appreciates candid, frank stories of women who have overcome obstacles on their way to success.
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Single state of mind
by Andi Dorfman
The breakout star of ABC's The Bachelorette presents a new collection of stories detailing her adventures as a single woman in New York City, from her experiences with finding her first New York apartment and her first dates on "celebrity Tinder" to her witness to her ex-fiancé's proposal to another woman on Bachelor in Paradise.
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Improv Nation: How We Made a Great American Art
by Sam Wasson
What it is: a sweeping behind-the-scenes history of American improvisational comedy, which was born during the McCarthy era and counts Saturday Night Live and Second City as success stories.
Why you might like it: Funny and fast-moving, this entertaining read will delight as it informs.
Reviewers say: “A remarkable story, magnificently told” (Booklist).
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Here is real magic : a magician's search for wonder in the modern world
by Nate Staniforth
Chronicling his evolution from an obsessed young magician to a broken wanderer and back again, the former host of the Discovery Channel’s international hit TV show Breaking Magic tells the story of his rediscovery of astonishment and the importance of wonder in everyday life.
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| Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty CopelandWhat it is: the memoir of ballet dancer Misty Copeland, who became the first African-American principal ballerina in the history of the American Ballet Theatre.
What's inside: candid tales of Copeland's difficult upbringing, her first experience with ballet at age 13, and her rise to stardom.
You might also like: Jenifer Ringer's Dancing Through It; David Hallberg's A Body of Work. |
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| Master of Ceremonies: A Memoir by Joel GreyWhat it's about: Best known for portraying the master of ceremonies in Cabaret (on stage and screen alike), Broadway star Joel Grey shares his life story, from his Jewish-American upbringing in 1930s Cleveland to his sexual identity, 24-year marriage, and seven-decade career.
Why you might like it: it's a moving, engaging story of a life well lived. Theater fans especially will appreciate Grey's tales of Cleveland's theaters -- and Broadway's.
Reviewers say: "honest, eloquent, memorable" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel MirandaWhat it is: The Hamilton libretto, complete with annotations, photos, and commentary from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist-star behind the beloved musical based on founding father Alexander Hamilton.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to get behind the scenes of the hip-hop musical with the diverse cast -- whether or not you've been lucky enough to see it.
Fair warning: Reading this book might make you all the more desperate to score tickets to be in the room where it happens. |
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| Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet from the Rule of the Tsars to Today by Simon MorrisonWhat it's about: the world-famous Bolshoi Ballet. From inescapably elegant performances to the influence of the Soviet government, this history of Moscow's ballet (founded in 1776) is "charming and astonishingly detailed" (Booklist).
What's inside: scandals, fires, corruption; choreographers, dancers, composers; tsars, Soviets, and Stalin. |
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| The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built by Jack ViertelWhat it is: a behind-the-scenes exploration of what makes a great Broadway show so memorable, using a range of examples (from Gypsy, My Fair Lady, The Book of Mormon, and others) as illustrations.
From overture to curtain call: If you want to know more about the structure and patterns of Broadway shows, this is the book for you. Plus, there's a list of the best cast recordings to listen to post-reading. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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