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Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story
by Chris Nashawaty
What 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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The World of All Souls : The Complete Guide to a Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and the Book of Life
by Deborah Harkness
A fully illustrated guide to Deborah Harkness's #1 New York Times bestselling All Souls trilogy--"an irresistible. wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy" (People) A Discovery of Witches introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Shadow of Night and The Book of Life carried Deborah Harkness's series to its spellbinding conclusion. In The World of All Souls, Harkness shares the rich sources of inspiration behind her bewitching novels. She draws together synopses, character bios, maps, recipes, and even the science behind creatures, magic, and alchemy--all with her signature historian's touch. Bursting with fascinating facts and dazzling artwork, this essential handbook is a must-have for longtime fans and eager newcomers alike
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I find your lack of faith disturbing : Star Wars and the triumph of geek culture
by A. D. Jameson
In I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing, A. D. Jameson takes geeks and non-geeks alike on a surprising and insightful journey through the science fiction, fantasy, and superhero franchises that now dominate pop culture. Walking us through the rise of geekdom from its underground origins to the top of the box office and bestseller lists, Jameson takes in franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and, in particular, Star Wars―as well as phenomena like fan fiction, cosplay, and YouTube parodies. Along the way, he blasts through the clichés surrounding geek culture: that its fans are mindless consumers who will embrace all things Spider-Man or Batman, regardless of quality; or that the popularity and financial success of Star Wars led to the death of ambitious filmmaking. A lifelong geek, Jameson shines a new light on beloved classics, explaining the enormous love (and hate) they are capable of inspiring in fan and non-fan alike, while exploding misconceptions as to how and why they were made. I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing tells the story of how the geeks have inherited the earth.
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Asking for a friend : three centuries of advice on life, love, money, and other burning questions from a nation obsessed
by Jessica Weisberg
Americans, for all our talk of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, obsessively seek advice on matters large and small. Perhaps precisely because we believe in bettering ourselves and our circumstances in life, we ask for guidance constantly. And this has been true since our nation's earliest days: from the colonial era on, there have always been people eager to step up and offer advice, some of it lousy, some of it thoughtful, but all of it read and debated by generations of Americans.
Jessica Weisberg takes readers on a tour of the advice-givers who have made their names, and sometimes their fortunes, by telling Americans what to do. You probably don't want to follow all the advice they proffered. Eating graham crackers will not make you a better person, and wearing blue to work won't guarantee a promotion. But for all that has changed in American life, it's a comfort to know that our hang-ups, fears, and hopes have not. We've always loved seeking advice--so long as it's anonymous, and as long as it's clear that we're not asking for ourselves; we're just asking for a friend.
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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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Go Ask Ali : Half-baked Advice and Free Lemonade
by Ali Wentworth
At once endearing and hilarious, thoughtful and far-fetched, this third collection offers Ali Wentworth at her wisest and wittiest as she delivers tips, pointers, and quips on a host of life's conundrums and sticky situations, including the funny, sometimes embarrassing yet unforgettable situations that have shaped her inimitable world view as a wife, mother, actress, comedian, and all around bon vivant.
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Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist
by Franchesca Ramsey
What it is: a sharp and timely essay collection chronicling the author's complicated journey toward activism after her YouTube video "Sh*t White Girls Say...to Black Girls" went viral in 2012, sparking conversations about race and gender -- and attracting the ire of vicious internet trolls.
Chapters include: "Eulogies for Cringeworthy Comments;" "Activism Is Like Long Division -- You Have to Show Your Work;" and "Franchesca's Simple Explanations of Not-So-Simple Concepts."
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So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know
by Retta
What 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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Raw: My Journey into the Wu-Tang
by Lamont U-God Hawkins
What it is: a gritty and fast-paced memoir from a founding member of the influential hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, chronicling his early life of poverty and drug dealing in Staten Island, the evolution and disbanding of the Wu-Tang Clan, and his prison sentences and struggles with mental illness.
Read it for: Lamont U-God Hawkins' vivid, detailed storytelling.
Did you know? 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the group's first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
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3 Kings : Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay-z, and Hip-hop's Multibillion-dollar Rise
by Zack O'Malley Greenburg
Being successful musicians was simply never enough for the three kings of hip-hop. Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z lifted themselves from childhood adversity into tycoon territory, amassing levels of fame and wealth that not only outshone all other contemporary hip-hop artists, but with a combined net worth of well over 2 billion dollars made them the three richest American musicians, period. Yet their fortunes have little to do with selling their own albums: between Diddy's Ciroc vodka, Dre's 3 billion dollar sale of his Beats headphones to Apple, and Jay-Z's Tidal streaming service and other assets, these artists have transcended pop music fame to become lifestyle icons and moguls. Hip-hop is no longer just a musical genre; it's become a way of life that encompasses fashion, film, food, drink, sports, electronics and more - one that has opened new paths to profit and to critical and commercial acclaim. Thanks in large part to the Three Kings-who all started their own record labels and released classic albums before moving on to become multifaceted businessmen-hip-hop has been transformed from a genre spawned in poverty into a truly global multibillion-dollar industry. These men are the modern embodiment of the American Dream, but their stories as great thinkers and entrepreneurs have yet to be told in full. Based on a decade of reporting, and interviews with more than 100 sources including hip-hop pioneers Russell Simmons and Fab 5 Freddy; new-breed executives like former Def Jam chief Kevin Liles and venture capitalist Troy Carter; and stars from Swizz Beatz to Shaquille O'Neal, "3 Kings" tells the fascinating story of the rise and rise of the three most influential musicians in America.
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The Geraldo show : a memoir
by Geraldo Rivera
The Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning journalist and broadcaster presents a memoir of his life and career that discusses such subjects as his mixed-heritage upbringing in New York, his struggles as an employee of a conservative Fox News and his relationships with Roger Ailes and Donald Trump.
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Hey mom : stories for my mother, but you can read them too
by Louie Anderson
The Emmy Award-winning actor and stand-up comedian presents a loving tribute to his late mother that shares the wisdom he gleaned from her throughout his life, his ongoing struggles with food and dysfunctional home dynamics and how he learned to laugh at the absurdities that shaped their family.
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Stealing the Show: How Women Are Revolutionizing Television
by Joy Press
What it's about: Drawing from extensive research and reporting, cultural critic Joy Press spotlights the careers of pioneering female showrunners over the last 30 years.
Chapters include: Sharply written profiles of 13 showrunners and their works, ranging from Diane English (creator of Murphy Brown) to Jill Soloway (creator of Transparent, who now identifies as non-binary).
Further reading: Sabrina the Teenage Witch creator Nell Scovell's lively and frank memoir Just the Funny Parts: And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys' Club.
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How to American : An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents
by Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang is a standup comedian, film and TV actor and fan favorite as the character Jian Yang from the popular HBO series Silicon Valley. In How to American, he shares his story of growing up as a Chinese immigrant who pursued a Hollywood career against the wishes of his parents: Yang arrived in Los Angeles from Hong Kong at age 13, learned English by watching BET RapCity for three hours a day, and worked as a strip club DJ while pursuing his comedy career. He chronicles a near deportation episode during a college trip Tijuana to finally becoming a proud US citizen ten years later. Featuring those and many other hilarious stories, while sharing some hard-earned lessons, How to American mocks stereotypes while offering tongue in cheek advice on pursuing the American dreams of fame, fortune, and strippers.
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Encyclopedia of black comics
by Sheena C Howard
"The Encyclopedia of Black Comics, focuses on people of African descent who have published significant works in the United States or have worked across various aspects of the comics industry. The book focuses on creators in the field of comics: inkers, illustrators, artists, writers, editors, Black comic historians, Black comic convention creators, website creators, archivists and academics--as well as individuals who may not fit into any category but have made notable achievements within and/or across Black comic culture"
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Every day I'm hustling
by Vivica A. Fox
Inspirational life lessons from the NAACP Image Award-winning actress urge today's businesswomen to take charge of their own luck, sharing stories from her early family life and career, including behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her film work, where she received advice and encouragement from her fellow stars.
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Space Odyssey : Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the making of a masterpiece
by Michael Benson
"Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the film's release, this is the definitive story of the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey, acclaimed today as one of the greatest films ever made, including the inside account of how director Stanley Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clarke created this cinematic masterpiece. Regarded as a masterpiece today, 2001: A Space Odyssey received mixed reviews on its 1968 release. Despite the success of Dr. Strangelove, director Stanley Kubrick wasn't yet recognized as a great filmmaker, and 2001 was radically innovative, with little dialogue and no strong central character. Although some leading critics slammed the film as incomprehensible and self-indulgent, the public lined up to see it. 2001's resounding commercial success launched the genre of big-budget science fiction spectaculars. Such directors as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and James Cameron have acknowledged its profound influence. Author Michael Benson explains how 2001 was made, telling the storyprimarily through the two people most responsible for the film, Kubrick and science fiction legend Arthur C. Clarke. Benson interviewed Clarke many times, and has also spoken at length with Kubrick's widow, Christiane; with visual effects supervisor DougTrumbull; with Dan Richter, who played 2001's leading man-ape; and many others. A colorful nonfiction narrative packed with memorable characters and remarkable incidents, Space Odyssey provides a 360-degree view of this extraordinary work, tracking the film from Kubrick and Clarke's first meeting in New York in 1964 through its UK production from 1965-1968, during which some of the most complex sets ever made were merged with visual effects so innovative that they scarcely seem dated today. A concludingchapter examines the film's legacy as it grew into it current justifiably exalted status"
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True Stories from an Unreliable Eyewitness : A Feminist Coming of Age
by Christine Lahti
A laugh-out-loud, intellectual and deeply feminist collection of interrelated personal stories by the Academy-award-winning actress best known for her work on such productions as Chicago Hope and The Blacklist focuses on the milestones of her childhood, early career and midlife while sharing candid reflections on the realities of being a woman in today's Hollywood.
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Something Wonderful : Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution
by Todd S. Purdum
They stand at the apex of the great age of songwriting, the creators of the classic Broadway musicals Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music, whose songs have never lost their popularity or emotional power. Even before they joined forces, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II had written dozens of Broadway shows, but together they pioneered a new art form: the serious musical play. Their songs and dance numbers served to advance the drama and reveal character, a sharp break from the past and the template on which all future musicals would be built. Though different in personality and often emotionally distant from each other, Rodgers and Hammerstein presented an unbroken front to the world and forged much more than a songwriting team; their partnership was also one of the most profitable and powerful entertainment businesses of their era. They were cultural powerhouses whose work came to define postwar America on stage, screen, television, and radio. But they also had their failures and flops, and more than once they feared they had lost their touch. Todd S. Purdum’s portrait of these two men, their creative process, and their groundbreaking innovations will captivate lovers of musical theater, lovers of the classic American songbook, and young lovers wherever they are. He shows that what Rodgers and Hammerstein wrought was truly something wonderful.
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27 Club: Musicians Who Died at 27 |
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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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| Brian Jones: The Making of the Rolling Stones by Paul TrynkaWhat it's about: Brian Jones founded the Rolling Stones in 1962; by the time of his mysterious death in 1969, he had been kicked out of the band just as it was reaching a pivotal artistic peak.
Why you might like it: Paul Trynka's lively, atmospheric writing transports readers to London's Swinging Sixties.
What sets it apart: Trynka foregrounds the enigmatic musician as a heretofore unsung -- and essential -- contributor to the Rolling Stones' success, revealing the full extent of the band's history. |
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| Loving Amy: A Mother's Story by Janis WinehouseWhat it is: a moving and candid portrait of the troubled Grammy Award-winning singer, chronicling her rapid ascent to stardom and the addictions that followed.
Want a taste? "She left no answers, only questions, and in the years since her death I've found myself trying to make sense of the frayed ends of her extraordinary existence."
What's inside: illuminating never-before-seen photographs of a young Amy and her childhood mementos. |
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Mr. Mojo : a biography of Jim Morrison
by Dylan Jones
A portrait of the rock legend offers a candid look at the real-life man behind the myth, describing Morrison's powerful music, stellar career, troubled personal life, image, and death
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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