| 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. |
|
|
100 greatest cult films
by Christopher J Olson
Olson highlights the most provocative, intriguing, entertaining, and controversial films produced over the last century. The movies included here have either earned reputations as bona fide cult classics or have in some way impacted our understanding of cult cinema, often transcending traditional notions of “good” and “bad” while featuring memorable characters, unforgettably shocking scenes, and exceptionally quotable dialogue.
With detailed arguments for why these films deserve to be considered among the greatest of all time, Olson provides readers fodder for debate and a jumping-off point for future watching.
|
|
|
The droner's manual: A guide to the responsible operation of small unmanned aircraft
by Kevin Jenkins
The progress made in the field of unmanned aircraft within the last decade have made it possible for almost anyone to build their own UAV in their garage. For many, this is an exciting business proposition in fields from video production to agriculture. However, for beginners and even more experienced hobbyists, it can be a daunting. In this infant industry, reliable and relevant information for construction and programming of unmanned aircraft is often scattered across various source.
|
|
|
Golf anatomy
by Craig Davies
With more than 175 full-colour anatomical illustrations, Golf Anatomy brings your swing to life by linking physical conditioning to perfect strokes. Chapters progressively develop key components of a good swing—mobility, stability, balance, body awareness, strength, and power—with step-by-step instructions that convey proper form for 72 exercises.
|
|
|
The road trip book: 1001 drives of a lifetime
by Darryl Sleath
There are more than 40 million miles of highway, dirt track, ice road, tunnels and bridges wrapped around the globe and waiting to be discovered. The Road Trip Book strives to inspire like-minded explorers to strike out on their own adventures and sample some of the most breathtaking, scenic and extraordinary journeys our planet has to offer.
|
|
27 Club: Musicians Who Died at 27
|
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
|
| 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). |
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|