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A solid pick for public libraries. Devotees of Ephron will find this volume delightful to delve into, while casual cinephiles will enjoy it as a thoughtful analysis of an influential writer-director and her various legacies.
Inviting multiple viewings, this book concurs that cinema is a properly communal experience that can benefit spirituality.
Tepper has fashioned a winning book on the unsung heroines of Broadway musicals that will be appreciated by readers of women’s studies and theater lore.
This academically written and accessible contribution to film history should please a wide range of readers.
Written more like a commentary on Fania’s cultural significance to Latin music and Nuyorican culture than an overall history, this work will be of interest to diehard fans of salsa and music professors.
A delicious serving of Tucci’s special blend of tasteful prose and sparkling wit that his fans and general foodies will savor.
Scholars and queer history readers will gain newfound knowledge and deep flamenco appreciation from Rodríguez’s comprehensive research. This significant contribution to dance scholarship is critical for all performing arts collections.
A fascinating look at an authentic Hollywood influencer, told with affection, honesty, and unprecedented access to the memories of numerous legends
PREMIUM
Dorothy Parker in Hollywood
Well-researched with many absorbing anecdotes and behind-the-scenes accounts, this thoughtful work will provide a fascinating and satisfying read for devotees of Parker and Hollywood history.
Fans will “soitenly” enjoy this entertaining and detailed look at Shemp’s career with and without the Three Stooges.
PREMIUM
The Silver Snarling Trumpet: The Birth of the Grateful Dead—The Lost Manuscript of Robert Hunter
Hardcore Deadheads or those interested in the cultural transition from Beat to hippie may find something of value here. Those looking for a more focused history of the beginnings of the Grateful Dead should turn to the early chapters of David Browne’s excellent So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead.
This fluidly written book illuminates an influential era, asserting that the United States is a singular space where things can happen on a grand scale.
The strength of this memoir is MacDonald’s experiences traveling through the United Kingdom. Recommended for fans of MacDonald’s writing, Leatherface’s music, and the UK punk music scene.
Dion’s friendly and laid-back approach to writing makes this an easygoing read, appealing to rock and roll biography fans and self-help readers.
A laudatory biography that is a must-read for any fan of Randy Newman, popular culture, and the creative process.
Nussbaum’s well-researched and philosophical discussion of the impact of reality television reveals the influence that it has had, not only on the entertainment industry but on society as a whole. Insightful, unsettling, and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
Rebel Rising
A funny, poignant, and relatable celebrity memoir that will surely garner Wilson more fans.
PREMIUM
A New Philosophy of Opera
An inspiring treatise that should provoke new interest in opera’s potential. For anyone involved with opera or who thinks they might like to be.
A thorough and thoroughly human history of a unique locale and era. For fans of American folk, jazz, and New York City.
PREMIUM
The SNL Companion: An Unofficial Guide to the Seasons, Sketches, and Stars of Saturday Night Live
This is a comprehensive ticket to learning more about every aspect of the late-night comedy staple and its storied history.
Nygard abundantly supplies suggestions for those in the business; casual readers will savor stories about the genre’s history.
Bouzereau persuasively shows readers the substance behind De Palma’s style while revealing how he connected to these films as a young gay man.
PREMIUM
The Spamalot Diaries
The backstage story of one of the most successful musicals (nominated for 14 Tony Awards and winner of three) will appeal to theater buffs and fans of Monty Python.
Well-written and thoroughly researched using numerous primary and family sources. Readers who enjoy comedy and entertainment history will find this particularly absorbing.
While not unearthing any major revelations, Blush’s nimble outline of the interplay between reggae and British punk will appeal to music fans.
Though tackling an often-told story, Leigh successfully recaptures the mayhem and exhilaration of the British invasion for readers of all types.
Lost loyalists will find vindication, but even detractors will be forced to admit that the show’s execution wasn’t as haphazard as the internet suggests.
Sawyers’s command of her subject and fluent style help her integrate various disparate elements into a convincing whole. This is a valuable sociological addition to the ever-growing Springsteen bookshelf.
Entertaining, but without original interviews or personal anecdotes, it might have a limited audience.
This updated biography adds to the currency of Bush’s work and will interest her fans and fans of music biographies.
Cohan successfully shines a light on Hepburn’s talent beyond the fashion icon stereotype, and her fans will appreciate the different perspectives he brings.
Thompson’s nostalgic book shows how an endearing film created an enduring legacy. Recommended for holiday and film collections.
PREMIUM
Joanna Hogg
A thoroughly useful text for cinema scholars plumbing the depths of Hogg’s work and a strong addition to UI’s “Contemporary Film Directors” series.
PREMIUM
Who’s That Girl?: A Memoir
Eve’s historic place in hip-hop is highlighted in this candid memoir that will appeal to both music lovers and fans of the artist.
PREMIUM
William L. Dawson
A valuable addition to the literature on celebrated music composed by Black artists and music education in the United States.
A remarkable tale that’s enriched with few words and plenty of neutral-toned illustrations. It beautifully spotlights movement and the music of Pärt.
Recommended for both jazz enthusiasts and readers exploring any of the music genres that have evolved from jazz over the past six decades.
This volume includes fascinating stories about Wynette and Jones, but fans might wish for more of those and fewer digressions in the first part of the book. For comprehensive country music collections.
College students and amateur writers will devour this book, filled with clear instructions, interesting tidbits, and insight on the workings of writers’ rooms. University libraries will most benefit from this purchase.
Poignant and well-written, this memoir not only celebrates the achievements and talents of its author but also grounds readers in the customs of Nigeria. It is a must-have for fans of Aduba or Orange Is the New Black and for those wanting to read about the African diaspora.
Dancers past and present might be gratified by having their experiences validated, but this book mostly makes the case for discouraging aspirants from pursuing a career in dance.
This illuminating book sheds light on brothers at least as influential as the Warners, but lesser known in cinematic popular culture.
Boyd’s treasure trove of information about the global impact of world music (particularly on the United States) is a tour de force that will fascinate music lovers.
A deep dive offering a valuable perspective to readers interested in the history of Black women vocalists.
A colorful, breezy collection that will give rom-com lovers a passel of new titles to check out while also encouraging them to take a closer look at the elements that make up their familiar favorites.
Smyth deftly spotlights a sardonically witty woman and film pioneer whose contributions are little known. Film students and biography readers will be delighted.
Looking through a camera’s viewfinder, a director focuses in on the best shots to tell a movie’s story; with his filmmaker’s eye, it’s no surpise that Chu’s memoir (written with Jeremy McCarter) tells an effective story. Film students will relish his insight into filmmaking.
A close look at what it takes to contribute to lasting and meaningful social change. For jazz musicians, teachers, and historians.
This lavishly illustrated book with stunning, oversized photos gives a straightforward, accurate, but often-told synopsis of the life and music of the man known as the King of Rock and Roll. Will appeal to Elvis fans, music lovers, and readers who enjoy perusing titles with strong and plentiful images.
This book may be about Parton’s songs, but it is also a walk through musical history beyond just one woman. An extensive volume that would be a great addition to music collections.
A valuable addition for collections or courses on popular culture or music history. Fans of old musicals, movies, and music will appreciate learning more about the names and tunes they love.
Film aficionados and scholars will welcome this informative and sympathetic book-length Vidor study, the first since 1988’s King Vidor, American by Raymond Durgnat and Scott Simmon.
This scholarly reference is a valuable source for film students and general readers interested in the art of Hollywood lighting.
An essential reference guide with engaging writing that shines. This is an exhaustive and valuable encyclopedia of the hits and misses of queer horror cinema. Genre fans will find plenty of titles to add to their watchlist.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an in-depth but accessible behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of rhythm and blues music and the rock and roll lifestyle. Recommended for fans of engaging arts and entertainment exposés, such as Nick de Semlyen’s Wild and Crazy Guys.
Narasaki’s sensitive play about Japanese Americans seeking to understand the past resonates with humor and insight. An excellent pairing with Narasaki’s No-No Boy or Phillip Kan Gotanda’s Sisters Matsumoto, both available through L.A. Theatre Works.
PREMIUM
Entrances and Exits
Comedy fans will enjoy this revealing memoir that proves there’s much more to Richards than Kramer.
Well-researched with 30 pages of notes and a 10-page bibliography, Malone’s book has a tabloid feel, and its juicy little-known stories will be devoured by Hollywood gossip and celebrity mavens.
PREMIUM
Starring Joan Crawford: The Films, the Fantasy, and the Modern Relevance of a Silver Screen Icon
An enjoyable read that stands out among the numerous books written about Crawford over the years.
Erudite and comprehensible, this invitation to cinematic culture, just like encounters with many films, rewards repeat customers.
This memoir is not about Hollywood or gossip; it’s about being human and embracing grace and empathy toward family and self. Haddish makes room for jokes about sex and bodily functions and provides plenty of laughs and heart in this ribald, raw, and candid memoir.
This title helps readers understand how Swift became a global phenomenon with an influential power that transcends music and pop culture. For both neophyte and advanced Swifties.
This comprehensive, authoritative, and entertaining oral history offers insights from dozens of actors, writers, directors, producers, makeup artists, stunt people, composers, and cinematographers working on the five films. It’s an essential purchase for fans of sci-fi films and the franchise that rivals James Bond in popularity and longevity.
An absorbing illustration of the mutuality of music and politics. For musicians, business people in the music industry, and readers interested in the intersection of politics and art.
Fairbanks keeps the story moving, deftly changing from one musician to another throughout the book. This volume sings on each page and is suited to any library’s music history section.
A detailed, engaging focus, interpretation, and historical commentary on the evolution and reception of reality shows. A must-read for social scientists and reality TV aficionados.
PREMIUM
Too Much Too Young, the 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism, and the Soundtrack of a Generation
Rachel’s writing and research of 2 Tone Records will draw readers, but the book is lengthy.
This gateway book will deepen readers’ appreciation of milestone movies. A variety of readers, not just film fans, will want to peruse this engaging title.
Primarily for cinema buffs but interesting enough for general appeal. Larsen is immensely knowledgeable about the history of animation, and he writes lively prose.
A complete, highly detailed guide to a cult classic and a critical analytical look at film safety practices.
This biography’s candid photos and collections of images present an intimate glimpse into Vega’s life, work, and influence as an artist and performer.
Butler adeptly chronicles his trajectory into television, film, and Broadway and as a producer, and he’s candid about his personal and career achievements and missteps. He is as charming a writer as an actor. Fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at his life and career.
PREMIUM
Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir
A highly readable and often touching memoir about Lamb of God’s guitarist and lyricist.
Willis’s fans will appreciate the book’s detailed filmography, but they won’t find personal anecdotes here.
PREMIUM
Hip-Hop Is History
Well-positioned to detail the genre’s evolution, this book offers hip-hop fans an engaging journey through its history, with much of its focus on the first 30 years.
PREMIUM
Nan and the Lower Body
Engagingly performed by a full cast, this energetically written play speaks to the comedy and drama underlying women’s most intimate organs and the relationships they inevitably affect. A strong choice for audio drama fans, with appeal for those interested in women-centered stories.
A captivating audio, following the evolution and devolution of a seminal rock band. It is a must-listen for fans of the Velvets and for those who are just becoming acquainted with the band’s groundbreaking surge of sound.
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