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For fans of old-Hollywood lore and classic movies, especially those starring Marion Davies. With notes, bibliography, filmography, and just enough photos to send readers to the internet in search of more images of Davies and her milieu.
Though sometimes touching on non-jazz artists (like Bobby Darin) and violence unrelated to the mob (e.g., a beating of Miles Davis), English’s book adroitly chronicles jazz music’s iron-clad, often-unspoken ties to the mob.
Self-described by the author as a non-definitive work, this book fulfills its stated mission of being a portable collection of reflections on Western classical music, although the entries might be too teasingly brief for some readers. Compare with the 366 entries in Year of Wonder: Classical Music To Enjoy Day by Day, by violinist and former BBC arts presenter Clemency Burton-Hill.
Solomon has created a dazzling and eye-opening book on Japanese animation that should appeal to fans of the genre.
As long as readers are up for a record pull, they won’t be disappointed. Sure to appeal to many popular music lovers, particularly young adults.
Leerhsen’s page-turner provides a well-rounded portrait of Bourdain, acknowledging his many faults as well as his empathy, work ethic, and creativity.
Recommended for any concertgoer who wants to go beyond the program notes and learn more about the enduring treasures of 19th-century Western music, and their creators.
PREMIUM
Making a Scene
Wu’s mea culpa is a moving study in self-acceptance that will win her more fans.
PREMIUM
How To Write a Song That Matters
In contrast to the many useful guides to song creation that focus dryly on method, Williams’s book stands apart for its shimmering, poetic language and forthright engagement of readers, making her treatment of the subject that much more emotionally satisfying. By the end, readers will have gained valuable lessons about both songwriting and life.
PREMIUM
Some New Kind of New Kick
Reading Powers’s book is like hanging out with a cool guy with incredible stories to tell.
Klaess’s book is a must-read for all those interested in tracing hip-hop’s sociopolitical/racial chord back to its airwaves origins.
An updated bio of one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s. CCR’s unique swamp rock vibe and the timeless compositions have assured that classic rock staple CCR will remain popular for some time to come.
Christiansen’s accessible book is a fascinating cautionary tale for readers with an interest in ballet history and those who enjoy books about visionaries who weather great failures and great successes.
Jones doesn’t paint an attractive picture of the Rolling Stones, and her book is over-hyped, but it will likely appeal to readers regardless because, let’s face it, its subjects fascinate.
A curiously uneven memoir, this mix of serious and trivial will appeal mostly to movie and theater buffs.
This unique blend of popular and corporate cultural history will interest a variety of readers, from business students to movie mavens.
PREMIUM
Unprotected: A Memoir
Recommended for fans of Porter or the arts, and those who appreciate stories of overcoming obstacles.
Nicks fans will appreciate Morrison’s care in the details of her songwriting and the song production, but the text may be a little dry and formal for readers looking to get more personal insight into Nicks, who was not interviewed for this book.
Smith exhibits his expertise on the topic of horror films but occasionally writes like an overly enthusiastic fan, resulting in sometimes-unfocused prose, all tinged with childhood nostalgia.
Highly entertaining and informative look at a popular film classic, this book should find wide interest among film and sports buffs.
PREMIUM
Hollywood and the Bible
Smith’s book will appeal to film fans and aficionados because of its light-hearted tone and human-interest content. Recommended.
The latest memoir by fierce and fabulous Lewis easily switches between moving confessionals and fiery calls to eradicate oppression.
Business readers will admire Lowe’s acumen and the bite-sized takeaways at the end of each chapter. Media consumers will appreciate Lowe’s insider history of game-changing film companies.
Beethoven is said to have said “Art demands of us that we shall not stand still,” and Kramer here effectively demonstrates that similar demands apply to musical analysis and revelation. Recommended for scholars of classical music.
This is a good recommendation for those who like to read about family dynasties, the mid-century modern New York art world, or people who have a lasting fifteen minutes of fame.
Sure to be a popular read for lovers and practitioners of music of all kinds. A must-have for public and academic libraries, especially at conservatories.
Rodríguez’s book successfully balances an intellectual understanding of the cultural ramifications of post-punk music with poignant and alluring background stories, appealing to scholars and fans alike.
PREMIUM
Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama
A high-quality addition and a must-listen for even casual fans of the robust “comedic memoir” genre of audiobooks.
Stanley’s engaging narrative music study invites general readers as well as music mavens into a memorable world that provided the necessary antecedents for rock and roll.
Coscarelli’s book is the ideal vehicle to acknowledge Atlanta’s influence on modern-day storytelling through trap and rap music.
An empathic and heartbreaking account of a woman haunted by her past, in a society that refused to accept her despite her amazing accomplishments.
PREMIUM
The Misfits
While this slim book succeeds in bringing together the facts about the film in a tidy linear format, it lacks enough critical analysis to elevate its message. Film fans will find it a useful, entertaining retelling.
Nesseth combines savvy science writing with a deep love of horror movies, resulting in something both scholarly and eminently readable. Even horror aficionados may stumble across an unfamiliar title she cites.
Meeuf provides evidence of underlying social and political themes in an often-dismissed genre in this thought-provoking work that will be appreciated by fans of the format and by scholars studying the cultural effects of the first Black presidency.
PREMIUM
Sofia Coppola: Forever Young
A useful book for film scholars due to the production details included for each film, along with an index and bibliography.
PREMIUM
Yoko Ono: An Artful Life
An affecting and affectionate portrait. For artists, historians of 20th-century art, Yoko Ono fans, and Beatles fans too.
An excellent and comprehensive history of the music and lyrics of the United States’ national anthem, Clague’s book should be in every library.
Recommend for science fiction fans or readers interested in extraterrestrial life will find this an interesting read.
A delightful and informative introduction to the best (and worst!) documentaries, biopics, feature films, and musical extravaganzas of the last 70 years.
PREMIUM
Nocturnal Admissions: Behind the Scenes at Tunnel, Limelight, Avalon, and Other Legendary Nightclubs
A fun homage to ’90s pop culture and nightlife that will interest readers who lived it or who wish they had.
A thought-provoking look at an oft-neglected facet of the music industry, most valuable for the diverse viewpoints and thoughts expressed by its subjects.
Film buffs, martial arts enthusiasts, and fans of Bruce Lee will thoroughly enjoy this exceptional biography.
As a comprehensive account of the rise and fall of the Weinstein name, Auletta’s volume is a critical text and worthy of sitting beside Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor’s She Said.
Rodgers tells it the way she saw it, often stripping away the celebrity glamour of growing up in a revered musical theater environment. Green is a welcome and unobtrusive organizing voice and fact checker. Hollywood biography readers and musical theater fans will enjoy.
This lively cultural history and affectionate tribute to a true film pioneer should have broad appeal.
The audiobook is long, but Griffith’s excellent performance, Hongo’s brilliant prose, and the incredible depth and breadth of topics discussed make for a delightful listening experience.
Those looking for a humorous jaunt may be disappointed by the heft of Schur’s subject. For anyone looking to learn more about philosophy, this is an excellent place to start.
Katz’s writing captures his own voice so well that his audiobook narration is pitch-perfect. A first purchase for nonfiction audio collections.
While Britt’s insightful and entertaining history may not take fans where no one has gone before (considering there have been decades of books written about the expansive Star Trek franchise), he still offers a fun ride that few fans will be able to resist.
A well-written and fascinating biography that celebrity mavens and fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood will enjoy.
PREMIUM
George Michael: A Life
Gavin’s fluent, gripping account of Michael’s roller-coaster music career will draw readers in. An emotionally fulfilling read.
This memoir is an honest account of the transition from Hollywood to adult film actress. The explicit details provided and style of writing may limit its audience.
White’s scholarly take on Hollywood’s infatuation with kung fu offers multiple entry points for readers, from film historians to sociologists. Action film fans will come away with a deeper appreciation of these films, and an expanded watch list.
Though sometimes obsessed with Scott’s debauchery, Fink delivers a page-turning account of the complicated character and significant contributions of Bon Scott that metalheads will devour.
In this fascinating tribute, Smith ensures that the achievements of these Black women musicians will not be forgotten.
PREMIUM
Why Patti Smith Matters
Readers will be better served by Victor Bockris and Roberta Bayley’s Patti Smith: An Unauthorized Biography. Not recommended.
PREMIUM
Prop Man: From John Wick to Silver Linings Playbook, from Boardwalk Empire to Parks and Recreation
In this stunning work, MacDonald illustrates that the devil is in the details for a prop man.
PREMIUM
On Jazz
This lively book hits all the right notes and will delight both jazz aficionados and neophytes.
Rozzo documents a roller-coaster ride of big ideas, big failures, lasting successes, and lost projects. Recommended for anyone interested in the culture of the 1960s.
An affectionate yet clear-eyed view of gospel’s brightest voices. For fans of gospel music or those who would like to know more about it.
Readers looking for a musical biography of Liszt will find here instead an excursion through European culture of the 19th century and earlier. Roberts’s accessible style reads like a conversation with his erudite friends
PREMIUM
Blake Shelton: Happy Anywhere
Avid Shelton fans who like to wallow in minutiae might enjoy this biography, but others might find it a yawn-fest.
Much like Isacoff’s previous books, this is a sprawling narrative, intertwining history, politics, and musical biography, that’s as entertaining as it is informative. Whether readers are dedicated musicologists or casual fans, they’ll enjoy this thought-provoking dive into the history of Western music.
PREMIUM
Grease, Tell Me More, Tell Me More: Stories from the Broadway Phenomenon That Started It All
Capturing Grease’s joyful silliness and moving coming-of-age themes, this narrative will delight fans and musical theater history buffs.
Aspiring actors and fans of 24 and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia will enjoy Rajskub’s humor, words of wisdom, and down-to-earth tone.
Black’s own relevant musical experience, alongside his interviews with White, his family, and country music icons such as Marty Stuart, make this biography a must-read for bluegrass aficionados. Although White may not be a household name to those outside the bluegrass scene, he richly deserves this long-awaited tribute.
Poignant and powerful, this work will resonate with a wide audience: rap and Law & Order fans, young adults, and readers of memoir.
Not hiding his obsession for “Hey Jude,” Campion delivers an in-depth account of an important song; Beatlemaniacs will be pleased.
Though not for newcomers to Dylan’s work, this is a valuable resource for Dylan experts and researchers producing content for future biographies and scholarship.
A charming addition that will add style and substance to the pop culture corner of library collections.
In an industry famous for self-congratulation Schwartzel takes viewers behind the silver screen to reveal a reality where revenues trump values and artistic choices take a back seat to political pressures. A must-read for anyone influenced by media in general and film in particular. And that means all of us.
An entertaining, absorbing behind-the-scenes look at drag that will especially appeal to fans of Drag Race and the TV drama Pose.
A must for anyone interested in country music and how the genre reflects on the United States as a whole.
Dylan fans, and they are legion, will appreciate the backstory and long history that influenced the style, structure, and content of one of his most powerful songs.
Walker’s years of research and personal expertise about Houston’s music scene will help cement Screw’s legacy as an innovator who still inspires.
PREMIUM
Love Me as I Am
An inspirational memoir that fans of the Real Housewives franchise or The Real will enjoy..
PREMIUM
Serenade: A Balanchine Story
A touching tribute to a master, this work will delight balletomanes.
Bingham convincingly argues that listeners cannot disconnect “My Old Kentucky Home” from its fraught and dishonest history and that the only way forward is to stop performing it altogether. Readers familiar with the song will get the most out of this book, as will anyone with a deep interest in the intersections of music and history.
PREMIUM
Queer Country
An empathetic and illuminating study, sure to expand country playlists. For scholars interested in queer studies and fans of country music.
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