| A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif AbdurraqibWhat it is: Poet and critic Hanif Abdurraqib's collection of lyrical essays exploring the impact of Black art and performance in American culture.
Read it for: an intimate and wide-ranging blend of memoir and analysis that centers Black visibility in music, comedy, sports, magic, and more.
Don't miss: "I Would Like to Give Merry Clayton Her Roses," which celebrates the overlooked accomplishments of gospel singer and "Gimme Shelter" background vocalist Merry Clayton. |
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| When Women Invented Television: The Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who... by Jennifer Keishin ArmstrongWhat it is: a fast-paced and engaging history of television's early days and four women who pioneered the medium.
Starring: Hazel Scott, the first African American to host a primetime show; Gertrude Berg, who created The Goldbergs, TV's first depiction of a Jewish American family; Irna Phillips, creator of Guiding Light and other soap operas; and Betty White, who developed her own talk show.
Try this next: J.E. Smyth's Nobody's Girl Friday: The Women Who Ran Hollywood. |
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| The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle by Rob KennerWhat it is: the first biography of rapper, activist, and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, who was tragically murdered in 2019 at age 33.
Why you should read it: This "rousing and powerful" (Library Journal) chronicle offers a nuanced portrait of an influential artist who left a lasting legacy in the music industry and the South Los Angeles community he helped rebuild.
About the author: Hip-hop journalist and Vibe magazine founding editor Rob Kenner followed Hussle's career for more than a decade. |
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| Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo by Jo KoyWhat it's about: Filipino American comedian Jo Koy's hard-won battle for success in the entertainment industry.
Topics include: how Koy's mixed-race and impoverished upbringing informed his comedy; his career influences and joke-writing process.
Featuring: recipes for Koy's favorite Filipino dishes, including chicken adobo and lumpia; never-before-seen photographs. |
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You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism
by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
Starring: NYC-based comedian and Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Amber Ruffin; and her sister Lacey Lamar, who lives in Omaha, NE.
What's inside: Lacey's firsthand accounts of the racist treatment she's received living in the Midwest, paired with the sisters' funny yet frank commentary on each incident and illustrative photographs.
Who it's for: With its conversational tone, this “must-read” (Library Journal) will appeal to Black women who can relate to the authors' experiences and to readers looking for eye-opening insights on racism.
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Hamilton: The Revolution
by Lin-Manuel Miranda
What 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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| Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning by Leslie Odom, Jr. What it is: a witty blend of memoir and self-help written by Tony and Grammy Award-winning Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr.
Who it's for: Though it was written for teen audiences, anyone looking for inspiration to follow their dreams will be encouraged by Odom's candid advice.
Want a taste? "The path to moments of greatness in your life will be paved, in part, with your spectacular failures." |
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| Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution by Todd S. PurdumWhat it's about: the fruitful creative partnership between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, whose collaborations ushered in the Golden Age of musical theater in the mid-20th century.
Why you might like it: This evocative, occasionally gossipy chronicle captures the pair's creative process, tracking career highs (Pulitzer Prize wins for Oklahoma! and South Pacific), lows (flops like 1947's Allegro), and frequent personality clashes.
Reviewers say: "An exuberant celebration of musical genius" (Kirkus). |
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Master of Ceremonies: A Memoir
by Joel Grey
What 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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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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