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Popular Culture March 2018
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| Videocracy: How YouTube Is Changing the World -- With Double Rainbows... by Kevin AlloccaWhat it's about: Remember "double rainbow"? "Charlie bit my finger"? Friday? Combining a history of YouTube with an exploration of the site's influence on pop culture around the world, Videocracy is an entertaining tour of all that the video-sharing platform offers.
Did you know? YouTube was created in part to help developers meet women; the first video posted was of a trip to the San Diego zoo; the company has a Culture and Trends department, and the author of this book heads it. |
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Red Carpet : Hollywood Fame and Fashion
by Frank Trapper
Celebrity photographer Frank Trapper has had a front-row seat to nearly every star-studded Hollywood event since 1987—from the high-profile Academy Awards to the dressed-down movie premieres that capture celebrities as you’ve never seen them before.
Thirty years of red carpet fashion is captured in more than 250 photographs of style makers and A-listers. Experience again the famous moments and gowns that have made red carpet history—from Elizabeth Taylor to Scarlett Johansson—and all the stars you’ve followed faithfully along the way.
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| Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap by Gerrick D. KennedyWhat it's about: the influence of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A. and its members on hip-hop, black identity, and pop culture.
Why you might like it: Detailed and authoritative, this chronicle of the meteoric rise, fall, and legacy of N.W.A. captures the personalities, tensions, and connections of the various members, as well as their rivals and fellow rappers. It also provides context for readers unfamiliar with the history of rap music. |
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Television series of the 1970s : essential facts and quirky details
by Vincent Terrace
Vincent Terrace presents readers with a cornucopia of information about more than seventy programs from the decade. This is not a book of opinions or essays about specific television programs but a treasure trove of facts associated with each show.
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| Improv Nation: How We Made a Great American Art by Sam WassonWhat it is: a sweeping behind-the-scenes history of American improvisational comedy, which was born during the McCarthy era and counts Saturday Night Live and Second City as success stories.
Why you might like it: Funny and fast-moving, this entertaining read will delight as it informs.
Reviewers say: “A remarkable story, magnificently told” (Booklist). |
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The Coen Brothers : The Iconic Filmmakers and Their Work
by Ian Nathan
Renowned film journalist Ian Nathan delves into the extraordinary lives of the Coen brothers to reveal how they survived flops and triumphs alike, never once compromising their vision, to become two of the world's most interesting, distinctive and creative filmmakers
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| Master of Ceremonies: A Memoir by Joel GreyWhat 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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| Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel MirandaWhat 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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Prince and the Purple rain era studio sessions : 1983 and 1984
by Duane Tudahl
Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions pulls back the paisley curtain to reveal the untold story of Prince's rise from cult favorite to the biggest rock star on the planet. His journey is meticulously documented through detailed accounts of his time secluded behind the doors of the recording studio as well as his days on tour.
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| The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built by Jack ViertelWhat it is: a behind-the-scenes exploration of what makes a great Broadway show so memorable, using a range of examples (from Gypsy, My Fair Lady, The Book of Mormon, and others) as illustrations.
From overture to curtain call: If you want to know more about the structure and patterns of Broadway shows, this is the book for you. Plus, there's a list of the best cast recordings to listen to post-reading. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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San Mateo Public Library 55 West 3rd Avenue San Mateo, California 94402 (650) 522-7802www.smplibrary.org |
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