Popular Culture
November 2021
Recent Releases
The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer
by Christopher Clarey

What it is: a well-researched and richly detailed biography of tennis star and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

Topics include: Federer's playing style, memorable matches, and rivalries; his personal life and philanthropic pursuits.

About the author: New York Times tennis correspondent Christopher Clarey has followed Federer's career for decades and has interviewed him more than any other sports journalist. 
Forever Young
by Hayley Mills

What it's about: child star and Disney darling Hayley Mills' roller-coaster life in the spotlight.

Read it for: Mills' frank assessment of the perks and pitfalls of the Disney star system -- after rising to fame with roles in Pollyanna and The Parent Trap, she was forced to maintain a wholesome image, losing out on roles in Lolita and other adult-oriented films.

Did you know? For her role in Pollyanna, Mills became one of only 12 actors in history to receive the Academy Juvenile Award. 
Mellencamp
by Paul Rees

What it is: a richly detailed biography of pioneering heartland rock singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, written by veteran music journalist Paul Rees.

Featuring: exclusive interviews with Mellencamp's loved ones and colleagues; never-before-told stories of his life and career; a deep dive into his discography.

For fans of: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.  
Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes: Essays
by Phoebe Robinson

What it is: New York Times bestselling author and comedian Phoebe Robinson's third wide-ranging and laugh-out-loud collection of essays.

Topics include: quarantining while in a relationship; the limitations of self-care; natural hair love; performative activism; building a "mini empire."  

Who it's for: Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Robinson's entertaining latest, which feels like having an intimate chat with a friend.
Taste: My Life Through Food
by Stanley Tucci

What it is: a charming and witty memoir detailing actor Stanley Tucci's culinary pursuits and the stories behind them, filled with simple recipes made from inexpensive ingredients.

For fans of: the foodie memoirs of journalist Bill Buford and chefs Gabrielle Hamilton and Ruth Reichl.

Recipes include: Italian staples including ragĂș, pasta fagioli, and Negronis.  
All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told
by Douglas Wolk

What it's about: Eisner Award-winning Reading Comics author Douglas Wolk's quest to document Marvel Comics history -- by reading every Marvel comic published since 1961 (more than 27,000).

Read it for: a concise and impassioned overview of 60 years of superhero comics history, profiling characters both famous (the X-Men) and forgotten (Night Nurse). 

Don't miss: insightful footnotes; an appendix including noteworthy storylines and illustrations.  
The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World
by Dave Zirin

What it's about: the impact of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protests during the 2016 NFL season.

Featuring: interviews with athletes and coaches who were spurred to action following Kaepernick's example.

Reviewers say: The Nation sports editor David Zirin's thoughtful book is "necessary reading for all" (Library Journal).  
Contact your librarian for more great books!


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