|
|
| Smart Baseball: The Story Behind the Old Stats That Are Ruining the Game, the New Ones... by Keith LawIn Smart Baseball, ESPN senior baseball writer and statistical analyst Keith Law takes on traditional baseball stats and explains why new ways of analyzing baseball are better than the old, inefficient ways many fans are familiar with. From weighted stats to who should or shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame, Law makes compelling (and often entertaining) arguments that are sure to prompt plenty of inter-inning discussions among fans. |
|
|
The 11 contracts that every artist, songwriter, and producer should know
by Steve Gordon
The 11 Contracts is an in-depth guide intended to assist any aspirant wary of navigating the music biz or struggling to interpret its insular jargon. This no-nonsense book follows a refreshingly simple format: Gordon presents a sample agreement, then breaks down the nuances of both the legal and business sides of the arrangement.
|
|
| This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare by Gabourey SidibeOscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe starred in Precious and now has a role in the popular television show Empire, but this book is really about Sidibe herself rather than her accomplishments on screen. Raised by a subway singer and a polygamous father, she is open about her sometimes strained relationships with her parents, the expectations her family had of her when she met with some success, and even her embarrassing fanfiction writing. Read it for a well-written biography of a confident, insightful young woman -- who just happens to be a star. |
|
Great Books You Might Have Missed
|
|
|
The book of Joan : tales of mirth, mischief, and manipulation
by Melissa Rivers
The daughter of Joan Rivers presents an inspiring and intimate tribute to the iconic comedienne that shares insights into her life out of the spotlight, detailing their complicated but loving relationship and the lessons the author learned from her mother throughout their years together.
|
|
| Moscow Nights: The Van Cliburn Story by Nigel CliffAt the height of the Cold War, a young pianist from Texas wowed a Moscow audience and won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition -- though Russian officials were reluctant to give the prize to an American. His win, at a tense time in the two countries' histories, is the center of this book, which details both Van Cliburn's passionately musical life and the drama of the Cold War. Cold War buffs and music history aficionados alike won't want to miss this "rousing" (Kirkus Reviews) life story. |
|
|
Boots on the ground by dusk : my tribute to Pat Tillman
by Mary Tillman
Documents the story of the heroic Army Ranger's tragic death in Afghanistan at the hands of his fellow soldiers, in an account by his mother that traces Tillman's sacrifice of an NFL career to enlist in the military, the Pentagon's original report about his death, and her efforts to uncover the truth. 100,000 first printing.
|
|
| The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil GaimanNeil Gaiman is already a bestselling author; can you imagine what will happen now that his epic novel American Gods is airing on TV? This, however, is his nonfiction, a collection that mixes cultural and literary criticism with thoughts on art, music, and the origins of science fiction and fantasy. (He also staunchly defends reading, libraries, and librarians.) Erudite and witty, reading Gaiman's essays is almost like having a dinnertime chat (we wouldn't really know, but we imagine he'd be a great tablemate. We might be biased.). |
|
| Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker's Journey by Harlan LeboWritten in commemoration of Citizen Kane's 75th anniversary, this book describes how Orson Welles -- a movie-making neophyte -- won unprecedented control over the film. It also explores the roles of Welles' collaborators, discusses who really deserves credit for the script, and traces William Randolph Hearst's efforts to prevent the film's release. Though many other books on the subject exist, this one has been called "a gold mine for fans" (Kirkus Reviews). |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|