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| Queen Bey: A Celebration of the Power and Creativity of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter by Veronica Chambers (editor)What it is: a balanced collection of 19 essays that thoughtfully celebrates and critiques Beyoncé's cultural impact.
Contributors include: Luvvie Ajayi, Brittney Cooper, Michael Eric Dyson, Kid Fury, and Lena Waithe.
Don't miss: Melissa Harris-Perry and Mankaprr Conteh debate the merits of "Beyoncé feminism" in "Grown Women: A Conversation About Coming of Age with an Icon." |
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| Magic is Dead by Ian FrischBehind the curtain...journalist Ian Frisch follows members of the52, a secret club of young magicians hoping to redefine the craft.
...and down the rabbit hole: Frisch hobnobs with Penn Jillette and U.K. magician Dynamo, goes behind the scenes of a Netflix magic show, and performs with the52 in Las Vegas.
Read it for: the author's infectious enthusiasm for his newfound hobby. |
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| K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches by Tyler KepnerWhat it is: a lively history exploring the origins and evolution of baseball's ten major pitch types.
Why pitches? New York Times national baseball writer Tyler Kepner argues that "pitches are the DNA of baseball [and that] the pitcher controls everything."
Featuring: more than 300 interviews with coaches and players (including 22 Hall of Famers); a gripping discussion of science's role in pitching. |
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| I.M. by Isaac MizrahiWhat it is: the debut memoir from iconic fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.
Topics include: Mizrahi's upbringing in a conservative Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn (where he "stuck out like a chubby gay thumb"); collaborations with Calvin Klein and Liza Minnelli; his successful lines at Bergdorf Goodman and Target; his relationship with his husband.
Why you might like it: Readers will be charmed by Mizrahi's witty and unapologetic prose, which is dishy without being mean-spirited. |
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| The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent... by Mallory O'MearaWho it's about: pioneering makeup and special effects artist Milicent Patrick, who designed the monster for Universal's 1954 film The Creature from the Black Lagoon and worked as one of the first female animators at Disney.
Why it matters: Patrick's contributions to her craft have gone largely ignored, thanks to the sexism of jealous male employers who fired her for her successes -- and then denied her credit for her work. |
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| Era of Ignition: Coming of Age In a Time of Rage and Revolution by Amber TamblynWhat it's about: actor-author Amber Tamblyn's journey towards feminist activism and her involvement in the #MeToo and Time's Up movements.
Don't miss: welcome insights from poet Airea D. Matthews and journalist Meredith Talusan, whose discussions of race and gender identity elevate marginalized perspectives.
Reviewers say: "required reading for the resistance, and nothing short of sensational" (Booklist). |
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Science Fiction and Fantasy
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| Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece by Michael BensonWhat it's about: filmmaker Stanley Kubrick's complicated collaboration with author Arthur C. Clarke to bring the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey to the big screen.
Why you might like it: This comprehensive account of the film's production features interviews with key cast and crew, including Dan Richter, who memorably portrayed 2001's ape-man leader.
For fans of: Kubrick, Clarke, science fiction, and film history. |
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| The Fifty-Year Mission: The First 25 Years: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized... by Edward Gross and Mark A. AltmanWhat it is: published in 2016 to commemorate Star Trek's 50th anniversary, this breathtaking oral history of the franchise's beginnings is a must-read for Trekkers.
What it covers: the original television series and its six film spin-offs.
Series alert: Don't miss the conclusion to the Fifty-Year Mission series, The Next 25 Years: From the Next Generation to J.J. Abrams. |
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| I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing: Star Wars and the Triumph of Geek Culture by A.D. JamesonWhat it's about: how Star Wars' 1977 release inspired passionate fandom and laid the groundwork for geek-approved franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Lord of the Rings.
Book buzz: Longtime Star Wars scribe Lawrence Kasdan calls I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing "funny, incisive, and timely."
Is it for you? A.D. Jameson's emphasis on nostalgia leaves little room for discussion of geek culture's ongoing issues with racism and sexism. |
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| What Makes This Book So Great: Re-Reading the Classics of Science Fiction and Fantasy by Jo WaltonWhat it is: 130 short essays championing Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Jo Walton's favorite science fiction and fantasy novels.
Who it's for: Science fiction/fantasy fans and genre newcomers alike will find their reading lists growing after browsing this engaging collection.
Why you might like it: Walton has a deep love for speculative fiction, and she discusses her favorite books as a fan rather than a critic. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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West Babylon Public Library 211 Route 109 West Babylon, New York 11704 (631) 669-5445http://wbpl.us |
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