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You Will Not Kill Our Imagination: A Memoir of Palestine and Writing in Dark Times
by Saeed Teebi
A vital, fearless memoir explores what it means to be a Palestinian in this moment, the effects of the genocide on Palestinian art and imagination, and that to even claim a belonging to the land from a country thousands of miles away is an act of subversion—a book that Omar El Akkad says "so perfectly contextualizes and humanizes so much of what has led us to this awful moment, and one that will be remembered long after."
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| Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-PelznerTheater and culture writer Daniel Pollak-Pelzner’s debut charts the startling rise of Lin-Manuel Miranda -- creator of the Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights -- from inner-city kid to worldwide phenomenon. Pollack-Pelzner interviewed Miranda and other intimate sources, and his background and expertise render him an “astute observer of the more human side of creating art” (Kirkus Reviews). Try this next: How to Survive a Killer Musical by Douglas J. Cohen. |
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Hotshot: A Life on Fire
by River Selby
"Drawing on years of firsthand experience on the frontlines of fire and years of research, Selby examines how the collision of fire suppression policy, colonization, and climate change has led to fire seasons of unprecedented duration and severity. A work of rare intimacy, Hotshot provides new insight into fire, the people who fight it, and the diversity of ecosystems dependent on this elemental force." --Provided by publisher
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107 Days
by Kamala Harris
"Your Secret Service code name is Pioneer. You are the first woman in history to be elected vice president of the United States. On July 21, 2024, your running mate, Joe Biden, announces that he will not be seeking reelection. The presidential election will occur on November 5, 2024. You have 107 days. Written with candor, a unique perspective, and the pace of a page-turning novel, 107 Days takes you inside the race for the presidency as no one has ever done before."
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| Milena and Margarete: A Love Story in Ravensbrück by Gwen StraussMilena Jesenská and Margarete Buber-Neumann were both prisoners in the Ravensbrück concentration camp during the Holocaust, where they met and formed a passionate romantic relationship. Though the camp’s records were burned before it was captured, historian Gwen Strauss has rescued the women’s stories in an inspiring, heartbreaking account of queer and Holocaust history. For fans of: Lovers in Auschwitz by Keren Blankfeld. |
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The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resistance
by Plestia Alaqad
A series of diary extracts from the weeks following October 7, The Eyes of Gaza is a gutting, on-the-ground record of the turmoil and destruction endured by the men, women, and children of Palestine. As Alaqad flees from neighborhood to neighborhood, from hospital to hospital, she documents all she sees--the destruction of beloved homes, the waves of bombs, and most of all, the boundless bravery and generosity of her people--all the while trying to memorize the faces of those around her "so somebody will have known them before the end," wondering if, one day, her own journal will be discovered amidst the rubble. A document of the indomitable Palestinian spirit, told through the voice of one ordinary young woman, The Eyes of Gaza is a tribute to Alaqad's beloved Gaza, a paean to the courage and endurance of Palestine, and a manifesto of hope for its future." --Provided by publisher
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Gwyneth: The Biography
by Amy Odell
"Based on exclusive conversations with more than 220 sources, including close current and former friends and colleagues, this deeply researched biography provides insight and behind-the-scenes details of her relationships, family, friendships, iconic films, and tenure as the CEO of Goop. Gwyneth offers the fascinating, definitive look at how Paltrow rose to prominence, stayed in the limelight, and shaped culture—for better or worse—for so long." --Provided by publisher
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| The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things by Nikki GiovanniThis posthumous book of essays and poems from author and poet Nikki Giovanni serves as a vital reminder of her lasting impact on racial justice and civil rights while providing an intimate glimpse into Giovanni’s life and passions. While this collection covers a lot of topical ground, it is mainly a moving and inspiring look back on “a life lived with passion, purpose, and fierce pride” (Library Journal). |
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| Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley with Mary Jane RossMore than 50 years after her divorce from the King of Rock and Roll, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley candidly recalls finding her independence after her relationship with Elvis, which had dominated her life since she was 14. Presley is frank about her triumphs (success as an actor) and tragedies (the deaths of her daughter and grandson), as well as the grief she felt after her ex-husband’s death. Try this next: Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story by Leslie Jamison. |
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In Waves
by AJ Dungo
Delves into the origins and evolution of surfing by looking back at the sport's greatest heroes, while reflecting on the author's memories of his late partner, her battle with cancer, and their shared love of surfing.
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Spinning
by Tillie Walden
A graphic memoir recounts the years Walden spent competitively figure skating, before her developing love of art and first girlfriend causes her to question the insular world of figure skating.
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Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
Collects a groundbreaking two-part graphic memoir, in which the great-granddaughter of Iran's last emperor and the daughter of ardent Marxists describes growing up in Tehran, a country plagued by political upheaval and vast contradictions between public and private life.
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The Best We Could Do
by Thi Bui
Thi Bui describes her experiences as a young Vietnamese immigrant, highlighting her family's move from their war-torn home to the United States.
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Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos
by Lucy Knisley
Knisley describes her difficulty conceiving, multiple miscarriages, and the complications of her eventual pregnancy, which resulted in a near-death experience while giving birth. She also spends time discussing the complicated history of obstetrics.
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Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
by Alison Bechdel
Alison's father is a third-generation funeral home director, a high school English teacher, and an icily distant parent. As it turns out, he is also involved with male students and a male family babysitter. Through narrative that is alternately heartbreaking and fiercely funny, we are drawn into a daughter's complex yearning for her father.
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Blankets
by Craig Thompson
"Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart."
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Our next discussion:
Thursday, November 13, 5:00pm
Meeting Room on Library Lower Level
If you're a regular memoir reader, consider joining our Memoir Book Club! The club usually meets on the second Thursday of the month at 5:00, but we do recommend confirming details on our events calendar in case of changes. Copies of our next book will be reserve at the Circulation Desk. We hope to see you there!
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Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art
by Laney Salisbury
Provenance recounts the activities of John Drewe, who manipulated struggling artist John Myatt and other unwitting accomplices to become prolific art forgers whose works Drewe successfully passed off as legitimate pieces that still adorn private collections, large galleries, and prestigious museums.
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