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Popular Culture November 2021
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| The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer by Christopher ClareyWhat 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. |
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| Black Nerd Problems: Essays by William Henry Evans & Omar HolmonWhat it is: a witty and thought-provoking blend of pop culture criticism and social commentary written by Black Nerd Problems website creators William Henry Evans and Omar Holmon.
What's inside: irreverent essays exploring Black representation in comics, Hamilton ticket prices, Mario Kart as personality test, the merits (or lack thereof) of The Lion King's Simba, and more.
Don't miss: "The Sobering Reality of Actual Black Nerd Problems," which discusses the dangers of cosplaying while Black. |
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| Forever Young by Hayley MillsWhat 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. |
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| Unprotected by Billy PorterWhat it's about: Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning actor Billy Porter's inspiring and hard-fought success in the entertainment industry.
Is it for you? Porter's intimate debut doesn't shy away from the hardships he's faced, including childhood sexual abuse, bankruptcy, racist and homophobic treatment in Hollywood, and living with HIV.
Try this next: Fans of moving and conversational celebrity memoirs will want to read Gabrielle Union's You Got Anything Stronger? |
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| Mellencamp by Paul ReesWhat 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. |
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| Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes: Essays by Phoebe RobinsonWhat 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. |
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| Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley TucciWhat 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. |
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| Unrequited Infatuations by Stevie Van ZandtWhat it's about: E Street Band guitarist, Sopranos actor, and activist Stevie Van Zandt's life and career.
Why you might like it: At turns thought-provoking and self-deprecating, Van Zandt shares candid musings on career triumphs and trials, his commitment to social advocacy, and dishy showbiz anecdotes.
Did you know? Though Van Zandt's best-known acting role was playing Silvio Dante in The Sopranos, he was almost cast as Tony Soprano. |
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| All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told by Douglas WolkWhat 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. |
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| The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World by Dave ZirinWhat 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). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Desmond-Fish Public Library
472 Route 403 (Corner of Rte 9D) Garrison, New York 10524 845.424.3020
desmondfishlibrary.org
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