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Popular Culture January 2019
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| Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam HorovitzCh-Check it out: This sweeping, laugh-out-loud memoir charts the meteoric rise of the influential hip-hop group Beastie Boys, offering an experience "as innovative and raucous as the band's music" (Publishers Weekly).
Featuring: photographs, playlists, and recipes; guest essays from Spike Jonze, Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, and more.
Don't miss: the authors’ moving tributes to bandmate Adam Yauch, who died in 2012. |
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| Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of '80s and '90s Teen Fiction by Gabrielle MossWhat it's about: Snarky and nostalgic, this immersive deep dive into the "frivolous" young adult novels of the 1980s and '90s examines the historical contexts behind the genre's popularity.
What's inside: a bright color palette that includes reproductions of classic book covers; interviews with authors and artists. |
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| The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and What Matters in the End by Gary M. PomerantzWhat it's about: the complicated friendship between teammates Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, who led the Boston Celtics to six NBA championship titles in seven years beginning in 1957.
Why you might like it: The Last Pass reveals the poignant lessons Cousy learned both on and off the court as his accomplishments were elevated at the expense of Russell's own and he failed to stand up to the racist treatment his teammate received. |
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| Guru by RuPaulWhat it is: a pithy collection of encouraging aphorisms and full-color photos from showbiz stalwart RuPaul, the Emmy Award-winning host of the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race.
Want a taste? "You're born naked and the rest is drag."
Topics include: Ru's secrets to success; the importance of finding one's tribe; the interplay of drag culture and masculinity. |
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| She Wants It: Desire, Power, and Toppling the Patriarchy by Jill SolowayWhat it's about: In this candid and eye-opening memoir, Transparent creator Jill Soloway (who is nonbinary) reckons with their place in male-dominated Hollywood, offering insights on gender, sexuality, and the #metoo movement.
Did you know? Soloway was inspired to create Transparent after their own parent came out as transgender.
Book buzz: She Wants It is a New York Times Editors' Choice pick. |
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| Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia ChaudryWhat it is: a gripping examination of then-teenager Adnan Syed's involvement in the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, a story that will be familiar to listeners of the wildly popular Serial podcast.
What sets it apart: Written by attorney and Undisclosed podcast host Rabia Chaudry, Adnan's Story offers legal perspectives missing from Serial, revealing how police misconduct, inconsistent evidence, and Syed's incompetent lawyer (who was later disbarred) marred the investigation. |
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| I'd Know That Voice Anywhere: My Favorite NPR Commentaries by Frank DefordWhat it is: beloved sportswriter Frank Deford's favorite contributions from his 37-year tenure as the sports commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition.
Don't miss: "The Other Winnie-the-Pooh," in which Deford sardonically notes the similarities between the titular bear and Babe Ruth.
Reviewers say: "A rich collection for anyone interested in the sporting life" (Booklist). |
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| The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron MahnkeWhat it's about: Inspired by the Lore podcast, The World of Lore enthusiastically tackles the creepy folklore origins behind some of the series' popular episodes.
Art alert: Beautiful and unsettling black-and-white illustrations (reminiscent of Edward Gorey's style) complement the frightening tales.
Series alert: Monstrous Creatures is the first in the World of Lore series, followed by Wicked Mortals and Dreadful Places. |
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| Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast by Marc Maron & Brendan McDonaldWhat it is: a revealing collection of interviews from comedian Marc Maron's WTF podcast, which has aired biweekly since 2009.
Notable guests: Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Barack Obama, Robin Williams, Terry Gross, Leslie Jones, and Sarah Silverman.
Why you might like it: Forgoing a standard transcript format, Waiting for the Punch organizes interviews by theme (such as Growing Up, Identity, and Mental Health) to give the collection an intimate narrative quality. |
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| Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by Charlamagne Tha GodWhat it's about: The Breakfast Club radio show cohost Charlamagne Tha God charts his unlikely path to stardom and shares his eight principles for success in this reflective memoir/self-help guide.
Chapters include: "It's Not the Size of the Pond but the Hustle in the Fish;" "There Are No Losses, Only Lessons"
Is it for you? Known for his brutal honesty and controversial opinions, Charlamagne's particular brand of wisdom may not be for everyone. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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