Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello

Music & Performing Arts from the 2015 Winter Newsletter

RandomHouse

One of the foremost authorities on film, David Thomson has written thousands of words exploring and critiquing movies, their history, their triumphs and failures. Now he wants to help you do the same, and provides a crash course in the various languages and details that make up film. Thomson’s goal is to ignite a passion through helping people come to a deeper understanding of a medium that is always entertaining but richer and more complex than meets the layperson’s eye. —Jocelyn

How to Watch a Movie (Hardcover)

By David Thomson

$24.95

ISBN: 9781101875391

Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now

Published: Knopf Publishing Group - November 3rd, 2015

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101 Artists to Listen to Before You Die by Ricardo Cavolo

October 5, 2015, 1:51 pm

≫ Next: Trace by Lauret Savoy

≪ Previous: How to Watch a Movie by David Thompson

Nonfiction from the 2015 Winter Newsletter

Melinda's Reviews

This is the perfect gift for music enthusiasts, art aficionados. or anyone who delights in life. Spanish artist Ricardo Cavolo has created a music diary, outlining his wide-ranging appreciation in 101 profiles. From Bach to Buddy Holly, Robert Johnson to the Ramones, there is much to agree with in Cavolo’s profiles and even more to discover. Overflowing with bright illustrations and hand-drawn commentary, Cavolo makes the musical experience both personal and universal. We can all fall in love with his book. —Melinda

101 Artists to Listen to Before You Die (Hardcover)

By Ricardo Cavolo, Ricardo Cavolo (Illustrator)

$22.99

ISBN: 9781910620007

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Nobrow Press - September 15th, 2015

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Trace by Lauret Savoy

October 5, 2015, 1:57 pm

≫ Next: Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton

≪ Previous: 101 Artists to Listen to Before You Die by Ricardo Cavolo

Nonfiction from the 2015 Winter Newsletter

Louise's Reviews

In 2015, we have seen the release of many talented authors making connections across disciplines. Writers like Rebecca Solnit and Ta-Nehisi Coates are flanked by the great American voice of Lauret Savoy. In Trace, Savoy laces geography, geology, and critical race and ethnic studies into a meaningful and felicitous dialogue. We are shown that the landscape of the body and mind can mirror Earth’s faults and craters. --Louise

Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape (Hardcover)

By Lauret Savoy

$25.00

ISBN: 9781619025738

Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days

Published: Counterpoint LLC - November 10th, 2015

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Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton

October 5, 2015, 2:02 pm

≫ Next: The Givenness of Things by Marilynne Robinson

≪ Previous: Trace by Lauret Savoy

Megan's Reviews

Nonfiction from the 2015 Winter Newsletter

The second installment of the ever-popular Humans of New York series (complete with the quotes and stories we know and love) is a unique look into the hearts and minds of our fellow humans. Entertaining as it may be, hold on to your heart and prepare for it to warm, melt, even break, at some of the stories in this new collection. I’m a big fan of Louis, profiled on page 218. That kid is going places. --Megan

Humans of New York: Stories (Hardcover)

By Brandon Stanton

$29.99

ISBN: 9781250058904

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: St. Martin's Press - October 13th, 2015

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The Givenness of Things by Marilynne Robinson

October 5, 2015, 2:05 pm

≫ Next: God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza

≪ Previous: Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton

S.M.C.'s Reviews

Marilynne Robinson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Gilead, has a new collection of essays focusing on our modern culture and the mysteries of faith. Whether she is drawing on the likes of Calvin or Shakespeare or commenting on the privilege of the American elite, her precision and insight are evident in her prose. With chapter titles like “Memory, Grace, Theology or Fear,” Robinson’s essays reveal her belief in humanity despite our flaws, and the kinship of Robinson and her own protagonist, Gilead’s Reverend John Ames, seems deliciously close. --S.M.C.

The Givenness of Things: Essays (Hardcover)

By Marilynne Robinson

$26.00

ISBN: 9780374298470

Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now

Published: Farrar, Straus and Giroux - October 27th, 2015

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God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza

November 30, 2015, 5:07 pm

≫ Next: Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett

≪ Previous: The Givenness of Things by Marilynne Robinson

What lies beneath our veneer of polite civilization? What happens when we let the truth come out? Yasmin Reza’s brief and powerful play forces a confrontation of the very nature of humanity in the most innocuous of settings: two sets of parents, civilly discussing an altercation between their children. It takes so very little to reveal our primal selves; who is the real god you pray to as you sit down to dinner?

Reviewed by:

Jocelyn

God of Carnage (Paperback)

By Yasmina Reza, Christopher Hampton (Translator)

$14.00

ISBN: 9780571242580

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Faber & Faber - April 28th, 2009

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Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett

November 30, 2015, 5:09 pm

≫ Next: Conversations with Anne by Anne Bogart

≪ Previous: God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza

RandomHouse

Sir Terry Pratchett was a fantastic entertainer who will be missed for his fabulous worlds and quick wit. But this collection of his work and general thoughts shows the man, incredibly sharp and intelligent, we lost in 2015. Fascinating, funny, and passionate, you sit down with this book like with an old friend, one whom you greatly respect and are absolutely terrified of--but whom you would never miss meeting, had you the option.

Reviewed by:

Jocelyn

A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Nonfiction (Paperback)

By Terence David John Pratchett, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman (Foreword by)

$15.95

ISBN: 9780804169226

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Anchor Books - September 1st, 2015

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Conversations with Anne by Anne Bogart

November 30, 2015, 5:11 pm

≫ Next: The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

≪ Previous: Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett

Anne Bogart is one of the leading voices and talents of contemporary theatre in the United States. In this one-of-a-kind book she collects 21 conversations with other leading artists and thinkers of our contemporary culture, on topics both intimately personal and farsightedly broad. If you have any interest or concern in the directions that art and story are taking in our society, for good or ill, this is a book you must read.

Reviewed by:

Jocelyn

Conversations with Anne: Twenty-Four Interviews (Paperback)

By Anne Bogart

$22.00

ISBN: 9781559363754

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Theatre Communications Group - April 3rd, 2012

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The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

December 7, 2015, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: Superbetter by Jane McGonigal

≪ Previous: Conversations with Anne by Anne Bogart

Louise's Reviews

Usually when our buyer brings me a book on contemporary queer theory I have to prep myself by brushing up on my vocabulary and pronunciation skills (it's pronounced Foo-ko, Louise, not Full-calt). Nelson doesn't condescend by oversimplifying her critiques and theories; her approach is practical and lucid, and her arguments about identify politics are fresh to death.

Reviewed by:

Louise

The Argonauts (Hardcover)

By Maggie Nelson

$23.00

ISBN: 9781555977078

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Graywolf Press - May 5th, 2015

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Superbetter by Jane McGonigal

December 7, 2015, 12:44 pm

≫ Next: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

≪ Previous: The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

Julia's Reviews

What if we could harness the best qualities we use when we play games to make the real world a better place? Renowned game designer Jane McGonigal wondered that after a severe concussion led her to depression. She created SuperBetter, a web game that saved her life. This research-packed book traces the science behind how games can help us improve memory, mood, resilience, and compassion—even minimize physical pain and protect against posttraumatic stress disorder.

Reviewed by:

Julia

Superbetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient--Powered by the Science of Games (Hardcover)

By Jane McGonigal

$27.95

ISBN: 9781594206368

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Penguin Press - September 15th, 2015

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Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

December 7, 2015, 12:46 pm

≫ Next: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

≪ Previous: Superbetter by Jane McGonigal

Julia's Reviews

Big Magic is a sweeping manifesto heralding the power of inspiration and intuition, of creativity's force in human hearts and mind. Elizabeth Gilbert's wit and wisdom is so unpretentious, so unique to her, so relatable yet inspirational, that--in a sea of how-to and "fix your life" shticks--Big Magic is beyond refreshing. The Creative Living of which Gilbert writes isn't exclusive to professional artists--or even "artists" at all. Are you interested in becoming more receptive to the inspired, un-jaded side of yourself? Open Big Magic. Are you an artist interested in cutting out your (obnoxious, by the way) "tortured artist" act and creating your work joyfully? Open Big Magic. Gilbert is realistic about her convictions, and candid about her failings and doubts; her delightful personality shines so brightly in this marvelously meaningful book.

Reviewed by:

Julia

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (Hardcover)

By Elizabeth Gilbert

$24.95

ISBN: 9781594634710

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Riverhead Books - September 22nd, 2015

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Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

December 7, 2015, 12:48 pm

≫ Next: The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew B. Crawford

≪ Previous: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Flannery's Reviews

This is not a celebrity memoir--it's even better. This is an actual, legitimate guide to dating written with a sociologist after a year-long, worldwide sociological study. Filled with information, personal stories from a variety of people, and anecdotes from Aziz's own life, this book is incisive, educational, and above all, hysterically funny. I absolutely loved this book, and found it honestly helpful.

Reviewed by:

Flannery

Modern Romance (Hardcover)

By Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg

$28.95

ISBN: 9781594206276

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Penguin Press - June 16th, 2015

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The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew B. Crawford

December 7, 2015, 1:01 pm

≫ Next: Trace by Lauret Savoy

≪ Previous: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

Julia's Reviews

The author of Shop Class as Soulcraft returns with a philosophical examination of how we perceive and interact with the world. In a culture that largely engineers our experiences—every surface, moment between YouTube videos, every bus passing by bombards our mental space—silence is a luxury good and autonomy is valued over interaction. By looking at skilled professions that require complete attention, Crawford’s manifesto argues for reclaiming mindfulness and engagement with the outside world as a means of achieving highest human potential.

Reviewed by:

Julia

The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction (Hardcover)

By Matthew B. Crawford

$26.00

ISBN: 9780374292980

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Farrar, Straus and Giroux - March 31st, 2015

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Trace by Lauret Savoy

December 7, 2015, 1:05 pm

≫ Next: The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

≪ Previous: The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew B. Crawford

Louise's Reviews

Reviewed by:

Louise

Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape (Hardcover)

By Lauret Savoy

$25.00

ISBN: 9781619025738

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Counterpoint LLC - November 10th, 2015

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The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

December 7, 2015, 1:12 pm

≫ Next: The Art of Language Invention by David J Peterson

≪ Previous: Trace by Lauret Savoy

S.M.C.'s Reviews

Harper Collins

This is a wonderful book for both writers and readers of memoir. Mary Karr, otherwise known as the queen of memoir for her best-selling books Liar’s Club, Cherry, and Lit, has written a brilliant book that celebrates the genre. With her characteristic wit and insight, Karr discusses her own writing process, focusing on unearthing one’s life story as well as taking us through excellent lessons and exercises on the mechanical how-to’s of writing autobiographical content. This inspiring book is one that you will continue to refer to. Make room on your shelf next to Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird and Steven King’s On Writing; Karr has taken on the genre of memoir and gifted us all.

Reviewed by:

S.M.C.

The Art of Memoir (Hardcover)

By Mary Karr

$24.99

ISBN: 9780062223067

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Harper - September 15th, 2015

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The Art of Language Invention by David J Peterson

March 13, 2016, 3:49 pm

≫ Next: Selfish, Shallow and Self-Absorbed Edited by Meghan Daum

≪ Previous: The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

Aric's reviews

Women from the 2016 Summer Newsletter

From the creator of the expanded language of Dothraki in the HBO series, Game of Thrones, comes the perfect how-to for the aspiring fictional language creator. By the end of this engaging read, you’ll be dreaming up the exotic tongues of ancient and alien races, and have a grasp of how to bring them to life. –Aric

The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building Cover Image

The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building (Paperback)

By David J. Peterson

$17.00

ISBN: 9780143126461

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Penguin Books - September 29th, 2015

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Selfish, Shallow and Self-Absorbed Edited by Meghan Daum

May 16, 2016, 11:58 am

≫ Next: The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley

≪ Previous: The Art of Language Invention by David J Peterson

Women from the 2016 Summer Newsletter

As baby boomers retire, Gen X fades into the Millenial and now the Gen Z generations, our definitions of family and adulthood have become more fluid than they once were. One of the most marked differences is the changing priority regarding having children. Meghan Daum gathers 16 authors to talk about their decision not to have children and what that decision has meant to them. A fascinating exploration of an ongoing discussion for our society. —Jocelyn

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids Cover Image

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids (Paperback)

By Meghan Daum (Editor)

$16.00

ISBN: 9781250081643

Availability: On Our Shelves Now

Published: Picador USA - April 5th, 2016

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The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley

May 16, 2016, 12:10 pm

≫ Next: Shrill by Lindy West

≪ Previous: Selfish, Shallow and Self-Absorbed Edited by Meghan Daum

Women from the 2016 Summer Newsletter

This book is a fire under the butt for any aspiring writer. It is a scathing (and accurate) analysis of key aspects of our current pop culture. It is a review of the major upsets in the sci-fi/geek world in the past few years, from Gamergate to Puppygate. It is above all an inspiration to all to stay aware, to stay responsible, to stay angry, to stay hungry. Kameron Hurley is my new hero. —Jocelyn

The Geek Feminist Revolution Cover Image

The Geek Feminist Revolution (Paperback)

By Kameron Hurley

$15.99

ISBN: 9780765386243

Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now

Published: Tor Books - May 31st, 2016

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Shrill by Lindy West

May 16, 2016, 12:29 pm

≫ Next: The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman

≪ Previous: The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley