My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.
Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America
by John McWhorter
Non-Fiction & Race / Portfolio Books
Published: October 26, 2021
“Americans of good will on both the left and the right are secretly asking themselves the same question: how has the conversation on race in America gone so crazy?”
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Professor “John McWhorter argues that an illiberal neoracism, disguised as antiracism, is hurting Black communities and weakening the American social fabric.” The popular linguist has a new book yet again deconstructing many of the words and phrases we take for granted when we communicate with each other. Alright let’s go down this road and see what’s what.
It took a pandemic. I’ve written a book and this is the cover. I’m very pleased with it. I hope you’ll check it out or pre order today https://t.co/JNo441xmwS
— Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) May 7, 2021
David Copperfield’s History of Magic
by by David Copperfield & Richard Wiseman
Non-Fiction & Magic / Simon & Schuster
Published: October 26, 2021
“In this personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art, David Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world’s most groundbreaking magicians.”
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“An illustrated, illuminating insight into the world of illusion from the world’s greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form’s most famous artifacts housed at David Copperfield’s secret museum.” If you can’t go to Copperfield’s secret museum then bring David Copperfield’s secret museum to you, right? (Please Note This Barnes & Noble exclusive edition includes a bonus chapter on Orson Welles. Oh yo…)
RENEGADES: BORN IN THE USA is a candid and entertaining dialogue between President @BarackObama and legendary musician @springsteen that explores everything from their origin stories to our country’s polarized politics.
Out 10/26, pre-order your copy at: https://t.co/VqfeiKDv1s pic.twitter.com/1Dd63s9qP6
— Crown Publishing (@CrownPublishing) October 21, 2021
Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events
by Brent Spiner
Fiction(?) & Star Trek / St. Martin’s Press
Published: October 12, 2021
“Brent Spiner’s explosive and hilarious novel is a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen Brothers were to make a Star Trek movie, involving the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this noir comedy might just be the one.”
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“Fan Fiction is a zany love letter to a world in which we all participate, the phenomenon of “Fandom.” Sounds like Data has moved on from emotions and is now grappling with fame. That’s right: Data has written a novel about ah…crazy fans. Seems a bit on the nose…perhaps he should (wait for it…) “Get a life!”
Woke Racism by @JohnHMcWhorter was dubbed "mandatory reading" by in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews.https://t.co/T4lWSYPP4K
— Portfolio Books (@portfoliobooks) October 26, 2021
Talking to Canadians: A Memoir
by Rick Mercer
Non-Fiction & Canadaism/ Doubleday Canada
Published: November 2, 2021
“There’s a tale of how little Rick helped himself to a tree from the neighbours’ garden that’s set to become a new Christmas classic. There’s Rick the aspiring actor, braving “the scariest thing I have ever done in my life” by performing with the Newfoundland Shakespeare Company; unforgettable scenes with politicians of every variety, from Jean Chretien to George W. Bush to Stockwell Day; and a wealth of behind-the-scenes revelations about the origins and making of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made in Canada, and Talking to Americans.”
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Grab your Tim Hortons because Rick Mercer is” #TalkingToCanadians.” “In this anecdote-driven memoir, gives the inside story behind the development of hit TV shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Rick Mercer Report, as well as his Newfoundland upbringing with mixed parents (ie., Catholic and Protestant).”
♠♣ Magic goes further and deeper than sleight of hand. Read about the greats and maybe pick up a few tricks along the way with "David Copperfield's History of Magic." ♥♦@D_Copperfield @simonschuster pic.twitter.com/6HF3ba4zUo
— Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (@wesrjjulia) October 30, 2021
Renegades: Born in the USA
by Barack Obama & Bruce Springsteen
Non-Fiction & Pop Culture / Crown Publishing
Published: October 26, 2021
“Two longtime friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music, and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material.”
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“Two longtime friends (who were Born In the USA) share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music, and their enduring love of America (The Promised Land), with all its challenges and contradictions.” Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen’s Higher Ground podcast is now in book form.
One or two more before I’m done. pic.twitter.com/wcUnXU3d05
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) October 9, 2021
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
