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The lyrical quality of the writing makes this memoir about woodcarving and being an artisan a lovely addition to any collection.
A central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, the members of ABBA, and the outlaw Belle Starr are among the subjects of this month's key life stories.
Drawing on both primary sources and academic theory, Maxwell makes a compelling argument that is both relevant and moving. This book will appeal most to advanced readers and researchers interested either in Carson’s life and work or the interplay between queer and environmental theory.
A distinctive, memorable story that powerfully shows what it takes to survive as a political prisoner in the U.S. Pair with Better, Not Bitter by Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Exonerated Five.
With a wealth of unpublished juicy material that celebrity mavens will devour, this is a moving and tragic story of how mental illness derailed a stellar career.
A welcome and long-overdue biography of an important blues figure, for fans, musicians, and researchers.
Ron Chernow writes an epic biography about Mark Twain, Tourmaline offers a biography of activist Marsha P. Johnson, and Michelle Young reveals French Resistance hero Rose Valland's life as a spy.
Highly recommended to readers of British history and particularly those interested in the political life of Britain during Victoria’s reign.
This introduction to Chisolm’s writings and speeches is enlightening, highly relevant, and well-crafted.
Recommended for general readers who enjoy swift-paced historical biographies. Those seeking the heroic and the romantic will find much to enjoy.
Pop confectionery with surprising depth, much like its subject. For Swift fans and those who love them.
Strongly recommended for readers who love history. Bradley is scrupulously fair in his judgment of Van Buren.
An informative, if somewhat overlong consideration of the Cold War and a spy who was caught in the middle.
Other than Perkins’s own 1996 autobiography, little has been published about him, and Apter admirably fills the gap with this detailed and emotionally charged biography.
Filled with tidbits such as the origin of the famous golf swing and humanizing stories of regret over losing his first wife to divorce and his son to a car accident, Zehme expertly fully captures a full portrait of Carson.
A wonderful read for NBA fans or people interested in the story of a teenager who left his home to pursue his dreams.
Melinda French Gates offers personal anecdotes and guidance on how to navigate transitions, Top Chef’s Kristen Kish writes a memoir, and the creator of @PoetsSquareCats pens a memoir about community and cats.
Parr never overreaches or preaches. He doesn’t slight Malcolm’s rigidities but he enriches readers’ appreciation of one of the most influential spokespersons of a tumultuous age.
Hughes-Hallett vividly describes the politics and culture of the era in this fascinating biography for readers of British history.
A laudatory biography that is a must-read for any fan of Randy Newman, popular culture, and the creative process.
A highly recommended, refreshing, and hilarious counterpoint to the often-negative stereotypes associated with aging. Pair with Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck or Steven Petrow’s Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old.
Filled with vignettes and details revealing Higgins’s insider view of life at the Vatican, this highly recommended book often has the friendly and joyous feel of someone talking about a dear friend. Pair with Elisabetta Piqué’s Pope Francis: Life and Revolution or Francis: A Pope for Our Time by Luis Rosales and Daniel Olivera.
PREMIUM
American Flygirl
Though the audio suffers from some narratorial flaws, Ankeny’s book is a fascinating study of a courageous Chinese American aviator.
Award–winning author Bernice L. McFadden and actor Ione Skye offer memoirs while biographies feature F1 race car driver Sir Lewis Hamilton and three free-spirited Victorians on a quest to decipher cuneiform.
This gripping title will appeal to readers interested in how the lives of people with disabilities are impacted by architecture, access, clothing, employment, transportation, and mobility. It will also interest people working with or providing services as caregivers, social workers, think tanks, and more.
Well-written and thoroughly researched using numerous primary and family sources. Readers who enjoy comedy and entertainment history will find this particularly absorbing.
This updated biography adds to the currency of Bush’s work and will interest her fans and fans of music biographies.
A memoir from legendary dancer and singer Josephine Baker receives its first U.S. publication, while notable authors Jennifer Finney Boylan and Geraldine Brooks share reflections on their experiences.
While several bios about Kennedy are on the market, this collection of eyewitness tales feels fresh and heartfelt.
A remarkable tale that’s enriched with few words and plenty of neutral-toned illustrations. It beautifully spotlights movement and the music of Pärt.
Recommended for both jazz enthusiasts and readers exploring any of the music genres that have evolved from jazz over the past six decades.
This volume includes fascinating stories about Wynette and Jones, but fans might wish for more of those and fewer digressions in the first part of the book. For comprehensive country music collections.
This illuminating book sheds light on brothers at least as influential as the Warners, but lesser known in cinematic popular culture.
Smyth deftly spotlights a sardonically witty woman and film pioneer whose contributions are little known. Film students and biography readers will be delighted.
This well-researched biography is recommended for business history collections. A fun related read, Louise Claire Johnson’s Behind the Red Door, offers insight from an Arden intern who worked there in the early 2000s.
Scholars and devotees of Hollywood’s Golden Age will enjoy these considerations of important women in film history.
Foodie memoirs, an indie rocker's life story, and multiple books that wrestle with racial justice are on offer this month, along with a memoir from The Book Thief author Markus Zusak.
A most moving, memorable memoir that expertly incorporates sensory details. Readers will be able to easily envision de Bastion’s grandfather, his love of music and great talent for it, his strength and resilience during the war, and the power of his music to keep him alive.
A motivational, recommended autobiography of a remarkable civil rights activist. Pair with Gal Beckerman’s The Quiet Before.
A frank critique of the disability rights movement. Recommended for readers interested in activism and social justice.
A most moving, memorable memoir that expertly incorporates sensory details. Readers will be able to easily envision de Bastion’s grandfather, his love of music and great talent for it, his strength and resilience during the war, and the power of his music to keep him alive.
Explore the varied landscape of social sciences publishing via LJ’s top picks in anthropology, parapsychology, parenting, economics, memoir, and more.
This lavishly illustrated book with stunning, oversized photos gives a straightforward, accurate, but often-told synopsis of the life and music of the man known as the King of Rock and Roll. Will appeal to Elvis fans, music lovers, and readers who enjoy perusing titles with strong and plentiful images.
PREMIUM
Starring Joan Crawford: The Films, the Fantasy, and the Modern Relevance of a Silver Screen Icon
An enjoyable read that stands out among the numerous books written about Crawford over the years.
On offer this month are a debut memoir from global activist Jaha Marie Dukureh, a biography about Edna Ferber, and two memoirs that reflect on learning the crafts of carpentry and woodworking.
This biography’s candid photos and collections of images present an intimate glimpse into Vega’s life, work, and influence as an artist and performer.
An unflinching, focused story of the Holocaust, seen through the lens of Mandl’s brutal actions and subsequent trial and execution. Devastating but worth every minute.
The Little Tramp’s triumphs and shortcomings will captivate listeners who want to know what led to his professional exile from the U.S. during the Red Scare years.
PREMIUM
Ian Fleming: The Complete Man
A captivating account of Fleming’s covert operations during World War II and his Bond-like personal life. Recommended for history buffs, particularly those with an interest in WWII espionage.
Reed’s elegant delivery and diction enhance Dykstra’s delightful portrait of a visionary Gilded Age art collector. Recommended for art history buffs and those who enjoyed Douglass Shand-Tucci’s The Art of Scandal.
A remarkable biography of a gifted surgeon whose professional journey took off at a time when many his age were already looking back on their careers. Yacoub’s story embodies what one determined individual can do by pushing boundaries and advocating for those in need.
Although the audio is somewhat flawed, music aficionados will find much food for thought in this impressive biography of a remarkable artist and performer.
PREMIUM
August Wilson: A Life
A definitive debut, recommended for larger audio collections where biographies by acclaimed writers, such as Ron Chernow and Doris Kearns Goodwin, are popular.
This excellent exploration of an important actor’s life may appeal to those fascinated by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s When Women Invented Television or Nghi Vo’s Wong-inspired fantasy novel The Siren Queen.
PREMIUM
The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles During the Holocaust
A portrait of bravery and selflessness set against the harrowing backdrop of WWII. Listeners interested in WWII and the stories of heroic women will want to check this one out.
A fascinating but ultimately tragic account of the rise and fall of an athlete who could not abandon his self-destructive habits or take responsibility for his actions. Those who followed Pete Rose back in the day will want to check this out.
This witty, resonant, beautifully written book will appeal to many, especially readers with musical or artistic aspirations, grappling with understanding who they are and what they are meant to do professionally.
Opinionated views of Elizabeth Taylor and Bette Midler make for entertaining, informative, and fascinating reads.
Bill Clinton details his life after the White House; Angela Merkel writes about her life as the first woman chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany; several celebrities pen memoirs; and fascinating historical figures inspire biographies.
An excellent mix of biography and literary criticism, this book is recommended for both academic and public libraries.
Fans of well-told film biographies will relish the film synopses, newspaper critics’ contemporary observations, and the striking photographs.
A wide range of readers and book clubs will appreciate this moving, healing, and absorbing memoir/music history.
Experiencing this book is more akin to wandering down a scenic path than traveling a timeline of someone’s life, and there is no other musician better suited for this style of biography than the ever-changing Mitchell. Powers’s highly anticipated title lives up to the hype and is sure to be on many lists of the best books of the year.
Legions of fans will be enthralled by this biography of a beloved children’s author. Essential for all public and academic libraries.
Brentan’s inviting narration enhances this fascinating book, offering a unique glimpse into the rise of fashion magazines. Share with listeners seeking to learn more about the challenges women artists faced as they fought against conventional expectations in pursuit of their dreams.
A riveting story, laying bare the brutality of nature and the perseverance and passion of a gifted athlete.
Hollywood and musical memoirs are highlights, along with a memoir about reading and books, science, and the supernatural.
A poetic and inspiring treatment of the diva. Best paired with a discography and a playlist of music by the profiled divas.
Compelling storytelling, animated narration, and well-researched information combine to create a superb listening experience for anyone interested in early American history.
This family saga educates, entertains, and fascinates as a study of the Indian and Ismaili Muslim diasporas and of immigrants’ countless contributions to their new homelands.
A fast-paced, fascinating tell-all that’s a previously untold account of the seamy side of Hollywood, politics, and mob activity.
This big biography of Cohen will appeal to a wide variety of readers, especially the philosophically minded.
The writing in this book is whip-smart and funny. It produces a fully realized portrait of a mysterious film genius.
PREMIUM
Marlon Brando: Hollywood Rebel
An entertaining and enlightening study of Brando’s impressive influence.
Memoirs from Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, @NuevaYorka creator Jessica Hoppe, and actors Uzo Aduba, Kelly Bishop, and Eric Roberts, along with biographies about impressionist painter Monet and country singers George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Mosquito Warrior: Yellow Fever, Public Health, and the Forgotten Career of General William C. Gorgas
This fascinating book is as much of an account of mosquito-borne illnesses, research, and treatment as it is the story of Gorgas’s life. Will draw biography, military history, and medical history readers.
As a gripping study sprinkled with puns and puzzles, this book encompasses the reasoning behind Shechtman’s own search for meaning while describing the constraints and histories of women who changed the narrative about wordplay. The book also soundly cracks the code for feminists puzzling over how wordplay fits into gender politics.
This debut is everything fans of memoirs could hope for: a beautifully written, searing and honest tribute to family.
A must have for readers interested in the consequences and transformation of mass incarceration, mass supervision, and inhumane policies and practices.
A richly rendered audiobook offering insight into the experiences of the women who shake (and are shaken by) the power of the Crown. Recommended for followers of British royalty and those seeking feminist cultural studies works.
A commanding group biography commemorating the lives of wealthy Jewish power brokers. This skillfully narrated audio is highly recommended for those seeking a lively account of American financial and cultural history.
An endlessly fascinating look into the lives of extraordinary individuals, this audiobook is a treat.
A noteworthy addition to the literature lauding the foot soldiers involved in getting books out to readers. A good complement to Debbie Berne’s The Design of Books.
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