Saturday, August 22, 2015

Memoirs You May Have Missed (But Should Really Check Out)


Via Buzzfeed

Kelly Oxford is an Internet-famous housewife turned author who published her first book in 2013. Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar is a hilarious collection of essays that chronicles her life from her misadventures growing up in Edmonton all the way to motherhood. Oxford’s writing is marked by the same wry voice that’s made her a social media sensation. She’s known for her sarcasm and in-your-face sense of humor; one of my favorite tweets by her to this day reads, “The worst thing you could do to someone is call them on the phone.” The stories included in her memoir range from downright outrageous to almost sentimental and I highly recommend it to any comedy fan. Her second book, reportedly titled I Can’t Believe I Forgot to Tell You This, is due out in the near future.

The title of this book is what initially prompted me to check it out because, hell, I wish I would have thought of it first. Kaling’s career has really taken off since her start as a college intern on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. She’s since appeared as Ben Affleck in an off Broadway play, done stand-up in New York City, written more than 20 episodes of the popular NBC sitcom The Office, and written and produced four seasons of her own series The Mindy Project. Her memoir, published in 2011, begins with her addressing the inevitable “Sure, you’re a woman in comedy but you’re no Tina Fey” comparison head on. She writes, “I know, man. Tina’s awesome.” That line had me hooked. The book as a whole is a somewhat messy collection of stories from her childhood that sometimes provides an inside look into Hollywood culture. The book takes a lot of sharp turns that may have done more harm than good in the context of readability, but it genuinely made me smile. My favorite recollections were those from her time spent working with Steve Carell on The Office. Her follow-up to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? will be published in September and I plan to check it out if not for the literary value, but the unavoidable entertainment value.


Via Buzzfeed


Ansari totally nailed dating in the 21st century in his new book Modern Romance. Perhaps the reason I enjoyed this title so much is because the content really rings true to my life. Seriously, you guys have no idea how much time I’ve wasted stressing out over how to respond to a 2 A.M. text message from a guy who’s only communication with me after three days of silence reads, “yo”. Or how awful I’ve made myself feel after crafting the perfect, witty response to said text message and receiving nothing in return but a “lol”…like, I know you’re not really laughing, okay? Ansari took the time with this book to address these issues in a humorous light that made me realize how ridiculous my problems are. He teamed up with New York University Professor of Sociology Eric Klinenberg to incorporate research the pair conducted involving various cultural groups and their dating habits/woes. The book is more of a sociological study than anything else, but it ultimately held my interest as a Millennial who's just as confused by love as I am by my credit score.

 

Sunday, August 2, 2015

New Non-Fiction

The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World by Anthony M. Amore. Sometimes the book cover just says it best: "The untold stories of some of history's most notorious art cons - and the secret history of fakes, frauds, and forgeries in the art world."

Diane Von Furstenberg: A Life Unwrapped
by Gioia Diliberto. Biography of the fashion designer that made the wrap-dress famous. Includes a handful of
DVF photos throughout the years.

Japan Journeys: Famous Woodblock Prints of Cultural Sights in Japan by Andreas Marks. Smaller art book, packed with photos of prints spanning a couple centuries.

Made in America: A Modern Collection of Classic Recipes by Colby & Megan Garrelts. Old-school, American cookin'. A sampling of the sections include "Cast Iron and Dutch Ovens," "From the Grill," and "From the Fryer." Includes a plenty of photos.

The New Bohemians: Cool & Collected Homes by Justina Blakeney. As the title would suggest, this decorating guide focuses on colorful and eclectic tastes.

Putinism: Russia and its Future With the West by Walter Laqueur. A look at the implications of Putin's reign.

The Spiral Notebook: The Aurora Theater Shooter and the Epidemic of Mass Violence Committed by American Youth by Stephen and Joyce Singular. From the book jacket: "... is an examination of the dynamics driving the violence committed by their [Millennials] peers."