Nerding Out in a Big Way on Book Journey

If you thought I’m just a movie nerd (which I am), wait until you see me in full-on nerd mode talking about books!

The Best Movie Discoveries of 2019: Books on Movies

In the first of my Best Discoveries of 2019 post, I share with you my favorite books on movies that I read this year (not necessarily published in 2019). Please feel free to share yours as well. 

 

Summer Reading Challenge 2019: Ice Station Zebra – Alistair MacLean

I’ve enjoyed the John Sturges film Ice Station Zebra since I was a kid. Will I still enjoy it after reading the book? We’ll see…

Summer Reading Challenge 2019: Moseby Confidential: Arthur Penn’s Night Moves and the Rise of Neo-Noir (2019) Matthew Asprey Gear

A terrific movie deserves a terrific book and this is it! Please read my review.

The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema (2018) Michael Vaughn

If you’re even remotely into weird movies, you owe it to yourself to check out this book.

Summer Reading Challenge: Design for Dying – Renee Patrick

Design for Dying: A Lillian Frost & Edith Head Novel – Renee Patrick
Forge Books, 2016
Hardcover, 317 pages

Like many young women in Los Angeles in 1937, Lillian Frost wanted to make it big in the movies. Yet like so many others, she didn’t, finding work instead as a salesgirl at an upscale department store. But Lillian’s roommate Ruby seemed to be on the right track, going to the right parties and getting lots of attention, that is, until she wound up murdered. Not only that, but Ruby was found wearing a gown stolen from the Paramount wardrobe department, a gown designed by Hollywood wardrobe icon Edith Head.

Although respected and recognized in 1937, Edith Head was not yet a Hollywood household name and her eight Oscars for costume design were all in the future. So how in the world can Head and a young salesgirl join forces to uncover a murderer?

Summer Reading Challenge: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Originally published by J.B. Lippincott & Co. in 1960
Hardcover and paperback, 300 pages (editions vary)

Full disclosure: I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the Guys Book Club, a group I founded and lead at the Severna Park (Maryland) Library where I work. We have a system in the club of alternating who picks the books each month: they pick one, I pick one. I picked this one, but must give credit to one of our members, Paul S., who suggested it. We discussed the book two days ago.

The Best of 2016 Lists

This time of year you can count on holiday shopping madness, eating too much and a proliferation of “Best of the Year” lists. I try to limit myself on the first two items  (usually without success with either) but go nuts with my “Best of” lists.

During the next few weeks, I’ll be posting sporadically with several “Best of” lists that I hope you’ll enjoy. My first list should be a Best Books on Movies list. These won’t be books to movies, but rather books about movies, some new, some old. (I also look forward to reading your “Best of” lists.) See you then…

Photos: Lisa Renee Jones, Stumptown Blogger

Best of Movies 2015: Books on Movies

I didn’t read as many books on movies as I would’ve like this year, but I did run across a few that I read for the first time and some for the second. I hope you’ll find some good reading here:

The Twilight Zone Companion (1982/1992) Marc Scott Zicree

The Twilight Zone Companion, Second Edition (1982/1992) Marc Scott Zicree
Silman-James Press
Trade paperback, 466 pages
ISBN 1879505096
$15.95

When the first edition of The Twilight Zone Companion was published in late 1982, I bought a copy and immediately wore it out. At the time, WGN in Chicago was airing reruns of The Twilight Zone every night and I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss a single episode. Zicree’s book was invaluable. So how well does it hold up in 2015?