Book Marks

 

The books you’ll be reading this fall according to Entertainment Weekly.

Overlooked for over 40 years, James Baldwin’s children’s book gets another chance.

Author Darnell Moore speaks out on the homophobia he experienced as a child.

Apparently people are not happy with Library of Congress’ new logo.

Dylan Farrow, daughter of actress Mia Farrow, is now a YA author.

Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians, is a wanted man in Singapore.

Marriott is placing both the Bible and the Book of Mormon in recently acquired hotels.

Books you shouldn’t have had to read in high school, and those you should.

Why do so many founders of companies and CEO read books? Hmm, good question.

Poetry is as vital as ever!

Book Review: The Actor’s Life-A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer

Back in the day, I believe it was in the year 2006, when MySpace was still a thing and we were all friends of Tom, Jenna Fischer wrote a post on her MySpace page where she discussed the trials and tribulations she faced as an aspiring actor. Already well-known as  the sweet and vulnerable Pam Beesly on The Office, Ms. Fischer’s MySpace post resonated with a lot of people, even people with no acting ambitions.

Now Fischer has turned that MySpace post into something more with her book The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide that is at turns both a memoir of Jenna’s journey to acting success and a wise and practical primer for aspiring actors.

Fischer fell in love with acting and performing as a child. She took acting and dance classes and performed in both community and school productions, including acting as the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof, which must have been quite a challenge for a someone going to all-girls Catholic school.

After earning a degree in theater at Truman State University in Missouri, this St. Louis native packed her bags and headed out to Los Angeles. All Fischer had was her college diploma, a beat up car and some saved up cash. But she also had a big dream to make it as an actress in both television and in film. She thought it wouldn’t be long before she saw her name on the marquee of movie theaters or among the credits of a hit television show.

Boy, was she wrong. It took her eight years to finally become a success on The Office and in movies like Blades of Glory and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And in that nearly decade long road, Fischer dealt with the good, bad and ugly of being an aspiring actor, which she isn’t afraid to share in The Actor’s Life.

When it comes to the survival guide, Fischer offers sound advice on getting the right headshot, getting into the film and television’s actor union SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and building one’s resume as an actor. She also advises on finding and keeping an agent and manager.

Fischer also discusses in detail the arduous auditioning process, the heartbreak, the glory, and how to keep going on.

Want to know what it’s like to be on the set as an extra, a bit player saying three lines in one scene, a guest star or part of the main cast? It’s not glamorous, but once you’re performing, you’re reminded why you chose acting as a vocation.

Of course,  even once one makes it things don’t go smoothly. Pilots for TV shows don’t get picked up,  shows get cancelled, speaking parts get edited out,  a movie bombs at the box office even if you’re an established name. You may even get fired. Fischer was recently fired from a TV show. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She’s now the star of the ABC show Splitting Up Together, which is filming its second season.

Interspersed throughout The Actor’s Life are Fischer’s tales of getting speaking parts on hit shows like Spin City and That 70’s Show, working less than desirable office gigs, falling apart at The Pottery Barn because she felt like such a loser, filming kissing and sex scenes, her wonderful relationship with her manager Naomi Odenkirk, and the dos and don’ts on how to behave on the set.

Fischer also discusses creating opportunities by generating DIY acting projects and how the iconic book The Artist’s Way helped her on her journey as did actor and friend Molly Shannon.

Within the pages of The Actor’s Life include inspirational quotes by a diverse collection of people-Einstein, Sheryl Sandburg,  Marilyn Monroe, Jon Hamm and Debra Messing.

I enjoyed reading The Actor’s Life,  starting with an introduction by Steve Carell who played the bumbling Michael Scott on The Office to Fischer’s loving acknowledgements to family, friends, and colleagues at the very end.

The Actor’s Life is honest,  funny and wise. Fischer’s writing voice is empathetic, truthful and warm. It’s a must read, and not just for actors. I’m using it as a guide as I get my writing career back on track.  I also think this book is ideal for teachers, guidance counselors, and college career centers.

It was The Office that made me a fan of Jenna Fischer and The Actor’s Life is one reason why I remain a fan.

Well that,  and we both suffer from MCG-Midwestern Catholic Guilt.

 

Writer’s Block

Hello, my faithful readers. Just a quick note to let you know what’s been going on in my galaxy of the blog universe and what’s going on in my off-line life.

Lately I’ve been fortunate to read and review some really great books.  Tomorrow I will post another review with several more books to read and review. Some books I’ve found on my own and quite a few have been sent to me from authors that cross the globe. I really appreciate these writers trusting me with their “babies.”

I’m also appreciative to authors who trust my PR, marketing, consulting and interviewing skills.  We’re better together when we work together.

And to my fellow book lovers,  I’m still open to guest reviews.

As for my off-line life, I’m working on getting my professional life back on track.  I built a portfolio with my feature articles,  publicity and marketing pieces, copywriting and so on. And you better believe me I’m promoting success with this blog, which includes being a top book reviewer on Book Blogger List and over 800 followers on Twitter.

Personally,  I’m trying to cope with bad allergies, designing jewelry, having fun with my friends and eagerly awaiting my favorite season, autumn. I’m looking forward to hearing sweaters and black tights.  I also can’t wait to get my bake on! I absolutely love to bake.  It’s a stress reliever.

Well,  that pretty much sums things up. Enjoy your day, have an awesome week, and keep on reading.

Graphic and Novel

Book Review: Popular-Finding Happiness and Success in a World That Care Too Much About the Wrong Kinds of Relationships by Mitch Prinstein

 

“Popular!
You’re gonna be popular!
I’ll teach you the proper ploys
When you talk to boys
Little ways to flirt and flounce
I’ll show you what shoes to wear
How to fix your hair
Everything that really countsTo be popular
I’ll help you be popular!
You’ll hang with the right cohorts
You’ll be good at sports
Know the slang you’ve got to know
So let’s start
‘Cause you’ve got an awfully long way to go”

-Popular from the musical Wicked

The word popular, one that must send shivers down most of our tailbones. It’s one of those words that take us back to our teen years when popularity was everything. And whether you were part of the “in-crowd,” a rejected outsider or somewhere in-between, the concept of popularity probably still affects you even though high school is now in the review mirror of life.

And that’s why Mitch Prinstein’s take on popularity is such an interesting and informative read with his book Popular-Finding Happiness and Success in a World That Care Too Much About the Wrong Kinds of Relationships.

According to Prinstein we are most likely familiar with two types of popular. On type of popularity is based mostly on wealth, status and fame. Back in high school the most popular kids were the athletes and the cheerleaders. Today this type of popularity is best portrayed by people like President Trump and reality stars like the Kardashians or world famous celebrities like Taylor Swift or Kanye West. This popularity is considered controversial because even though these people have their admirers, they  often quite detested and often, deservedly so.

And then there is another kind of popularity based on actual likability, wealth, status and fame notwithstanding. To me, these include people like the Pope, President and Mrs. Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and so on. Sure, these people have their share of “haters,” but for the most part, these people are admired for their contributions to society. Wealth, status and fame are a by-product.

Of course, looking back at high school a lot of the athletes and cheerleaders were completely likable. And I don’t hate the Kardashians as individuals, I’m just not fond of them as a concept…but I digress.

In the book Popular Prinstein goes to great lengths to explain how popularity affects us personally and professionally, especially in the age of social media, where far too many of us are too dependent of followers, likes, retweets and so on to assess our worthiness.

To get us past the digital high school halls of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat, Prinstein offers compassionate ideas on how to be genuinely likable that will bring us true happiness and gratification and will affect society in a positive way.

Prinstein also doesn’t shy away on how not being popular in both childhood and adulthood can leave scars and how people can heal, whether they have experienced moments of neglect or rejection during those unpopular moments.

In Popular, Prinstein uses studies, interviews and other assorted methods of research to write about popularity in an audience-friendly way. He also asks readers carefully chosen questions on how on how popularity affects one’s sense of self. Popular has its academic moments, but is never dry and boring. It took me only a couple of days to read Popular and it’s still food for thought, especially when I get hung up on how many followers I have on Twitter.

I especially recommend Popular to parents and teachers.

 

Book Marks

1. Loved the novel Crazy Rich Asians? Here are 15 more books to go crazy over.

2. Stand up comic Hannah Gadsby is writing book on why she quit comedy.

3. Journalist April Ryan claims Omarosa used a ghost writer to write Unhinged.

4. Speaking of Ms Ryan she has a book coming out on covering the White House.

5. Why inmates need books.

6. 100 tips on writing courtesy of Writer’s Digest 2018 writing conference.

7. Libraries are so much more than books.

8. The unique traits that set curious writers apart.

9. Hip Hop star Snoop to release cookbook this fall.

10. How the director of The Book Shop found several rare vintage books.

Book Review: Shrill-Notes From a Loud Woman by Lindy West

I’ve been a fan of writer Lindy West since her Jezebel.com days. Whether she was writing about pop culture or social issues, I found her writing voice to witty and wise,  a welcome relief from tiresome clickbait and lazy listicles.

So it was a thrill to read West’s memoir Shrill: Notes From a Loud woman.

Growing up,  West was nerdy, shy and fat, not exactly a recipe for success. Yet, she was able to find success, both professionally and personally, once she became an adult and found her voice.

And though her voice brought her admirers it also brought her haters,  mostly obnoxious trolls.

You see West is a woman with an opinion. She’s also fat. How dare she!

Through her feature articles and opinion pieces, West expressed her disdain for rape jokes and the struggles with body shaming. In response, she often faced horrific comments telling her she should be raped and ripped her apart for not being a tiny size two.

West fully describes in Shrill what it was like to be caught up in hail storm of hatred. It was a time of loneliness and tears,  vulnerability and anger, but it was also a time where West found support, decency, empathy and a the will to go on as a writer and just person trying to live her life

But in the end West triumphed. She triumphed so much a troll even reached out to her to apologize.

Today, West is having the last laugh. Shrill is gaining lots of praise, including praise from two of my faves, Caitlin Moran and Samantha Irby. Now based in Seattle West now writes for GQ,  The Guardian,, and other assorted highly respected publications. She founded the advice blog for teenagers called I Believe You/It’s Not Your Fault. West is also blessed with a loving family and a happy marriage. Hmm, maybe being shrill isn’t such a bad thing.

Though Shrill is West’s story, it’s also the story of every woman with an opinion and  one who doesn’t fit into our society’s slender notion on how to behave…and look like. I highly recommend it.

“Author! Author!” An Interview With Faye Hall.

Australia the land of koala bears, Vegemite sandwiches and the glorious Sydney Opera House.

It’s also a land that gave us the iconic rock band INXS,  and talented actors like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

And to book lovers Australia gave us the late Colleen McCollough, Geraldine Brooks,  Tim Winton and Matthew Reilly.

You can now add Faye Hall to that list of notable writers.

A loving wife, mum and stepmother, Hall’s collection of mostly historical romance use elements of suspense,  mystery and criminal activity like murder.

Among Ms. Hall’s books include Temperance and Indulgence, Amorous Redemption, Heart of Stone, and Lust and Chastity. Her latest novel, Apathy & Vigor (part of her Sins of the Virtuous series) is to released on August 20, 2018.

I was fortunate to get an email interview with Ms. Hall (going from Wisconsin to Australia would be one hell of an Uber ride). Thanks Faye Hall!

1. How long have you been writing?

I started writing from a very young age.  I finally took it seriously toward the end of high school.

2. Why do you focus on historical romance and suspense? Please describe your latest book? 

As a child I loved to watch Agatha Christie movies with my mum, but I always thought they could do with a bit more romance.  One day I decided to write that.  My latest book, Apathy & Vigor, is a little bit like a beauty and beast story.  Tristen is a very handsome, wealthy man who is scarred by the fire that killed his best friend.  He is reunited with the woman he loves, Amalie, who is hiding from the police.

3. What challenges have you faced as a writer? 

Oh there’s always challenges.  My biggest at  the moment is trying to find the time to write more.   Then there is the odd bad review, but that goes with the job.

4. How writers treated in Australia?

I live in a very small country town, so there’s little writing community here.  I tend to use the internet the most to connect with other authors.

5. What advice would you give to other writers?

To write from the heart and try not to give up too easily.

6. What are your future plans? 

I still have a few more books in the Sins of the Virtuous series that I have to finish.  After that I might go back to stand alone titles for a bit.

And here is a snippet of Ms. Faye’s writing for your reading pleasure:

Will the love of a woman save him from his own apathy?

Tristen Brone lived a carefree life of wealth and passion – until one day it all came crashing down around him.  In only a few days he lost everyone he loved in the world – his woman, his best friend and his parents.  The once confident, handsome young man, was now scarred for life and on a quick downward spiral of sorrow and depression.  He no longer wanted to live.

When Amalie Fergus arrives on his doorstep, a travel bag in her hand, begging him to take her in, he becomes suspicious.  Despite his passionate past with this woman, and the feelings he still had for her, all he could think of was how quickly she abandoned him after the fire that killed her brother and left Tristen physically scarred.  So why had she come back into his life after all these months?

Amalie Fergus lost her brother in a fire, her lover had abandoned her upon finding her with child, and now her father had been poisoned, leaving their properties to be repossessed.  She had nothing and no one left to turn to.  In desperation, she found herself forced to work for a living, trying to do her best as a maid for any rich gentleman who would take her in.  What she hadn’t expected was for one of those men to try and force carnal favours from her, or for her now to be on the run for his murder.

Running from the scene of the crime, fearful what was to become of her, Amalie finds herself colliding with a man from her past who offers to hide her from the police on one condition – she return to Tristen and steal some property papers from him. 

Trapped by the man from her past, and now forced back into Tristen’s life, Amalie searches for who murdered her brother.  She could never have foreseen the cruelty she would discover, or the man she would willingly surrender her heart to.

Faye Hall’s Website

Book Marks

Keanu Reeves publishing “esoteric” books under his own imprint.

How children’s books can inspire activism.

How the film version of Crazy Rich Asians is different than the book.

Aretha Franklin reading list.

The coolest indie book stores in the world.

The Great American Read starts on September 11th on PBS.

“The Gone Girl” trend and its consequences.

Conservatives hate libraries.

Dogs in literature.

How to get books before they are published.

Graphic and Novel – Aretha Franklin 1942-2018

Aretha Franklin, right, reads the book “Amazing Grace” to elementary school kids at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons and it players, along with politicians, entertainers, TV, radio and newspaper personalities were among the reading “All Stars” launching the community literacy project.