Pages tagged “books”

It kind of bothers me that Judy Blume books are among the most banned in American libraries. I understand that some parents might not want their nine-year-olds to read about periods and masturbation and sexy dreams, but she tackles controversial issues that many moms and dads are scared to broach, and she does it in an intelligent and approachable way. So loosen up—kids can hear about this stuff from the motherly and funny Judy Blume, or they can hear about it from their idiot friends on the playground. Plus, there's a book on the list for grownups too.

This Sunday, Nov. 9th, at 92Y, seminal designer Chip Kidd will chat up best-selling author and comic book icon Neil Gaiman on The Sandman, the author's benchmark comic book series, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. 

If you ever wondered where singer/songwriter Juliana Hatfield honed the inspiration to write the lyrics that compose her introspective, expansive discography, her new memoir, When I Grow Up, provides more than few intimate clues. Recently released along with her latest album, How to Walk Way, the book poignantly depicts the 90s alt-rock pioneer's battles with personal insecurity as she grew into her musical career.

The 33 1/3 book series, which features noted authors musing on seminal albums, recently released Gentlemen, Bob Gendron's in-depth look at the Afghan Whigs' 1993 LP. To celebrate, the author will hold a book release and signing party at Hideout tonight, Tuesday, September 16th.

According to Gendron, a fellow Chicago Tribune freelance music critic, Gentlemen is one of only a handful of 33 1/3 titles that contain original interviews with the band members and those close to them conducted specifically for the book.

Dave Stewart, founding member of The Tourists and one half of Eurythmics, will engage with nearly every artistic medium imaginable this week with a live performance at The Highline Ballroom on Wednesday, Sept. 17th, a book signing and photography exhibition at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on Thursday, Sept. 18th, and a Good Morning America appearance thrown in Wednesday a.m. for good fun.

In Coraline, the 2002 young adult novella by acclaimed fantasy author Neil Gaiman, the young title character discovers an alternate universe populated by the mysterious doppelgangers of her loving but distant parents, and must scrape by on her own wits to escape. Often compared to Alice In Wonderland, it’s a compelling story—and sturdy enough, one hopes, to be retold in three different way throughout the next year.