FOLLOWING FILMS

Richie Ramone’s memoir, I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones (Backbeat Books, 2018), is a punchy, heartfelt chronicle of a life lived onstage, backstage, and far from the spotlight. Known offstage as Richard Reinhardt, Richie is best remembered for his stint as the drummer who helped pull the Ramones out of a creative nosedive in the early 1980s. But what sets this memoir apart from many rock autobiographies is its deep affection for—and vivid recounting of—the years before fame. Far from just a build-up to punk glory, Richie’s childhood and teenage years are rendered with warmth, humor, and sincerity, offering a rare glimpse into the makings of a musician long before the leather jacket and fast beats. The book opens with Richie’s early life in New Jersey, and these sections are among the most compelling. Whether he’s describing his Catholic school upbringing, his early obsessions with drumming, or the highs and lows of playing funk and pop covers in Jerse...

Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze is often celebrated for his deadpan delivery, Southern charm, and clean comedy that somehow makes the mundane feel hilarious. With BIG DUMB EYES , Bargatze trades the stage mic for the printed page, bringing his signature humor to a book that reads like sitting across from your funniest friend at a diner booth, swapping ridiculous stories and offbeat opinions for hours. It’s not a deep book, and it doesn’t try to be. But it is heartfelt, honest, and, most importantly, funny. The premise of BIG DUMB EYES is as disarmingly silly as its title. Bargatze opens with the tale of how he used to be a genius —a self-proclaimed child prodigy dreaming of becoming a brain surgeon or world-class mathematician—until a head injury derailed his academic potential. Whether or not this is true (his family apparently disputes it), the story sets the tone for the rest of the book: tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation, exaggerated yet endearing anecdotes, and a gentle skewering...

In Hollywood Blackout , author and media commentator Ben Arogundade delivers a compelling, well-researched exposé of the film industry's long and troubled history with race, gender, and representation — specifically through the lens of the Academy Awards. Arogundade traces a throughline from the earliest days of the Oscars to the more recent #OscarsSoWhite controversies, unpacking the institutional biases and cultural dynamics that have kept marginalized voices in the shadows of Hollywood's brightest lights. The book is equal parts cultural criticism and historical documentation. Arogundade doesn’t just call out disparities — he contextualizes them. He walks the reader through 100 years of cinema, highlighting watershed moments where representation faltered or, occasionally, broke through. From Hattie McDaniel’s historic win in 1940 to the delayed recognition of talents like Spike Lee and Viola Davis, the narrative builds a sobering picture of how slowly — and often reluctantl...

Bruce Vilanch’s It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time is a rollicking, unfiltered journey through a career spent in the chaotic, glittering world of Hollywood comedy writing. For decades, Vilanch has been the go-to scribe for award shows, variety specials, sitcoms, and some of the most notorious trainwrecks in television history. His book serves as both a confession and a celebration of the risks taken in the name of entertainment, and for those who have ever wondered, “How did this ever get made?” Vilanch provides the long-awaited answers—with a hefty dose of self-deprecating wit and behind-the-scenes gossip. From the outset, Vilanch embraces his reputation as both a comedy genius and an inadvertent architect of legendary television disasters. His career spans a surreal spectrum, from writing for Bette Midler and Billy Crystal to crafting infamous cultural relics like The Star Wars Holiday Special and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. He owns up to these projects with a mix of nostalgia, ...

Michael Hirsh's Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire offers a captivating look at the life and career of a man instrumental in shaping the animation industry. From his humble beginnings as an immigrant child to becoming a leading figure in the world of cartoons, Hirsh's story is one of perseverance, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. The book provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of animation, offering a nostalgic look at a time when the industry was still in its infancy. Hirsh's personal anecdotes, combined with his insider knowledge, paint a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs faced by early animators. His experiences as a young boy, immersed in the world of comic books and storytelling, laid the foundation for his future career. One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to convey the sheer determination and hard work required to build a successful animation studio. Hirsh's account of the challenges faced by Nelvana, his co...