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Vinson Cunningham's novel, "Great Expectations," explores the coming-of-age of an artist named David Hammond, who works on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. While the novel is set against the backdrop of the campaign, it primarily focuses on Hammond's intellectual and spiritual development, his musings on God, and his aspirations to become a writer. The book delves into themes of faith, destiny, and the power of language, and offers a unique perspective on Black life, relationships, and the internal world of a burgeoning Black artist. "Great Expectations" is an innovative and distinctive novel that challenges the representation of Black narratives in the publishing industry. [Extracted from the article]

In this poem, al-Danasouri tells Mersal he's composed a poem about a party that their circle of writers and artists attended in 1992. Among Mersal's contemporaries were Alaa Khaled, a leading figure in the development of the prose poem in Egypt, and Osama al-Danasouri, whose verses often spoke about the world's ordinary disappointments. One of Egypt's leading poets, Mersal has written prose and verse that is highly subjective and oriented around the self, but that she nonetheless does not intend to make herself fully known through. El Jarad, which printed some of Mersal's early poems, such as her ironic "Respect for Marx", reveled in the reprimands of the state intellectuals, who dismissed the new generation as harafish, or "riff raff .". [Extracted from the article]

If one interprets The Passenger and Stella Maris according to the aesthetic axioms that guided some of the most celebrated literary debuts by writers of my generation - say what you mean; write what you know; speak only for yourself, which is to say only about yourself - then one might indeed conclude that Bobby Western is an autofictional stand-in for McCarthy, and that the "confusing" nature of the novels is the product of the limitations of a "confused" writer who simply doesn't know his craft well enough to deliver an easy-to-follow story. BOOKS & the ARTS IN A MOVING TRIBUTE TO HIS FRIEND Ned Rorem, the American composer famous for art songs and sex diaries, who died last year at 99, the critic Joshua Barone reports that one of Rorem's signature gags was to insist that everything in the world - from music to food to people - was either German or French. Taking place in the 1970s and '80s, McCarthy's new novels follow Bobby and Alicia Western, two tragically intelligent siblings who share a genius for numbers and abstraction, an almost theological guilt over their father's role in the creation of the atomic bomb, and a love for each other so passionate that it transgresses the oldest and most fundamental human law: Never desire your own blood. Although The Passenger opens with a description of Alicia's lifeless body, McCarthy frequently interrupts his account of Bobby's grief to transport us back in time and regale us with - or subject us to - terrifying vignettes of her hallucinations. [Extracted from the article]

Griffin Dunne's memoir, "The Friday Afternoon Club," provides a glimpse into the complexities of his Hollywood-Irish family, including his father's hidden personal life and his envy of his relatives' literary achievements. The memoir also explores the author's discomfort with his sister's tragic death and how it propelled his father to fame. Additionally, the article discusses Dominick Dunne's struggles during the 1980s, such as eviction and financial difficulties, as well as the media attention surrounding his daughter Dominique's abusive relationship and subsequent death. It also touches on the strained relationship between Dominick and his brother John, which eventually resolved before their deaths. [Extracted from the article]

Michael Richards, the actor known for playing Cosmo Kramer on the sitcom Seinfeld, has opened up about the racist rant that ended his career 17 years ago. In his new memoir, Richards discusses the incident and his decision to step away from show business to address his anger issues. He emphasizes that he is not seeking a comeback and is instead focused on reflecting on his life and connecting with his feelings and memories. Richards also discusses his upbringing, his time in the Army, and his struggles with fame and personal insecurities. He concludes that he has made peace with his past and is now living a quiet life with his family. [Extracted from the article]

Suleika Jaouad, a cancer survivor and writer, has found purpose and fulfillment in her life despite her ongoing battle with the disease. She has written a memoir and a column for The New York Times, sharing her experiences and inspiring others. Suleika has also turned her pain into art, with a successful book and upcoming art exhibition. While she is seen as an inspiration, Suleika also faces private challenges and health issues. The article explores her journey, highlighting themes of resilience, mortality, and the power of love and creativity in the face of adversity. [Extracted from the article]

Tom Selleck, the actor known for his roles in Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods, reflects on his career and personal life in his new memoir, You Never Know. Selleck discusses his accidental entry into acting, his experiences auditioning for the role of Indiana Jones, and his decision to prioritize family over fame. The memoir also touches on Selleck's love for his ranch in California and his gratitude for the opportunities he has had in his life. [Extracted from the article]

This document provides a list of recommended films, television shows, books, and podcasts for library patrons to explore. The recommendations include films such as "Colossal," "Pacific Rim," and "The Host," as well as a television series called "3 Body Problem." The document also features a review of the movie "Civil War," which is described as a powerful political nightmare set in a divided country. Additionally, there are summaries of other movies, TV shows, and books, including "Franklin," "Fallout," "Parish," "The First Omen," "Sasquatch Sunset," and "Wiser Than Me With Julia Louis-Dreyfus." [Extracted from the article]

Rebel Wilson, the actress known for her roles in films like Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect franchise, has released a memoir in which she opens up about her difficult past and her journey to love and motherhood. One controversial aspect of the book is Wilson's account of working with Sacha Baron Cohen on the film The Brothers Grimsby, in which she alleges that he mistreated her on set. Baron Cohen denies these claims and provides evidence to support his denial. Wilson also discusses her struggles with body image, her experiences in Hollywood, and her path to finding love and becoming a mother. [Extracted from the article]

This text explores the abandoned Willard Asylum for the Insane in New York and the experiences of photographer Jon Crispin as he documents the deteriorating state of the buildings and the personal belongings left behind by former patients. It also discusses the efforts of individuals like Lin Stuhler and Colleen Spellecy to advocate for the recognition and privacy of the patients buried at Willard. The text raises ethical questions about the balance between historical interest and individual privacy, as well as the artistic interpretations of the suitcases and the importance of empathy in understanding the lives of others. It also mentions the preservation efforts for the Willard cemetery, where thousands of patients are buried. [Extracted from the article]

In it, Heyam offers proof that across many places and periods, people have lived outside of - or by violating - modern Western gender norms. Heyam also examines the antecedents of modern drag, in British and American music halls and earlier forms of "onstage gender nonconformity" dating back to Shakespearean theater. Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness now seems very much of its time, its human narrator strangely homophobic by 21st-century standards, but its Gethenians who go into "kemmer" (roughly, heat) and know no gender the rest of the year remain standing invitations to think about why gender matters back on Earth, and how it would feel to try to live without it. [Extracted from the article]

This text is a memoir that recounts the author's experiences with church music in Boston's Copley Square during the 1980s. The author discusses the musical excellence of The Mother Church, Old South Church, and Trinity Church, and how walking from one church to another allowed them to appreciate high-quality church music. The memoir also delves into the author's personal journey as a piano student and their introduction to the organ, as well as their interactions with influential figures in the Boston music scene, such as Brian Jones and Fred MacArthur. The text highlights the impact of these individuals and the vibrant music community in Copley Square during that time. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the life of Martha Foley, a renowned literary editor, and her son David Burnett. The author recounts his personal connection to Martha and how she played a crucial role in his literary career. The article also reveals Martha's unawareness of her son's two daughters until many years after his death. It highlights Martha's contributions to the literary world and her struggles in her later years. The text discusses the discovery of a familial connection between Martha Foley and David Burnett, as well as the author's role in connecting David's daughters. The author fondly recalls Martha's affection for their children but notes that she never had the opportunity to have the same relationship with her own granddaughters. [Extracted from the article]

The article, "To Catch a Sunset: Reflections on allergies, anxieties, and the limits of familial love" by Sandra Beasley, recounts the author's time at a writing retreat in Homer, Alaska. The author discusses the challenges posed by her allergies, particularly in relation to food options. She also explores the connection between her allergies and her mother's anxiety, as well as her mother's role in managing her allergies. The article touches on themes of grief and loss, as the author reflects on the deaths of her grandparents and their impact on her family. The text delves into personal experiences and memories, including the author's discovery of family history, struggles with allergies and food safety, and a family trip to Hawaii. The author reflects on their mother's behavior during the trip and their own feelings of fear and anxiety. The text also mentions a visit to a cemetery to find the graves of the author's great-grandparents. Overall, the article explores themes of family, identity, and personal growth, examining the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, the sacrifices made for loved ones, and the importance of self-expression. It delves into the author's personal experiences and reflections, touching on topics such as the death of loved ones, the role of art in their family, and the beauty of nature. The text highlights the challenges and emotions associated with these experiences, while also emphasizing the resilience and growth that can come from them. [Extracted from the article]

BOOKS & the ARTS B&A BOOKS the ARTS The Odyssey Javier Zamora's borderland memories BY JESÚS A. RODRÍGUEZ IN THE MOST TRIVIAL SENSE, BOOKS about being undocumented are about immigration. In his new memoir, Solito, the poet Javier Zamora tells a story that US readers will be familiar with from news reports: A young child crosses the border without his parents, unaccompanied, "solo, solito, solito de verdad." Zamora's world expands as he meets other children on the road, both fellow migrants and kids whose job is to help other migrants cross the border. And despite the all-too-common warnings from book editors that readers won't understand these words, three weeks after its release, Zamora's book reached the third place on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on E. Ethelbert Miller's reflections on his book "Buddha Weeping in Winter," which delves into his interest in Buddhism and spirituality. Topics include Miller's personal journey of self-discovery through encounters with Eastern philosophy, his exploration of the meaning of beauty and desire, and his contemplation of loneliness versus solitude in the context of his poetic journey.

Raina Telgemeier, a popular cartoonist, has gained a significant following among children and young adults with her graphic memoirs. Her books, which tackle topics like anxiety and childhood struggles, have resonated with readers who appreciate seeing their own experiences depicted. Telgemeier's success has coincided with a rise in clinical anxiety among American children, making her work even more relevant. Despite her achievements, Telgemeier finds touring and being around crowds challenging due to her own anxiety. The pandemic provided her with a positive break from traveling and socializing, and she is considering expanding her writing beyond the middle-grade demographic. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the rise of celebrity memoirs written by women who were once the subjects of media mistreatment. It explores how these memoirs attempt to rewrite the narratives that were previously imposed on these women by the media. The article also examines the power dynamics between media producers, the public, and celebrities themselves, suggesting that all parties are complicit in perpetuating harmful narratives. While these memoirs aim to give the celebrities agency over their own stories, the article questions whether the media and fans have truly evolved in their treatment of female celebrities. [Extracted from the article]

Jake Shears, former lead singer of the Scissor Sisters, is now a successful solo artist and musical theater performer. He grew up in Arizona and later moved to Seattle before making his way to New York City. With the Scissor Sisters, he achieved fame and success with hits like "Take Your Mama" and "Let's Have a Kiki." Shears has collaborated with artists like Cher, Kylie Minogue, and Elton John. He has also written a memoir and released a solo album. Currently, he is starring in a production of Cabaret and working on a musical with Elton John. Shears has also started his own podcast called "Queer the Music." [Extracted from the article]

RuPaul's new memoir, "The House of Hidden Meanings," explores his early life and rise to fame as a drag queen and reality TV star. The book delves into his childhood experiences performing for his mother and the challenges he faced growing up in a family plagued by parental drama. RuPaul also reflects on his experiences as a Black and gay outsider, finding his true tribe, and the importance of music in his life. Throughout the memoir, RuPaul shares life lessons and emphasizes the power of self-love and staying true to oneself. [Extracted from the article]

Elizabeth Alexander is an acclaimed poet, essayist, and scholar who gained recognition for reading her poem "Praise Song for the Day" at President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. She has published several books of poetry and nonfiction, exploring themes of race, class, and social justice. In addition to her writing, Alexander has held teaching positions at various universities and has been a leader in the nonprofit sector, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the arts. She currently serves as the president of the Mellon Foundation, the largest funder of the arts and humanities in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the life and work of Dorothy Day, a faithful practitioner of hospitality and a Benedictine oblate. Day saw hospitality as an extension of the gospel and a cherished Benedictine value. She dedicated herself to serving the poor and marginalized, practicing acts of kindness and offering beauty as part of her hospitality. Day's commitment to hospitality was rooted in her deep prayer life and her belief in the importance of love. She believed that even small acts of service and kindness could bring hope to those in need. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides a brief overview of various entertainment options, including television shows, movies, and books. It mentions Jennifer Lopez's visual companion to her new album, which tells a romantic fairy tale and emphasizes the importance of self-love. The article also highlights a comedy show featuring Gina Rodriguez and Brad Garrett, a drama about Bob Marley's life, and a detective drama with Ramón Rodríguez. Additionally, it mentions several new books, including a memoir by Leslie Jamison and novels by Phillip B. Williams and Ellen Baker. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a profile of actor Billy Dee Williams, known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise. Williams reflects on his career and personal life, discussing his experiences with fame and the challenges he faced after his character seemingly betrayed Han Solo in the film. He also touches on his relationships and his perspective on gender identity and sexuality. Williams recently released a memoir titled "What Have We Here?" where he shares more about his life and experiences. [Extracted from the article]

This article from People magazine provides a variety of recommendations for what to watch, read, and listen to. It features an interview with comedian Taylor Tomlinson, who discusses her career and personal experiences. The article also includes reviews of several films and TV shows, such as "Sully," "Top Gun: Maverick," and "Bluey." Additionally, it highlights new books, including "The Book of Love" by Kelly Link and "Leaving" by Roxana Robinson. Overall, the article offers a range of entertainment options for library patrons to explore. [Extracted from the article]

Lucy Sante, a well-known writer and cultural critic, recently came out as transgender at the age of 66. Throughout her life, Sante had constructed a persona to navigate the world, but always felt trapped and unable to express her true self. Three years ago, she discovered the gender-swap function on FaceApp, which prompted her to explore her identity further and eventually come out as a woman. Sante's friends have noticed a newfound sense of freedom and happiness in her, and she has retired from her writing career to fully embrace her new life as Lucy. Her memoir, "I Heard Her Call My Name," will be published soon. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various responses to the essay "Bad Cop" by Lech Blaine. The responses highlight different perspectives on Peter Dutton, the alternative prime minister of Australia. Some responses compare Dutton to rugby league coach Wayne Bennett, emphasizing his public persona and loyalty from his supporters. Others address Dutton's electoral problem with women and the need for him to address it. The article also mentions the divide between university-educated and non-university-educated voters and the divide between inner-city and outer-suburban voters. Overall, the article provides a nuanced analysis of Dutton's actions and rhetoric. [Extracted from the article]

IN MEMORIAM/KAI BIRD I MET VICTOR IN THE SPRING OF 1978, WHEN HE WALKED INTO THE NATION'S SPAR-tan offices on Sixth Avenue. Victor's first major contribution to The Nation came in the spring of 1978, when he published a long, critical review of Allen Weinstein 's book Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case. Victor sat gnomelike behind his desk presiding over our editorial meetings, attended by the new executive editor, Richard Lingeman, myself, and the literary editor, Betsy Pochoda. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a compilation of picks for various forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, and music. It highlights notable actors and actresses in Oscar-worthy roles, as well as upcoming films such as "Oppenheimer" and "Killers of the Flower Moon." The document also features TV shows like "the Diplomat" and "Beef," and music albums from artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Del Rey. Additionally, it includes book recommendations, such as "Birnam Wood" and "The Bee Sting," and a memoir by Prince Harry. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a memoir of the author's experience of joining and leaving a meditation group that turned out to be a cult. It examines the psychological and social factors that make people vulnerable to cult influence and the challenges of recovering from cult trauma. It also criticizes the popular cult narratives that often oversimplify and sensationalize the phenomenon of cults in the U.S.

Over the last 24 years in the industry, Miller has worked to create award-winning LGBTQ-inclusive campaigns for brands like Head & Shoulders and Pantene. For example, this year alone, Perea helped to secure a record number of investments in the city's budget, including funding for the city's first LGBTQ+ liaison, $100,000 for the city's local LGBTQ+ resource center, and $100,000 in grant funding for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits. An advocate for the accurate and authentic portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community in media and advertising, Miller is currently the senior director for global LGBTQ+ equality at Procter & Gamble. In summer 2022, Valenzuela embarked on a new chapter when he became the executive director of the ONE Archives Foundation, the oldest continually operating queer organization in the country, which works to tell the stories of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2017 she joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania as a trans justice organizer, where she works to build community liberation, address the causes of intersectional oppression, and build political power to protect and preserve LGBTQ+ rights. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the memoir "By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy" by Michael Vickers. It highlights Vickers's career in the U.S. Army Special Forces, the CIA, and the Department of Defense. The author praises Vickers's candidness, readability, and the valuable insights into intelligence, special operations, and strategy.

Michelle Zauner is a best-selling author and Grammy Award-nominated musician known as Japanese Breakfast. She released her third album, Jubilee, and her debut memoir, Crying in H Mart, in 2021. Zauner's music and writing explore themes of grief and loss, particularly following the death of her mother from cancer in 2014. Her work has received critical acclaim for its raw expression and emotional complexity. Zauner's memoir, Crying in H Mart, delves into her Korean heritage and the role of food in her grieving process. It became a New York Times Best Seller and is being adapted into a major motion picture. [Extracted from the article]

Joshua instead discovers an android in the form of a little girl (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). I Creator i tries too hard to build her relationship with Joshua into a walloping, weepy climax. The supreme AI engineer, Nirmata, a shadowy figure who resides overseas in New Asia, has developed a doomsday device to bring down I Nomad. i Joshua (John David Washington), an ex-agent with intimate knowledge of the situation, is sent there as part of a platoon tasked with taking out both Nirmata and the device (think of this as a futuristic I Apocalypse Now i , only without a bald, damp Marlon Brando). [Extracted from the article]

If the materials preserved in the archives of popular writing (letters, diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, postcards, photographs, etc.) make it possible to rethink and reconstruct the great events of the past from the point of view of those who experienced and suffered them first hand, through which tools will it be possible to rethink and reconstruct the present time? What will be the future of the archives of popular writing? Will they begin to focus on collecting new types of personal testimonies? This paper presents an exploratory study aimed at understanding whether the use of digital platforms favours the performance of uses and educational activities comparable to those developed through the use of the writings of ordinary people. Specifically, attention has been paid to Instagram and its use in the digital age in order to verify whether content published in the form of stories and/or posts could be recognised as possible didactic tools aimed at 'educating' about historical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orson is younger, only 32, and a doctor describes their eggs as "infinitely healthier" than Tea's, though Tea will be able to carry the baby. Before the three of them fall into a routine, Tea begins a romance with Orson, who is kind and dashing and not put off by either the plot to get Tea pregnant or its particulars. BOOKS & the ARTS B&A BOOKS & the ARTS In The Introduction To Her New Fertility memoir, Knocking Myself Up, Michelle Tea writes: "The whole story of a birth begins with that decision to say yes, and the roller coaster that loop-de-loops you to the delivery table or at-home birthing pool or what have you - there is so much in it. Tea, the author of 15 books ranging from memoir to young adult fiction, has decided to detail her unorthodox path to motherhood in her latest. [Extracted from the article]

The article lists the memoirs and biographies of women including Julia Fox, Baron Books and Radu Jude.

"Birding to Change the World: A Memoir" by Trish O'Kane is a book that explores the author's journey into bird-watching as a means of finding hope and healing after Hurricane Katrina. O'Kane, a Ph.D. student and amateur ornithologist, uses her knowledge of birds to advocate for their protection and to draw parallels between their attributes and skills and those needed by humans. The book delves into various birding issues, including wildlife management and environmental justice, and offers fascinating insights into the world of birds. [Extracted from the article]

The titular Godfather of Afropessimism, Frank B. Wilderson III, states the case best in his 2020 book Afropessimism. WHILE WILDERSON'S HARD LINE on the place of Slaves, Humans, and junior partners might lead you to believe Afropessimism is a full-throttle tract, the book is much more of a classic bildungsroman. Whereas anti-Black violence, Wilderson argues, has since the plantation always been and remains gratuitous: random, reflexive, and providing no benefit to the Humans other than to reproduce the slave status of Blackfolk by feasting on Black flesh. FEATURE AFROPESSIMISM IS ALL THE RAGE AMONG MILLENNIAL BLACK ACADEMICS and activists - most notably among Black feminist critical race theorists, who themselves are now the prime targets of the MAGA crowd. [Extracted from the article]

The trouble is that, even when she borrows anecdotes from these sources, Bervoets's fiction lacks stakes: Kayleigh, unlike most real-life content moderators, isn't living paycheck to paycheck. Bervoets isn't pilfering Newton's work here; she lists him in a "Selected Sources" section at the back of the book, along with Roberts and Chen. BOOK & the ARTS IN THE CIRCUS OF SHITTY JOBS THAT TECH COMPANIES have created in a few short decades - from Uber drivers to Mechanical "Turkers" - the content moderators are the most damned: They're the sin-eaters, the scapegoats in the wild. Kayleigh's aunt, her therapist, and her new coworker all want to know what it's like working as a content moderator for Hexa, a subcontractor for a major social media platform. [Extracted from the article]