Other books that might interest you

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  La La Land - Oxford Guides to...

  Hannah Lewis

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  In this Oxford Guide to Film Musicals, author Hannah Lewis gives listeners fascinating new insights into the development, style, and reception of the 2016 film musical La La Land. Directed by Damien Chazelle with music by Justin Hurwitz, the film tells the story of a romance between an aspiring actress and jazz pianist as the two pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. It uses a vintage form to tell a modern story and its blend of nostalgia and realism made it an instant classic even as it prompted a range of critical and audience responses. Drawing on extensive personal interviews with director Damien Chazelle, composer Justin Hurwitz, choreographer Mandy Moore, and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the book explores La La Land's aesthetic approach to the film musical genre, particularly its engagement with and subversion of the classic Hollywood musical's stylistic and narrative expectations. 
   
   
   
  Lewis offers audiences ways of listening to the film's depiction of jazz, focusing especially on how race and genre intersect in its narrative. She also reveals new insights into the film's reception, showing how the critical response from its premiere to its place at the Academy Awards reflected broader cultural expectations and understandings of the film musical and its continued appeal for twenty-first century audiences.

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  Bottom of the Pyramid - A Memoir...

  Nia Sioux

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  Read by the author. 
  INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 
  "Sioux’s harrowing reality TV ordeal cuts deep, and her subsequent self-assurance is endearing and infectious. It adds up to an inspiring account of reclaiming artistic agency.” - Publisher’s Weekly 
  When you’ve been told over and over that you belong at the bottom, how do you come out on top? Dance Moms star and triple threat Nia Sioux shows the way via her story of resilience, triumph, and defining success for herself. 
  Young dancer Nia Sioux was only nine years old when she stepped into stardom as one of the original cast members of Lifetime’s reality TV show Dance Moms. Nia learned new choreography week after week and competed against dancers from across the country as well as at her own studio. Perhaps her greatest obstacle was suffering through her dance teacher’s ranking of the girls against each other in her infamous pyramid, where Nia spent the majority of her time on the bottom—all in front of an audience of millions. 
  But there was much that viewers didn’t see. How her experiences in the studio went far beyond what made it into the show. How she was ostracized for not fitting into an aesthetic that wasn’t designed for girls like her. How her friendships and her mental health crumbled under the strain of the show. How she lost control of her story and her voice. 
  But don’t be fooled—this is a story about resilience. Nia is not looking for pity, sympathy, or validation as she reflects on her experiences. Instead, she is choosing to use her story as a celebration of triumph. Nia finally gets to tell her story in her own way and in her own words. In this captivating memoir, Nia reclaims both the spotlight and her narrative. 
  In addition to going behind the scenes of the seven seasons of Dance Moms, she shows how she fought against the negative perceptions that dominated her tween and teen years and emerged as a confident young woman secure in her talents and her direction. Anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or stuck at the bottom of the pyramid will be inspired by Nia’s story of overcoming. “Despite barriers and constant naysayers, assumptions and criticisms, only you know who you are inside and out,” Nia says. “And you have the power to create your own narrative, your own level of success.”

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  100 20th-Century Buildings

  Society Twentieth Century

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  A stylish celebration of some of the greatest buildings in Britain, from the 20th century and beyond, by the country's leading organisation for the protection of 20th century architecture.
  This fascinating book showcases 100 standout buildings from 1914 onwards, representing the broad variety of 20th century British architecture. The structures celebrated in this book include the Royal Festival Hall, the Hepworth Gallery, Preston Bus Station, Battersea Power Station, the Barbican Estate, the Aquatics Centre and many more.  
  The glorious photography in 100 20th Century Buildings is accompanied by insightful text from a range of expert architectural writers and enthusiasts including Alan Powers, Owen Hatherley and Rowan Moore, along with several longer essays on different aspects of the 20th-century built environment: the late Gavin Stamp on the inter-war decades, the much missed Elain Harwood on post-war architecture and Timothy Brittain-Catlin on postmodernism.
  From factories to art galleries, churches to health centres, office blocks to individual private dwellings, this book provides a captivating overview of the 20th century built environment.

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  Divine Females - Powerful Women...

  Julia Blacksmith

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  Divine Females explores the sacred, mysterious, and often awe-inspiring roles of women in mythologies across time and cultures. This 3-in-1 collection highlights the power, wisdom, and influence of feminine figures in ancient stories, featuring Mythical Women, Gods and Legends, and The Myths of the Maya. From creators and warriors to queens and enchantresses, these women shaped the cosmos, guided heroes, and embodied both chaos and creation. 
  In Mythical Women, uncover the stories of goddesses and legendary heroines like Athena, Isis, Kali, and Amaterasu—each with distinct roles that challenge, protect, or define their worlds. Then, in Gods and Legends, zoom out to see how these divine females interacted with other deities and myths from various global traditions, often as the heart of the moral, magical, or cosmic balance. These stories show that power in mythology isn't just physical—it's emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. 
  Finally, The Myths of the Maya offers a deep dive into the feminine aspects of this intricate belief system. Discover moon goddesses, fertility spirits, and the symbolic role of women in Maya cosmology and daily life. Whether feared, revered, or adored, these divine females offer a powerful lens into how ancient civilizations saw the world—and the women who helped shape it.

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  Art History Byzantine art

  Charles Bayet

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  For more than a millennium, from its creation in 330 A.D. until its fall in 1453, the Byzantine Empire was a cradle of artistic effervescence that we are only beginning to rediscover. Endowed with the rich heritage of Roman, Eastern and Christian cultures, Byzantine artists developed an architectural and pictorial tradition, marked by symbolism, whose influence extended far beyond the borders of the Empire. Today, Italy, Northern Africa, and the Near East preserve the vestiges of this sophisticated artistic tradition, with all of its mystical and luminous beauty. The magnificence of the palaces, churches, paintings, enamels, ceramics and mosaics from this civilisation guarantees Byzantine art's powerful influence and timelessness.

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  The Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique

  Dan LeRoy

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  Derided as one-hit wonders, estranged from their original producer and  record label, and in self-imposed exile in Los Angeles, the Beastie Boys  were written off by most observers before even beginning to record  their second album - an embarrassing commercial flop that should have  ruined the group's career. But not only did "Paul's Boutique" eventually  transformed the Beasties from a fratboy novelty to hiphop giants, its  sample-happy, retro aesthetic changed popular culture forever.

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