Other books that might interest you

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  Doc Watson - A Life in Music

  Eddie Huffman

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  Arthel "Doc" Watson (1923–2012) is arguably one of the most influential musicians Appalachia has ever produced. A musician's musician, Doc grew up on a subsistence farm in the North Carolina mountains during the Depression, soaking up traditional music and learning to play guitar even though he was blind. Rising to fame in the 1960s as part of the burgeoning folk revival scene, Doc became the face of traditional music for many listeners, racking up multiple Grammys and releasing dozens of albums over the course of his long career. Eddie Huffman tells the story of Doc's life and legacy, drawing on extensive interviews and hundreds of hours of archival research. In making the most comprehensive biography of Watson ever, Huffman gives us an affecting and informative portrait of the man they called Doc. 
   
   
   
  Full of fascinating stories—from Doc's first banjo made from his grandmother's cat to the founding of MerleFest—this promises to be the definitive biography of the man and how he came to be synonymous with roots music in America and shows how his influence is still felt in music today.

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  The Dad Rock That Made Me A Woman

  Niko Stratis

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  A memoir-in-essays on transness, dad rock, and the music that saves us. 
   
   
   
  When Wilco's 2007 album Sky Blue Sky was infamously criticized as "dad rock," Niko Stratis was a twenty-five-year-old closeted trans woman working in her dad's glass shop in the Yukon Territory. As she sought escape from her hypermasculine environment, Stratis found an unlikely lifeline amid dad rock's emotionally open and honest music. Listening to dad rock, Stratis could access worlds beyond her own and imagine a path forward. 
   
   
   
  In taut, searing essays rendered in propulsive and unguarded prose, Stratis delves into the emotional core of bands like Wilco and The National, telling her story through the dad rock that accompanied her along the way. She found footing in Michael Stipe's allusions to queer longing, Radiohead's embrace of unknowability, and Bruce Springsteen's very trans desire to "change my clothes my hair my face"—and she found in artists like Neko Case and Sharon Van Etten that the label transcends gender. A love letter to the music that saves us and a tribute to dads like Stratis's own who embody the tenderness at the genre's heart, The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman rejoices in music unafraid to bare its soul.

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  Hollywood’s Favorite Screwball...

  Editors Charles River

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  “If I couldn't laugh, I'd rather die.” – Claudette Colbert 
  The 1930s were the height of the classical Hollywood era, known for lavish studio productions by heavyweights like MGM, RKO, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and 20th Century Fox, which were operating at the height of their powers. Every major studio possessed a long roster of contract players, and films were released at such a rapid pace that it made for an especially competitive environment within the industry. Even while America remained in the throes of the Great Depression, the film industry continued to flourish, and movies easily supplanted the theater as the main attraction for American entertainment. Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to claim that the film industry reached its zenith during the decade precisely because it offered an affordable (if very temporary) escape from the anxieties of the economic woes of the era. 
  When the American Film Institute ranked its top 50 screen legends of the 20th century, many of the people named had careers spanning several decades, but one of them managed the feat despite living less than three decades. Ranked as the 22nd greatest actress of the 20th century, Jean Harlow was on the screen for less than 10 years, but in that time the “Blonde Bombshell” became the most popular actress of the 1930s, eclipsing superstars like Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer along the way. In fact, the platinum blonde accomplished that feat as a leading lady for just five years before her premature death of renal failure at the age of 26. 
  Carole Lombard has been memorialized in many fitting ways as an actress, and one of her biggest contributions to Hollywood was the blond archetype that the film industry used successfully for decades in screwball comedies, paving the way for the success of women like Marilyn Monroe. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of that fact is that it was actually based on Carole’s gushing personality. 

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  The Yamato Period - The Dawn of...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Yamato period, spanning from roughly the 3rd to the 7th century, marks the emergence of Japan’s first centralized political power. At the heart of this transformation was the Yamato clan, a dominant force that laid the foundation for Japan’s imperial lineage. While early Japan was fragmented into numerous rival clans, the Yamato rulers gradually asserted their dominance, forging alliances, engaging in warfare, and adopting foreign influences to solidify their authority. 
  One of the key factors behind the Yamato clan’s rise was its strategic control over fertile land in the Kinki region, an area well-suited for agriculture. This economic advantage allowed them to amass resources necessary to support a growing military force. By subjugating neighboring clans or bringing them under their influence through political marriages and alliances, the Yamato rulers expanded their reach across central and western Japan. The development of a hierarchical system of governance helped them maintain order, as powerful regional chieftains were brought into a centralized network of control under the Yamato court. 
  Military strength played a significant role in the Yamato clan’s dominance. Archaeological evidence from kofun, or large burial mounds, reveals that these early rulers possessed advanced weaponry, including iron swords and armor, likely influenced by interactions with Korea and China. These military advantages enabled them to assert control over rival clans and protect their growing territory from external threats. The construction of these elaborate burial sites also served as a demonstration of power and legitimacy, reinforcing the Yamato rulers’ status as semi-divine figures.

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  Overture of Nature's Serene...

  Selena Brooke

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  Overture of Nature's Serene Ocean Waves Mixed with Ambient Tones for Deep Meditation & Mindfulness is your gateway to a tranquil state of being. It is designed specifically for those seeking to enhance their mindfulness and achieve inner peace. This immersive experience allows you to embark on a journey toward holistic health and self-care, where well-being becomes a priority. 
  Imagine indulging in a moment of stillness, where every note guides you deeper into serenity. Our carefully crafted content promotes grounding and helps you cultivate awareness of the present moment. By engaging in this practice, you will unlock the power of rejuvenation, enabling you to unwind from the stresses of daily life. 
  This audiobook is perfect for anyone looking to incorporate transformative meditation techniques into their routine. It offers practical methods for achieving emotional balance and encouraging a sense of presence that enhances overall quality of life. The gentle rhythms and harmonies will support your journey toward personal growth, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner. 
  Join countless others who have found solace and clarity through our unique approach to wellness. Take the time to prioritize your mental and emotional health, allowing yourself the freedom to explore the depths of stillness and centeredness. With the tools provided in this audiobook, you can foster a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. 
  Transform your meditation practice and embrace a new level of tranquility. Let Overture of Nature's Serene Ocean Waves be your companion to a more peaceful, fulfilling life. Start your journey toward lasting inner calm today!

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  We Love Toa Payoh

  Singapore Urban Sketchers

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  Admire beautiful sketches of well-loved places in Toa Payoh—the grand old dame that is the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex; the lovely Toa Payoh Town Park; the famous Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery…. Or reminisce over the smaller nooks and crannies, such as the old-timer Bugs Bunny barber shop and the bird singing pavilion at Lorong 4.  
   
  By artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore, the drawings  in this little time capsule of a book bring to you all that  is quintessentially ‘Toa Payoh’.

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