Nonfiction November Hopefuls

If it’s about movies, then I need to read it.

I always love learning about film history and these are three books I would really like to read this Nonfiction November. 

MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios by Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards

I still remember when I first watched Iron Man in 2008 and going 😧 during that first post-credit scene. I didn’t know who the Avengers were at the time except for Captain America, the Hulk, and Thor, but I knew something big was ahead. Then when I read about how Marvel was assembling each of these heroes into their own standalone films eventually culminating into The Avengers, I was invested. Now, with this book it will be interesting to learn more about the studio behind the cinematic universe that became a pop culture behemoth.

Hitchcock Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director's Dark Obsession by Laurence Leamer

When I was in school, I took a class studying the films of Alfred Hitchcock. It was my first film class and it was interesting learning about the director, how he filmed his movies, and the women he casted (it’s been a while so I might be wrong, but I think part of the reason he particularly casted blondes was because of how striking they stood out). So, when I came across this book, it made me think of that class. Hitchcock Blondes focuses on the actresses that starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s films that included Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, and Tippi Hedren, which has its own history she has spoken up about.

Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears by Michael Schulman

The history of the Academy Awards is a fascinating one. The first ceremony lasted only 15 minutes compared to today’s 3 hour live broadcast. In a way it’s become my version of the Super Bowl.  Apart from the glitz and glamor though, Oscar Wars covers more than just the award and the nominees. It also gives some detailed history on the actors, directors, producers, etc. who were a part of the industry spanning years and decades the Academy and the Oscars have existed. This is one I’ve been looking forward to reading hopefully before the next Oscars in 2024.

💭 Are you interested in any of these? What are you reading during Nonfiction November?

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Sofia Coppola: Forever Young

I bought Sofia Coppola: Forever Young by Hannah Strong last year and I’ve been perusing it again recently since the trailer dropped for Sofia Coppola’s next film, Priscilla (I’m also reading the memoir it’s adapted from). 

I love movies directed by Sofia Coppola, with Somewhere being my favorite, and this is a great book to dive into to appreciate the artistry behind her work. There’s some behind the scenes details on how she conceived some of her projects while exploring the stylistic approaches and thematic elements of each film. I also like how this can be a coffee table book so you can look at and admire all the film stills while leaving it for friends to look through as well.

Do you like Sofia Coppola movies? Which one is your favorite? 

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We Were Dreamers: A Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu

I haven’t read enough memoirs lately, so I was so happy that I got to buddy read Simu Liu’s WE WERE DREAMERS via the audiobook with a friend on bookstagram. I had been curious about the actor ever since he was first announced as playing Marvel’s Shang-Chi, and listening to him share his life story (so far) made this a personal read that made me see and appreciate him in a new light.

I should start by saying that I am not usually a crier (I’m a Capricorn after all), but throughout the book, I was hit with a wave of empathy and emotions. I practically had to hold back tears as Liu shared his parents’ backstory - and this was only chapters 2 and 3. His mother’s story especially, and then listening to him get choked up thinking back on his grandparents, who helped raise him in Harbin before he embarked on his new life in Canada with his parents.

Liu talking about growing up in Canada - millennial references and all - had me feeling hilariously nostalgic (if you used AIM, I would love to know what your screen name was. Mine was enchantedgrrl 😂). These lighter moments however, also conflicted with his difficult relationship with his parents, which he openly discusses. It was the hardest to listen to sometimes and I really respected them for sharing it. In my own Filipino household, my parents were not as strict on me, but I understand that pressure and weight to succeed because of all the risks and sacrifices they made. It’s something I hadn’t realized until much later and this book had me reflecting on it again as well as about remembering where you come from.

I really enjoyed listening to him talk about how he first got into acting after starting a career in accounting. It wasn’t glamorous, but scrappy yet full of earnestness, hope, humor, and ambition despite the odds. To see how all of it paid off and where his career is now is amazing. I even mentioned to my friend how I was ready to read more after his Marvel audition until I realized that this is only the beginning of whatever he has ahead.

This was a great read and if you get a chance to pick it up, I highly recommend the audiobook to get the full experience of Simu Liu telling his story.

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23 Books for 2023

One of my main goals for this year is to read most of the books I own, and there are plenty! Some are by authors I love or sequels I did not get to read yet. Others were bought out of pure curiosity. And the many more were recommended by the wonderful bookstagram community (seriously, it's a great community and they all have such good taste. I sincerely mean that).

Here are 23 books I want to read in 2023, in no particular order. 

1. This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
2. Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
3. Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy
4. Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
5. Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca
6. Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
7. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
8. A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp
9. The Shimmering State by Meredith Westgate
10. Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson
11. Two Doors Away by Elle Spellman
12. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
13. Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu
14. Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum
15. Ramon and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
16. Lucy on the Wild Side by Kerry Rea
17. The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian
18. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
19. Space Hopper by Helen Fisher
20. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
21. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
22. The Martian by Andy Weir
23. Artemis by Andy Weir

Have you read any of these? Do you see any favorites?

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Origins of the Magic Kingdom | Disney's Land by Richard Snow

Isn't it a strange feeling when you reach the end of a good book and then have to part with it? It's like having a fun day at Disneyland and then going home at the end of the day. It's bittersweet, but you come out of it happily. That's how I felt after reading Richard Snow's historical book, Disney's Land.

You may have visited Disneyland once in your life, or at least one of the Disney parks around the world. Even if you have not yet, it's definitely worth a visit. All are welcome to this happy place as Walt Disney said when he opened the gates to the original park on July 17, 1955. It didn't matter how old you were or where you were from, Disneyland was and still is for everyone. 

There is a forever kind of magic about Disneyland that provides a sense of wonderful escapism from the realities of the world. It's a special place where you can live out your greatest adventures in Adventureland, or travel back in time to the American Old West in Frontierland, to even venturing into the future in Tomorrowland, or living out a tale as old as time in Fantasyland. What makes Disneyland so special compared to other theme parks or amusement parks is the promise and hope that can inspire you and take you to places beyond your imagination.

In Disney's Land, Richard Snow takes us back in time to the origins of the park and how Walt Disney came up with the idea and went on to create it. You may have heard about one of the early influences of the park, which was Disney's own working train set in his backyard that he invited people to ride around. It turns out however that there was more to the story as Richard Snow reveals.

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Five Books From the Past Three Months

 

Earlier this year I started my own challenge of reading twelve books in one year. The first three books I read were Searching for Grace Kelly by Michael Callahan, Funny Girl by Nick Hornby, and A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott. Since then, I am happy to say that I have read five more books: When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney, One Day by David Nicholls, A Story Lately Told by Anjelica Huston, Watch Me by Anjelica Huston, and The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes.

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