Pop Culture in Print
Living through Taylor's Era, I appreciate the wealth of writing being done about popular culture. Pop culture is never just about the surface, and these books explore the deeper and more controversial layers beneath some of the most significant books, movies, and T.V. shows in the recent and not so recent past.
Young adult, teen, whatever you call the novels that got you through middle school and high school, this book knows about them. Especially for readers who remember fondly the endless paperback series, the super special editions, and the books with cheerful covers and serious topics.
Why should adults read children's books? They are generally shorter, smart, funny, thoughtful, and contain deep moral lessons. They can be shared with the children and adults in one's life. They are often far more than they seem.
In this volume, the author explores how kid lit makes good grown-up reading.
Vampires don't always drink blood. This book features interviews with members of the cast of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". In addition to discussing the landmark series, the excellent writing, and the effects of the show on the culture, the author observes how the show's creator drained the joy out of the work. I found this book bittersweet, filled with stories both humorous and horrifying, and not only because of the darkness of the setting.
As a reader who remembers the worst with ease, reading horror is a risky venture. Reading about the paperback revolution of the 1970's and '80's, however gives one the gory details while remaining informative about authors and the industry that poured them forth upon a public hungry for more than Stephen King alone could supply.
The right movie can do a lot of good. Restore your faith in humanity, though? Ebert's collection of reviews posits that is possibly too much to place on a movie, but it is an excellent place to start.