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Books about Popular Culture
Vader's Little Princess
by Jeffrey Brown
A humorous take on the father-daughter dynamic in the Star Wars universe.
Darth Vader is learning that being a Sith lord and dedicated father to Princess Leia isn't quite so easy... In this irresistibly funny follow-up to the breakout bestseller Darth Vader and Son , ... (Barnes & Noble)
White Noise
by Don DeLillo
A darkly comic exploration of modern life, examining the effects of technology and consumer culture.
Set at a bucolic mid-western college known only as The-College-on-the-Hill, White Noise follows a year in the life of Jack Gladney, a professor who has made his name by pioneering the field of Hitler ... (Wikipedia)
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo
by Amy Schumer
A comedic and candid exploration of the author's life, experiences and views.
THE INSTANT #1, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER "This is your happy hour with Amy Schumer... It's, Bossypants, meets, Trainwreck, meets your long weekend." —,TheSkimm, “Amy’s got your back. She’s in your ... (Barnes & Noble)
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto
by Chuck Klosterman
An exploration of pop culture and its influence on contemporary life.
Countless writers and artists have spoken for a generation, but no one has done it quite like Chuck Klosterman. With an exhaustive knowledge of popular culture and an almost effortless ability to ... (Goodreads)
One Summer: America, 1927
by Bill Bryson
A vivid portrait of America in the summer of 1927, featuring a host of historical figures and events.
In One Summer Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life. The summer of 1927 began with one of ... (Goodreads)
Contagious: Why Things Catch On
by Jonah Berger
Exploring the science behind why some products and ideas become popular.
New York Times bestseller and named Best Marketing Book of 2014 by the American Marketing Association What makes things popular? Why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? ... (Goodreads)
Hark! A Vagrant
by Kate Beaton
A collection of humorous and witty comic strips about history, literature, and popular culture.
Hark! A Vagrant is an uproarious romp through history and literature seen through the sharp, contemporary lens of New Yorker cartoonist and comics-sensation Kate Beaton. No era or tome emerges ... (Goodreads)
I Am America
by Stephen Colbert
Humorous exploration of American culture, politics and history.
Congratulations –just by opening the cover of this book you became 25% more patriotic. From Stephen Colbert, the host of television's highest-rated punditry show The Colbert Report , comes the book ... (Goodreads)
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991
by Michael Azerrad
History of the American indie rock scene, showcasing influential bands and their legacy.
This is the never-before-told story of the musical revolution that happened right under the nose of the Reagan Eighties–when a small but sprawling network of bands, labels, fanzines, radio stations, ... (Goodreads)
Without Feathers
by Woody Allen
Collection of humorous short stories, exploring the absurdities of life.
Here they are–some of the funniest tales and ruminations ever put into print, by one of the great comic minds of our time. From THE WHORE OF MENSA, to GOD (A Play), to NO KADDISH FOR WEINSTEIN, old ... (Goodreads)
Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin
by Kathy Griffin
Comedian Kathy Griffin recounts life stories and anecdotes from her career.
Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It's ... (Goodreads)
American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst
by Jeffrey Toobin
A riveting account of the notorious Patty Hearst kidnapping and trial.
On February 4, 1974, Patty Hearst, a sophomore in college and heiress to the Hearst Family fortune, was kidnapped by a ragtag group of self-styled revolutionaries calling itself the Symbonese ... (Goodreads)
My Not So Perfect Life
by Sophie Kinsella
A young woman's journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace her imperfections.
NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER - Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world., New York Times, ... (Goodreads)
The Secret History of Wonder Woman
by Jill Lepore
The story of the origins and evolution of Wonder Woman and her creator, William Moulton Marston.
A cultural history of Wonder Woman traces the character's creation and enduring popularity, drawing on interviews and archival research to reveal the pivotal role of feminism in shaping her ... (Goodreads)
The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss
by Dr. Seuss
An exploration of the imaginative works of Dr. Seuss, from sketches to paintings.
These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss ) in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly ... (Goodreads)
The Fry Chronicles
by Stephen Fry
A memoir of the acclaimed English writer, actor and comedian, chronicling his rise to fame.
Thirteen years ago, Moab Is My Washpot, Stephen Fry's autobiography of his early years, was published to rave reviews and was a huge best seller. In the years since, Stephen Fry has moved into a ... (Goodreads)
Ball Four
by Jim Bouton
A candid account of the life of a professional baseball player, exposing the realities of the sport.
Twentieth-anniversary edition of a baseball classic, with a new epilogue by Jim Bouton. When first published in 1970, Ball Four stunned the sports world. The commissioner, executives, and players ... (Goodreads)
Insane City
by Dave Barry
A hilarious satire of a destination wedding in Miami, filled with absurd characters and situations.
A dark comic masterpiece—the first solo adult novel in more than a decade from the Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times–bestselling author. Seth Weinstein knew Tina was way out of his league in ... (Goodreads)
King Dork
by Frank Portman
High school student Tom Henderson navigates the complexities of adolescence, girls, and rock music while trying to uncover the truth about his father's death.
Tom Henderson begins his sophomore year at Hillmont High School, which he describes as laughably dumbed-down and senselessly brutal, with rampant bullying by the "psychotic normal" students. Tom is ... (Wikipedia)
All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation
by Rebecca Traister
Examining the power and influence of unmarried women on modern society.
In 2009, award-winning journalist Rebecca Traister started All the Single Ladies about the twenty-first century phenomenon of the American single woman. It was the year the proportion of American ... (Goodreads)
Assholes Finish First
by Tucker Max
A comedic exploration of modern dating and relationships.
From the Tucker Max website: What do you do when you've become rich and famous for writing a #1 best-selling book about your drunken, sexual misadventures? I'll tell you what I do: I write another ... (Goodreads)
The Areas of My Expertise: An Almanac of Complete World Knowledge Compiled with Instructive Annotation and Arranged in Useful Order
by John Hodgman
A humorous almanac of random knowledge and trivia, organized into various topics.
The brilliant and uproarious #15 bestseller (i.e., a runaway phenomenon in its own right-no, seriously) - a lavish compendium of handy reference tables, fascinating trivia, and sage wisdom - all of ... (Goodreads)
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2: Fandemonium
by Kieron Gillen
Supernatural beings battle for power and fame in a world where gods walk among us.
The second volume of the award-winning urban fantasy series where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. Following the tragic and unjust death of Lucifer, it takes a ... (Barnes & Noble)
Starter for Ten
by David Nicholls
Brian, a working-class student, navigates university life, love, and a quiz bowl competition in 1980s England.
The story, told in first-person narrative , is set in 1985 and chronicles the misadventures of student Brian Jackson in his first year at an unnamed university . A somewhat obsessive collector of ... (Wikipedia)
I Love Everybody
by Laurie Notaro
Humorous memoir of one woman's search for self-acceptance, with an irreverent twist.
Here are more scathingly funny tales from the wild side! Laurie Notaro survived the debauched ride of her twenties and the bumpy road to matrimony. Now she’s ready to take on the thirtysomething ... (Goodreads)
Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion
by Mark Cotta Vaz
A behind-the-scenes look at the blockbuster movie adaptation of the popular fantasy novel.
Everything fans want to know about the hotly anticipated, Twilight, movie and much more! Designed as a celebration of the film, this lavishly illustrated paperback edition is an exclusive ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
by Andy Warhol
An exploration of the life, works, and philosophy of the iconic Pop-Art figure.
A loosely formed autobiography by Andy Warhol, told with his trademark blend of irony and detachment In The Philosophy of Andy Warhol —which, with the subtitle "(From A to B and Back Again)," is less ... (Goodreads)
The Beatles: The Biography
by Bob Spitz
An in-depth look at the rise of the iconic band from their early days to their eventual global domination.
Even before the Beatles hit the big time, a myth was created. This version of the Beatles legend smoothed the rough edges and filled in the fault lines, and for more than forty years this manicured ... (Goodreads)
Size 12 Is Not Fat
by Meg Cabot
A young woman's comedic journey of self-acceptance in a society obsessed with weight.
Heather Wells Rocks! Or, at least, she, did,. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two — and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings ... (Barnes & Noble)
Agent to the Stars
by John Scalzi
A rookie agent takes on the job of representing an alien species, navigating the world of Hollywood.
Tom Stein is a celebrity agent, representing a handful of Hollywood actors, the most famous of which is Michelle Beck, an earnest but brainless blonde who wants to break into serious acting despite ... (Wikipedia)
Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture
by Peggy Orenstein
An exploration of the effects of the girlie-girl culture on young girls and their parents.
The acclaimed author of the groundbreaking bestseller, Schoolgirls, reveals the dark side of pink and pretty: the rise of the girlie-girl, she warns, is not that innocent., Sweet and sassy or ... (Goodreads)
Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History
by Katy Tur
A journalist's firsthand account of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, from the campaign trail to the White House.
A New York Times Bestseller “Compelling… this book couldn’t be more timely.” – Jill Abramson,, New York Times Book Review, Called "disgraceful," "third-rate," and "not nice" by Donald Trump, NBC News ... (Barnes & Noble)
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls
by Peter Biskind
A behind-the-scenes look at the rise of 1970s Hollywood and the maverick filmmakers who revolutionized the industry.
This down-and-dirty romp through Hollywood in the 1970s introduces the young filmmakers–Coppola, Scorsese, Lucas, Spielberg, Altman, and Beatty--and recreates an era that transformed American culture ... (Goodreads)
Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey
by Bob McCabe
Behind the scenes look at the making of the Harry Potter film series, from early drafts to the big screen.
Harry Potter Page to Screen: Revised and Expanded now has more pages devoted to the legacy of the Harry Potter films. In addition to the complete history of all eight Harry Potter films, the book now ... (Barnes & Noble)
Lost At Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries
by Jon Ronson
A journalist's adventures as he investigates some of the world's most bizarre stories.
Ronson has spent his life investigating crazy events, following fascinating people and unearthing unusual stories. Collected here from various sources (including the Guardian and GQ America) are the ... (Goodreads)
Glamorama
by Bret Easton Ellis
A man's descent into a world of fame, glamour, and superficiality.
The author of American Psycho and Less Than Zero continues to shock and haunt us with his incisive and brilliant dissection of the modern world.In his most ambitious and gripping book yet, Bret ... (Goodreads)
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
by Neil Gaiman
Two teenage boys crash a party and meet some very unusual girls. A coming-of-age story with a sci-fi twist.
Enn is a fifteen-year-old boy who just doesn't understand girls, while his friend Vic seems to have them all figured out. Both teenagers are in for the shock of their young lives, however, when they ... (Goodreads)
Rip it Up and Start Again
by Simon Reynolds
A comprehensive history of post-punk music, exploring its evolution and influence on modern music.
Punk's raw power rejuvenated rock, but by the summer of 1977 the movement had become a parody of itself. RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN is a celebration of what happened next. Post-punk bands like PiL, ... (Goodreads)
Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid
by Denis Leary
A humorous take on American culture, politics, and society, with a focus on self-deprecating humor and satire.
A hilarious blast of scathing irreverence from the award-winning actor and comedian . "A pissed off Leary is the best Leary," says one critic of the writer and comic. In Why We Suck , Dr. Denis Leary ... (Goodreads)
Audrey, Wait!
by Robin Benway
Audrey's breakup song becomes a hit, turning her into an overnight celebrity and causing chaos in her life.
EVERYBODY'S SINGING, "AUDREY, WAIT!" Audrey Cuttler's life hasn't been the same since that song, "Audrey, Wait!" hit the airwaves. All she wants to do is go to concerts, hang out with her friends, ... (Goodreads)
Both Flesh and Not: Essays
by David Foster Wallace
A collection of essays exploring various topics, including tennis, literature, and language, with Wallace's signature wit and insight.
Brilliant, dazzling, never-before-collected nonfiction writings by "one of America's most daring and talented writers." (,Los Angeles Times Book Review,). Both Flesh and Not gathers fifteen of ... (Goodreads)
Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture
by Ariel Levy
A critical analysis of the rise of raunch culture and its impact on women's liberation and feminism.
Meet the Female Chauvinist Pig – the new brand of "empowered woman" who embraces "raunch culture" wherever she finds it. In her groundbreaking book, New York magazine writer Ariel Levy argues that, ... (Goodreads)
Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas
by Chuck Klosterman
A collection of essays on culture and the way we think about the world.
"Chuck Klosterman IV" Consists of Three Parts: THINGS THAT ARE TRUE Profiles And Trend Stories: Britney Spears, Radiohead, Billy Joel, Metallica, Val Kilmer, Bono, Wilco, The White Stripes, Steve ... (Goodreads)
How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays
by Umberto Eco
A collection of witty and humorous essays on various topics, including travel, food, and literature.
Once a columnist for an Italian literary magazine, Eco now shares his acute and highly entertaining sense of the absurd in modern life in these essays about militarism, computerese, cowboy and Indian ... (Goodreads)
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 3: Commercial Suicide
by Kieron Gillen
The Pantheon faces new challenges as they navigate fame, power, and the consequences of their actions.
After the detonation of FANDEMONIUM the gods-as-pop-stars of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE try living in the long dark shadow. Team WicDiv are joined by a stellar cast of guest artists to put the spotlight ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Vampire Companion
by Katherine Ramsland
A comprehensive guide to the world of vampires, including their history, mythology, and pop culture representations.
"The meaning of The Vampire Chronicles is still unfolding for me, and is as much connected to God as to the Devil, as much connected to pleasure as to pain. That the books are entertainment seems a ... (Goodreads)
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
by Alison Arngrim
A memoir of an actress's experiences on the set of Little House on the Prairie and her journey to self-acceptance.
For seven years, Alison Arngrim played a wretched, scheming, selfish, lying, manipulative brat on one of TV history's most beloved series. Though millions of Little House on the Prairie viewers hated ... (Goodreads)
Shampoo Planet
by Douglas Coupland
Tyler, a young man, navigates through the consumerist culture of America, searching for meaning and connection in a world of excess.
Tyler Johnson is a 20-year-old MTV child. Once a baby raised in a hippie commune, he is now an ambitious Reagan youth dreaming of a career with the corporation whose offices his mother once ... (Goodreads)
Summer and the City
by Candace Bushnell
Carrie Bradshaw navigates the ups and downs of life in New York City during her first summer there.
Summer is a magical time in New York City and Carrie is in love with all of it—the crazy characters in her neighborhood, the vintage-clothing boutiques, the wild parties, and the glamorous man who ... (Goodreads)
Kill Your Friends
by John Niven
A ruthless music executive navigates the cutthroat world of the British music industry in the 1990s.
The novel is set in 1997 at the height of the Britpop music scene. The protagonist, Steven Stelfox, is unhappy about his current position as an A&R agent in the record company he works for in London. ... (Wikipedia)
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