Books

Mayer & Thalberg:  The Make Believe Saints

by Samuel Marx

Old Hollywood alliance between a sickly-smart hebrew with little interest in seeing his name in lights and a giant patriotic lion whose office reeked of leather and disinfectant.  The basis for every movie in history.

Humpty-Dumpty in Oakland

by Philip K. Dick

I'm not a big Dick-head, but this one is 3/4 strong.  A not-sci-fi about American ambition's effects on an old mechanic, wannabe car-dealer, and "party record" producer in old Oakland.

The Certificate

by I.B. Singer

Warsaw between the wars as seen through the relationships of a country-jew and various city women.

By Nightfall
by Michael Cunningham

New York and couples and the dirty art world.




The Coen Brothers

by Ronald Bergan

"The innocent must suffer, the guilty must be punished, you must drink blood to be a man."

Sermons & Soda Water

by John O'Hara

2 sentences:

"He nursed a highball until about half-past four, then made his excuses and departed with Chottie, and the Turk, the Englishman, and I were left with the show girls and Hunterden's Rolls.  The girl who got me was sore as hell, as she might well have been, to have such an unprofitable evening, but at least I got four hours' sleep before going to the office."

How I Made 100 Movies in Hollywood and Never lost a Dime

by Roger Corman

B-movie king's advice applies to everything including personal finance.


Natasha & Other Stories
by David Bezmozgis

Dark short story collection by/about Russian immigrant experience and growing up suburban.