New film and TV books

Here are a collection of fresh new film and television books, recently added to our collection. This list includes a lot of nostalgic pop-culture reflection, under-represented voices carving out a space for themselves in Hollywood, and genre guides crammed with movie suggestions to add to your watchlist.

Cue the sun! : the invention of reality TV / Nussbaum, Emily, 1966-
An incredibly extensive look into the history and evolution of reality television. New Yorker TV critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Emily Nussbaum reveals how the behemoth television genre is made; diving into the drama and the remarkable behind-the-scenes stories of shows such as Candid Camera, The Real World, Survivor, Big Brother and more! Fitting its title's origin The Truman Show, Cue the Sun! is a story of finding truth in things that are fake. Reviewers are saying this book is a "passionate, exquisitely told origin story" and "a thoughtful and comprehensive history", sure to be a fascinating read for anyone interested in the genre.

It Used To Be Witches: Under The Spell Of Queer Cinema by Gilbey, Ryan
An upcoming genre-blending book of personal memoir, film criticism and tell-all interviews on the topic of queer filmmaking. The featured interviewees are a treasure trove of voices; filmmakers listed include Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers), Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), and Isabel Sandoval (Lingua Franca). Advanced praise for this book notes that not only is Gilbey a great storyteller, but this book also speaks to the history and political importance of queer narratives on screen. As much a love letter and a rallying cry, It Used To Be Witches is looking to be an integral text for anyone interested in queer storytelling. Readers will surely be left with not just a list of new films to love, but also a fresh perspective on the ones they already do.

Pure innocent fun : essays / Madison, Ira, III
Readers are praising this collection of essays as a delightful blend of memoir and media criticism. Here, Madison pulls at the seams of nostalgic memories to reveal the beauty and absurdity of shows and moments that shaped pop culture. From American Idol to Oprah, Power Rangers to The O.C., Madison places stories from pop-culture's past beside personal narratives to explore themes of sexuality and identity. Described by Kirkus Reviews as an "engaging and often hilarious memoir-in-essays from a pop-culture fiend", this book sounds like a fascinating read for anyone interested in pop-culture criticism, especially millennials feeling nostalgic.

The Book of Horror: The Anatomy of Fear in Film, updated edition / Glasby, Matt
An entertaining and informative deep-dive into the blood-chilling film genre that is horror, complete with a movie grading system based on dread. This book is described by readers as a fascinating exploration for horror fans, as well as a resource for those wanting to discover new terrifying films for their next movie night. The Book of Horror is a collection of titles that the author believes to be integral to the genre, with thoughtful write-ups which dissect how these scary cinematic nightmares work. Reviewers are calling this book "the definitive guide to what properly messes us up"; explore this book and its suggested watchlists at your own risk.

Falling in love at the movies : rom-coms from the screwball era to today / Zuckerman, Esther
A whirlwind ride through the rom-com genre from culture writer and journalist Esther Zuckerman, whose writing has been published by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. This book takes a genre often pushed to the side as simply a guilty pleasure and makes the case that these films are not just heartwarming, but important and influential. Zuckerman explores why we are drawn to these films, the stories behind them, and their lasting impact and legacy on popular culture. This book invites the reader to revisit their favourite comfort films with new perspectives, explore classic gems from decades past, and consider how this classic genre is in constant change to reflect modern times.

Desperately seeking something : a memoir about movies, mothers, and material girls / Seidelman, Susan
A personal memoir from a trailblazing filmmaker about her life as a director in a male-dominated industry. Susan Seidelman directed Smithereens, the first American independent film to compete at Cannes, and then became a Hollywood name for her film Desperately Seeking Susan. This personal memoir tells the story of her carving out a career as a director in a time when women were rarely directors. It is also a talented storyteller recounting her very interesting life, from finding herself in gritty 70s New York City to the sudden limelight of Hollywood fame. Reviewers are praising Desperately Seeking Something as "full of twists, charm and happy endings" much like "her iconic movies." This book sounds like a great read for any film enthusiast, as well as anyone interested in the story of an artist fighting through challenging circumstances to succeed in bringing their vision to the world.