Friday, January 06, 2017

The Mistress's Reading List: November-December

The Mistress read 8 books during the months of November and December.


[via]

On SUNDAY, you Bitches will have your turn to tell us what you've been reading during the months of NOVEMBER & DECEMBER for The 2016 Infomaniac Book Challenge.

TODAY, we look at the Mistress's list of books for November and December. This time, it's all Non-Fiction.

Canada by Mike Myers (published 2016)...



Canadian born comedian Mike Myers' book about his 53-year love affair with Canada. Packed full of anecdotes about Canadian culture and history, it's funny, as you'd expect, and full of personal stories on how the country shaped his personality and influenced his work. An affectionate look at our nation from a proud ex-pat.

Testimony by Robbie Robertson (published 2016)...



A must-read for fans of The Band: 4 Canadians and an Arkansan who produced a unique sound and an impressive body of work. As The Band's main songwriter, Robertson takes us on a musical journey from his early days in rock 'n' roll to The Band's "The Last Waltz" concert in 1976. The book draws to a close when Robertson is only 33 years old (he's now 73) so expect another memoir in future.

Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen: Interviews and Encounters by Jeff Burger (published 2016)...



A collection of more than 50 interviews Cohen conducted between 1966 and 2012. Fascinating reading yet Cohen remains an enigma.

Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers (published 2016)...



Consider this an oral history jukebox. Songwriters and performers reveal the inspirations and stories behind their songs.

Kathy Griffin's Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z Index by Kathy Griffin (published 2016)...



The Mistress is not too obsessed with the cult of celebrity but she cannot resist Kathy Griffin dishing the dirt on the likes of Woody Allen and "The Donald" to name just two.

The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads by Tim Wu (published 2016)...



This books reveals the history of how media resells human attention to advertisers. It shows us that every day, we are openly bought and sold by attention merchants such as television, Facebook and Twitter.

I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi (published 2016)...



The author's "debut book of humorous essays that dissects our cultural obsessions and calls out bad behavior in our increasingly digital, connected lives. It passes on lessons and side-eyes on life, social media, culture and fame, addressing those terrible friends we all have to serious discussions of race and media representation to what to do about your fool cousin sharing casket pictures from Grandma’s wake on Facebook."

The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters by Laura Thompson (published 2016)...



Born with silver spoons in their mouths, the six Mitford Sisters were the toast of British society. Born between 1904 and 1920, the lives of these sisters was a mix of snobbery, seduction and scandal.


That's it for The Mistress's choices. Be sure to return on SUNDAY to tell us about the books you've been reading.

19 comments:

  1. Very interesting list dearest Mistress.
    I especially like the book about Canada, the one about The Band, the oral history of songs - and of course the marvellous Midfords, what a bunch !
    May I nibble on your toes now ?

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    Replies
    1. Manners, sorry : YAY, first !

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    2. MAGO: I’ll have to consult the “I’m Judging You" book first, although I don’t recall a chapter on toe-nibbling etiquette.

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  2. Replies
    1. LX: I’ve fulfilled my Canadian content requirements for the month with the first three: Mike Myers, Robbie Robertson and Leonard Cohen.

      All very good books, by the way.

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  3. will leaving a comment automatically enter me in Infomaniac's Clearing House contest?

    if i won, would la mistressa personally
    deliver my $5000 a week for life?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NORMA: Only if you do my hair before the cameras start rolling.

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  4. so, did mike myers mention his affinity for penis?

    my old friend lives right by leonard's house. he managed to keep it a secret.

    kathy griffin used to make me laugh, but i guess as i've gotten older, i depend on "wheel of fortune."

    i've eyeballed "the six" and should probably read it.

    norma commends the mistress on all she reads! you raise the bar, yet lower it too. such a talent.

    and yes, i will do your hair!

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    Replies
    1. NORMA: You said, you raise the bar, yet lower it too. That really is my talent and thank you for recognizing it.

      I don’t recall Mike Myers mentioning his penis but Kathy Griffin says that comedian Carrot Top’s penis is HUGE. Unfortunately, I can’t un-see that image since she’s planted it in my head. Disturbing.

      Do read “The Six” about the Mitford Sisters: A Nazi, a Fascist, a Communist, a Novelist, a Countrywoman, and a Duchess … something for everyone!

      p.s. I haven’t had my hair done for months and it shows. In fact, just today, a friend waved a $50 dollar bill in front of my face and asked, “If I give this to you, will you get your hair cut?” I threw my head back, laughed (Ha!) and held out for a C-note.

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    2. thanks for sharing your carrot top nightmare with us! now all of us can't unsee that shit! (ugh, he's probably had it surgically altered to match his face.)

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    3. Everything I do, I do for you.

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    4. What is it about ging-ers? Apparently Mick Hucknall of "Simply Red" is "simply huge" apparently. And we all suspect Prince Harry of being able to play cricket with his... Jx

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    5. JON: Stop before we get gingervitis.

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  5. The Six sounds fabulous, I've always been interested in the girls. Plus a friend gave me "Don't Tell Alfred" by Nancy Mitford for Christmas. I vaguely think I may have already read this, years and years ago.

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    1. PEENEE: May we suggest Cole Porter tunes wafting in the background as you read “The Six?”

      With a martini, of course.

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  6. I'm Judging You sounds like a giggle.... I will add it to my list.... my VERY long list. The chair legs are buckling.
    Sx

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    1. MISS SCARLET: You may need a Barcalounger for extra support.

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  7. I am interested in the Mike Myers Canada book, and the I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi sounds fascinating. Thanks for the recommendations!

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    1. EROS: I'd be interested to hear an opinion of Myers' book from someone outside Canada.

      I laughed all the way through, especially since I recognized myself in his descriptions of Canadian ways.

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