A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, a History, a Memorial

At the age of four, Nguyen and his family are compelled to leave their hometown of Ban Mê Thuột and seek refuge in the United States. Separated from his brother and parents, Nguyen is placed with another family before eventually reuniting with his own in San José, California. When Nguyen was nine years old, on Christmas Eve, he discovers that his parents had been shot while working at their grocery store, the SàiGòn Mới, a place where he sometimes assisted by pricing products. This traumatic event, coupled with his exposure to Vietnam War films, leads Nguyen to grapple with his dual identity as both American and Vietnamese, trying to reconcile the roles of both the perpetrator and the victim. As he delves deeper into his roots, particularly through meeting his adopted sister who remained in Vietnam, Nguyen gains a deeper understanding of the sacrifices his parents have made. Furthermore, as his parents age, he becomes increasingly concerned about their well-being, realizing that old wounds are resurfacing and causing them distress.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin): A Memoir

Sly Stone is widely regarded as a pioneer and an iconic figure within the music industry. He revolutionized the music scene by seamlessly blending various elements such as race, gender, pop, R&B, funk, and rock. As a gifted songwriter, he crafted unforgettable anthems like Everyday People, Stand, and Family Affair that defined the 1960s and ‘70s. Onstage, he mesmerized with his colorful costumes and electrifying persona. However, the man behind the legend remained an enigma...that is until now. In his much-anticipated memoir, Sly courageously opens up to finally reveal the untold story of his sudden disappearance from the limelight and the circumstances that led to it.

Worthy

In her memoir Worthy, Jada Pinkett Smith reveals some shocking revelations about her relationship with Will Smith. She candidly shares, “People haven’t always been privy to what was happening in our relationship,” she says. “I remember saying, ‘You be on one side of this house with somebody and I might be on the other side of this house with somebody, but we going to be in this house together. That's what we are going to do (People Magazine, 17 October 2023)." These revelations touch upon pivotal events like the controversial Oscar incident, the profound discussions on the Red Table, the intricate entanglement, and even her deep connection with the iconic Tupac. 

Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones

In an interview with Norah O'Donnell, Dolly Parton discusses her new fashion book, her new rock and roll album,  her preparations for her Thanksgiving halftime show, and her style, among other topics. During the interview, she revealed that she admired the style of the alleged town tramp in her neighborhood when she was a child and how she was determined to achieve that look.

Parton's book is a collaborative effort with her niece, Rebecca Seaver, and music journalist Holly George-Warren. It profiles some of her iconic outfits and wigs, and the stories behind them. The book includes 450 colored photographs of Parton's looks and outfits that span her sixty-year career.

The Woman in Me

The Woman in Me is a deep look into the look into the life of Britney Spears.  According to the L.A. Times, there are eight key takeaways from the book. (1). She wasn't addicted to alcohol. (2). Her relationship with Justin Timberlake. (3). Her head shaving incident. (4) Her relationship with her dad. (5). Her fight for her children. (6). Her conservatorship. (7). Her marriages. (8). Her resilience. 

Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed

Arthur Freed was a prominent movie producer in the 1940s. He was told that he had to meet up-and-coming starlet and singer, Lena Horne. Freed was initially reluctant but agreed to meet with Horne for fifteen or twenty minutes. In the middle of January 1942, Horne arrived at MGM Studios in Culver City for her audition. Neither she nor Freed was sure that anything would come out of the meeting. However, what should have been a fifteen to twenty-minute meeting ended up lasting for two hours and ended with Horne signing a seven-year contract with MGM and a $350 salary to start.

Although it was never explicitly stated, many Black entertainers lucky enough to be chosen by Hollywood transitioned from the clubs to mainstream stardom in studios or major theaters. This meant that Black stars had to appeal to and operate within the confines of a predominately white world while remaining appealing to paying Black moviegoers. One day, Horne was informed by the head of the NAACP that she was a test case for MGM Studios and others. Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed chronicles Lena Horne's life in Hollywood and how she was determined to be more than a test case.

Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond

Henry Winkler is known for his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli aka "The Fonz" on the sitcom, Happy Days. Many thought that Winkler would remain typecast in his iconic role. However, he proved the naysayers wrong. In his memoir, Winkler opens up about his childhood, his struggle with dyslexia, the downside of being an actor, and his determination to rise above being typecast. 

Charlie Chaplin vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided

By the time Charlie Chaplin was thirty years old, he had gained worldwide fame with his portrayal of "the Tramp," in movies. By the time he was fifty years old, his wholesome image took a downturn after the discovery of his many affairs during his marriages, after he was sued in a paternity case by actress Joan Barry, after accusations of him being a communist arose, and after his marriage18-year-old Oona O’Neill. 

The FBI conducted years of investigations. However, none of the investigations yielded any evidence of Chaplin being connected to communism. Further, Chaplin lost the paternity case although a blood test revealed that he was not the father of Barry's child. In 1952, more trouble was to come when Chaplin discovered that his U.S. visa had been canceled after traveling to England. He did not fight the charge and moved to Switzerland with his family, which by this time included O’Neill and their eight children. He only returned to the United States in 1972 to receive an honorary Oscar. This book exposes the FBI smear campaign surrounding Chaplin and his troubles