Top Ten Tuesday - Newest Additions to My Book Collection

Today’s Topic; Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

Normally a list like this would be full of fiction, probably historical fiction. But since Christmas has just passed, many of the books on this week’s list were gifts centered around my other passion; classic cinema.

Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art, and High Fashion – I’ve developed an interest in costume design in recent years and Adrian was one of the best in his time. Plus he was married to an actress I really admire, Janet Gaynor, so I’m hoping to learn a bit more about their relationship.

Cecil B DeMille: The Art of the Hollywood Epic – Most people know DeMille as the director of biblical epics including The Ten Commandments, but he had a decades long career before that beginning in the silent era. He was always a showman, and I’ve wanted to learn more about him for a long time.

Norma Shearer: A Biography – Shearer is a favorite of mine and an underrated actress. She was one of the few who was successful in transitioning from silent to sound films. I’m especially intrigued about her life after the death of her husband MGM wunderkind Irving Thalberg.

Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming – Another favorite of mine, who couldn’t help loving Myrna Loy? She worked with some of the top talent in Hollywood and was famous for her partnership with William Powell, especially in The Thin Man series. I’m excited to read about her life in her own words

MGM Style: Cedric Gibbons and the Art of the Golden Age of Hollywood – I’ve yet to read anything about set design, another important aspect of a well made film. So I figured I should start with the best.

Miriam Hopkins: Life and Films of a Hollywood Rebel – I’ve had this bio on my list since it’s release a few years ago. Hopkins is an under appreciated actress who was particularly successful in naughty pre-code films. She famously feuded with THE Bette Davis, but also hob-knobbed with artists and intelligentsia. I’m already fascinated with her and looking forward to learning more about her.

Letters From Hollywood: Inside the Private World of Classic American Moviemaking – This offers a unique and personal glimpse into the lives of Hollywood movers and shakers in their own words through letters, memos and telegrams.My Autobiography Charlie Chaplin -I probably wouldn’t have bought this one, if it hadn’t been on sale. Not because I don’t respect Chaplin’s talent, but because he is not on the top of priority list for autobiographies. Still, I’m curious to read this film titan’s memoirs. But at 650 pages it may take me a while.

The Unknown Beloved – All of Harmon’s books are must-reads for me, so I pre-ordered her newest which releases in April. She’s written exceptionally well across several genres and I’m excited to see what she does with a historical mystery.

Pattern Artist – I added this one recently because it was available for free and because the cover caught my eye. Then I read the synopsis and thought the time and place settings were intriguing.