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news: ancient and not

Valerie Block, writer at large

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Tag Archives: What It Is

March Word of Mouth

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Valerie Block
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Music: What It Is: Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (1967-1977), from the Vaults of Atlantic, Atco and Warner Bros. Records. Various artists.

Comedy:  No Can Defend — Gary Gulman

Memoir: Year of Yes — Shonda Rhimes

Writing: The Forest for the Trees: an Editor’s Advice to Writers — Betsy Lerner

Essays: 100 Essays I Don’t Have Time To Write: on Umbrellas and Sword Fights, Parades and Dogs, Fire Alarms, Children and Theater — Sarah Ruhl

Movie: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny — Yuen Woo-Ping. Netflix.

Not-So-Ancient Inspiration: “Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” — William James

 

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Posted in Ancient, Music, Not ancient, Recommendations | Tagged Betsy Lerner, Gary Gulman, Sarah Ruhl, Shonda Rhimes, What It Is, William James, Yuen Woo-Ping | Leave a reply

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DON'T MAKE A SCENE

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"A funny, smart and beautifully written homage to movies, New York, love and all the other things that make life tolerable."
-- Gary Shteyngart, author of The Russian Debutante's Handbook and Absurdistan

Valerie Block uses tart humor in this fiercely intelligent look at how the movies shape and haunt us, and what happens when the eternal allure of classic movies collides with the daily indignities of contemporary life. DON'T MAKE A SCENE is a refreshing comedy about finding fascination, irritation and joy in unexpected places.

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NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS

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“Not only is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS a terrific mystery story; it'll also be the funniest book you've read all year.”
-- David Montgomery, Chicago Sun Times

From the living rooms of Park Avenue to the Pastrami King on Queens Boulevard, Valerie Block turns a sharp eye on New York in this sophisticated cocktail of bad manners and criminal behavior. NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS has something for everyone: high-tech embezzlement, petty office politics, emotionally demanding strangers, overworked cops, identity theft and bad attitude.

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WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID?

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“A true comedy of bad manners. . . an infectious celebration of neurotic love. Hands down, irresistible.”
— Sonja Kindley, ELLE

A comic love story about attraction, resistance and the absurdities of finding peace with another human being. It's not that they're made for each other, but perhaps they really do deserve each other.

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booksamillion.com

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