Livin On A Prayer The Untold Tommy Gina Story

Ah, the 80's anthem - "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi - the story of Tommy and Gina: two kids fighting the odds as they just try to give it a shot. In this story, however, Tommy doesn't work on a dock, and Gina doesn't work the diner all day. The thing is, every town has their own Tommy and Gina story. This one just happens to be a little more...unique. The seaside town of York, Maine is the backdrop to this tale, taking you from the 80s to the present day. This is not a Chicken Soup for the Soul type story. But, like soup, it contains many ingredients. Start with a 1/2 pot of Tommy - a Bon Jovi hairband-loving burnout. Add a 1/2 pot of Gina- a dressed-in-black, Cure-loving alterna-chick. Mix in plenty of 80's references then bring to a boil and stir. Add a splash of tragedy with a hint of that could never happen, could it? Sprinkle in a doctor who resembles Christopher Walken and who may or may not be in the mafia. Next, season with a little Mexican sidekick, a tablespoon of tenderness, a splash of a naughty Zumba instructor - at this point the mixture will stiffen. Finally, add three full cups of redemption, true love, and happily ever after! Garnish with yoga pants. In all seriousness, this book is a super-silly comedy, but with a big heart, and although it might be slightly more appreciated if you're from the 80's, it's definitely not a requirement. It's a fun, easy read that will keep you smiling and laughing the whole way though

A portrait of the late star of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch reveals his high-risk private life of tempestuous affairs, drug-fueled parties and motorcycle riding as well as his virtues as a devoted friend, loving father and steadfast captain. 50,000 first printing.

Spanning 25 years of serious writing on hip-hop by noted scholars and mainstream journalists, this comprehensive anthology includes observations and critiques on groundbreaking hip-hop recordings.

Pop music surrounds us - in our cars, over supermarket speakers, even when we are laid out at the dentist - but how often do we really hear what's playing? Switched on Pop is the book based on the eponymous podcast that has been hailed by NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly for its witty and accessible analysis of Top 40 hits. Through close studies of sixteen modern classics, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding shift pop from the background to the foreground, illuminating the essential musical concepts behind two decades of chart-topping songs. In 1939, Aaron Copland published What to Listen for in Music, the bestseller that made classical music approachable for generations of listeners. Eighty years later, Nate and Charlie update Copland's idea for a new audience and repertoire: 21st century pop, from Britney to Beyoncé, Outkast to Kendrick Lamar. Despite the importance of pop music in contemporary culture, most discourse only revolves around lyrics and celebrity. Switched on Pop gives readers the tools they need to interpret our modern soundtrack. Each chapter investigates a different song and artist, revealing musical insights such as how a single melodic motif follows Taylor Swift through every genre that she samples, André 3000 uses metric manipulation to get listeners to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," or Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee create harmonic ambiguity in "Despacito" that mirrors the patterns of global migration. Replete with engaging discussions and eye-catching illustrations, Switched on Pop brings to life the musical qualities that catapult songs into the pop pantheon. Readers will find themselves listening to familiar tracks in new waysand not just those from the Top 40. The timeless concepts that Nate and Charlie define can be applied to any musical style. From fanatics to skeptics, teenagers to octogenarians, non-musicians to professional composers, every music lover will discover something ear-opening in Switched on Pop.

People hunting people for sport--an idea both shocking and fascinating. In 1924 Richard Connell published a short story that introduced this concept to the world, where it has remained ever since--as evidenced by the many big- and small-screen adaptations and inspirations. Since its publication, Connell's award-winning "The Most Dangerous Game" has been continuously anthologized and studied in classrooms throughout America. Raising questions about the nature of violence and cruelty, and the ethics of hunting for sport, the thrilling story spawned a new cinematic subgenre, beginning with RKO's 1932 production of The Most Dangerous Game, and continuing right up to today. This book examines in-depth all the cinematic adaptations of the iconic short story. Each film chapter has a synopsis, a "How Dangerous Is It?" critique, an overall analysis, a production history, and credits. Five additional chapters address direct to video, television, game shows, and almost "dangerous" productions. Photographs, extensive notes, bibliography and index are included.

The Soundtrack to my Life trilogy is a creative blend of fact and fiction, drawn from my many memories of growing up in York Beach, Maine. The small seaside town continues to be the perfect backdrop for this lighthearted trilogy. Four years removed from The Empty Beach, this book takes place in the summer of 1999, where music continues to provide a nostalgic soundtrack to my life, my moods, and my constant pursuit of finding "it." By the time 1999 rolled around, many of my friends had moved on from the beach life. Most were married - some with kids - almost all with successful careers. For me, all of those boxes still remained unchecked, and to make matters worse, I was on the verge of turning the dreaded 30. I was depressed, jaded, and beaten down by the black cloud known as my life. It is said that 1999 was my "woe is me" summer. This was more or less true, with the exception of two weeks and the arrival of Anna Jensen from Iowa. It would be two amazing weeks that would change my life forever.