10 Best Performing Arts Books

The first book in twenty-five years from Jerry Seinfeld features his best work across five decades in comedy. Since his first performance at the legendary New York nightclub “Catch a Rising Star” as a twenty-one-year-old college student in fall of 1975, Jerry Seinfeld has written his own material and saved everything. “Whenever I came up with a funny bit, whether it happened on a stage, in a conversation, or working it out on my preferred canvas, the big yellow legal pad, I kept it in one of those old school accordion folders,” Seinfeld writes. “So I have everything I thought was worth saving from forty-five years of hacking away at this for all I was worth.” For this book, Jerry Seinfeld has selected his favorite material, organized decade by decade. In page after hilarious page, one brilliantly crafted observation after another, readers will witness the evolution of one of the great comedians of our time and gain new insights into the thrilling but unforgiving art of writing stand-up comedy.

“It may have wrapped up many moons ago, but the fact still remains that Friends is one of the world’s favorite sitcoms.” –Marie Claire Friends is back! Make each holiday season the one with over 40 keepsakes with the ALL-NEW Friends: The Official Advent Calendar. Friends: The Official Advent Calendar is the all-new holiday gift that’s perfect for the Friends superfan. Packed with 25 days of surprises and over 40 keepsakes, ornaments, and booklets, Friends: The Official Advent Calendar will be the most sought-after Friends gift this holiday season. There’s something for everyone in this set full of fun, nostalgia, and even a Holiday Armadillo surprise. The Definitive Friends Holiday Season Gift: New for 2020! Hot on the heels of Friends ‘ move to HBO Max, this 25-day advent calendar will add a dash of Friends -festive fun to your holiday season. Relive your favorite Friends moments with this dazzling selection of Friends -themed ornaments, trinkets, and keepsakes. Over 40 Friends Surprises: Uncover a new holiday surprise every day! Buttons, recipe cards, and many other holiday surprises are just some of the adorable gifts waiting in each of the 25 pockets. Build Your Friends Collection: Part of Insight Editions’ massively popular Friends collection, Friends: The Official Advent Calendar stands alongside Friends: The Official Cookbook, Central Perk Softcover Notebook, Friends Blank Boxed Note Cards, and many more gifts and merchandise.

This official behind-the-scenes companion to the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian features exclusive concept art, character and costume sketches, and vehicle and creature designs. The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian takes fans behind the scenes of the first ever live-action Star Wars television series . Filled with concept art, sketches, and interviews with key cast, crew, and creatives, including executive producer/showrunner/writer Jon Favreau and executive producer/director Dave Filoni, The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian will provide readers with an exclusive look at a whole new universe of Star Wars characters, locations, and vehicles. Premiering in November 2019 as a key launch title for Disney+, The Mandalorian follows the adventures of galactic gunslinger Din Djarin and the Child as they traverse the outer systems of the galaxy and evade remnants of the Empire. Readers will encounter early visual and conceptual ideas for these new characters and unexplored frontiers, filled with crime syndicates, bounty hunters, and smugglers. The gritty, lived-in cantinas and spaceports are populated by a talented cast that includes Pedro Pascal ( Game of Thrones ), Werner Herzog ( Fitzcarraldo , Grizzly Man ), Nick Nolte ( 48 Hours ), Gina Carano ( Haywire , Deadpool ), Giancarlo Esposito ( Breaking Bad ), and Carl Weathers ( Rocky ).

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is a landmark celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend. As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Parton’s personal and business archives. Mining over 60 years of songwriting, Dolly Parton highlights 175 of her songs and brings readers behind the lyrics. • Packed with never-before-seen photographs and classic memorabilia • Explores personal stories, candid insights, and myriad memories behind the songs Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics reveals the stories and memories that have made Dolly a beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries. Containing rare photos and memorabilia from Parton’s archives, this book is a show-stopping must-have for every Dolly Parton fan. • Learn the history behind classic Parton songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” and more. • The perfect gift for Dolly Parton fans (everyone loves Dolly!) as well as lovers of music history and country Add it to the shelf with books like Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton, The Beatles Anthology by The Beatles, and Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.

Create your own magic with this Harry Potter crochet kit! Create your own magic and conjure up these adorable figures of “the boy who lived” and his friends. All the spells you need to make amigurumi dolls of Harry Potter and Dobby are included: yarn, stuffing, needle and thread, safety eye beads, and the special magic wand crochet hook! A 76-page instruction book gives step-by-step directions to make ten more magical models, and the full- color photos will ensure your projects turn out completely enchanting.

“Wallace’s strong grasp of the mythos of this universe will satisfy the die- hard Star Wars fan and serve as a fine introduction to those taking a first- time dive into one of pop culture’s most important creations.” – The Washington Post “This book is a bonanza for fans, cosplayers, and prop builders who always wanted to get an up close and personal look at lightsabers seen in the Star Wars saga.” – SyFy Wire “With the holidays approaching, this would make an excellent gift for any Star Wars fan in your home and extended family. It’s one of the most exquisite books I’ve had the honor of reviewing” – WookieRadio “Each and every page in this book is absolutely beautiful!” – Anakin and His Angel “It’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing” – SWNN Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection is a comprehensive visual guide exploring the iconic and legendary lightsabers found within the Star Wars galaxy, featuring fan-favorite hilts from the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Star Wars Rebels , comics, novels, and video games. • Own the definitive lightsaber guide. This book features the hilts of characters such as Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Kylo Ren, Rey, Ahsoka Tano, and more. Learn about the creation and history of lightsabers from all of Star Wars , including Darth Maul’s double-bladed saber and the Darksaber. • Discover never before seen art and illustrations. Featuring photo- realistic renders of lightsabers from Star Wars animation and comics, including Ezra Bridger’s blaster-saber hybrid, the Grand Inquisitor’s spinning blades, and a new lightsaber from The High Republic, this book is a must-have for Star Wars fans.

Highest-rated new book of 2016 by Audible customers Winner: Audible’s Best of 2016 – Celebrity Memoirs In this award-winning Audible Studios production, Trevor Noah tells his wild coming-of-age tale during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a story that begins with his mother throwing him from a moving van to save him from a potentially fatal dispute with gangsters, then follows the budding comedian’s path to self-discovery through episodes both poignant and comical. Noah’s virtuoso embodiment of all the characters from his childhood, and his ability to perform accents and dialects effortlessly in English, Xhosa, and Zulu, garnered the Audie Award for Best Male Narrator in 2018. Nevertheless, Noah’s devoted and uncompromising mother–as voiced by her son–steals the show.