The Reading List: January ’13

Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ‘n’ Roll Group: a how-to guide (with illustrations)
By Ian F. Svenonius
(Akashic Books, paperback, $15)
Svenonius morphed his experiences as an underground rock musician into a how-to guide for starting and surviving a rock ‘n’ roll band, told through instructions, essays, an aerobics manual and a coloring book.
Out: Jan. 1

The Heroin Chronicles
Edited by Jerry Stahl
(Akashic books, paperback, $16)
Following the releases of The Speed Chronicles and The Cocaine Chronicles, this collection of stories delves into the most “literary” of drugs.
Out: Jan. 1

Girl Land
By Caitlin Flanagan
(Reagan Arthur Books, hardcover, $26)              
Caitlin Flanagan’s essays about marriage, sex, and families have sparked national debates. Now she turns her attention to girls: the biological and cultural milestones for girls today, and how they shape a girl’s sense of herself.   
Out: Jan. 12

Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party
By Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr.
(University of California Press, hardcover, $35)
Twelve years of archival research helped the authors produce this first comprehensive book on the Black Panther Party, its members, its leaders, and its resistance to the politics of the American government.
Out: Jan. 14

Hitchcock! Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho
By Stephen Rebello
(Soft Skull Press, paperback, $17)    
This tie-in to the current film starring Anthony Hopkins details the inside story of the making of Psycho, including interviews with the actors, writers, and crew from the classic Hitchcock movie.
Out: Jan. 15

Montrose (Images of America)
By Robert Newcombe
(Arcadia Publishing         , paperback, $22)
Newcombe, the co-author of Images of America: La Crescenta, catalogues the creation and evolution of the Montrose area from the land’s purchase in 1913 to its 100^th birthday this year.
Out: Jan. 21

Moneywood: Hollywood in Its Last Age of Excess
By William Stadiem
(St. Martin’s Press, hardcover, $27)  
Santa Monica-based author Stadiem chronicles the excesses of Hollywood producers in the 1980s, including Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Ray Stark.
Out: Jan. 15

The Death of Bees: A Novel
By Lisa O’Donnell
(Harper, hardcover, $26)        
This Scottish-born and L.A.-based author weaves together the stories of Marnie and Nelly, young girls who have just buried their parents in their back garden, and their older next-door neighbor, Lennie.
Out: Jan. 2

Burden of Truth (A Birdie Keane Novel)
By Terri Nolan 
(MIDNIGHT INK, paperback, $15)
The title character of a new series, Elizabeth “Birdie” Keane is an investigative journalist reeling from the death of her love, L.A. cop Matt Whelan. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death prompt Keane to find out the truth. 
Out: Jan. 8

The Aylesford Skull: A Tale of Langdon St. Ives
By James P. Blaylock
(Titan Books, paperback, $15)
The first novel in more than 20 years from one of the founders of modern steampunk, this story takes place in the summer of 1883 as Professor Langdon St. Ives searches for a skull taken from an Aylesford grave. Check out our review in the January issue of Los Angeles magazine.
Out: Jan. 15

No Character Limit: Truth & Fiction from WriteGirl
By WriteGirl
(WriteGirl Publications, paperback, $16)
This collection of personal stories, poetry, essays, scenes, and lyrics was written by 125 members of the WriteGirl program, which pairs at-risk teenage girls with professional women writers. Check out our review in the January issue of Los Angeles magazine.
Out: Jan. 12

Hollywood Forever
By Christopher Herz
(Amazon Publishing, paperback, $15)
Harold Hall has a nervous breakdown that’s caught on camera in a DMV office, and it boosts his popularity as an actor. When he lands a role that might make him a legend on a web show, he has to decide how far he will go for fame.
Out: Jan. 29