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Tag Archives | books

"Early Burbank" book wins award

Shout-out to twin authors honored for book about Burbank

A shout-out to twin authors honored for a book about Burbank. , Erin K. Schonauer and Jamie C. Schonauer, identical twins, are a successful writing team. Back in April of 2014, their book, “Early Burbank,” was published.  Subsequently, the Schonauers held a book signing here in Burbank, at the Buena Vista Library. The event was covered by Media City Groove. “Early Burbank”, as you might have guessed, is about the early beginnings of the Media City. Today, the twins are being feted at a reception where they will... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Kaili Larssen Burbank mother/ Boys & Girls Clubs of Burbank & Greater East Valley fundraiser at Handy Market in Burbank May 7, 2016

Shout out to a Burbank mom on Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, especially working mothers like Burbank resident, Kaili Larssen.  Yesterday, Larssen was sitting out in the chilly morning under threatening skies in front of Handy Market 2514 West Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank. While some moms were being honored with pampering treatments like a trip to the day spa, or preparing for special engagements with family and friends, or just taking it easy, Larssen was trying to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Burbank & Greater East Valley. Larssen didn’t mind the... Read More →

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Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2016 poster

SoCal Scene: Festivals of books, music, art and beer

Saturday-Sunday April 9th and 10th — The largest literary festival in the country is gearing up for next weekend. The 21st Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is expected to draw thousands of bibliophiles to the USC campus. More than 500 authors, celebrities, musicians, artists, and chefs will engage and entertain. Among them: Buzz Aldrin, Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, Arianna Huffington, Holly Robinson Peete, and Henry Winkler. General admission to the festival is free, but there are fees for parking and to get into some... Read More →

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"More Cotswolds Memoirs" book cover

Burbank Beat: Downton Abbey, art festival, Annual Care Walk

Tuesday, March 29 — Behind the scenes at “Downton Abbey” at the Buena Vista Library , 300 North Buena Vista Street, begins 7 p.m. tonight.  English actress, comedy writer, and author, Diz White, will take the audience on a colorful , amusing, and visual journey of  Cotswolds, an area in south central England, where she has a cottage. Also White will include the filming locations for the popular PBS drama, “Downton Abbey,” and her experience meeting the cast. White is the author of several books... Read More →

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In the News graphic

In the News: March 21, 2016

Disney’s animation “Zootopia” beat back the competition to stay number one at the box office for the third straight week. Over the weekend, “Zootopia” pulled in an estimated $38 million at the domestic box office — kicking its total  to over $200  million. Worldwide, “Zootopia” is more than half way to the $1 billion dollar mark. ABC News, Box Office Mojo Apple is whipping up a lot of chatter on the Internet with the unveiling today of its new smart phone, a... Read More →

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showbiz clapper board clip art

Showbiz Buzz: Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and more

Superstar director/producer/actor, Clint Eastwood, has selected another project about a real-life hero. Eastwood has signed on to tell the story of pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who managed to land a crippled jet airliner, packed with passengers and crew, on New York’s Hudson River in 2009. Last year, Eastwood received accolades for “American Sniper” ( 2014) , which is about one of the most lethal snipers in U.S. history, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.  More details on the Hollywood Reporter Big time director, Steven Spielberg and wife/actress, Kate Capshaw... Read More →

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“Mother Rabbit” a memoir set in the Playboy empire

book cover for "Mother Rabbit" by  Tekla Dennison Miller

“Mother Rabbit” is based on the real-life adventure of a Bunny Mother at a Playboy Club back in the 1960’s, during the struggle between the old school mores and the new feminist views of women. The memoir is a collaborative effort between two sisters. Alyce Bonura who lived the adventure, then used it as a stepping stone to an MBA and a career as a Southland financial and tax expert. And Bonura’s  younger sibling author, Tekla Dennison Miller, who is a former prison warden.

The Burbank Central Library is hosting “Coffee and Conversation” with the author. A book signing is included as well. Both Miller and Bonura are expected to attend. More information at  http://www.burbank.lib.ca.us/event/2014/oct/mother-rabbit or call 818-238-5600.

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Joan Rivers' "Diary of a Mad Diva" book cover

Book Buzz: Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, and The Boss

Fans  of the late comic icon Joan Rivers are snatching up her books. Rivers latest, “Diary of a Mad Diva” jumped from 1, 416 to number 2 on Amazon’s best sellers list since her untimely passing yesterday. Rivers died in a New York hospital surrounded by family and close friends. A week earlier, Rivers was rushed to the hospital after developing complications during a medical procedure at an outpatient clinic. “Diary of a Mad Diva,” which debuted this summer,  is holding down the... Read More →

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Louis Zamperini World War ll hero

Rose Parade officials make announcement about passing of Louis Zamperini

Olympian, World War ll hero, and Southland inspiration, Louis Zamperini, died earlier this week at the age of 97. Universal Studios made the announcement  last Wednesday.  Zamperini reportedly died after a valiant struggle with pneumonia. Zamperini’s amazing life is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best seller, “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.” (2010). The book is being adapted into a movie with Angelina Jolie directing.  Just last May, Zamperini was selected as the... Read More →

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Amy Poehler new book cover for "Yes Please"

Amy Poehler has a new book coming out

   Actress and funny lady, Amy Poehler, has a new book coming out. “Yes Please” will be published by a new imprint of  HarperCollins called Dey Street Books. The “Today Show” website  was the first to reveal the book cover. Poehler reportedly will dish up advice about friendship, parenting, and oh yes, her experience in the rough and tumble entertainment biz. Poehler is the star of the hit NBC series, “Parks and Recreation.” The 42 year-old actress has appeared on the big screen... Read More →

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Jennifer Lopez photo courtesy NUVOtv

Jennifer Lopez has a new book deal for a memoir

Jennifer Lopez photo courtesy NUVOtv Entertainer Jennifer Lopez is on a roll. Last Sunday, J Lo picked up Billboard’s Icon Award. Now, comes the announcement that the singer has landed a deal for a new memoir, “True Love.” The Penguin imprint, Celebra, says the book will explore a  “… transformative two-year journey of how, as an artist and a mother, she confronted her greatest challenges, identified her biggest fears, and ultimately emerged a stronger person than she’s ever been.” The book will be released this October in... Read More →

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Dewey the dragon new mascot for Burbank libraries

Catching up: New mascot for Burbank library feted

The studious and very green new mascot for the Burbank library was unveiled at a ceremony last Wednesday. Dewey the Dragon is the creation of Burbank artist Chris Runco. Last March, the community development and leadership organization, Burbank Neighborhood Leadership Program, launched a contest to find a “creative mascot” to promote the city’s three library branches. They got more than a hundred entries. The unveiling of Dewey took place at the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank library.

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Photo:FLLewis/ Media City G -- Twin authors Jamie C. Schonauer and Erin K. Schonauer signed copies of "Early Burbank" in Burbank on April 26, 2014

Twin authors conduct book signings for “Early Burbank”

Identical twins, Jamie C. and Erin K. Schonauer, have a lot in common beyond their obvious appearance. They both like history and are talented writers who work in the children’s market. A little over a year ago, the Burbank residents decided to pen a book about the early beginnings of the Media City. It was published last month by Arcadia Publishing. In doing their research, the twins told me they “… interviewed local historians such as Erik C. Andersen from the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and... Read More →

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File photo courtesy People Magazine

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon to publish book together

Entertainers, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, have a new project together. The happily married twosome have signed on with Scholastic to published a children’s picture book, “Roc and Roe’s Twelve Days of Christmas,” featuring the couple’s twins Roc (Moroccan) and Roe (Monroe). “We are so excited to work with the Scholastic team on our Roc and Roe picture book and we can’t wait until this holiday season!” said Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey said in a news release. In the book, the twins put their own special spin on... Read More →

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Warner Bros logo

Warner Bros. and Harry Potter creator teaming up again

Warner Bros is hooking up with bestselling author/Harry Potter creator, J.K. Rowling. on a new film series. The project steams from Rowling’s world of witches and wizards and inspired by Harry Potter’s Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and the adventures of the book’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander, according to a Warner Bros Entertainment news release today. “Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’... Read More →

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"Chicken Soup for the Soul" book cover

“Chicken Soup for the Soul” headed for the big screen

Another major book series has been snatched up by Hollywood and is on track to be turned into a theatrical production. “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” the inspirational and uplifting book collection, reportedly has sold more than a  100 million copies. The original book of short stories, plus some bonus reads, hit book shelves this past June, to celebrate its 20th anniversary.  Now, comes word Alcon Entertainment has a deal to produce a movie based on the series, according to Deadline. Warner Bros is on board... Read More →

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colorful books clipart

Burbank Northwest Library: Officially open for business today

    Back in business! The Northwest Branch of the Burbank Library officially reopened to the public today. As reported here earlier here, the branch at 3323 West Victory Boulevard was closed last August for earthquake retrofitting, up grades, and general renovations. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held last Saturday. Great piece about the event by Joyce Rudolph on MyBurbank. The Northwest branch was completed in October of 1972, for around $195,000. How much did the new overhaul cost? Well, the... Read More →

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“Looking for love” contest: Win book contract, $10,000, and maybe get movie deal

  There are tons of talented writers in the Southland, especially here in the Media City, with all kinds of stories to tell. One of them could have just what Quirk Books is searching for through its “Looking for love” contest. Quirk is not on the prowl for the typical love story. This company likes to publish offbeat books like “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” which became a New York Times bestseller and is in development to become a movie. Another Quirk book, “Miss Peregrine’s Home... Read More →

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Beatle song to become a children’s book

  Ex-Beatle, Ringo Starr, will soon be a published children’s author. The rocker has snagged a deal with Simon & Schuster to turn his 1968 tune, “Octopus’s Garden” into an illustrated children’s book, according to a PR Newswire release. The song appeared on the Beatles album, “Abbey Road” (1969). The way the story goes, Starr composed the song while cruising on actor, Peter Seller’s yacht. Apparently the boat captain gave the Beatle drummer a lesson on how the octopus trawls the sea bed searching for shiny stones and... Read More →

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Burbank Rose Parade float 2013

The scramble is on to get those spectacular floats ready for the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2013. The theme this year is from the famous Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” The City of Burbank’s official entry is called, “Deep Sea Adventures.” The idea/concept is from Richard Burrow of Mission Viejo and it won first place in the Burbank float 2013 design contest. More on the Burbank float here.

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Photo courtesy PRNewsFoto/Dr.Phil

Dr.Phil’s new book “Life Code” and the new rules for being a player

Popular TV host and six-time New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Phil McGraw, has a new book being released tomorrow. “Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World” is supposed to empower readers to deal with the real world and how it works. “Life is a game – and you will either be a player or be the one played,” explained Dr. Phil in a PR news release. “Yesterday’s rules and expectations about relationships, emotions and interacting just simply don’t apply any more, not like they used... Read More →

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