Entertainment Picks from the American Writers Museum Team
Preferred Selections of AWM Team: November 2024
Delve into captivating literature, films, and music hand-picked by our staff! Our entertainment recommendations cover an array of genres and periods, ranging from classic to contemporary. Each month brings fresh recommendations for your reading, visual, and auditory pleasure.
Many of this month's staff picks are available on Bookshop.org, supporting independent bookstores. In addition, we strongly encourage you to support your local bookstore through personal visits or direct online orders.
"Carson the Magnificent" by Bill Zehme with Mike Thomas - A much-awaited biography chronicling the life of the iconic entertainer Johnny Carson, who transformed late-night television and American culture. The book offers an unfiltered look into Carson's life, completed by Mike Thomas following Zehme's passing in 2023. On November 19, join co-author Mike Thomas and Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune for a discussion about the book, Carson's legacy, and the co-writing process. Tickets are available for both in-person and virtual attendance (links provided).
"Fools Crow" by James Welch - A stunningly evocative portrait of Blackfeet Indians in the Two Medicine Territory of Montana during the late 1800s, facing encroaching white settlers. First published in 1986, this novel offers a compelling glimpse into a bygone era. Tune into the next episode of our Nation of Writers podcast, which will explore the life and legacy of James Welch.
"Jumanji" - Directed by Joe Johnston, this fantasy adventure film centers around two children who stumble upon an old board game, unleashing a man trapped within it for years. A remake of the 1995 original, the film stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. A special screening will be held on November 10 at 3:00 pm CT, with tickets now available. Visitors are also encouraged to explore our Level Up: Writers & Gamers special exhibit before or after the screening.
"Loch Ness Uncovered" by Rebecca Siegel - In this extensively researched book, Siegel debunks the myth of the Loch Ness Monster while offering a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation. The book, grounded in primary sources and interviews with key figures, provides a thrilling exploration of monster mania and the impact of fake news. Siegel spoke about her book recently on the AWM Author Talks podcast (see below for the episode link).
"Lover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers" by Suzanne Vega - A musical album inspired by Carson McCullers, whose writing is woven throughout the soulful songs. Vega's inspiration stems from a one-woman play about McCullers that she wrote and performed in 2011. The track "We of Me" is based on McCullers's book "The Member of the Wedding" (see below).
For more detailed discussions on our book picks, be sure to check out the Nation of Writers podcast, where we tackle topics such as James Welch's life and legacy, the Native American experience in "The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones, and the power of Indigenous representation with the book "Mapping Indigenous Presence." Visit the museum's website to find the podcasts and subscribe.
Enrichment Data
In May 2025, the American Writers Museum's Instagram posts frequently highlight their current recommendations, using a photo dated November 14, 2023 for illustrative purposes rather than listing that month's picks. To find the actual list of November 2023 recommendations, visit the museum's official blog or Instagram page. The inclusion of the November 2023 photo in posts primarily serves to emphasize the most recent recommendations rather than detailing past months' selections. For access to archived staff picks or current suggestions, the museum's blog is the best resource, while monitoring their Instagram page offers updates and highlights.
The author talks about "Loch Ness Uncovered" by Rebecca Siegel, offering insights into the book's content and the impact of misinformation, as discussed in a recent episode of the AWM Author Talks podcast.
Attend the talk on "Carson the Magnificent" by Bill Zehme with Mike Thomas, where co-author Mike Thomas and Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune will discuss the book, Carson's legacy, and the co-writing process, taking place on November 19 (tickets available for both in-person and virtual attendance).
Aside from these specific talks, the American Writers Museum offers a variety of book, film, and music recommendations through their Entertainment Picks, available on their website and blog.
