Favor!te Film: Bridesmaids

Favor!te Album: Adele – 21; Jack’s Mannequin – People and Things

Favor!te Book: Just Kids by Patti Smith; Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling

Favor!te Designer: DVF, Tory Burch

Favor!te TV show: Homeland, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Up All Night, New Girl

Favor!te Twitterer: Mindy Kaling; Sophia Rossi, Khloe Kardashian

Who do you most want to smooch on New Year’s Eve? My husband, this is our first New Year’s Eve as husband and wife!

What do you want the most as a holiday gift? Garmin Forerunner GPS watch for running, so I can track my pace and distance accurately. I could have used one in the NYC marathon this year, so hopefully it will inspire me to run some big races in 2012.

Harry Potter Page to Screen by Bob McCabe   

Coming in at over 500 amazing pages, Harry Potter: Page to Screen opens the doors to Hogwarts castle and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to reveal the complete behind-the-scenes secrets, techniques, and over-the-top artistry that brought J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed novels to cinematic life.   

Buy Harry Potter Page to Screen or watch a video.   

How I Got This Way by Regis Philbin  

In this entertaining memoir, the irrepressible Reege—consummate talk-show host, man-about-town, loving husband, father, and yes, obsessive sports fan—looks back at his years in show business and is filled with stories of lessons learned—and elbows rubbed—with extraordinary, and often unsuspecting, teachers.  

Buy How I Got This Way or read an excerpt.  

 Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis by David Wills  

In Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis, David Wills has gathered spectacular, museum-quality work from Marilyn’s key photographers to create this dazzling portfolio of images from every period of Marilyn Monroe’s adult life, from her wedding day in 1942 till just weeks before her death two decades later, this stunning collection pays homage to her continually evolving style and extraordinary beauty.  

Buy Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis or read an excerpt.  

100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein 

100 Unforgettable Dresses is filled with the stories, secrets, intrigue, and insights behind the most indelible dresses in our collective memories. This book celebrates the staying power of these gorgeous, sleek, sultry, and outrageous creations as well as the lasting impact they’ve had in fashion, popular culture, and our own lives. 

Buy 100 Unforgettable Dresses or read an excerpt. 

Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon  

With unparalleled honesty, Dyan Cannon shares the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of her magical romance and stormy marriage to screen legend Cary Grant. He was the ultimate star, defining Hollywood glamour as well as cinematic achievement. She was a bright new actress, beautiful and funny. What could possibly go wrong?  

Buy Dear Cary or read an excerpt.  

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories by hitRECord and Joseph Gordon-Levitt  

To create The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1, Joseph Gordon-Levitt directed thousands of collaborators to tell tiny stories through words and art. Reminiscent of the 6-Word Memoir series, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1 brings together art and voices from around the world to unite and tell stories that defy size.  

Buy The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, read an excerpt or watch a video.  

Manolo Blahnik and The Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker by Camilla Morton, illustrated by Manolo Blahnik  

International bestselling author Camilla Morton reimagines the classic “Elves and the Shoemaker” fairytale, blending elements of famed shoe designer Manolo Blahnik’s life story into the fabric of the immortal “Once Upon a Time” favorite, complete with original illustrations from Blahnik himself.  

Buy Manolo Blahnik and The Tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker or read an excerpt.  

The History of the World According to Facebook by Wylie Overstreet  

Now, for the first time, a full-length history of the world, from its creation up through present day, as if Facebook had existed all along and Abraham Lincoln had written a status update about “taking the missus to the theater” and Ben Franklin had done the same alerting his network that he’d signed the Declaration of Independence. Filled with hundreds of real-life historical figures and thousands of not-at-all-real Facebook statuses, this is the definitive humor book for a new generation of scholars.  

Buy The History of the World According to Facebook or read an excerpt.  

The Art of The Adventures of Tintin by Weta Workshop  

Go behind the scenes and explore the movie-making magic that comes alive on screen in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film The Adventures of Tintin, shown through text, photos and illustrations from Weta Worskshop, the ground-breaking  and Academy Award-winning visual effects team.  

Buy The Art of The Adventures of Tintin or read an excerpt.  

Menagerie by Sharon Montrose  

Celebrated author and photographer Sharon Montrose presents a compendium of wild and domestic animal portraits displayed in unusual and innovative ways-the perfect gift for the legions of fans of cute animals everywhere.  

Buy Menagerie or read an excerpt.  

 The History of American Graffiti by Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon  

Unprecedented in scope, The History of American Graffiti is the definitive story behind the most influential art form of the last one hundred years. With more than one thousand photographs from more than two hundred photographers, The History of American Graffiti captures the look and feel of a genuine American art form with exceptional clarity and detail.  

Buy The History of American Graffiti or read an excerpt.

Forget owling.

Now there’s Tebowing.

It’s an homage to former Heisman trophy winner quarterback at the University of Florida and starting QB at the Denver Broncos, Tim Tebow.

According the the website, Tebowing.com, the act is defined as: to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone around you is doing something completely different. You can see more user-submitted photos on their site.

Tebow is well-known for his Christian beliefs. His book THROUGH MY EYES was a New York Times bestseller.

Here are 5 reasons to tune in…

 1. Kappo

Eddie Kaye Thomas plays David “Kappo” Kaplan, a nerdy high school classmate of Ben’s who’s hit it big in hedge funds. He’s at once desperate for Ben’s friendship and also trying to be as cool as he perceives Ben and Cam to be. You know Thomas best from his role as Finch in the American Pie franchise.

2. Music

From the opening credits, which features the song “I Need A Dollar” by Aloe Blacc, music supervisor Scott Vener (aka Broke Mogul, also behind the sounds of Entourage) establishes the soundtrack as a pitch perfect balance between the gritty streets of the Lower East Side, and Cam and Ben’s big time dreams of making it.  

3. Victor Rasuk as Cam Calderon

He started as Ben’s sidekick but as season two unfolds, he’s evolved, partly inspired by his crush on friend and shop-owner Lulu. As he gets out from underneath the reign of his neighborhood kingpin coustin Rene (played by Luis Guzman), he gets his own place (see #5) and he proves his metal as a hustler worthy of Ben’s artistic talents. 

4. Lake Bell

Her character Rachel Chapman started as the typical recent ex-girlfriend of Ben, but this season has evolved into a more complicated woman, hooking up with their mutual friend, dogwalker/pot pusher Domingo (played by Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi).

5. New York City

Not since Sex And the City has New York been such a powerful character in an HBO show. The city comes alive in all the ways that SATC, especially when Cam finally scores his own apartment, a vast improvement from his childhood bedroom that had a view of the dumpster-lined alley. His new pad has a terrace and views of the East River, a gem in the Harlem projects.

Why do you watch How To Make It in America?

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS ACQUIRES NEWMARKET PRESS NAME AND CATALOG

Esther Margolis to Join the It Books Imprint

New York, NY (October 24, 2011) HarperCollins Publishers today announced that it has acquired the rights to the majority of titles published by Newmarket Press. As part of the agreement, Esther Margolis, Founder, President, and Publisher of Newmarket Press, will join the HarperCollins It Books imprint as an Executive Editor, where she will continue to acquire entertainment-related books to be published under the imprint Newmarket Press for It Books. The move is part of HarperCollins’s continuing expansion in the areas of pop-culture and entertainment publishing. The changes are effective immediately.

“For years, Newmarket Press has been the industry’s leading publisher of film-related books. Its list of screenplays, making-of books, tie-ins, and other titles on cinema is second to none. Esther Margolis is a highly respected veteran of both the publishing and the film industries, with unparalleled relationships with countless studios and filmmakers. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in publishing to this audience will be an invaluable asset to the growing It Books list,” said Cal Morgan, Senior Vice President and Publisher, It Books.

“HarperCollins Publishers makes a great home for the Newmarket list,” said Margolis. “The resources of HarperCollins and the It Books team will allow the Newmarket backlist to flourish in all channels and formats while enabling me to add to the list going forward.”

Newmarket Press was founded by Margolis in 1981. During its 29 years, the imprint has published more than 200 books in the areas of film, theater, and performing arts, including official tie-in books for films that have garnered more than 300 Oscar nominations and nearly 100 wins. Newmarket Press is especially noted for its illustrated books on such films as Milk; The Matrix; Gladiator; Moulin Rouge; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Chicago; Sense and Sensibility; Saving Private Ryan; and Dances with Wolvesand for its acclaimed Newmarket Shooting Script® Series, including screenplays for King’s Speech, The Hurt Locker, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine; Sideways; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; American Beauty; and Shawshank Redemption, among others. Other notable Newmarket titles about moviemaking include The Jaws Log, Final Cut, and Making Tootsie.

In addition, the Newmarket Press list has included more than 100 titles in the fields of parenting, psychology, health, biography, history, business, and fiction, including such popular and acclaimed books as the two-million-copy bestselling What’s Happening to My Body? series of puberty education books by Lynda Madaras; Daphne Oz’s national bestseller The Dorm Room Diet; Suze Orman’s national bestseller You’ve Earned It, Don’t Lose It; Dr. Georgia Witkin’s The Female Stress Syndrome; Gene Hackman & Daniel Lenihan’s first novel, Wake of the Perdido Star; Stuart Avery Gold’s international bestseller Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond; Shalom, Friend: The Life and Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin, winner of the National Jewish Book Award in nonfiction; The Words of Gandhi and The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.; and six works by William Wharton. All non-film-and-entertainment-related Newmarket Press titles acquired by HarperCollins will be published as trade paperbacks under the William Morrow Trade Paperbacks imprint.

Esther Margolis received the 2008 Poor Richard Award from The New York Center for Independent Publishing, given to a publisher who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of independent publishing. A member of the Women’s Forum, the Women’s Media Group, and Writers Guild of America, Margolis serves on the Trade Executive Committee of the Association of American Publishers, and the American Advisory Committee of the Jerusalem International Book Fair. She originated Bantam Books’ publicity operation in the 1960’s, later becoming Bantam’s first division head for marketing, publicity and communications worldwide, and worked closely with such authors as Jacqueline Susann, Maya Angelou, Louis L’Amour, Gail Sheehy, and E.L. Doctorow.

About It Books
Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including the # 1 New York Times bestsellers Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern and Red by Sammy Hagar as well as Getting the Pretty Back by MollyRingwald, Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand, The Red Hot Chili Peppers by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss, All My Life by Susan Lucci and The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life by Maria Menounos. Upcoming publications include Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon and Beauty, Disrupted by Carré Otis. It Books is an imprint HarperCollins Publishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.

About HarperCollins Publishers
HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups around the world including the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children’s Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India. HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children’s books, cookbooks, mystery, romance, reference, religious and spiritual books. With nearly 200 years of history HarperCollins has published some of the world’s foremost authors and has won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott. Consistently at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, meet consumer demand and generate additional business opportunities. You can visit HarperCollins Publishers on the Internet at http://www.harpercollins.com.

Attention Harry Potter fans! You already know that we’ll be publishing a brand new book Harry Potter Page to Screen, which tells the complete story of how all eight films were made. It goes on sale October 25, but right now we have a special perk for anyone who’s already pre-ordered the book: through the link below, enter your proof of purchase from the store, and you’ll get exclusive access to never-before-seen 20 pages from the book. In addition, once you’re on the entry site, there’s one more bonus for you (maybe this?), so get going, already!

Click here to get access to the brand-new set of 20 pages:
I pre-ordered Harry Potter Page to Screen, now show me the exclusive excerpt!

And we don’t want to leave out anyone who may be waiting to get Page to Screen as a gift, so feast your eyes on and enjoy these additional 2 excerpts:
The Making of Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire
The Art of Harry Potter

Enjoy these sneak peeks, and we promise you, the full book is worth the wait!

Throughout her career, supermodel and actress Carré Otis has been celebrated for her striking physical beauty—but in this brazenly honest memoir she revisits the ugliest parts of her past to reveal the events that ultimately brought her to strive for, and champion, the kind of beauty that can only be found within. In Beauty, Disrupted, Carré details the triumphs and challenges of her career in modeling, her rise to fame on the covers of Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Marie Claire, her battle against eating disorders and drug addiction, and her infamous marriage to Mickey Rourke. Beauty, Disrupted is her inspiring and personal memoir, a story of difficult lessons learned and inner beauty rediscovered, by a woman famous the world over—not only for her face but, now, for her fighter’s spirit. 

See her here, as she gives a few thoughts on her book:

Amy: My Daughter by Mitch Winehouse

NEW YORK, NY (October 10, 2011) – It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today that it has acquired Amy: My Daughter, a heartfelt and revelatory memoir by Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father. Amy will be published worldwide in summer 2012.

 Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins, acquired North American rights for It Books. The deal was negotiated with Robin Straus of the Robin Straus Agency acting in conjunction with the Hanbury Agency in London. The book will be edited by Senior Editor Matt Harper.

The now-legendary life of Amy Winehouse needs no introduction. A multiple Grammy-winning recording artist, Amy touched millions with her music during her short but extraordinary life. Following her tragic death in July, Mitch Winehouse is now ready to tell the incredible story of the Amy the public never got to know and understand. From her mischievous early years, through her rise to stardom, to her much-publicized struggles with addiction, Mitch will bring the many layers of her life together—the personal, the private and the public—to create a fitting tribute to his beloved daughter and best friend.

All proceeds from the book will be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, the charity that Mitch has founded in Amy’s name to help children and young adults, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction.

“Amy Winehouse could have been anyone’s daughter,” said Lisa Sharkey. “She was Mitch’s pride and joy and he did everything he could to save her life. Now he celebrates her extraordinary talent by giving us insight into the woman that he and the world lost way too soon. This will surely be the definitive book about Amy. Nobody else could write it.”

Mitch Winehouse said, “I feel that I need to write this book to tell the true story of Amy and to help with my personal recovery. I also want to raise as much money as possible for Amy’s foundation, so all proceeds from the book will go directly to help children who are disadvantaged through illness and substance addiction. I believe that, through Amy’s music, her foundation, and this book, her name will live forever.”

In the United Kingdom, Nick Canham, Editorial Director, Harper Non-Fiction bought UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Maggie Hanbury at The Hanbury Agency. 

 About It Books: Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including the # 1 New York Times bestsellers Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern and Red by Sammy Hagar as well as Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand,  The Red Hot Chili Peppers by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss, All My Life by Susan Lucci, The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life by Maria Menounos, and current bestsellers Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon and Being Kendra by Kendra Wilkinson. It Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.

(photo from Associated Press)

Ringer – CW, Tuesdays at 9pm starting 9/13

Sarah Michelle Gellar makes her triumphant return to the small screen in this drama about  a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin sister after she disappears – only to learn that her sister’s seemingly perfect life is more complicated and dangerous than meets the eye. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect vehicle for SMG, I don’t know what you all are waiting for.

2 Broke Girls – CBS, Mondays at 8:30pm starting 9/19 (series premiere is at 9:30pm, before returning to regular slot on 9/26)

Kat Dennings finally gets her own show. You may know Dennings from her roles as brooding, sexed up teens in The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist. The show’s about two down-and-out waitresses – one from humble background (Dennings) and the other cut off from her wealthy family (relative newcomer Beth Behrs) – who work at a Brooklyn restaurant in hopes of saving up to open their own cupcake shop. Let’s hope the creators Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City creator) and comedian Whitney Cummings can deliver.

New Girl – Fox, Tuesdays at 9pm starting 9/ 20

Zooey Deschanel is invading our living rooms weekly! After a surprise breakup with her model boyfriend, she eventually finds a new place to stay when she moves in with three single guys, who try to teach her a thing or two about men and love.

Whitney – NBC, Thursdays at 9:30 starting 9/22

Chelsea Handler-regular Whitney Cummings stars in this eponymous comedy about a happy, committed relationship that’s not on the fast track to marriage. As Whitney takes stock of the relationship, she tries some unusual ways of spicing it and seeks help from friends around her.

Pan Am — ABC, Sundays at 10p starting 9/25

A stylized, sexy show about flight attendants and pilots in the ‘60s, starring Christina Ricci. The women are newly empowered in the feminist movement sweeping the country and they’re looking for the opportunity to see the world and grab it by the balls.

Hart of Dixie  – CW, Mondays at 9pm starting 9/26

A medical drama about a NYC doc (Rachel Bilson) who lands in backcountry Alabama when she can’t find a job. Exec producer is Josh Schwartz, the man behind the O.C., Gossip Girl, and Chuck.

Terra Nova  – Fox, Mondays at 8pm starting Sep. 26 (first episode is 2 hours)

This is more of a TV event than another Fall show. From Spielberg and Peter Chernin comes an epic story taking place in the year 2149. Life on Earth is near extinction and, in an effort to save the human race, scientists develop a time machine that takes settlers 85 million years back in time to prehistoric Earth. Terra Nova is the first human colony on the other side of the temporal doorway and it is in the middle of a group of carnivorous dinosaurs.

How to Be a Gentleman — CBS, Thursdays at 8:30p starting 9/29

An etiquette columnist is told to put a modern, sexy twist on his conservative column or be fired. He enlists the help of an old friend, reformed “bad boy” played by Kevin Dillon, who shows him how to loosen up. This should provide your fill of bro humor between reruns of How I Met Your Mother.

What will you be watching?

Uniqlo flagship store to come, 5th Ave at 53rd St.

Opening on Friday, October 14, the Fifth Avenue location (at the southwest corner of 53rd St.) will be the Japanese retailer’s largest global flagship store.  Yes, Fifth Avenue has plenty of flagship stores, but Uniqlo will be a great addition to It Books’s little stretch of the avenue, saving us from Hollister/Gap/H&M fatigue.  Come the holidays, tourists will no doubt choke up the sidewalks even more, but I for one am happy to have another mid-market shop.  And it’s always nice to see an empty store front find a new store to call it “home”!