2D z TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 z USA TODAY LIFE
In search of something good to read? USA TODAY’s Barbara VanDenburghscopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases.
- “Acid for the Children”
by Flea (Grand Central
Publishing, nonfiction, on
sale Nov. 5)
What it’s about: With wit
and candor, the bassist and co-
founder of the Red Hot Chili
Peppers tells the story of his
formative years, starting with
his childhood in Melbourne,
Australia, through his restless
adolescence and up to the
forming of his now-world-fam-
ous band.
The buzz: “Relentlessly
honest, untamed and often re-
velatory,” says Kirkus Reviews.
- “Little Weirds”
by Jenny Slate (Little, Brown
and Company, nonfiction,
on sale Nov. 5)
What it’s about: Actress
and comedian Slate (“Marcel
the Shell with Shoes On,”“Ob-
vious Child”) brings her brand
of whimsy and bracing honesty
to a bizarre nonfiction narrative
collection, touching on her
childhood, growing up in a
haunted house and divorce.
Impossible to categorize, much
like Slate.
The buzz: “The result is a
dazzling, sensory gift for poetry
lovers and fans of Slate’s dis-
tinctly odd, but deeply charm-
ing humor,” says Publishers
Weekly.- “The Witches Are
Coming”
by Lindy West(Hachette,
nonfiction, on sale Nov. 5)
What it’s about: The femi-
nist firebrand behind “Shrill” (a
memoir adapted into the rather
excellent Hulu series) returns
with a new collection of essays
written with her hilarious
brand of incisive social cri-
tique. The witches are coming,
and they’re coming for you.
The buzz: “Satirical, raw and
unapologetically real, West de-
livers the bittersweet truths on
contemporary living,” says Kir-
kus Reviews.- “The Starless Sea”
by Erin Morgenstern
(Doubleday, fiction, on sale
Nov. 5)
What it’s about:The best-
selling author of “The Night
Circus” spins a fantastical new
love story set in a secret under-
ground world of lost cities, pi-
rates and magic.
The buzz: “An ambitious
and bewitching gem of a book
with mystery and passion in-
scribed on every page,” says a
starred review on Kirkus Re-
views.- “In the Dream House”
by Carmen Maria Machado
(Graywolf Press, nonfiction,
on sale Nov. 5)
What it’s about: The ac-
claimed author of “Her Body
and Other Parties”writes a dar-
ing memoir, examining and de-
constructing a harrowing rela-
tionship with a volatile woman,
trying to make sense of what
happened by viewing it
through various narrative
tropes. A searing account of
one abusive queer relationship
viewed in the context of culture
and history.
The buzz:“‘In the Dream
House’ makes for uneasy but
powerful reading,” says a
eeegreview for USA TODAY.BOOKS
5 new titles not to miss:
Flea memoir, Jenny Slate
LOS ANGELES – Shia LaBeouf gave
an unusual, and profound, show of grat-
itude during his speech at
the Hollywood Film
Awards Sunday night.
LaBeouf gave credit to
the Savannah, Georgia,
police officer who booked
him for publicdrunken-
ness in July 2017 while
accepting a screenwrit-
ing award for his autobiographical film,
“Honey Boy.”
“I want to thank the police officer
who arrested me in Georgia,” said LaBe-
ouf, who carried on speaking over some
laughs from audience members who
thought he was joking. “For changing
my life.”
LaBeouf used time during his court-
ordered rehab to write the script.Now
sober, he went on to thank “my therapist
and my sponsor for saving my life,” as
well as “my parents for giving my life.”
LaBeouf attended the awards with
his mother, Shayna Saide, who tearfully
looked on as he accepted the award for
the film in which the actor plays his own
father looking back at his stormy child-
hood.
Robert Downey Jr. presented the
award to LaBeouf, praising “Honey Boy,”
which will be released Friday. Downey
called the screenplay “damn near per-
fect,” adding that it was “easily the best
and bravest film I have seen in years.”
Here are other highlights from the
Hollywood Film Awards:
zNicole Kidman presented a career
achievement award to her “Bombshell”
co-star Charlize Theron, who also pro-
duced the film. Kidman praised Theron,
who plays Megyn Kelly in the movie
about a group of women who take on
Fox News’ Roger Ailes, for her “commit-
ment” in getting the film made.
Theron thanked the “brave women”
depicted in the film “for stepping out to
do the right thing.” In a lighter moment,
she said hello to her two daughters,
Jackson, 7, and August, 3, who were “at
home wondering why I’m not watching
‘Mamma Mia’ with them for the 30th
time.”
z Al Pacino was feted for best sup-
porting actor for his Jimmy Hoffa role in
“The Irishman.” Pacino gave credit to his
“Godfather II” and “Heat” co-star Robert
De Niro for securing the new acting job
with director Martin Scorsese. It’s the
first time the legendary actor, Pacino
and Scorsese have worked together.
“Bob said, ‘How about Al as Hoffa,’
and Marty said ‘Yeah, OK. Is he OK?’ “
Pacino said from the podium. “And Bob
said ‘He’s a sweetheart.’ So I didn’t have
to audition. They gave me the part. I like
being called a sweetheart. So Bob got
me the role in ‘The Irishman.’ “
De Niro plays a hit man who works
closely Hoffa in the film in release at se-
lect theaters. (It will stream on Netflix
Nov. 27.) As far as working with the
great director Scorsese, Pacino admit-
ted, “It’s so weird we never worked to-
gether.”
zDakota Johnson presented the best
actor award to her stepfather, Antonio
Banderas, who was married to John-
son’s mother, Melanie Griffith, from
1996 to 2015.
Johnson grew tearful onstage talking
about life at home with the wildly enter-
taining Banderas and seeing firsthand
his “pure passion” to the character in
films such as “Zorro,” “El Mariachi” and
“Puss In Boots.”
“It was the most fun a kid could
have,” said Johnson. “We had ‘Shrek’
swag coming out of our ears. We loved
every second of it.”
Banderas, who stars in his eighth Pe-
dro Almodóvar film, “Pain and Glory,”
thanked Johnson from the stage for call-
ing him “Papi.”
“She still calls me Papi, And I love
that, you have no idea,” he said, adding
that the two are family even if his mar-
riage to Griffith has ended. “We had 20
years of family life that was beautiful,
but the best is still to come.”
Banderas also gave props directly to
his biological daughter with Griffith,
Stella, in the audience.
“No matter how many movies, or
stage productions, you have been my
best production,” Banderas said.ENTERTAINMENT
Shia LaBeouf thankful to
police for his 2017 arrest
Bryan Alexander
USA TODAY
LaBeouf