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I always look to your nonfiction list for books for my dad- I think I'm going to get him The Art Thief (which I'd also like to read myself!). Thank you!

Also, Carrere was my top non-reread and top discovery this year. I read Limonov (subtitle: The Outrageous Adventures of the Radical Soviet Poet Who Became a Bum in New York, a Sensation in France, and a Political Antihero in Russia). I picked it up because the director Serebrinnikov (responsible for one of my all time favorite movies, Leto, which I may have mentioned and highly recommend) released a film this year based on Carrere's Limonov. Since the film didn't appear to be available to the English speaking world in 2024, I decided to read the book, and I'm so glad I did and that Carrere was put on my radar. I definitely plan to read more by him. Have you read Carrere's The Kingdom? It appears to be a historical fiction of early Christianity. I'm planning to read that early next year if you're interested in comparing notes.

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Great to hear from you, Becky! From what you've told me, I think your dad would enjoy The Art Thief. I'm also giving it to a friend of mine for Christmas.

I think you did mention Leto. I've added it to my Letterboxd watchlist, but don't see a way to access it yet. I'll keep looking.

Yes, I definitely want to read more Carrere! V13 is a book I'm totally getting lost in, and I mean that in the best way. I just put The Kingdom on hold. I'm surprised the library has it! Yes, we should do a read-along!

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"Last Train" and "Careless Love" are the definitive Elvis biographies. Guralnick's many other books on music are also worth looking into: his biography of Sam Cooke, "Dream Boogie", is superb.

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I know I'll eventually pick up the Sam Cooke biography. I've got "Lost Highway" and "Feel Like Going Home" (both unread) on my Kindle. I hope to read at least one of those in 2025. Best wishes for your holidays!

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