Plume

More than 18,000 capsule movie reviews, with more than 300 new entries.

A leading economist, "who may very well turn out to be this decade's Thomas Friedman" (Wall Street Journal), illuminates the state of American food today Tyler Cowen, one of the most influential economists of the last decade, wants you to know that just about everything you've heard about how to get good food is wrong. Drawing on a provocative range of examples from around the globe, Cowen reveals why airplane food is bad, but airport food is improving, why restaurants full of happy, attractive people usually serve mediocre meals, and why American food has improved as Americans drink more wine. At a time when obesity is on the rise and forty-four million Americans receive food stamps, "An Economist Gets Lunch" will revolutionize the way we eat today--and show us how we're going to feed the world tomorrow.

Alida Nugent graduated college with a degree in one hand and a drink in the other, eager to trade in parties and all-nighters for "the real world." But post-grad wasn't the glam life she imagined. Soon buried under a pile of bills, laundry, and three-dollar bottles of wine, it quickly became clear that she had "no idea what she was doing." But hey, what twentysomething does? In "Don't Worry, It Gets Worse," Nugent shares what it takes to make the awkward leap from undergrad to "mature and responsible adult that definitely never eats peanut butter straight from the jar and considers it a meal." From trying to find an apartment on the black hole otherwise known as Craigslist to the creative maneuvering needed to pay off student loans and still enjoy happy hour, Nugent documents the formative moments of being a twentysomething with a little bit of snark and a lot of heart. Perfect for fans of HBO's "Girls" and Allie Brosh's "Hyperbole and a Half," and based on her popular Tumblr blog The Frenemy, "Don't Worry, It Gets Worse" is a love note to boozin', bitchin' ladies everywhere.

The bestselling author of "This Is Where I Leave You" returns with a hilarious and heart-rending tale about one familiy's struggle to reconnect. "Mistakes have been made." Drew Silver has begun to accept that life isn't going to turn out as he expected. His fleeting fame as the drummer for a one-hit wonder rock band is nearly a decade behind him. His ex-wife is about to marry a terrific guy. And his Princeton-bound teenage daughter Casey has just confided in him that she's pregnant--because Silver is the one she cares least about letting down. So when Silver learns that he requires emergency life-saving heart surgery, he makes the radical decision to refuse the operation, choosing instead to spend what time he has left to repair his relationship with Casey, become a better man, and live in the moment--even if that moment isn't going to last very long. As his exasperated family looks on, Silver grapples with the ultimate question of whether or not his own life is worth saving.

"The best, funniest, most revealing inside look at the restaurant biz since Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential."" --Jay McInerney "With a new foreword by Mario Batali" Joe Bastianich is unquestionably one of the most successful restaurateurs in America--if not the world. So how did a nice Italian boy from Queens turn his passion for food and wine into an empire? In "Restaurant Man," Joe charts a remarkable journey that first began in his parents' neighborhood eatery. Along the way, he shares fascinating stories about his establishments and his superstar chef par tners--his mother, Lidia Bastianich, and Mario Batali. Ever since Anthony Bourdain whet literary palates with "Kitchen Confidential," restaurant memoirs have been mainstays of the bestseller lists. Serving up equal parts rock 'n' roll and hard-ass business reality, "Restaurant Man" is a compelling ragu-to-riches chronicle that foodies, businessmen, and aspiring restauranteurs alike will be hankering to read.

The New York Times bestselling style guide from the cohost of "What Not to Wear" It's clear why "Women's Wear Daily "hails Stacy London as "the Dr. Phil of fashion." Since 2002, she's transformed hundreds of guests on TLC's hit show "What Not to Wear." But London has more than just impeccable taste. She has a gift for seeing the core emotional issues behind a disastrous wardrobe. By sharing her own struggle with self-esteem, London illustrates how style develops condence. Including invaluable fashion tips, advice, and a revelatory makeover section, "The Truth About Style" is for London's legion of fans--and everyone who longs to enhance and celebrate the body she has.

From A to Z, the Penguin Drop Caps series collects 26 unique hardcovers--featuring cover art by type superstar Jessica Hische It all begins with a letter. Fall in love with Penguin Drop Caps, a new series of twenty-six collectible and gift-worthy hardcover editions, each with a type cover showcasing a gorgeously illustrated letter of the alphabet by superstar type designer Jessica Hische, whose work has appeared everywhere from Tiffany & Co. to Wes Anderson's film "Moonrise Kingdom" to Penguin's own bestsellers "Committed "and "Rules of Civility." A collaboration between Jessica Hische and Penguin Art Director Paul Buckley, the series design encompasses foil-stamped paper-over-board cases in a rainbow-hued spectrum across all twenty-six book spines and a decorative stain on all three paper edges. Penguin Drop Caps debuts with an "A" for Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," a "B" for Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre," and a "C" for Willa Cather's "My antonia," and continues with more classics from Penguin. A is for Austen. Few have failed to be charmed by the witty and independent spirit of Elizabeth Bennet in Austen's beloved classic "Pride and Prejudice." Elizabeth's early determination to dislike Mr. Darcy is a prejudice only matched by the folly of his arrogant pride. Their first impressions give way to true feelings in a comedy profoundly concerned with happiness and how it might be achieved.

A gorgeous graphic tour of the inner workings of skyscrapers--from the author of "The Works" Indispensable and unforgettable, "The Heights" is the ultimate guide to the way skyscrapers work--from the bases of their foundations to the peaks of their spires. With skyscrapers becoming essential elements of urban life, there has never been a greater need for understanding and embracing these complex structures. Using innovative illustrations to tackle the vast complexity of these buildings, "The Heights" explores with remarkable insight every aspect of designing, building, and maintaining a modern skyscraper, as well as the individuals who build and maintain these architectural cathedrals. In the process, "The Heights" provides a remarkable snapshot of urban life at the dawn of the twenty-first century.

"Philosophy, economics, and biology have rarely been so entertaining." --Matt Ridley, author of "Genome" Paul J. Zak's proclivity for taking blood samples has earned him a nickname as the "vampire economist." But his sanguinary habit is backed by his scientic quest: What if there was a master switch for human behavior? On, and people are loving and generous. Off, and they revert to violence and greed. By studying thousands of blood samples, Zak has pinpointed just such a switch: a brain chemical called oxytocin. Sprinting around the globe and into the human brain, "The ""Moral Molecule" is a dazzling narrative as erudite and entertaining as bestsellers like "Flow," "Drive," and "Why We Love."

Required reading at Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School. Everyone wants to be more appealing and effective, but few believe we can manage the personal magnetism of a Bill Clinton or an Oprah Winfrey. John Neffinger and Matthew Kohut trace the path to influence through a balance of strength (the root of respect) and warmth (the root of affection). Each seems simple, but only a few of us figure out the tricky task of projecting both at once. Drawing on cutting-edge social science research as well as their own work with Fortune 500 executives, members of Congress, TED speakers, and Nobel Prize winners, Neffinger and Kohut reveal how we size each other up-and how we can learn to win the admiration, respect, and affection we desire.

They may slobber, but they’re loyal, sensitive, and affectionate. Dogs have a lot to teach us. Illustrator Patrick Moberg has assembled a beautiful, witty, and heartfelt collection of illustrated lessons in this charming guide to becoming a better person. Lessons include: Give and accept affection, freely and often. When someone kindly prepares food for you, devour it smiling like it’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten. Take naps. Let your friends know you miss them.

From the author of "The Last Magazine," a shocking behind-the-scenes portrait of our military commanders, their high-stake maneuvers, and the politcal firestorm that shook the United States. In the shadow of the hunt for Bin Laden and the United States' involvement in the Middle East, General Stanley McChrystal, the commanding general of international and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, was living large. His loyal staff liked to call him a "rock star." During a spring 2010 trip, journalist Michael Hastings looked on as McChrystal and his staff let off steam, partying and openly bashing the Obama administration. When Hastings's article appeared in Rolling Stone, it set off a political firestorm: McChrystal was unceremoniously fired. In "The Operators," Hastings picks up where his Rolling Stone coup ended. From patrol missions in the Afghan hinterlands to senior military advisors' late-night bull sessions to hotel bars where spies and expensive hookers participate in nation-building, Hastings presents a shocking behind-the-scenes portrait of what he fears is an unwinnable war. Written in prose that is at once eye-opening and other times uncannily conversational, readers of "No Easy Day" will take to Hastings' unyielding first-hand account of the Afghan War and its cast of players.

The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload

Aging is a gift that we receive with life and in "New Aging," " "the architect Matthias Hollwich outlines smart, simple ideas to help us experience it that way. "New Aging" invites us to take everything we associate with aging the loss of freedom and vitality, the cold and sterile nursing homes, the boredom and throw it out the window. As an architect, Matthias Hollwich is devoted to finding ways in which we can shape our living spaces and communities to make aging a graceful and fulfilling aspect of our lives. Now he has distilled his research into a collection of simple, visionary principles brought to life with bright, colorful illustrations that will inspire you to think creatively about how you can change your habits and environments to suit your evolving needs as you age. With advice ranging from practical design tips for making your home safer and more comfortable to thought-provoking ideas on how we work, relax, and interact with our neighbors, and even how we eat, "New Aging" will inspire you and your loved ones to live smarter today so you can live better tomorrow."

"The practical wisdom in George Leonard's book will have a great influence for many years to come." —Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom and The Future of the Body Drawing on Zen philosophy and his expertise in the martial art of aikido, bestselling author Gorge Leonard shows how the process of mastery can help us attain a higher level of excellence and a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our daily lives. Whether you're seeking to improve your career or your intimate relationships, increase self-esteem or create harmony within yourself, this inspiring prescriptive guide will help you master anything you choose and achieve success in all areas of your life. In Mastery, you'll discover: • The 5 Essential Keys to Mastery • Tools for Mastery • How to Master Your Athletic Potential • The 3 Personality Types That Are Obstacles to Mastery • How to Avoid Pitfalls Along the Path . . . and more

For readers of Rupi Kaur (Milk and Honey) and Cheryl Strayed, a book small enough to carry with you, with messages big enough to stay with you, from one of the most quotable and influential poets of our time. Andrea Gibson explores themes of love, gender, politics, sexuality, family, and forgiveness with stunning imagery and a fierce willingness to delve into the exploration of what it means to heal and to be different in this strange age. Take Me With You, illustrated throughout with evocative line drawings by Sarah J. Coleman, is small enough to fit in your bag, with messages that are big enough to wake even the sleepiest heart. Divided into three sections (love, the world, and becoming) of one liners, couplets, greatest hits phrases, and longer form poems, it has something for everyone, and will be placed in stockings, lockers, and the hands of anyone who could use its wisdom.