Book Review: A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap By Rob Reiner with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer (Gallery Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

Just when you thought you couldn’t get enough of Spinal Tap, director Rob Reiner puts into words the story of how perhaps the most referenced band of all time came to fruition, with the help of key players Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer for A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.

From each member’s early beginnings within the entertainment world, to how they each eventually came together in the ’70s and created the ultimate rockumentary with 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap (and all the false starts that occurred prior to it).

It also helps fill in all of the gaps between the original movie and its recent sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, including brief reunions and one-offs, and other pop culture appearances over the years (yes, their ’90s cameo on The Simpsons included, too).

But that’s not all; finish A Fine Line Between Stupid and Cleaver and flip it over and you’ve got Smell This Book, a fictional Q&A on the band’s history from each of their alter egos. Not as strong as the other side of the book, but entertaining in its own right.

I had to laugh when I had my own “Spinal Tap” – esque moments while building this very article and the initial photo I uploaded for it was smaller than an eighteen inch Stonehenge (if you know, you know!), not to mention the typo originally found in this very article’s title! Without a doubt, the legacy created by these four guys will continue to endure through the ages/until we’re all “Rockin’ in the Urn” like a Derek Smalls original.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Debbie Gibson – Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music (Gallery Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

I can’t say I was really listening to Debbie Gibson’s music when I was still a kid during her prime throughout the late ’80s, though it was impossible not to at least know of her (especially having three older sisters and several female cousins in their teens during the decade). But I’ll say it again – chances are if it has to do with music or pop culture (especially relating to the ’80s or ’90s), I’m likely there for it either way.

Debbie Gibson’s story is no exception. From growing up in front of audiences on the stage and screen, to becoming the youngest person to ever write, produce, and perform a track that topped the Billboard Hot 100 (one of the many facts I did not recall ever hearing prior to reading Eternally Electric), there’s no shortage of intriguing stories to engage readers.

You never expect to hear that on top of all that fame, Gibson was often experiencing crippling panic attacks behind the scenes (and that timeless smile). But its tidbits like this that make celebrities like her feel all that much more relatable/human, and I’m glad to have taken the journey; give it a try and you just mind come to the same conclusion yourself.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl By Rebecca Quin (Gallery Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

I knew going into it I would be reading through WWE star Rebecca Quin’s new biography with that distinct Irish accent of hers in my head the entire time. However I did not know realize just how relatable and likable I would find her as an actual person (and I can’t help but also draw some occasional parallels between her and my wife, who is also of Irish descent).

From an awkward kid with no real trajectory in life (weren’t we all at one point though?), to almost accidentally finding her path in the world of wrestling thanks to an older sibling, and eventually trailblazing her way to the top of the WWE as “The Man” Becky Lynch, there’s no shortage of inspiration for one to unpack with her story, which is no doubt filled with tenacity.

Fans and naysayers of wrestling alike often do not separate the individual in the ring from the actual human beings portraying their respective characters each night. Each and every time a tell-all life story such as The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl comes along, it’s a reminder of just how human these larger than life wrestlers can actually be.

Rating: 4/5 Stars