Why don't we actually talk about the books we read, perhaps with an eye to convincing others to read them?    Yes, another thread also tends in this direction, but often becomes just a listing--as this one seems to actually intend.   If not just a Mudcat version of Facebook "Friend"-counting.

I'm reading an excellent biography (not brand new) of Bing Crosby--early years--1903 to 1940. Title:      Pocketful of Dreams.   Author has a wonderful style.-- including all sorts of stories and pithy observations (e.g. "Prohibition was the government's gift to jazz.")   And when Bing was married the first time, it was "Dixie Lee Marries".   He was cited (in the New York Times) as Murray Crosey for the occasion.

Lots and lots of information on early jazz and early movies--and I'm only up to about 1931.