Today I continue my list of 365 Groovy Books Worth Reading (in random order). Click here for the previous 50 books - and click on a title for more information or to purchase a copy:

51) All About "All About Eve": The Complete Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made (2000) by Sam Staggs
"Fasten your seat belts" for one helluva ride as this delicious book tells all about the Academy Award-winning 1950 film and its brilliant cast - Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, Hugh Marlowe, Thelma Ritter and Marilyn Monroe.

52) A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages (2009) by Kristin Chenoweth (with Joni Rodgers)
The Tony Award–winning actress shares her journey from Oklahoma beauty queen to Broadway leading lady in this entertaining memoir.


53) How Long Has This Been Going On? (1995) by Ethan Mordden
This epic novel of gay life in the United States from 1949 to 1991 is one of my favorite works of fiction - and it would make a terrific TV miniseries.


54) Peyton Place: A Haiku Soap Opera (2013) by David Trinidad
Trinidad produces an amusing haiku for all 514 episodes of the 1964-69 ABC series as well as one for the TV movies, Murder in Peyton Place (1977) and Peyton Place: The New Generation (1985): "Ryan O'Neal fresh / from shower. Eyes glued to bare / chest, bulge in towel."


55) A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir (1996) by Frank DeCaro
DeCaro's funny memoir of growing up gay in the 1960s and '70s brings back fond childhood memories of watching The Partridge Family, H.R. Pufnstuf and Cher's variety show.


56) Patti LuPone: A Memoir (2010) by Patti LuPone (with Digby Diehl)
Angela Lansbury says it best: "Patti LuPone, with honesty and humor, gives a brave and candid account of an astonishingly unique and brilliant performer's journey to reach Broadway stardom" (and in case you're wondering, Patti does devote two entire chapters to the worst experience she's ever had in the theatre - Sunset Boulevard).


57) A Home at the End of the World (1990) by Michael Cunningham
This novel was one of the first Christmas presents I gave my husband way back in 1991 (we both enjoyed reading it). And Cunningham adapted his book into a 2004 film starring Colin Farrell, Dallas Roberts, Robin Wright and Sissy Spacek.


58) The Book of Lists (1977) by David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace
This book - which was the #5 non-fiction bestseller of 1977 - was initially banned in some prudish libraries due to a chapter on "Private Parts", which includes such lists as "6 Positions For Sexual Intercourse - in Order of Preference" (Man On Top is #1), "The Sexual Aberrations and Peculiarities of 20 Well-Known Men" (including Leonardo da Vinci and Napoleon) and "67 Renowned Homosexuals and Bisexuals" (including David Bowie and Elton John).


59) Flowers in the Attic (1979) by V.C. Andrews
I'm sure I wasn't the only teenager in 1979 who enjoyed reading this novel, which has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.


60) Moo (1995) by Jane Smiley
This enjoyable satire follows many characters - including a hog named Earl Butz - over the course of an academic year at a large Midwestern university.