Steve Mason

Mason & Ireland on ESPN Radio. Lakers. Rams. Dodgers. Trojans. Host of the #CulturePop podcast. Father to 2 dogs --- Sophie & Fredo.

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Book Recommendations:

SM

Recommended by Steve Mason

@RealZzahh @LAIreland @BergmanGreg Favorite book of all time is #TheAlchemist by @paulocoelho. I have read it at least 20 times. I learn something new about myself every time. (from X)

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • OVER 80 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE “Translated into 80 languages, the allegory teaches us about dreams, destiny, and the reason we are all here.”—Oprah Daily, “Best Self-Help Books of a Generation” “It’s a brilliant, magical, life-changing book that continues to blow my mind with its lessons. [...] A remarkable tome.”—Neil Patrick Harris, actor A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new foreword by Paulo Coelho. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams. “A magical little volume.”—San Francisco Chronicle “[This] Brazilian wizard makes books disappear from stores.”—The New York Times “A sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike.”—Publishers Weekly

SM

Recommended by Steve Mason

Great conversation with @officialDannyT on the #CulturePopPodcast about his latest book “Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption & Hollywood.” He’s an L.A. Legend! #DannyTrejo Apple https://t.co/MHRkqKuqXL Spotify https://t.co/YzBO1adigG @Alicia_DelValle @BleedLosPodcast https://t.co/I9ikUjjeE3 (from X)

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “If you’re a fan like I am this is definitely the book for you.” —Pete Davidson, actor, producer, and cast member on Saturday Night Live “Danny’s incredible life story shows that even though we may fall down at some point in our lives, it’s what we do when we stand back up that really counts.” —Robert Rodriguez, creator of Spy Kids, Desperado, and Machete Discover the full, fascinating, and inspirational true story of Danny Trejo’s journey from crime, prison, addiction, and loss—it’s “enough to make you believe in the possibility of a Hollywood ending” (The New York Times Book Review). On screen, Danny Trejo the actor is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. He’s been shot, stabbed, hanged, chopped up, squished by an elevator, and once, was even melted into a bloody goo. Off screen, he’s a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend. Raised in an abusive home, Danny struggled with heroin addiction and stints in some of the country’s most notorious state prisons—including San Quentin and Folsom—from an early age, before starring in such modern classics as Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, and Machete. Now, in this funny, painful, and suspenseful memoir, Danny takes us through the incredible ups and downs of his life, including meeting one of the world’s most notorious serial killers in prison and working with legends like Charles Bronson and Robert De Niro. An honest, unflinching, and “inspirational study in the definition of character” (Kevin Smith, director and actor), Trejo reveals how he managed the horrors of prison, rebuilt himself after finding sobriety and spirituality in solitary confinement, and draws inspiration from the adrenaline-fueled robbing heists of his past for the film roles that made him a household name. He also shares the painful contradictions in his personal life. Although he speaks everywhere from prison yards to NPR about his past to inspire countless others on their own road to recovery and redemption, he struggles to help his children with their personal battles with addiction, and to build relationships that last. Redemptive and painful, poignant and real, Trejo is a portrait of a magnificent life and an unforgettable and exceptional journey.

SM

Recommended by Steve Mason

Why does the world love #zombies? @EW writer @ClarkCollis joins the #CulturePop podcast to talk about his new book “You’ve Got Red On You” about the @EdgarWright, @SimonPegg masterpiece Shaun of the Dead. Apple: https://t.co/nQ7uBhng5M Spotify: https://t.co/Zf7eKOe5hI https://t.co/2tS0sV9IPL (from X)

LIMITED FIRST EDITION contains red foil gilded page edges, foil cover elements, and a black satin ribbon marker. As featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, MovieMaker, SYFY, Fangoria, Yahoo's "It List", SFX, Mental Floss, Total Film, Mashable, and more! How did a low-budget British movie about Londoners battling zombies in a pub become a beloved global pop culture phenomenon? You’ve Got Red on You details the previously untold story of 2004’s Shaun of the Dead, the hilarious, terrifying horror-comedy whose fan base continues to grow and grow. After speaking with dozens of people involved in the creation of the film, author Clark Collis reveals how a group of friends overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to make a movie that would take bites out of both the UK and the US box office before ascending to the status of bona fide comedy classic. Featuring in-depth interviews with director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, and cast members Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, Lucy Davis, and Coldplay singer Chris Martin, the book also boasts a treasure trove of storyboards, rare behind-the-scenes photos, and commentary from famous fans of the movie, including filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth, Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero, and World War Z author Max Brooks. As Pegg’s zombie-fighting hero Shaun would say, “How’s that for a slice of fried gold?”