The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson by Robert Hofler (2005)

Subtitled The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson.  Painstakingly researched and exceedingly well-documented biography of the Hollywood agent who discovered, among others, Rock Hudson, Troy Donohue, Tab Hunter, John Saxon, etc. Fascinating look at old-school Hollywood, as well as Rock Hudson's personal story.

Making It On Broadway by David Wienir (2004)

Subtitled Actors' Tales of Climbing to the Top, this is a completely realistic look at the not-so-glamorous side of acting on Broadway—from dirty dressing rooms to audition nightmares to co-actor relations. Really interesting and sure to make any actor give his dreams of Broadway stardom at least a second thought.

Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman (2005)

Subtitled Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System.  Fascinating exploration of six 1990s-era directors and their work. Loved the backstage peeks, plus the dilemmas between producers and studio heads and the directors and their casts. And you know you've got some interesting personalities in play when Quentin Tarantino comes off as the sanest director around.

Blockbuster by Tom Shone (2004)

Subtitled How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer.  Written by a dry and witty Brit, this book is a response to Peter Biskind's Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and how he claimed the movie industry was ruined by the big blockbuster films. Shone takes a chronological look at the blockbuster and makes the point that maybe there's nothing wrong with fun, popular movies.

The Big Show by Steve Pond (2005)

Subtitled High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards , this is a dishy look at the production behind the last fifteen years of the Academy Awards broadcasts. Fascinating glimpses of the personalities involved, from producers to stars. Very fun for anyone who enjoys watching the Oscars each year, and answers the questions of 'why the heck did they do THAT?'.

Best In Show by John Kenneth Muir (2004)

Subtitled The Films of Christopher Guest and Company, this is an interesting look behind the scenes of the Guest productions. Interviews with actors and a wealth of info about the movies give real insight into how these movies are created, and why they're so darned good. A delight to read for any Guest enthusiast.

A Star is Found by Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins (2006)

Subtitled Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies.  Written by two casting directors in Hollywood, this is a gossipy, fun nonfiction about how films get cast and how important casting is to the movie business. They don't name names ALL of the time, but they do it enough to make it a very fun read.

You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried by Susannah Gora (2009)

Subtitled The Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation.  Compelling look at the making of the John Hughes movies, from writing to promotion to cultural impact. Full of tons of crazy, delicious trivia about the films--who got fired from which role, who didn't get along with anyone else, and so on.   Great fun.

The Great Movies by Roger Ebert (2002)

Ebert's take on the great movies is an enjoyable read. Ebert gives lots of interesting tidbits about each film and provides context for each film within film history.  Followed by The Great Movies II and III.  For the other side of film criticism, try I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie, which is a terribly fun collection of bad movie reviews. Few things are as delightful as a good bad movie review.

If Chins Could Kill by Bruce Campbell (2001)

Subtitled Confessions of a B-Movie Actor.  Bruce Campbell just seems like the coolest guy.  In his memoir, told with his self-deprecating sense of humor, Campbell shares all of his experiences working in film and tv from making backyard movies with the Raimis--and eventually the cult classic Evil Dead films--to starring on television shows. This book really shows what it's like to be a regular guy actor.  Completely hilarious regular guy actor, that is.

100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember--But Probably Don't by John DiLeo (2004)

There are a million books on the best films, but the great thing about this book is the focus on the actors' work.  The author outlines each performances (from gesture to expressions to line delivery) in great detail, with great enthusiasm. It's like going to the movies with DiLeo himself, and great fun.  Full of underappreciated gems, this is a total treat for movie lovers.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind (1998)

Subtitled How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood.  Look at American film in the 1970s. Filled with fascinating stories and insightful interviews.  Biskind writes wonderfully compelling books about film.

Colored Lights by John Kander and Fred Ebb as told to Greg Lawrence (2003)

Subtitled Forty Years of Words and Music, Show Biz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz, this is a series of conversations between Kander and Ebb about their work in musical theater, with small asides from Liza Minnelli and Hal Prince. Very insightful into the musical writing process, plus a little deliciously snarky about some performers.

Put on a Happy Face by Charles Strouse (2008)

Subtitled A Broadway Memoir, this is a lovely memoir by Broadway and film composer Strouse, who has seen it all in his years on Broadway. Wonderfully told--like sitting in a room with Strouse and hearing all his most interesting stories.

The Happiest Corpse I've Ever Seen by Ethan Mordden (2004)

Subtitled The Last Twenty-Five Years of the Broadway Musical.  His latest in a series of historical overviews of musical theater is, like the rest, opinionated and witty, and delightful reading for the musical fan.

Talking to Girls About Duran Duran by Rob Sheffield (2010)

Subtitled One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut, this is a collection of reminiscences framed around various pop songs of the 1980s. Charming and funny, with some very good writing on music and its effect on us.

Tab Hunter Confidential by Tab Hunter with Eddie Muller (2005)

A smooth, engaging autobiography with an incredibly natural and humble tone. The story follows Tab from his youth, to his life as a teen idol, to life as a working actor, to cult classic and elder statesman, sort of. He delves fully and realistically into all parts of his life, including his romances with women, and his homosexuality, and describes all of his affairs with admirable discretion. A lovely look at old Hollywood.