Rolling Stone founder pens rock 'n' roll memoir, David Milch's 'Life's Work': 5 new books

In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases. All books are on sale Tuesday.

For more new must-read book recommendations, check out our fall books guide of the 20 most exciting books of the season; our favorite books of 2022 so far; the most swoon-worthy rom-coms, including Julia Whelan's "Thank You for Listening" and Alexis Hall's "Husband Material"; and the juiciest celebrity memoirs released this year from Jennette McCurdy, Kenny Loggins, Christine Quinn, Jennifer Grey and more. 

To see what everyone else is reading, check out the USA TODAY Best-Selling Books list for this week's best sellers.

The answer might surprise you: Who has the No. 1 celebrity memoir of the past 10 years?

'Like a Rolling Stone'

By Jann S. Wenner (Little, Brown, nonfiction)

What it's about: The founder and co-editor of "Rolling Stone" takes readers back to the magazine's beginnings and into the lives and works of rock ’n’ roll legends including John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.

The buzz: Kirkus Reviews calls it "a frank, sharp memoir by a zeitgeist-savvy entrepreneur who ranks among the earliest of modern influencers."

'Life's Work'

By David Milch (Random House, nonfiction)

What it's about: The creator of "Deadwood" and "NYPD Blue" reflects on his life and art as Alzheimer’s starts to take hold. And what a wild life it's been: Milch began betting on racehorses and stealing booze at 8, was mentored by writer Robert Penn Warren, took a break from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop to manufacture acid, lost everything gambling, and made some of the greatest TV of his generation.

The buzz: A starred review for Kirkus Reviews calls it "a master class for writers and a backstage bonanza for TV fans rolled into one unforgettable package."

From TGIF to NSFW: 'Boy Meets World' star Maitland Ward talks breaking free from Hollywood for porn

'Lessons'

By Ian McEwan (Knopf, fiction)

What it's about: From the bestselling author of "Atonement" comes the epic but intimate story of one man's life over decades and set against historical events. Roland Baines, a precocious boy whose life ebbs and drifts, is forever shaped by a monstrous crime in his youth.

The buzz: A starred review from Kirkus Reviews calls it "a richly observed story that spans decades to recount lives of sometimes-noisy desperation."

'People Person'

By Candice Carty-Williams (Gallery/Scout Press, fiction)

What it's about: The author of "Queenie" returns with a story about the power of family. Dimple Pennington doesn't have anything in common with her half-siblings, but a dramatic event brings all four of them crashing into her life to reconnect with their absentee father.

The buzz: "This way-out combination of family drama, madcap plot, and political edge ends up being quite endearing," says Kirkus Reviews.

'I'm the Girl'

By Courtney Summers (Wednesday Books, fiction)

What it's about: When impoverished 16-year-old Georgia Avis stumbles upon 13-year-old Ashley James' dead body, she teams up with the dead girl's older sister Nora to find the killer and is swept up in a world of wealth and privilege.

The buzz: A starred review from Kirkus Reviews calls it "a bold, unflinching, and utterly enthralling novel."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David Milch's 'Life's Work,' Rolling Stone rock memoir: 5 new books