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The Castle on Sunset
The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont | Shawn Levy
A definitive history of Hollywood's most iconic, storied, and scandalous hotel. For nearly ninety years, Hollywood's brightest stars have favored the Chateau Marmont as a home away from home. An apartment house-turned-hotel, it has hosted generations of gossip and folklore: 1930s bombshell Jean Harlow took lovers during her third honeymoon there; director Nicholas Ray slept with his sixteen-year-old Rebel Without a Cause star Natalie Wood; Anthony Perkins and Tab Hunter met poolside and began a secret affair; Jim Morrison swung from the balconies, once falling nearly to his death; John Belushi suffered a fatal overdose in a private bungalow; Lindsay Lohan got the boot after racking up nearly $50,000 in charges in less than two months. Perched above the Sunset Strip like a fairytale castle, the Chateau seems to come from another world entirely. Its singular appearance houses an equally singular history. While a city, an industry, and a culture have changed around it, Chateau Marmont has welcomed the most iconic and iconoclastic personalities in film, music, and media. It appeals to the rich and famous not just for its European ambiance but for its seclusion: Much of what's happened inside the Chateau's walls has eluded the public eye. Until now. With wit and prowess, Shawn Levy recounts the wild revelries and scandalous liaisons; the creative breakthroughs and marital breakdowns; the births and deaths that the Chateau has been a party to. Vivid, salacious, and richly informed, his book is a glittering tribute to Hollywood as seen from inside the walls of its most hallowed hotel.
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IMASLOWREADER
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fascinating story about this hotel in my backyard #readinggoal #audiophile #readinglife

6 likes1 stack add
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IMASLOWREADER
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1 castle on sunset
2 cuddling under the covers with my fur babies
3 the boy the mole the fox and the horse
@rachelsbrittain #weekendreads #readerlife

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Aims42
Pickpick

I enjoyed this book so much! Learning not only about the history of the Chateau Marmont and its owners, but also some gossipy inside stories of the stars who stayed there was fascinating! I would definitely recommend to any fans of the ‘biographies of buildings‘ genre, and also Hollywood history fans as well 👍🏻

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Aims42
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1. Yes! Going to my in-laws for Thanksgiving day/meal. Hoping to read before we go (and probably while we‘re there. Let‘s be honest - when football is on, my tagged book will be out 😆) and after we get home. Then driving to see my family in Iowa on Friday for the weekend 🙌🏻

2. Green bean casserole & stuffing & mashed potatoes with gravy. Bring on the carbs!! 😂 #noshame

@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday - This was a fun one!!

TheSpineView Thanks for playing and happy Thanksgiving 2y
25 likes1 comment
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Aims42
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Started this interesting read and I feel like I should be drinking a gin martini or a sidecar with it 😆🍸🥃 Very interesting! I love this genre of biographies about buildings 👍🏻

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LeslieO
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This one fits in my new fav genre, biography of a building . #TBR #JulyJourneys #Castle

Eggs Great choice !! Must read!! 3y
RamsFan1963 Very entertaining book 3y
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mrp27
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#litsyspringbreak #castle

I‘m a big fan of old Hollywood and it‘s awesome films. I love the old time glamour of Hollywood‘s old hotels like The Roosevelt and The Beverly Hills Hotel, both which I‘ve been to for a cocktail in their hotel bars. These hotels have such a fascinating and storied past and this book is right up my alley and it‘s on my tbr. I‘ve yet to actually go inside and have my cocktail but the Marmont is def on my to do list.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Looks good!! 🏰 3y
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

After reading this book, I'm adding the Chateau Marmont to my bucket list of places to visit before I die. This is a fascinating history of the property from its origins in the 1920, through its heydays of the 40s and 60s, its decline through the 70s and 80s, until it's current rebirth started in the 90s. It's a gossipy book, lots of name dropping and scandals. 4 💥💥💥💥

Goal/Book 1 for #JoysofJune readathon.

#SetYourOwnGoals @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
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IamIamIam
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Pickpick

Despite the author's sophomoric writing style, this was a really interesting look at an iconic building that saw the rise of Hollywood and kept a great number of its secrets. I learned an awful lot about old Hollywood and the history of Sunset Strip.
#Booked2020 #SetInHollywood #Winter
@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

Cinfhen It‘s such an iconic landmark!! I‘m tempted to read this one but I think I might end up being underwhelmed. Maybe a Wiki article is enough 😜 4y
IamIamIam @Cinfhen I was a bit underwhelmed but not so much that I felt like giving up. I could have passed on the last renaissance through the 90s to today but the rest was really interesting! It's definitely for people with an interest in architecture and you absolutely need to be pretty familiar with early movie stars otherwise you'll be lost. 4y
Cinfhen Yeah, definitely a wiki article 😉😁 4y
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IamIamIam
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While a bit extreme, I will agree with Tony Randall in that nothing beats a leisurely walk through Central Park!
#Booked2020 #SetInHollywood #Winter
@cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

Cinfhen Book sounds fascinating!! How‘s it so far??? 4y
IamIamIam @Cinfhen I'm enjoying it much better than I'd like a hard boiled Hollywood noir mystery. He does get repetitive and uses a ton of old words and slang to evoke the time, I guess? I don't love it and I've found itself skimming a bit but not too much. It's really an interesting look at LA and the celebrity culture of early Hollywood without being trashy. I just finished up with John Belushi's overdose. 4y
Cinfhen Glad you‘re finding parts interesting. I think this might sit awhile before I pick it up. Appreciate your honest feedback 💜 4y
35 likes3 comments
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paisleyjess
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A book about a fancy hotel requires a fancy drink. It's almost too fancy to handle!

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IamIamIam
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There are more commas in this book than I've seen before... I've only just finished the introduction but it was noticeable even in those few pages!

#SetInHollywood #Booked2020 #Winter #nonfiction
@Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

IamIamIam @LiteraryinLititz Right?! Part of me wants to keep count... 😂 4y
j.rye ,,,,,,,,,,, hahaha 4y
See All 7 Comments
Geenie 🤣 hilarious 4y
IamIamIam @j.rye 😂,😂,😂,😂, 4y
IamIamIam @Yoshi-and-a-book LOL 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Dude. Step away from the commas. 😱😱 4y
40 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Verity
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Pickpick

The history of possibly the most famous hotel in Hollywood, which means it‘s also full of bite sized chunks of the stories of Hollywood legends. I really liked it.

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Verity
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It‘s been a week, so I treated myself to a new book (or two). And it‘s been such a week that they were both hardbacks that I really want to read and decided I deserved not to have to wait for the paperbacks/library!

Jeannineth I like to reward myself with books. It‘s better than food or wine. 5y
Verity @Jeannineth totally. Good for the brain *and* no calories 😉 5y
Lizpixie I just picked up Castle On Sunset from my library today! 5y
Verity @Lizpixie how are you getting on with it? 5y
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Levy writes a delightfully fun history of the Chateau Marmont, an icon to all things Hollywood and more. A tad gossipy in its telling, the narrative stretches from its construction to 2018, with various tales of happy times and sad times thrown into the mix. It‘s such an easy read, and my love of history is greatly piqued from this. Also satisfies the #SomethingWithHistory square for #Nonfiction2019

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds like a fun read! 5y
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JSW
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Good stuff. Just enough gossip to satisfy my voyeuristic soul, but also lots of Hollywood history too, and the history of the buildings and property and neighborhood. I would have liked more pictures of the rooms and architecture. Must read for anyone interested in Los Angeles.

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JSW
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Loving this Sunday afternoon lazy life. Donuts, coffee, and Hollywood gossip all afternoon 🍩☕️🤭

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Mrshawaii
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This book is fun!

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cherthom

Just started reading this

LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! #LitsyWelcomeWagon
5y
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 5y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👏🏻🎈 5y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy 📚☕📚 5y
6 likes1 stack add5 comments
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DarcysMom
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#Netgalley
#nonfiction2019

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Librarybelle
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“Chateau Marmont was more than a hideaway; it was a sanctuary.”

This quote really struck me this morning, and a conversation I had with a library intern today about anti-censorship and acceptance and diversity and openness at the library really tied in well with one of the chateau‘s former owners‘ philosophy. Interesting read!

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DarcysMom
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KaraWines That looks intriguing! 5y
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farre
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Pickpick

A nice bit of history on the infamous hotel. Just salacious enough without being too gossipy.

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NikkiRobson73
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I received some book mail yesterday ! So far it‘s a great book especially if you‘re a fan of history which I am !

TheRomantiCate I am dying to read this one!!! So so jealous!! 5y
NikkiRobson73 It‘s a good one ! 5y
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Bookish_B
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Tonight's book signing was for a book on one of my favorite hangouts, The Chateau Marmont. When the author came to me for personal stories of hanging out with celebrities I said, "Ok! Yes, of course I'll help you BUT I can't tell you all the stories because I have to save some for my memoir". Of course he agreed and I was happy to show up and support him tonight. (Please note the heartfelt personal dedication in the pic). Continued in comments

Bookish_B Now, some might say I never actually set foot in the Chateau Marmont and that even if tried I probably couldn't even afford the parking but those people are just jealous. Obviously 🙄 🤣😝 5y
GuiltyFeat I had drinks at the Chateau Marmont once. The Olsen twins were celebrating their 21st birthdays on the next table over. Good times. 5y
Bookish_B @GuiltyFeat fun! It's honestly just never occurred to me to go there! Maybe until now, lol. I pass by it often but it's just not the kind of place I'd think to casually have drinks at, you know? 😄 5y
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Brenda
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I started listening to this last night and don‘t want to put it down. The story of the historic Chateau Marmont is perfect if you‘re a fan of old Hollywood. 🎧📚

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balletbookworm
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Pickpick

A dishy yet understated history of the famous (infamous?) Chateau Marmont, a landmark hotel overlooking the Sunset Strip. Levy takes the history from bare ground covered in scrub and onions through the building‘s beginning as an apartment building, an out-of-the-way hideaway for Hollywood elite needing out of the spotlight, the run-down cheap-chic of the 1970s and 80s, and its reinvention as the playground of the entertainment industry A-list.

balletbookworm Lots of endnotes and citations. I would have loved more pictures though. 5y
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