Megan O Russell Popular Books
Megan O Russell Biography & Facts
David Owen Russell (born August 20, 1958) is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. His early directing career includes the comedy films Spanking the Monkey (1994), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Three Kings (1999), and I Heart Huckabees (2004). He gained critical success with the biographical sports drama The Fighter (2010), the romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and the dark comedy crime film American Hustle (2013). The three films were commercially successful and acclaimed by critics, earning Russell three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, as well as a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for Silver Linings Playbook and a Best Original Screenplay nomination for American Hustle. Russell received his seventh Golden Globe nomination for the semi-biographical comedy-drama Joy (2015). Early life Russell was raised in Larchmont, New York, in an atheist, middle-class household. His parents worked for Simon & Schuster; his father, Bernard, was the vice president of sales for the company, and his mother, Maria, was a secretary there. His father was from a Russian-Jewish family, and his mother was Italian-American (of Lucanian descent). His paternal grandfather, a butcher from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, lost many of his relatives in concentration camps.When he was 13, Russell made his first film for a school project and used a Super 8 film camera to film people in New York City. He attended Mamaroneck High School, where he was voted "Class Rebel". He fell in love with film in his teens (his favorite movies included Taxi Driver, Chinatown, and Shampoo) but aspired to become a writer; Russell started a newspaper in high school and wrote short stories. As his parents worked in the publishing industry, he grew up in a household filled with books.In 1981, Russell received his A.B. degree from Amherst College, where he majored in English and political science. He wrote his senior thesis on the United States intervention in Chile from 1963 to 1973. Career Early career After graduating from Amherst, Russell traveled to Nicaragua and taught in a Sandinista literacy program. He worked in waitering, bartending, and catering. Some of his bartending colleagues included members of the Blue Man Group. He worked for a booksellers' association and later became a community organizer in Maine. He used video equipment to document slums and bad housing conditions, which later became a documentary of Lewiston, Maine. Russell was a political activist and canvassed and raised money in neighborhoods; he also did community work in Boston's South End. In addition to working in several day jobs, he began to write short films.Russell directed a documentary about Panamanian immigrants in Boston, which led to a job as a production assistant on a PBS series called Smithsonian World.In 1987, Russell wrote, produced, and directed Bingo Inferno: A Parody on American Obsessions, a short film about an obsessive bingo-playing mother. Two years later, he made another short titled Hairway to the Stars, which featured Bette Davis and William Hickey. Both shorts were shown at the Sundance Film Festival.After Russell made an award-winning short film for a Boston television station, he received grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Instead of the money going towards a feature about a fortune cookie writer, he decided to make Spanking the Monkey, a film about an incestuous mother-son relationship. As a result, Russell had to return the funds to the NEA.Spanking the Monkey, the 1994 independent dark comedy, was his first directorial effort. The film was produced by Dean Silvers, and starred Jeremy Davies as a troubled young man and Alberta Watson as his lonely mother. Despite the controversial subject matter, the film received critical acclaim and won him Best First Screenplay and Best First Feature from the Independent Spirit Awards, as well as the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. 1990s Flirting with Disaster His next project was the Miramax comedy Flirting with Disaster (1996), his second collaboration with Dean Silvers, and first with Harvey Weinstein. The film follows a neurotic man (Ben Stiller) who travels with his wife (Patricia Arquette) and a high-strung caseworker (Téa Leoni) to find his biological parents. The film also starred Mary Tyler Moore, George Segal, Alan Alda, Josh Brolin, Richard Jenkins, and Lily Tomlin. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, and was well received by most critics. Roger Ebert said of the direction, "Russell finds the strong central line all screwball begins with, the seemingly serious mission or quest, and then throws darts at a map of the United States as he creates his characters." Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a 'B' and declared it "one of the ha-ha funniest comedies currently at a theater near you."Three Kings The success of those two films led to the satirical Gulf War black comedy Three Kings (1999), starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze. Adapted from an earlier script by former stand-up comic John Ridley, the film follows three American GIs who devise a plan to steal hidden Kuwaiti gold during the 1991 Iraqi uprising against Saddam Hussein. Filmed in the deserts of Arizona, California and Mexico, and featuring actual Iraqi refugees as extras, Russell used several unique cinematic techniques to achieve a feeling of realism. He filmed using handheld cameras and Steadicam, and shot on Ektachrome slide photography stock that was cross processed in colour negative chemicals, to reproduce "the odd colour of the newspaper images [of the Gulf War]." He also insisted on filming all of the explosions in one shot, unlike a typical action film. Three Kings was released in 1999 and was his biggest critical and financial success. It grossed $60 million in the United States and over $100 million worldwide. It holds a 94% at Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus "Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War." It ended up being the first of several collaborations with Mark Wahlberg. 2000s I Heart Huckabees Russell's next project was the existential comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004). During pre-production in 2003, it was reported that Jude Law dropped the film to star in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige (2006), but after Russell headlocked Nolan at a Hollywood party, demanding that "his fellow director show artistic solidarity and give up his star in order to save Huckabees", Nolan dropped Law from his film. The film ended up receiving mixed reviews and failed at the box office, but collaborator Jennifer Lawrence called it her favorite David O. Russell film.Nailed Nailed is a political comedy co-written by Russell and Kristin Gore, and stars Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tracy Morgan, Catherine Keen.... Discover the Megan O Russell popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Megan O Russell books.
Best Seller Megan O Russell Books of 2023
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Ash of Ages
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Ash of Ages, the fourth and final book in Heart of Smoke, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. One choice will change the world. The In...
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Soul of Glass
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Soul of Glass, book two in Heart of Smoke, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Safety demands sacrifice. Torn from the only life she’s...
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Boy of Blood
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Boy of Blood, book two in Girl of Glass, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. The price of a lie will be paid in blood. Nightland’s attack sh...
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Son of Sun
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Son of Sun, the fourth and final book in Girl of Glass, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. The ruins of the city hide secrets Nola never im...
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Siege and Sparrow
Megan O'RussellFor the children beloved by the mountain shall be protected by her stone. The northerly wind carries the scent of blood, dragging secrets from the shadows and tearing allies apart...
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Heart of Smoke
Megan O'RussellThe Princess Trials meets The Hunger Games in this new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. One will betray her. One will save her. One will destro...
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The Bloodbound Knight
Megan O'RussellSome vows are made to be broken. With a hoard of forbidden knowledge on their side, Jerek’s crew holds the fate of the feu in their hands. But the line between victim and vil...
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The Girl Without Magic
Megan O'RussellEnjoy book one in a Paranormal Fantasy Dystopia series from Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Maggie Trent is dead. At least that’s what she thinks when she falls out of our wo...
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Eye of Stone
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Eye of Stone, book three in Heart of Smoke, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Paradise is a prison. After a lifetime spent imagining...
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The Cursebound Thief
Megan O'RussellThe world wants a hero. The curse needs a thief. The party of the decade stands between Jerek Holden and saving the people he would do anything to protect. After twelve years, he’s...
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The Girl Cloaked in Shadow
Megan O'RussellThe Girl Cloaked in Shadow is book three in The Chronicles of Maggie Trent, a Paranormal Fantasy Dystopia series from Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Forgiveness is beyon...
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The Dragon Unbound
Megan O'RussellEnjoy The Dragon Unbound, book three in The Tethering, a new contemporary fantasy romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Jacob and Emilia’s souls are bound together,...
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The Tethering
Megan O'RussellEnjoy The Tethering, book one in The Tethering, a new contemporary fantasy romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. All he wants is to win her love. A dark spell may s...
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Viper and Steel
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Viper and Steel, book three in Guilds of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Prisoner. Traitor. Murderer. Thief. The fate of Ilbrea has f...
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The Girl Locked With Gold
Megan O'RussellThe Girl Locked with Gold is book two in The Chronicles of Maggie Trent, a Paranormal Fantasy Dystopia series from Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. A warning to you once the wis...
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The Tethering
Megan O'RussellAll he wants is to win her love. A dark spell may separate them forever. ★★★★★ “It's the magic we loved in Harry Potter, but happening right here and right now.” ★★★★★ “A must ...
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When Worlds Begin
Megan O'RussellEnjoy When Worlds Begin, a collection of four seriesstarter novels, ranging from epic fantasy to dystopian paranormal romance, from YA author Megan O'Russell. Romance. Magic. Dange...
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The Oathbound Blade
Megan O'RussellSaving the world is a criminal's game. Their mission should have ended at the Museum of Magic. But fixing the Fracture took a deadly turn. A new enemy has emerged from the chaos, a...
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Night of Never
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Night of Never, book three in Girl of Glass, a new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. The world is ending. The fight for survival has only begun....
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Girl of Glass
Megan O'RussellThe Hunger Games meets The Twilight Saga in this new dystopian romance boxset. Two worlds. One glass wall. No turning back. The human race has been divided. The chosen few live in ...
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Siege and Sparrow
Megan O'RussellFor the children beloved by the mountain shall be protected by her stone.The northerly wind carries the scent of blood, dragging secrets from the shadows and tearing allies apart. ...
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Girl of Glass
Megan O'RussellThe Hunger Games meets The Twilight Saga in this new dystopian romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Two worlds. One glass wall. No turning back. The human race h...
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In Fire Born
Megan O'RussellThey were born to survive the end of the world. The Hunger Games meets The Princess Trials in this seriesstarter boxset. Three books. Three romances. Three unforgettable heroines. ...
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Ice and Sky
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Ice and Sky, book three in Ena of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Ancient magic lurks in the shadows. The Black Bloods’ home is more ...
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Feather and Flame
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Feather and Flame, the final installment of Ena of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Some battles cannot be won. The time has come to f...
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Tower and Grave
Megan O'RussellIn death their legend grows. The battle for Ilbrea’s soul has long been fought in the shadows, but as the sorcerers’ control of the Guilds is tested, deadly secrets force the Karro...
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Myth and Storm
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Myth and Storm, book two in Guilds of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. A failed rebellion will cost more than blood. Ice, storms, sorc...
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Three Simple Steps to Wizarding Domination
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Three Simple Steps to Wizarding Domination, book three in The Tale of Bryant Adams, a new humorous fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Three Simple Steps to...
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The Blood Heir
Megan O'RussellEnjoy The Blood Heir, the fourth and final book in The Tethering, a new contemporary fantasy romance series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. The Gray Clan has scattered. The ...
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Heart of Smoke
Megan O'RussellOne will betray her. One will save her. One will destroy her world. The Princess Trials meets The Hunger Games in this new paranormal dystopia boxset. Do the work, steal the goods,...
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Ember and Stone
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Ember and Stone, book one in Ena of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Ena never hoped for a peaceful life. She never dreamt she’d beco...
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Wrath and Wing
Megan O'RussellHome, love, safety. They are all a lie. Healing is a hanging offense, and Ena is done risking her neck to watch her patients die. Fleeing a future of blood and death, Ena braves th...
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Five Spellbinding Laws of International Wizadry
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Five Spellbinding Laws of International Larceny, the fourth and final book in The Tale of Bryant Adams, a new humorous fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. N...
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Inker and Crown
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Inker and Crown, book one in Guilds of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Ilbrea: A magnificent country that offers fame to those brave ...
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Mountain and Ash
Megan O'RussellEnjoy Mountain and Ash, book two in Ena of Ilbrea, a new epic fantasy series by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. The Guilds are not her only enemy. Ena has pledged herself to th...
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Ena of Ilbrea
Megan O'RussellEna of Ilbrea: The Four Book Saga is an epic fantasy collection by Young Adult author Megan O'Russell. Ena never hoped for a peaceful life. She never dreamt she’d become a killer e...