Oh, come on, admit it. You are just as fascinated by the world of movies and movie stars as I am. But instead of the celebrity gossip found in most supermarket rags, I much prefer the insight provided by those working in the industry itself, and A Star is Found is an exciting book filled with just such inside info into a world many of us only think we know.

Two of Hollywood’s biggest casting agents, Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins, tell us exactly what happens when “a star is born.” Their expertise casting some of the industry’s biggest stars in the biggest movies is evident as they tell us exactly what happens when a movie is cast, how stars and stars-to-be are found, and what they go through in order to get the one big role that might make their career.

We learn about casting sessions with such notables as Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Winona Ryder, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Connelly, and the Harry Potter kids, and we get some real insight into what casting agents look for in an upcoming star - and how they work with directors and producers to find just that right spark of talent to turn a role in a script into a role we will never forget, one that might even earn an Oscar. It’s hard to imagine some of the greatest movie roles being played by other actors, but the authors tell us just how close some stars came to not being cast in memorable parts, and just how different films would be if other contenders had been chosen instead for leading roles.

From the first casting meeting to the final phone call that says “You got the part!” this book is hard to put down, filled with great stuff on movie stars we all know and love and real behind-the-scenes access to the inner workings of just how difficult it is to cast a film. How gloriously thrilling it is to discover that the fresh-faced kid you cast in a small role in a new film ten years ago is now a huge star, adored by millions.

It’s the stuff movies are made of.