7 Musical Books

And a reading playlist + some favorite albums

Photo by Marius Masalar on Unsplash

Music is one of my first loves. When I was growing up, my parents always listened to the oldies station, so I was raised on a steady diet of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Three Dog Night, The Beach Boys, and The Supremes. I started taking piano lessons when I was about seven or eight and continued until my teens. I loved listening to music, playing it, and writing it, and I still do.

In today's post, I want to share some of my favorite books about music or musicians. After the books, I'm sharing a playlist and some of the albums I've had on repeat lately. I'm always looking for new music, so I'd love some recommendations in the comments. Let's get started with the books!

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones is an up-and-coming singer in the late 1960s. She’s beautiful and talented but struggles with drug addiction. Billy Dunne (who also has issues with substance abuse) is the lead singer/songwriter for a band called The Six, which he’s in with his brother and four others. When a producer realizes that Daisy and Billy are magnetic together, Daisy joins the band. Soon, the group becomes one of America's most famous rock bands.

Daisy Jones & The Six is written as an oral history, making it seem like every word is real. You might not think oral history about a fake rock band would result in a page-turner, but this novel is an addictive read from start to finish. It's utterly original and full of songs you'll wish you could hear. And now you can, thanks to the miniseries adaptation.

The Song Is You by Arthur Phillips

This novel was released in 2009 when people still used iPods. Julian is obsessed with his and uses music to connect with his past. After something tragic happens to Julian and his wife, he loses interest in everything, including music. It’s only when he hears Cait O’Dwyer sing in a bar one night that he starts to feel things again. 

The Song Is You follows Julian and Cait’s relationship through their correspondence. The ways Arthur Phillips portrays grief, longing, and marriage in this novel are raw and compelling. I remember one particular scene that made me physically ache. This book feels true, and I think that makes for the best fiction.

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

It’s 1988, and Frank, the owner of a small music shop in London, is getting pressured to start selling CDs. However, he’s devoted to his vinyl records and refuses to change. His life is a simple one, and he’s okay with that. But then, of course, there’s this girl. She walks into the store one day, and Frank (along with his friends in the neighborhood) is instantly captivated. She asks him to teach her about music, forcing Frank to face some painful memories.

The Music Shop is a sweet story that never feels saccharine. The supporting characters are colorful, the love story is heartfelt, and the music references throughout are delightful. If you had your heart broken by Daisy Jones & The Six and The Song Is You, this book will help put it back together.

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne

Here’s what I had to say about this book in last month’s reading recap:

My first concert was DC Talk and Jennifer Knapp. I had an Audio Adrenaline t-shirt that I thought was very cool. I loved Switchfoot with my entire being. These facts make me the perfect audience for God Gave Rock and Roll to You, an entertaining and insightful look at the Christian music industry.

Leah Payne is a professor of religious history who brings theological and historical lenses to her study of contemporary Christian music. Payne discusses the genre's biggest stars and those who had their reputations tarnished. She talks about the financial realities of CCM, and who was behind some of the most prominent artists and songs. What I found most interesting in this book was Payne's thoughts on how CCM shaped politics and the broader culture. The history of CCM and how it came to be was also fascinating. People who listened to CCM will enjoy this book the most, but those unfamiliar with it might still appreciate the informed deep dive into an industry that had a lot of influence on mainstream culture.

Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Meche is a teenager in the late 1980s. She isn’t cool and hangs out with two equally uncool friends, Daniela and Sebastian. The trio often listens to records, and one day, they realize that Meche has the power to cast spells through music. Flash forward to 2009 when Meche’s estranged father dies. She’s forced to return to Mexico City, where she grew up. She runs into Sebastian and is brought face-to-face with memories she’s tried to bury. 

Through these two timelines, readers learn about Meche’s musical power, how she uses it, and what happened with her family and friends to make her want to leave everything and everyone behind. This book is more fantastical than what I usually read, but I love it and wish it had a broader audience. (This title makes an appearance in my summer reading zine.)

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

I remember a time when Spears was seemingly everywhere. I picked up her memoir, unsure of what to expect, but what I got was a lot darker and more complicated than I assumed. Britney's struggles are no secret, but it was unsettling to read about how her incredible fame turned her into something for our consumption instead of a living, breathing human being. The Woman in Me is worth reading for no other reason than to think deeply about how society treats women and our expectations regarding fame and celebrity. I finished this book and was reminded that pain always results from stripping away someone's humanity.

The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present by Paul McCartney

I got this beautiful hardcover boxed set of Paul McCartney's lyrics as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. I may or may not have squealed when I opened it. The Beatles are one of the first bands I remember loving, so McCartney has always had a special place in my heart. This set is a beautifully done collection that's perfect to flip through for inspiration or to recall favorite tracks. I love it!

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I can’t end this post without recommending some music. First is a playlist I made for reading that’s full of slow, folksy songs that make for perfect background noise. Next are some newish albums I’ve been loving.

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What are some musical books you enjoy? What artists or albums should I listen to next? I’d love to hear your thoughts!