We've all slipped into internet rabbit holes about our favorite songs, singers, and performances. Music can bind to our life moments, marrying melody to memory and imbuing that song or that band with impossible-to-explain meaning. For that reason, music—and the people who create it—can carry a mysterious magic: How did somebody just come up with the soundtrack to our summer, breakup, graduation, relationship?
To help answer that question, countless books have sprouted to explore the kaleidoscopic nature of music, its performers, and the people who love both. Like wading through an artist’s B-sides, there's plenty to dig into, depending on how niche you're willing to get. Below, we've compiled a starter reading list for music lovers, no matter your genre of choice. From novels about super fans and front-door girls to biographies about living icons and memories that spill the story behind the songs, these books belong in any music lover's library.
'Y/N' by Esther Yi
Have you ever maybe taken your celebrity crush a smidge too far? If so, have we got a novel for you. In this debut powerhouse, Y/N (your name) is a Korean American woman living in Berlin stuck on a hamster wheel of monotony—until she becomes transfixed with Moon, a singer in a popular K-Pop boy band. Powered by her desire, she begins to pen fan fiction as a way to realize her fantasies. When Moon abruptly retires, Y/N embarks on a hero’s journey unlike any other, resulting in a fever dream about fame, fandom, and fate.
'Madonna: a Rebel Life' by Mary Gabriel
Speaking of super fans, few artists have sparked generations of devoted followers like Madonna. Published last year, this exhaustive biography traces Madonna’s rise to stardom, beginning as she leaves her hometown in Michigan for New York City, where she bursts onto the stage. Mining troves of interviews and archives, Gabriel pens a comprehensive look at the singer’s illustrious career and enduring impact.
'Just Kids' by Patti Smith
In this moving memoir, Patti Smith, punk poet, godmother to grunge, and friend to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe recounts her unconventional foray into music during one of the most exciting times in rock ‘n’ roll history. The memoir also serves as a heartbreaking tribute to Mapplethorpe, who was a collaborator, conspirator, and constant in the quick-shifting arts scene. At its core, it's about youth, creative conviction, and the friends who encourage the unrelenting pursuit of one’s dreams. Keep a tissue nearby.
'Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music' by Marcellas Reynolds
This is the book your coffee table has been begging for. In photography, biographies, and interviews, Reynolds showcases the indelible impact that artists like Rihanna and Billie Holiday have left, whether it be through their music or outfits. But this isn’t a superficial page-flipper—it’s a compilation of resilience and perseverance that’s bound to inspire anyone who reads it.
'Lo Fi' by Liz Riggs
This debut novel will transport you to sweaty, messy nights spent seeing your favorite bands play. Meet Alison—Al—an aspiring songwriter who works the door at one of Nashville’s coolest music venues. But while she stamps the wrists of nightly concertgoers, she’s doing little to stoke her own talent, distracted by a could-be situationship, nightlife antics, and BIBs (boys in bands). But knotty love can inspire some of the best lyrics, and this book simmers with one-line zingers that boil into a can't-put-down stunner of a storyline that’ll have you speed reading to the last page.
'A Little Devil in America' by Hanif Abdurraqib
What does music tell us about culture? This humdinger of an essay collection examines how Black performances have infused and embroidered American identity and artistry as we know it. With a deeply personal twist and prose that will make your heart weep, Abdurraqib takes both short and wide viewpoints, untangling the relevance and necessity of artists like Wu-Tang Clan to Michael Jackson and Patti LaBelle.
'Daisy Jones & the Six' by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Some novels (and okay, TV shows) go viral for a reason. This is the case of Daisy Jones and the Six, the novel that stormed our bookshelves and our playlists, thanks to the infectious T.V. show soundtrack. Growing up in 1960s L.A. has its perks: Just ask Daisy, a generalized superfan who sneaks into Sunset Strip clubs when she should be at home or school. But playing hooky pays off: Daisy is nurturing a powerhouse of a voice, which catches the attention of drummer Billy Dunne and his band. As Daisy settles into the group, tensions flare and hits are recorded, leading to a major implosion that nobody saw coming.
'Night Train to Nashville: the Greatest Untold Story of Music City' by Paula Blackman
Known as Music City, Nashville is commonly referred to as the home of country music. And while that’s certainly true, it’s also one of the launching pads for R&B. This non-fiction book travels back to 1950s Nashville, where two men, E. Gab Blackman and William Sousa Bridgeforth catapult R&B music to the masses. While Blackman broadcasted the new sounds through his successful radio network, Bridgeforth welcomed groundbreaking acts to his club. This is a story of how music can bond, soothe, and instigate conversations that can lead to meaningful change.
'Decoding "Despacito": an Oral History of Latin Music' by Leila Cobo
There’s nothing quite like hearing about the rise of a musical genre from the people responsible for launching it. Such is the case in this tome, which uses some of the most memorable Latin songs as entry points to hear from the artists, producers, and executives who cemented the genre as a cornerstone of popular music.
'Music Is History' by Questlove
Arguably one of the most innovative—and let’s be real, coolest—dudes on the planet, Questlove graces us with a book tracing the history of Black music beginning in 1971 to present day. From disco to rap, this book broadens the conversation around Black music’s enduring influence, invoking renewed appreciation.
'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' by Dolly Parton
She’s had songs covered by Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and The White Stripes, among countless others. But who is Saint Dolly? To get an idea, it’s probably best to read her lyrics—and this book. Known for penning songs about just about every sort of location and situation, Parton reveals personal memories and stories that led to some of the most iconic music today.
'Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls: Women, Music and Fame' by Lisa Robinson
Though fame is an accomplishment that provides heaping privilege, it isn’t without its cruelties and drawbacks—especially if you’re a female artist. Pulled from over 40 conversations with performers like Tina Turner, Lady Gaga, and Alanis Morissette, this book investigates how some of the biggest badasses in music have navigated persistent double standards, aging in the public eye, business matters, systemic and domestic abuse, and so much more.
'The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes' by Elissa R. Sloan
What happens when one of the biggest girl groups breaks up? This novel imagines just that. From the first note, readers will be hooked as they witness this group’s meteoric ascent—and devastating collapse. Commenting on the harsh realities so many female artists encounter (see the previous book for more), this book peels back the layers on what it takes to survive in such a brutal industry.
'Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011' by Lizzy Goodman
Whether you lived it or wish you did, this oral history is meant for every indie sleazette wistfully glancing at their unused eyeliner and hair straightener. In this doorstopper, Goodman talks with band members from The Strokes, The White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and others, on the whiskey-soaked moment in New York City that rocketed rock ‘n’ roll back onto everyone’s playlists. Don’t blame us if you start reconsidering skinny jeans after reading this.
