Best Books for Music-Lovers

Set during the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, a struggling marriage is rocked by an extramarital affair and violence. Jazz suffuses the narrative, both in the historical time period itself and as a metaphor for the turbulent, passionate lives of the characters.

As a music journalist for more than 40 years, Robinson interviewed the greatest of the greats, from Led Zeppelin to Eminem to Lady Gaga. She introduced David Bowie to Lou Reed, exchanged outfit critiques with Mick Jagger, and spent time with John Lennon at the Dakota before his murder. Her memoir offers a backstage, insider’s account to some of the legends.

It’s no surprise that when two music critics fall in love, music would be a important presence in their relationship. In the wake of his wife’s sudden death, Sheffield turns to the mix tapes they exchanged over the years, both to cope with his grief and to honor her memory.

The original source material behind the hit Broadway musical and the Oscar-winning movie adaptation. With its sweeping themes of social justice, redemption, love, and revolution, Les Miserables proves to be a timeless classic.

While not about music per se, Oliver’s lyrical prose has a cadence of its own. Though the collection is an ode to our canine companions, it has greater depth—an appreciation of nature’s beauty and the ephemerality of life. Oliver’s poetry is accessible but also thought-provoking.

A TV comedy writer and performer with the Upright Citizens Brigade turns a string of romantic escapades into this funny and raunchy memoir. One of the highlights is an unforgettable encounter with an indie rock musician.

This book covers MTV’s first decade, starting in 1981 (before the network started producing reality shows about pregnant teenagers). Composed of short oral histories from more than 400 interviews with artists, directors, video jockeys, and producers, it’s a behind-the-scenes tale of a new era in pop culture.