100 Best Composers Books of All Time (Updated for 2026)

1

Me

Elton John

5.0

In his only official autobiography, music icon Elton John writes about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the film Rocketman.

Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was on his first tour of America, facing an astonished audience in his tight

Recommended by Danny Baker.

Danny Baker

I can confirm: The Elton John Book is fantastic, captain. [source]

2

Just Kids

Patti Smith

4.7

In Just Kids, Patti Smith's first book of prose, the legendary American artist offers a never-before-seen glimpse of her remarkable relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in the epochal days of New York City and the Chelsea Hotel in the late sixties and seventies. An honest and moving story of youth and friendship, Smith brings the same unique, lyrical quality to Just Kids as she has t

Recommended by Malcolm Gladwell, Emma Watson, Seth Godin, and 3 others.

Malcolm Gladwell

Writer & Journalist

I finished it in one sitting, then wept. It's that good. [source]

Seth Godin

Author, Marketer, Entrepreneur

This is the single best audiobook ever recorded by Patti Smith. It is not going to change the way you do business, but it might change the way you live. It's about love and loss and art. [source]

Academic Batgirl

This book helped me to see how my life as an academic is artful and creative, and gave me renewed faith in embracing risks, innovation, and taking on art with love and strength even when it’s frustrating or “success” is not assured. Recommend! 8/end https://t.co/tkWtSVY6b9 [source]

3

Because

Mo Willems, Amber Ren

4.6

Mo Willems, a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, composes a powerful symphony of chance, discovery, persistence, and magic in this moving tale of a young girl's journey to center stage. Illustrator Amber Ren brings Willems' music to life, conducting a stunning picture-book debut.

Recommended by Bianca Schulze.

Bianca Schulze

It’s a bit of a profound story and it gives an understanding of just what hard work and perseverance can actually achieve for you. Also, how a moment in time can maybe be disappointing, but could actually turn into a lifetime of enjoyment. So, in the case of Because, had one little girl never made it to the orchestra concert, she may not have had a lifetime of music, which becomes a deep passion for her. [source]

4

Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad

M.T. Anderson

4.5

A 2016 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist

National Book Award winner M. T. Anderson delivers a brilliant and riveting account of the Siege of Leningrad and the role played by Russian composer Shostakovich and his Leningrad Symphony.

In September 1941, Adolf Hitler’s Wehrmacht surrounded Leningrad in what was to become one of the longest and most destructive sieges in

Recommended by Marc Favreau.

Marc Favreau

Symphony for the City of the Dead is, in brief, the story of the Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich and his Seventh Symphony, which he composed during the 444-day Siege of Leningrad by Hitler’s armies during World War Two. It’s an incredibly multilayered history and narrative, both fast-paced and readable. I recommended it to many of my adult friends who read serious nonfiction, because it delivers for any reader. [source]

5

Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen

4.5

“Writing about yourself is a funny business…But in a project like this, the writer has made one promise, to show the reader his mind. In these pages, I’ve tried to do this.” —Bruce Springsteen, from the pages of Born to Run

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Super Bowl’s halftime show. The experience was so exhilarating that Bruce decided to write about it. That’s how

Recommended by Andi Dumitrescu.

Andi Dumitrescu

I am currently reading: Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run, Einstein's Puzzle Universe, Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe and I am Ozzy. (I’m going through a physics and biographies period) [source]

6

Dragonsinger (Harper Hall, #2)

Anne McCaffrey

4.4

Pursuing her dream to be a Harper of Pern, Menolly studies under the Masterharper learning that more is required than a facility with music and a clever way with words.

7

The Masterharper of Pern (Pern, #15)

Anne McCaffrey

4.4

MasterSinger Merelan and Harper Petiron were a brilliant and devoted couple. Merelan was the most outstanding soprano ever heard on Pern, and was often the only one who could master Petiron's technically accomplished compositions. When, after a long and difficult birth, Robinton was born to them, it should have been the culmination of a unique partnership.

But Petiron, almost from the first day, ha

8

Tears of the Moon (Gallaghers of Ardmore, #2)

Nora Roberts

4.4

A talented songwriter, Shawn Gallagher spends his days lost in reverie and wonder, oblivious to the wiles of women and the ways of the world. He claims that he's content with his life, but his music tells a different story—one of loneliness and desperate longing…

No one understands why Shawn doesn't put his musical gift to profitable use—least of all Brenna O'Toole, a fiercely independent tomboy wh

9

Dragondrums (Harper Hall, #3)

Anne McCaffrey

4.4

Dragondrums is the coming of age story of Piemur, a small, quick, clever apprentice at Harper Hall. When Piemur's clear treble voice changes at puberty, his place among the Harpers is no longer certain.

10

Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes--A Memoir

Steve Gorman, Steven Hyden

4.4

Black Crowes drummer and cofounder Steve Gorman shares the band's inside story in this behind-the-scenes biography, from their supernova stardom in the '90s to exhilarating encounters with industry legends.

For more than two decades, the Black Crowes topped the charts and reigned supreme over the radio waves, even as hair bands, grunge, and hip-hop threatened to dethrone them. With hits like "Hard

Recommended by Jay Onrait and Steve Mcpherson.

Jay Onrait

@SGSFOX I had to wait until I read your book with @Steven_Hyden and love it and consider it one of the great rock bios ever and then and only then could I commit to a follow. [source]

Steve Mcpherson

I know I keep talking about it, but @SGSFOX's book is terrific. Went back and listened to Band after reading the chapter on it and with the context he provides, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite Black Crowes albums. [source]

11

Acid For The Children

Flea

4.3

The iconic bassist and co-founder of the Red Hot Chili Peppers tells his fascinating origin story, complete with all the dizzying highs and the gutter lows you'd want from an LA street rat turned world famous rock star.

Michael Peter Balzary was born in Melbourne, Australia, on October 16, 1962. His more famous stage name, Flea, and his wild ride as the renowned bass player for the Red Hot Chili Pe

Recommended by Louis Virtel.

Louis Virtel

In case you’re looking for all of @flea333’s wisdom, whimsy, empathy, and genius in one place, this beautiful book is the fix. Love him. https://t.co/tYJrIxqKFz [source]

12

Beastie Boys Book

Michael Diamond

4.3

A panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, a book as unique as the band itself--by band members ADROCK and Mike D, with contributions from Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and more.

Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in

13

One of Us Is Lying (One of Us is Lying, #1)

Karen M. McManu

4.3

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.

14

Crystal Singer (Crystal Singer, #1)

Anne Mccaffrey, Michael Whelan

4.3

Her name was Killashandra Ree. And after ten grueling years of musical training, she was still without prospects. Until she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild who could provide careers, security, and wealth beyond imagining. The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. But to Killashandra the risks were acceptable....

15

Why Beethoven Threw the Stew: And Lots More Stories About the Lives of Great Composers

Steven Isserlis

4.3

In Why Beethoven Threw the Stew, renowned cellist Steven Isserlis sets out to pass on to children a wonderful gift given to him by his own cello teacher - the chance to people his own world with the great composers by getting to know them as friends.

Witty and informative at the same time, Isserlis introduces us to six of his favourite composers: the sublime genius Bach, the quicksilver Mozart, Bee

Recommended by Meurig and Rachel Bowen.

Meurig and Rachel Bowen

Steven Isserlis is one of the most important cellists in the world at the moment. This book is made up of the biographies of six of his favourite composers. [source]

16

They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us

Hanif Abdurraqib, Dr. Eve L. Ewing

4.3

In an age of confusion, fear, and loss, Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib's is a voice that matters. Whether he's attending a Bruce Springsteen concert the day after visiting Michael Brown's grave, or discussing public displays of affection at a Carly Rae Jepsen show, he writes with a poignancy and magnetism that resonates profoundly.

In the wake of the nightclub attacks in Paris, he recalls how he sought re

Recommended by Saadia Muzaffar.

Saadia Muzaffar

Man, this is such an amazing book of essays. Meditations on music and musicians and their moments and meaning-making. @NifMuhammad's mindworks are a gift. Go find it. (thank you @asad_ch!) https://t.co/htSueYYBUT [source]

17

Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley

Peter Guralnick

4.3

Careless Love is the full, true, and mesmerizing story of Elvis Presley's last two decades, in the long-awaited second volume of Peter Guralnick's masterful two-part biography.

Last Train to Memphis, the first part of Guralnick's two-volume life of Elvis Presley, was acclaimed by the New York Times as "a triumph of biographical art." This concluding volume recounts the second half of Elvis' life in

18

The Story Orchestra: Four Seasons in One Day

Jessica Courtney-Tickle

4.3

Follow a little girl called Isabelle and her dog, Pickle, as they travel through the four seasons in one day. Accompanied by pieces from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, this first title in a series of sound books that bring classical music to life for young children.

19

Pimp: The Story of My Life

Iceberg Slim

4.3

Robert (Iceberg Slim) Beck's first book is told without bitterness and with no pretense at moralizing. It is the smells, the sounds, the fears and the petty triumphs in the world of the street pimp.

20

The Last Prodigy: A Biography of Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Brendan G. Carroll

4.3

This first full-length biography chronicles Korngold's life and works from his days as a celebrated Wunderkind in imperial Vienna, through his spectacular career as a composer of opera and symphonic works, to his escape from and Nazis to America, where he pioneered the symphonic film score and won two Oscars. The author provides a richly detailed evaluation of the composer, his relationship with t

21

I'm Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen

Sylvie Simmons

4.3

Leonard Cohen, one of the most important and influential artists of our era, is a man of powerful emotion and intelligence whose work has explored the essential issues of human life—sex, religion, power, love. Cohen is also a man of complexities and seeming contradictions: a devout Jew, who is also a sophisticate and a ladies' man, as well as an ordained Buddhist monk whose name, Jikan—"ordinary s

22

A Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann

Steven C. Smith

4.2

No composer contributed more to film than Bernard Herrmann, who in over 40 scores enriched the work of such directors as Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, François Truffaut, and Martin Scorsese. In this first major biography of the composer, Steven C. Smith explores the interrelationships between Herrmann's music and his turbulent personal life, using much previously unpublished information to illus

23

The Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

4.2

This is the book fans have been waiting for since Mother’s Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik first hit the charts: The first (and only!) official Red Hot Chili Peppers story—an oral and visual autobiography from one of the world’s greatest rock groups. Together, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Flea, and Chad Smith tell the 61-million-album selling band’s rollercoaster story, with anecdotes of their

24

Frederic Chopin (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Mike Venezia

4.2

Clever illustrations and story lines give children a light yet realistic overview of this composer's life and style and music.

25

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful

Bon Jovi

4.2

26

Straight Life: The Story Of Art Pepper

Laurie Pepper, Art; Pepper

4.2

Not for the faint-hearted, Art Pepper's autobiography is painfully honest as the great saxophonist describes a life of drugs, alcohol and the occasional foray into crime, having spent five of his best years incarcerated in San Quentin.

27

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Tupac Shakur

4.2

Tupac Shakur's most intimate and honest thoughts were uncovered only after his death with the instant classic The Rose That Grew from Concrete.

His talent was unbounded -- a raw force that commanded attention and respect.
His death was tragic -- a violent homage to the power of his voice.
His legacy is indomitable -- as vibrant and alive today as it has ever been.

For the first time in paperback, t

28

Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years

Julie Andrews

4.2

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In this follow-up to her critically acclaimed memoir, Home, Julie Andrews shares reflections on her astonishing career, including such classics as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and Victor/Victoria.

In Home, the number one New York Times international bestseller, Julie Andrews recounted her difficult childhood and her emergence as an acclaimed singer and performer on

Recommended by Graham Norton Show.

Graham Norton Show

#DameJulieAndrews' brilliant new book 'Home Work' is out now! 📕 #TheGNShow https://t.co/9C5i8x54Ht [source]

29

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service

Gary Sinise

4.2

New York Times Bestseller: The moving, entertaining, never-before-told story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.

As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports and rock 'n' roll than reading or schoolwork. But when he impulsively auditioned for a school production of West Side Story, he found his

30

Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer

Chely Wright

4.2

Chely Wright, singer, songwriter, country music star, writes in this moving, telling memoir about her life and her career; about growing up in America’s heartland, the youngest of three children; about barely remembering a time when she didn’t know she was different.

She writes about her parents, putting down roots in their twenties in the farming town of Wellsville, Kansas, Old Glory flying atop t

31

The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band

Tommy Lee

4.2

Whiskey and porn stars, hot reds and car crashes, black leather and high heels, overdoses and death. This is the life of Mötley Crüe, the heaviest drinking, hardest fighting, most oversexed and arrogant band in the world. Their unbelievable exploits are the stuff of rock 'n' roll legend. They nailed the hottest chicks, started the bloodiest fights, partied with the biggest drug dealers, and got to

32

Words Without Music: A Memoir

Philip Glass

4.2

A world-renowned composer of symphonies, operas, and film scores, Philip Glass has, almost single-handedly, crafted the dominant sound of late-twentieth-century classical music. Yet here in Words Without Music, he creates an entirely new and unexpected voice, that of a born storyteller and an acutely insightful chronicler, whose behind-the-scenes recollections allow readers to experience those mom

Recommended by Austin Kleon.

Austin Kleon

Devoured this one, and afterwards, was surprised it took me so long to pick it up. Glass writes about so many of my favorite topics: creativity, day jobs, parenting, lineage, etc. Totally accessible, and made me want to listen to more of his music. [source]

33

Taming Natasha (The Stanislaskis, #1)

Nora Roberts

4.2

Broken promises, shattered dreams

Natasha Stanislaski left youthful indiscretions far behind when she settled in rural West Virginia. Her way with children made her toy store a success; her fiery temperament kept men safely at bay. Then brash Spence Kimball and his adorable little girl joined forces to nudge their way into her shop...and her closely guarded heart.

Sensing that a hidden wound was wha

34

The Autobiography of Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane

4.2

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“As wild, unpredictable, and fascinating as the man himself. ” —Complex
“A cautionary tale that ends in triumph.” —GQ
“A revelation and a welcome addition to hip-hop’s literary legacy.” —All Hip Hop

The highly anticipated memoir from Gucci Mane, “one of hip-hop’s most prolific and admired artists” (The New York Times).

For the first time Gucci Mane tells his story in his own

35

Broken Crayons Still Color: Based on a True Story

David Weaver

4.2

Multi-platinum rapper Devin has it all. Money, cars, fame, women

36

The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star

Nikki Sixx

4.2

In one of the most unique memoirs of addiction ever published, Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx shares mesmerizing diary entries from the year he spiraled out of control in a haze of heroin and cocaine, presented alongside riveting commentary from people who were there at the time, and from Nikki himself. When Mötley Crüe was at the height of its fame, there wasn't any drug Nikki Sixx wouldn't do. He spen

37

Life

Keith Richards

4.2

The long-awaited autobiography of the guitarist, songwriter, singer, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Ladies and gentlemen: Keith Richards.

With The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the songs that roused the world, and he lived the original rock and roll life.

Now, at last, the man himself tells his story of life in the crossfire hurricane. Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Mu

Recommended by Harry Khachatrian.

Harry Khachatrian

Binged Keith Richards’ autobiography, LIFE in about 3 days. Great book! Highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in the Rolling Stones, blues, or music in general https://t.co/trzEHkvBgE [source]

38

Mozart, the Wonder Boy

Opal Wheeler, Mary Greenwalt

4.2

"Here, at last, is the new edition of Mozart, The Wonder Boy, that you have wanted for such a long time. The first book of Mozart, The Wonder Boy, had some delightful music, but you wanted still more, and here it is - thirty-five full pages of Mozart music that you will find at the end of the story. And now what a joyous time you will have as you give yourself a beautiful concert, playing the love

39

Never Enough (Brown Family, #4)

Lauren Dane

4.2

From the national bestselling author of Inside Out--a sizzling story of insatiable passion. Gillian Forrester spent her life running...until Miles came along. The moment she held her older sister's unwanted newborn, Gillian stopped running and began building a life for her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, Gillian's sister reveals the father's identity on her deathbed-a revelation that shake

40

Meet the Great Composers, Bk 1: Short Sessions on the Lives, Times and Music of the Great Composers, Book & CD

Maurice Hinson and June C. Montgomery

4.2

Each unit on a famous composer takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be used in group teaching, home school or as an assignment for individual upper elementary or middle school students. The Classroom Kit contains the book and CD combo and re

41

Famous Composers Sticker Book

Anthony Marks

4.2

A superb, illustrated account of the lives and works of the most respected and eminent classical composers through the ages.

42

Scar Tissue

Anthony Kiedis

4.2

Now in paperback, the New York Times bestseller by one of rock's most provocative figures Scar Tissue is Anthony Kiedis's searingly honest memoir of a life spent in the fast lane.

In 1983, four self-described "knuckleheads" burst out of the mosh-pitted mosaic of the neo-punk rock scene in L.A. with their own unique brand of cosmic hardcore mayhem funk. Over twenty years later, the Red Hot Chili Pe

Recommended by Ella Botting.

Ella Botting

Another book is Scar Tissue. I really resonate with those kind of stories, they stay with me and inspire me daily. [source]

43

How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

Sy Montgomery

4.2

National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery reflects on the personalities and quirks of 13 animals--her friends--who have profoundly affected her in this stunning, poetic, and life-affirming memoir featuring illustrations by Rebecca Green.

Understanding someone who belongs to another species can be transformative. No one knows this better than author, naturalist, and adventurer Sy Montgomery. To re

Recommended by Alvin Lindsay.

Alvin Lindsay

The 1 #book you MUST read to understand how to build a powerful personal #brand on the web today > https://t.co/uLzyBw429W #makeyourownlane https://t.co/s6qUc1gvUT [source]

Cover unavailable

44

The 50th Law

50 Cent

4.1

Preview Summary

The ultimate hustle is to move freely between the street and corporate worlds, to find your flow and never stay locked in the same position. This is a manifesto for how to operate in the twenty-first century, where everything has been turned on its head. Building on the runaway success of Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power (almost five million copies sold), the 'modern Machiavelli' teams up with

Recommended by Charlamagne Tha God and Ryan Holiday.

Charlamagne Tha God

Radio Presenter/The Breakfast Club

These are the books I recommend people to listen to on @applebooks. [source]

Ryan Holiday

Author

I also recommend The 50th Law, which while not technically a biography tells the stories of many such individuals and will stick with you just as long. [source]

45

The Pope's Maestro

Sir Gilbert Levine

4.1

46

Let Love Have the Last Word

Common

4.1

Common—the Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Golden Globe–winning musician, actor, and activist—follows up his New York Times bestselling memoir One Day It’ll All Make Sense with this inspiring exploration of how love and mindfulness can build communities and allow you to take better control of your life through actions and words.

Common believes that the phrase "let love have the last word" is not

Recommended by Robin Roberts and Wendy Kopp.

Robin Roberts

It was great sitting down with @common to talk about his new book #LetLoveHaveTheLastWord. Coming up @GMA he opens up about family...the power of love and moments from his childhood. Wait until you hear the multi-talented award winning artist do what he loves best...freestyling. https://t.co/ECxS34vbLn [source]

Wendy Kopp

Here @aspenideas. Incredibly moved by Common’s vulnerability and honesty and the love he projects — cannot wait to read his new book Let Love Have the Last Word. https://t.co/A7To998QtD [source]

47

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Dave Eggers

4.1

'When you read his extraordinary memoir you don't laugh, then cry, then laugh again; you somehow experience these emotions all at once.'

"Well, this was when Bill was sighing a lot. He had decided that after our parents died he just didn't want any more fighting between what was left of us. He was twenty-four, Beth was twenty-three, I was twenty-one, Toph was eight, and all of us were so tried alre

Recommended by Ev Williams and Amy Chua.

Amy Chua

His mother and father died within five weeks of each other, and at 21 he finds himself a single parent in charge of his eight-year-old brother. [source]

48

I Still Believe: A Memoir

Jeremy Camp

4.1

Christian recording artist Jeremy Camp has written songs that have touched millions of lives. His lyrics reveal a heart that’s been broken and a faith that has been tested and restored. In I Still Believe, Jeremy shares, with unflinching candor and emotion, the extraordinary story behind his award-winning lyrics. From his impoverished childhood, rebellious teenage years, and spiritual awakening at

Cover unavailable

49

Mozart

Maynard Solomon

4.1

On the occasion of Mozart's two hundred and fiftieth birthday, read Maynard Solomon's Mozart: A Life, universally hailed as the Mozart biography of our time.

50

George Handel (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Mike Venezia

4.1

Meet Composer George Handel!
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned composers, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).

51

The Noise of Time

Julian Barnes

4.1

A compact masterpiece dedicated to the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich: Julian Barnes’s first novel since his best-selling, Man Booker Prize–winning The Sense of an Ending.

In 1936, Shostakovitch, just thirty, fears for his livelihood and his life. Stalin, hitherto a distant figure, has taken a sudden interest in his work and denounced his latest opera. Now, certain he will be exiled to Siber

Cover unavailable

52

Johann Sebastian Bach (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Mike Venezia

4.1

Clever illustrations and story lines give children a light yet realistic overview of this composer's life and style and music.

53

More Myself: A Journey

Alicia Keys

4.1

An intimate, revealing look at one artist’s journey from self-censorship to full expression

As one of the most celebrated musicians of our time, Alicia Keys has enraptured the nation with her heartfelt lyrics, extraordinary vocal range, and soul-stirring piano compositions. Yet away from the spotlight, Alicia has grappled with private heartache—over the challenging and complex relationship with h

54

John Prine Beyond Words

John Prine

4.1

The first official book from award-winning songwriter, John Prine. In this book, John Prine curates a selection of his best loved songs. Included are lyrics, guitar chords, commentary from John and over 100 photographs - may never before published - from his personal collection.

John Prine has written songs that have become central to the American musical heritage. This former Maywood, Illinois ma

55

Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest

Hanif Abdurraqib

4.1

How does one pay homage to A Tribe Called Quest? The seminal rap group brought jazz into the genre, resurrecting timeless rhythms to create masterpieces such as The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. Seventeen years after their last album, they resurrected themselves with an intense, socially conscious record, We Got It from Here . . . Thank You 4 Your Service, which arrived when fans needed i

56

Beethoven: Biography of a Genius

George Richard Marek

4.1

This book is written by author of "Puccini
- aa Biography"; "Richard Strauss - The Life of a Non-Hero"; and, "Opera as Theatre". He dedicated Beethoven's biography "To the memory of Arturo Toscanini". Portrait of Beethoven shown is complete without the camera "flash". Contents and list of illustration will be sent on request.

57

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought)

Kathleen Krull, Kathryn Hewitt

4.1

It's no secret that Beethoven went deaf, that Mozart had constant money problems, and that Gilbert and Sullivan wrote musicals. But what were these people—and other famous musicians—really like? What did they eat? What did they wear? How did they spend their time? And—possibly most interesting of all—what did their neighbors think?

Discover the fascinating and often humorous stories of twenty famou

58

The definitive biography of P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742)?

Peter Schickele

4.1

What little-known son of a famous genius has been called:

"A musical blight"

"A one-man plague"

"History's most justifiably neglected composer"

"The worst musician ever to trod organ pedals"

"A pimple on the face of music"

In this long-awaited hoax, possibly the most unimportant piece of scholarship in over two thousand years, Professor Peter Schickele has finally succeeded in ripping the veil of obscu

59

Great Composers Coloring Book

John Green and Paul Negri

4.1

Music appreciation and imagination go hand-in-hand in this singular collection of images spotlighting Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Debussy, Stravinsky, Gershwin, Shostakovich, and other musical masters. Spanning three centuries of renown, the clothing styles and settings of each scene are meticulously rendered for historical accuracy. Captions accompany each illustration,

60

Once Upon a Rose (La Vie en Roses, #1)

Laura Floran

4.1

She stole his roses.

Fleeing the spotlight, burnt out rock star Layla—“Belle”—Dubois seeks refuge in the south of France. That old, half-forgotten heritage in a valley of roses seems like a good place to soothe a wounded heart. She certainly doesn’t expect the most dangerous threat to her heart to pounce on her as soon as she sets foot on the land.

He wants them back.

Matt didn’t mean to growl at her

61

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD

Russ

4.1

Instant National Bestseller! Wall Street Journal bestseller; USA Today bestseller; Publishers Weekly bestseller; international bestseller.

An inspirational book by self-made musical superstar, Russ, reminding you that it starts with YOU, to believe in yourself, and to get out of your own way.

Twenty-seven-year-old rapper, songwriter, and producer Russ walks his own path, at his own pace. By doing so

62

The Beautiful Ones

Prince

4.1

From Prince himself comes the brilliant coming-of-age-and-into-superstardom story of one of the greatest artists of all time—featuring never-before-seen photos, original scrapbooks and lyric sheets, and the exquisite memoir he began writing before his tragic death.

Prince was a musical genius, one of the most talented, beloved, accomplished, popular, and acclaimed musicians in history. He was also

63

Hurricanes: A Memoir

Rick Ross

4.1

The highly anticipated memoir from hip-hop icon Rick Ross chronicles his coming of age amid Miami’s crack epidemic, his star-studded controversies and his unstoppable rise to fame.

Rick Ross is an indomitable presence in the music industry, but few people know his full story. Now, for the first time, Ross offers a vivid, dramatic and unexpectedly candid account of his early childhood, his tumultuou

64

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany Hamilton

4.1

They say Bethany Hamilton has saltwater in her veins. How else could one explain the passion that drives her to surf? How else could one explain that nothing—not even the loss of her arm—could come between her and the waves? That Halloween morning in Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany responded to the shark’s stealth attack with the calm of a girl with God on her side. Pushing pain and panic aside, she began

65

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan, Brian Floca

4.1

A picture book about the making of Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring, her most famous dance performance

Martha Graham : trailblazing choreographer

Aaron Copland : distinguished American composer

Isamu Noguchi : artist, sculptor, craftsman

Award-winning authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan tell the story behind the scenes of the collaboration that created APPALACHIAN SPRING, from its inception thro

66

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

Eben Alexander

4.1

Thousands of people have had near-death experiences, but scientists have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those scientists. A highly trained neurosurgeon, Alexander knew that NDEs feel real, but are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.

Then, Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by a rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and em

Cover unavailable

67

Me & Patsy Kickin' Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline

Dolly Parton

4.1

Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust shares the never-before-told complete story of the remarkable relationship between country music icons Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.

Loretta Lynn and the late Patsy Cline are legends--country icons and sisters of the heart. For the first time ever Loretta tells their story: a celebration of their music and their relationship up until Patsy’s tragic and untimely death.

Full

68

Beethoven

Marion M. Scott

4.1

69

The Lives and Times of the Great Composers

Michael Steen

4.1

A grand and panoramic biograhical history of the giants of classical music, The Lives and Times of Great Composers is a new, unique, and lovingly constructed modern reference--and a beguiling read which you will return to again and again.

Interlinked yet self-contained, each chapter distills the life of one or more composers, set against the social, political, musical, and cultural background of th

70

Ludwig van Beethoven (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Mike Venezia

4.1

Ludwig Van Beethoven

71

Accent On Composers (Book & Cd)

Jay Althouse and Judy O'Reilly

4.1

A complete music appreciation course in one, 120-page, reproducible book/CD package. For each of the 22 featured composers there is a bio (focusing on his or her personal life), a portrait, a listing of the types of music he or she composed, composer factoids, and a timeline. The CD contains a listening example for each composer. The reproducible listening guide includes information about each lis

72

Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd

Nick Mason

4.1

Here, for the first time, is the story of Pink Floydfrom the inside out. With 116 million albums sold worldwide and 25 years on the pop charts to their credit, Pink Floyd is one of the most successful rock groups in history, yet their storyuntil nowis one of the least known. The only continuous member of the band through its entire 40-year history, Nick Mason has witnessed every twist, turn, and s

73

It's a Long Story: My Life

Willie Nelson

4.1

The definitive autobiography of Willie Nelson.

"Unvarnished. Funny. Leaving no stone unturned." . . . So say the publishers about this book I've written. What I say is that this is the story of my life, told as clear as a Texas sky and in the same rhythm that I lived it.

It's a story of restlessness and the purity of the moment and living right. Of my childhood in Abbott, Texas, to the Pacific No

74

The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection

Michael A. Singer

4.1

Preview Summary

From the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Untethered Soul comes this thought-provoking, inspirational memoir on the magic that happens when you just let go

Spirituality is meant to bring about harmony and peace. But the diversity of our philosophies, beliefs, concepts, and views about the soul often leads to confusion. To reconcile the noise that clouds spirituality, Michael Singer co

75

A Composer's Guide to Game Music

Winifred Phillips

4.1

A comprehensive, practical guide to composing video game music, from acquiring the necessary skills to finding work in the field.

Music in video games is often a sophisticated, complex composition that serves to engage the player, set the pace of play, and aid interactivity. Composers of video game music must master an array of specialized skills not taught in the conservatory, including the creati

76

Fiddler Fair

Mercedes Lackey

4.0

A collection of short stories is populated by such figures as dinosaur activists, an out-of-his-element Lawrence of Arabia, a modern-day King Arthur, and a Chevy-fascinated alien.

77

Hollywood Park

Mikel Jollett

4.0

"Hollywood Park is a triumph." ~O, The Oprah Magazine

Hollywood Park is a remarkable memoir of a tumultuous life. Mikel Jollett was born into one of the country’s most infamous cults, and subjected to a childhood filled with poverty, addiction, and emotional abuse. Yet, ultimately, his is a story of fierce love and family loyalty told in a raw, poetic voice that signals the emergence of a uniquely

Cover unavailable

78

Led Zeppelin By Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

4.0

79

Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life

Carrie Underwood

4.0

"I want to be healthy and fit 52 weeks of the year, but that doesn't mean I have to be perfect every day. This philosophy is a year-round common-sense approach to health and fitness that involves doing your best most of the time—and by that I don't mean being naughty for three days and good for four. I mean doing your absolute best most of the time during every week, 52 weeks of the year."—Carrie

80

The Tao of Wu

The RZA

4.0

From the founder of the Wu-Tang Clan--celebrating their 25th anniversary this year--an inspirational book for the hip hop fan.

The RZA, founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, imparts the lessons he's learned on his journey from the Staten Island projects to international superstardom. A devout student of knowledge in every form in which he's found it, he distills here the wisdom he's acquired into seven "pil

81

Let It Be Me (The Blue Raven, #5)

Kate Noble

4.0

London weather is chilly—and the social scene even more so. Luckily, Bridget Forrester is just getting warmed up…

Bridget longs to meet a gentleman who doesn't mention her beautiful sister upon shaking her hand. But since being branded a shrew after a disastrous social season, Bridget knows she's lucky to even have a man come near her. It's enough to make a lady flee the country…

So Bridget heads to

82

Whispered Music (London Fairy Tales, #2)

Rachel Van Dyke

4.0

Scarred at a young age, Dominique Maksylov, Royal Prince of Russia, has lived a reclusive life. As a musical prodigy, his music has wide reach into the world, but few ever see his face. He never ventures into polite society, but when he dis-covers he is the only heir to the Earldom of Harriss, he goes to one ball. And that one ball, was enough to change the direction of his life forever.
But how co

83

Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson

Annye C. Anderson

4.0

An intimate memoir by blues legend Robert Johnson's stepsister, including new details about his family, music, influences, tragic death, and musical afterlife
Though only 27-years-young and relatively unknown at the time of his tragic death in 1938, Robert Johnson's enduring recordings have solidified his status as a progenitor of the Delta Blues style. And yet, while his music has retained the ste

84

The Great American Songbook - The Composers: Music and Lyrics for Over 100 Standards from the Golden Age of American Song

Hal Leonard Corp.

4.0

(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook). From Berlin to Gershwin to Rodgers to Waller, this folio features a comprehensive collection of standards from the greatest American composers, along with photos and bios of these masters of song. Includes beloved standards from: Fred Ahlert (I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)) • Harold Arlen (It's Only a Paper Moon) • Irving Berlin (Blue Skies) • Sammy Cahn (All the Way)

85

This Is Not a T-Shirt: A Brand, a Culture, a Community--A Life in Streetwear

Bobby Hundreds

4.0

The story of The Hundreds and the precepts that made it an iconic streetwear brand by Bobby Hundreds himself

Streetwear exists in that rarefied space where genuine “cool” coexists with big business; where a star designer might work simultaneously with Nike, a tattoo artist, Louis Vuitton, and a skateboard company. It’s the ubiquitous style of dress comprising hoodies, sneakers, and T-shirts that is

Recommended by Gary Vaynerchuk, Jessica Alba, Alan Yang, and 3 others.

Gary Vaynerchuk

Chairman/VaynerX

Simply put, Bobby Hundreds is a social beast. He knows how to tell a story, where to tell that story, and he's great at bringing people together. He's also crazy dedicated to his work and has the laser-focused attention to detail needed to not only build an everlasting globally relevant brand, but any successful business. [source]

Jessica Alba

Founder/The Honest Company

Building a brand is about identifying and fulfilling a need in a way that no one else can. It takes vision, dedication, and attention to detail. The Hundreds is a prime example of what it looks like when you've combined all these elements along with tapping into a culture and community. This is Not a T-Shirt guides you through methods and tools you can apply to get you one step closer to fulfilling your dream. [source]

Alan Yang

Bobby Hundreds is an encyclopedia of American pop culture, from breakfast cereals and Saturday morning cartoons to hardcore, punk, and hip-hop. He's packed all of his cultural insights into This is Not a T-Shirt, a book about turning your hobbies into your passions, which he's done his entire life. Also, we went to high school together, he was way cooler than me then, and now he's written a book before I have, and that's extremely annoying. [source]

86

Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton

Lydia R. Hamessley

4.0

Dolly Parton's success as a performer and pop culture phenomenon has overshadowed her achievements as a songwriter. But she sees herself as a songwriter first, and with good reason. Parton's compositions like "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene" have become American standards with an impact far beyond country music. Lydia R. Hamessley's expert analysis and Parton’s characteristically straightforw

87

Sebastian: A Book about Bach

Jeanette Winter

4.0

A long time ago, a boy named Sebastian was born into a family of musicians. He heard music everywhere, especially in his own head, and he wrote down what he heard. Sebastian married, raised a family, and wrote more than a thousand pieces of music. He also created a little book of music especially for his wife, Anna Magdalena, so that in the evenings the whole family could make music together. Hund

88

A Holiday to Remember

Susanne O'Lear

4.0

Julia Payne is a professional photographer who lost her fiancé in the 9-11 Attacks. She believes in making the best of every moment by seizing every opportunity to experience the joys of life.

Brooding Japanese world renowned classical music conductor, Ikuya Yamane, plays Russian roulette with his life on the anniversary of his wife’s death. He’s made a personal vow to never let what happened in h

89

Morning Song

Kimberly Cates

4.0

Perhaps it's the Irish in her: Hannah Gray is as headstrong as she is sensible, as bold as she is willful. Having rescued her nephew, Pip, from an uncertain fate, she is fleeing with him as far and as fast as she can—until she finds herself in England at the foot of Ravenscar, the great manor above Nodding Cross.

When Austen Dante takes them in, Hannah is curiously drawn to the powerful but elusive

90

Ninja Sex Party: The Graphic Novel, Part I: Origins - Dan Avidan Brian Wecht

David Calcano

4.0

The official Ninja Sex Party graphic novel is finally here! A 120-page full-color hardcover book, the first chapter of a two-volume set documenting their entire story.

What happened before Dan and Brian formed the legendary/sexy/explosive band NINJA SEX PARTY? This amazing new graphic novel tells the story!

Based on in-depth personal interviews with band members Dan Avidan and Brian Wecht, this gr

91

Bohemian Fifths Werner Henze

Hans Werner Henze

4.0

Cover unavailable

92

Sing Backwards and Weep: A Memoir

Mark Lanegan

4.0

"Mark Lanegan-primitive, brutal, and apocalyptic. What's not to love?"-Nick Cave, author of The Sick Bag Song and The Death of Bunny Munro When Mark Lanegan first arrived in Seattle in the mid-1980s, he was just "an arrogant, self-loathing redneck waster seeking transformation through rock 'n' roll." Little did he know that within less than a decade, he would rise to fame as the front man of the S

93

Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road

Neil Peart

4.0

This bold narrative written by the drummer and lyricist for the band Rush shows how Peart tried to stay alive by staying on the move after the loss of his 19-year-old daughter and his wife. The book will be sold as part of the band's official merchandise during its 47-city American tour. 20 photos. 15 maps.

94

Mozart at the Gateway to His Fortune: Serving the Emperor, 1788-1791

Christoph Wolff

4.0

"I now stand at the gateway to my fortune," Mozart wrote in a letter of 1790. He had entered into the service of Emperor Joseph II of Austria two years earlier as Imperial-Royal Chamber Composer—a salaried appointment with a distinguished title and few obligations. His extraordinary subsequent output, beginning with the three final great symphonies from the summer of 1788, invites a reassessment o

95

Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream

Neil Young

4.0

For the first time, legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Young offers a kaleidoscopic view of his personal life and musical creativity. He tells of his childhood in Ontario, where his father instilled in him a love for the written word; his first brush with mortality when he contracted polio at the age of five; struggling to pay rent during his early days with the Squires; traveling th

96

F*ck, That's Delicious: An Annotated Guide to Eating Well

Action Bronson

4.0

New York Times bestseller
Winner of the IACP Cookbook Design Award

This ain’t no cookbook. This ain’t no memoir. This is Action Bronson’s devotional, a book about the overwhelming power of delicious—no, f*cking amazing—food. Bronson is this era’s Homer, and F*ck, That’s Delicious is a modern-day Odyssey, replete with orgiastic recipes, world travel, siren songs, and weed.

Illustrated, packed with

97

Messiaen

Claude Samuel

4.0

98

Writing Better Lyrics: The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting

Pat Pattison

4.0

The Must-Have Guide for Songwriters

Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.

Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to

99

Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-And-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Gayle Wald

4.0

In this biography of 'Sister' Rosetta Tharpe, Gayle Wald explores the nuances, contradictions and musical genius of a woman who defied the stereotypes of her day and laid the groundwork for generations of musicians to come.

100

Aaron Copland (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Mike Venezia

4.0

Clever illustrations and story lines give children a light yet realistic overview of this composer's life and style and music.