Books for Music Lovers
If you are a music lover and enjoy reading books, you will love the recommendations I share today. In honor of Juneteenth and Black Music Month, I recommend music books. Black Music Month was first started by former President Jimmy Carter, declaring the month on June 7, 1979. The fight to establish the bill recognizing Black Music Month lasted for over a decade, led by Dyana Williams, Kenneth Gamble, and Ed Wright. In 2000, former President Bill Clinton made it official when he signed the bill. Black Music Month celebrates the contributions and history of Black artists in all genres.
These books reflect the love of Black music and celebrate Black freedom.
Fiction Books for Music Lovers
Adult Romance
A Love Song for Rickie Wild
A book centered around music that I love. Rickie Wilde is a florist who opens a shop in Harlem. After wandering in Harlem, she meets a mysterious stranger. She continues to see the stranger and feels a powerful pull on him. The stranger is a jazz player with a strange and secretive past.
I enjoyed the music references, especially the ones from the Harlem Renaissance. There are so many songs or singer references I created a playlist in honor of the book.
Where to find the book: Love Song for Ricky Wilde, Here Here and your local library
Honey and Spice
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A young woman named Kiki Banjo that runs a student radio station named Brown Sugar meets a cute boy in the dorms. Malakai Korede is a charming and popular boy. She is trying hard to resist in charismatic and intelligent ways. After kissing him at an event, they go viral. They decide to use this popularity to become a couple as a way to do their school projects.
I loved this book and all the music and pop culture references. All the songs make a great playlist. Is perfect for those who love R&B and, Pop, and Hip- Hop music.
Where to find the book: Honey and Spice, Here and Here, and your local library
Good Morning, Love
Carli Henton, a musician and songwriter, aspires to follow her father’s path. To meet her goal, she works as a junior account manager at a media company to cover her rent.
While working, she continues to write songs. While working she meets up and rising star Tau Anderson. His appeal is alluring, and she finds it hard not to mix business and pleasure.
Where to find the book: Good Morning, Love, Here
Here and your local library
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
Atonia known as Toni, grew up in bars across the Eastern coast. Growing up around music influenced her to become a rock star Now as a teen she is looking to get famous. Sebastian Quick is a man who seems like he is her ticket to fame. But Seb leaves her behind.
Toni is now an adult and is making a name for herself. Her friend suggests she join a popular group called the Lilys to get famous. She hits it off with the Lilys until she discovers their manager is Sebastian Quick. Despite leaving her years ago she still has a soft spot for Seb.
The author, Xio Axelrod gives a background on one of the character’s mothers. Axlerod gives a glimpse into how and why Antonia loves music. She was surrounded by music at a young age.
Where to find the book: The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes, Here , Here and your local library
Young Adult Romance Books
Love Radio
Prince Jones has his own segment on a hip-hop radio station. Jones dishes out advice to the lovelorn.
Jones always wanted to fall in love, but he didn’t have time. Prince is the primary caregiver of his sick mother and younger brother. Dani Ford is not checking for him or anyone. Dani is focused on completing her senior year and focuses on her future. One thing that may keep her from going to college is her essay. But something that happened months ago is causing her to have writer’s block...
One day Dani and Prince meet. Prince is smitten but she is not sold on dating him. She agrees to allow him to take her on three dates. While on these three dates, he has to prove he is a good person to date.
Where to find the book: Love Radio, Here, Here , and your local library
Children Fiction
I got the rhythm
After a visit to the park, a mother and child ge stepped away from the music. The rhythm comes from the world around them. From the street performers to the ice cream seller. I enjoyed reading this book to my former students because they love music and dancing.
Where to find the book: I got the rhythm Here, here , and local library
Every Little Thing
Based on Bob Marley’s songs. The book reminds children a hug can make that after rain comes sunshine and things better. Includes Marley’s song with new verses. The illustrations are beautiful and the words to the song will make any child like to hear.
Where to find the book: Every Little Thing, Here, Here or your local library
Hymn books for those who love music
Lift Every Voice and Sing II Pew EDITION An African Hymnal
If you grow up in a church that sings hymns this book has some well-known hymns.
Where to find the book: Lift Every Voice Sing II and Here or your local library
History Books of Music Lovers
Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Song
Contains songs and photographs from the Civil Rights movement. Include first-hand accounts of people involved in the movement.
Where to find the book Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Song Here, Here or local library
Singing in My Soul: Black Gospel Music in a Secular Age by Jerma A Jackson
Goes over the history of Black Gospel music. From the early starts in the church to when gospel artists became popular. Delves into the discussion of can a gospel artist can be popular in the secular world.
Where to find the book; Singing in My Soul: Black Gospel, Here, and at your local library
May We Forever Stand
Where to find the book: May We Forever Stand, Here, and your local library
The Power of Black Music: Interpreting Its History from African to The United States
The author gives us insight into the roots of Black music from African myths, music, and folklore.
Where to find the book: The Power of Black Music: Interpreting Its History from African to The United State, Here, Here and at your local library
Shine Bright A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop
Danyel Smith is a music journalist who delves into the history of Black women's influence and involvement in pop music. Her goal is to make "Black women who create music to be known and understand..."It is a celebration of Black women in music, a history of them, and a musical journey. I love how the author puts her personal stories and connections to these singers.
I was surprised that she included Phillis Wheatley in the book. Phillis was an enslaved woman who wrote poetry. She makes the connection with Wheatley's body of works. Wheatley's writing indirectly influences Black music writers. That all of these women have the connection of seeking freedom in their writing.
Where to find the book: Shine Bright A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, Here and Your Local Library
Blues and Legacies and Black Feminism by Angela Y. Davis
Davis provides the historical and social importation of performances of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Billy Holliday. How "their recorded performances divulge unacknowledged traditions of feminist consciouses in working-class black communities."
Where to find the book: Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday, Here or in Your Local Library
Autobiographies and Biographies of Music Artists
The Meaning of Mariah Carey
Mariah writes her autobiography. She talks about her little Mariah. The child that always yearned. She claims craving young Mariah Carey is in her songs. Reading it will help you realize the meaning behind some of her songs. She also provides insight into how she sings.
The preface was also interesting because it gives a little background to her love of Christmas. “They remind me we can be timeless.” She also references notable artists such as Nat King Cole who influenced her to make a Christmas Album.
I love learning about her life but also getting a background in her songs and music style. Her family influenced a lot of this by exposing her to different genres of music.
Where to find the book: The Meaning of Mariah Carey, Here, or at your local library
Straighten Up and Fly Right A biography of Nat King Cole
Discuss Nat King Cole's early life. He also mentions how he started as a pianist and an Olympic leader in his teens. Then I was in a jazz trio and later went solo.
Where to find the book: Straighten Up and Fly Right, Here, and your local library
Shout Sister Shout
Biography of gospel music singer Rosetta Tharpe. Her music style and guitar playing influenced Etta James, Little Richard, and Eric Clapton.
Where to find the book: Shout, Sister, Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Here or at your local library
Bessie Smith: A Poet's Biography of a Blues Legend
Bessie Smith was a successful vaudeville performer who later became one of the highest African American performers Of the Roaring Twenties. Talks about her personal and career life.
Bessie Smith A Poet's Biography of a Blues Legend, Here or at Your local library
My Love Story
Tina Turner talks about her life and career. Discusses her upbringing in Nutbush, Tennesse to her raise and fame. She discusses how her wedding and marriage to Ike Turner were different from her marriage to her second husband. It is interesting to her how she felt about her two marriages. I love the fact she was able to find a healthy relationship.
Where to find the book: My Love Story, Here or Your Local Library
Conclusion:
What is some music-themed books you have read or want to read? Let me know in the comments.
More books to read:
Links to Spotify playlist based on books:
Playlist for Long Song for Ricki Wilde and Honey and Spice
Playlist for Long Song for Ricki Wilde
Black Music Month Ask
Pick Your Favorite Songs by Black Artists by Answering these
30 Questions
My playlist based on the answers: