Best Music Books December 2024

Gödel, Escher, Bach

Hofstadter’s masterpiece weaves an intricate tapestry of mathematics, art, and music, exploring the nature of human cognition and artificial intelligence. Through playful dialogues and mind-bending puzzles, he draws unexpected connections between Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, Escher’s impossible constructions, and Bach’s musical canons. It’s a book that challenges and delights, leaving readers pondering the very essence of consciousness and creativity. I found myself lost in its pages, marveling at the author’s ability to make complex ideas accessible and utterly fascinating.

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl

Carrie Brownstein’s raw and unflinching memoir takes us on a journey through her tumultuous youth and the birth of the iconic punk band Sleater-Kinney. With candid honesty, she explores her struggles with anxiety, family dynamics, and finding her place in the male-dominated music scene. Brownstein’s wit shines through as she recounts awkward encounters and triumphant moments, painting a vivid picture of the 90s riot grrrl movement. Her words resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, reminding us that sometimes, our hunger for belonging can lead us to unexpected places.

The Best of Adam Sharp

Adam Sharp’s life is a comfortable routine until an email from his long-lost love, Angelina, resurfaces memories of their passionate affair in Australia decades ago. As he reminisces about their shared love of music and the path not taken, Adam grapples with the possibility of rekindling their romance. Simsion’s witty prose and keen insights into relationships make this a poignant exploration of second chances, the power of nostalgia, and the complexities of love in midlife. A bittersweet melody of what-ifs and might-have-beens.

The Music Shop

Frank’s vinyl shop is a sanctuary for lost souls, where he prescribes the perfect record to heal any heartache. His uncanny ability to match music to emotions draws a diverse clientele, but Frank’s own heart remains closed off. When the mysterious Ilse Brauchmann faints outside his shop, Frank’s world tilts on its axis. As their unlikely friendship blossoms, Frank must confront his past and learn to embrace the possibility of love. A tender, quirky tale of human connection and the transformative power of music.

On the Come Up

Sixteen-year-old Bri dreams of becoming a rapper, following in her father’s footsteps. But with her mom struggling to make ends meet and her family on the brink of homelessness, Bri’s rhymes become more than just music—they’re her ticket to survival. As she navigates the cutthroat world of hip-hop, Bri faces tough choices that could make or break her future. Thomas’s raw, authentic voice shines through in this powerful story of ambition, identity, and the price of chasing your dreams.

Orfeo

Orfeo is a mesmerizing journey through music, science, and the human spirit. Peter Els, a retired composer with an obsession for biochemistry, finds himself on the run after a misunderstanding with Homeland Security. As he flees, he reflects on his life’s passions and the haunting melodies that have shaped him. Powers weaves a symphony of ideas, blending the beauty of music with the complexity of genetics, creating a thought-provoking exploration of art’s power to transcend time and touch the eternal.

If I Stay

Mia’s life changes in an instant when a car accident leaves her in a coma. Caught between life and death, she faces an impossible choice. As memories of her past flood back, Mia grapples with the decision to stay or let go. Through her out-of-body experience, she reflects on love, family, and music. Forman’s poignant prose captures the raw emotions of a teenager confronting mortality, making this a heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting exploration of what it means to truly live.