*cracks knuckles*

I read a lot of great books as I was researching and writing Wreck Your Heart. I even took you a couple of pretty pictures in preparation for this moment.

Some of the most helpful books I read while I was writing were:

Brandi Carlile’s memoir Broken Horses (listen to the audiobook!) Really well done.

Saved by a Song by Mary Gautier, also a memoir. Fantastic.

Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison

Women Walk the Line edited by Holly Gleason

Jeff Tweedy’s How to Write One Song and World Within a Song—he does such a great job talking about creativity. Highly recommend.

Dolly Parton: In Her Words

Her Country by Marissa R. Moss had so much great stuff I couldn’t even get to, thematically, but read it if you’re interested in the what the industry is like for women country artists.

Also (not pictured here) Country and Midwestern by Mark Guarino (who I will be in conversation with during my launch at B&N Deer Park January 13—come talk to us about country music!)

 

Even after I had written the book, I kept reading about music because I just love reading about the different ways people are creative and thinking about creativity. Writer bios and memoirs are some of the best reading.

Some of the best from this category:

Tonight in Jungleland by Peter Ames Carlin

She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh

The Harder I Fought the More I Love You by Neko Case (I bet the audio of this is great—I read it in print)

The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

 

If you’re in the market for some music books before Wreck Your Heart comes out, I made a Bookshop list! (An affiliate link)