Books Recommended by Musicians
The books most recommended by musicians, drawn from their real public recommendations.
27 experts · 24 most-recommended books · Updated on June 6, 2026
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Books musicians recommend most
Unrequited Infatuations: A MemoirStevie Van Zandt
Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis PresleyPeter Guralnick
The Practice: Shipping Creative WorkSeth Godin
Leaves of GrassWalt Whitman
Moby DickHerman Melville
Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos: The Scientific Quest for the Secret of the UniverseDennis OverbyeRecommended by Bruce Springsteen
The Graveyard BookNeil Gaiman, Dave McKean, Margaret AtwoodRecommended by Zoe Keating
Great Short Works of Leo Tolstoy (Perennial Classics)Leo Tolstoy, Louise Maude, Aylmer Maude, J. D. Duff, Sam A. Carmack, John BayleyRecommended by Bruce Springsteen
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, WitchNeil Gaiman, Terry PratchettRecommended by Zoe Keating
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing NonfictionWilliam ZinsserRecommended by Derek Sivers
Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the CenturySam Kashner, Nancy SchoenbergerRecommended by Taylor Swift
The Ocean at the End of the LaneNeil GaimanRecommended by Zoe Keating
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper LeeRecommended by Taylor Swift
Charlotte's Web: A Harper ClassicE. B White, Kate DiCamillo, Garth WilliamsRecommended by Taylor Swift
Sound Medicine: How to Use the Ancient Science of Sound to Heal the Body and MindKulreet Chaudhary M.D.Recommended by Krishna Das
They Don't Represent Us: Reclaiming Our DemocracyLawrence LessigRecommended by Jimmy Wayne
Power Schmoozing: The New Etiquette for Social and Business SuccessTerri MandellRecommended by Derek Sivers
How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in RelationshipsLeil LowndesRecommended by Derek Sivers
One Man's LondonMurphyRecommended by Frank Turner
Ruby on Rails Tutorial (Addison-Wesley Professional Ruby Series)Michael HartlRecommended by Derek Sivers
Deep Blues: A Musical And Cultural History of the Mississippi DeltaRobert PalmerRecommended by Bob Dylan
On The Road: A Traveler's TaleMs. Norma Rita LaurieRecommended by Bob Dylan
The Neverending StoryMichael Ende, Ralph ManheimRecommended by Zoe Keating
The Complete Poems (Penguin Classics)Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William KeachRecommended by Paul McCartney
The musicians
Taylor Swift
American Singer-Songwriter
14 book recommendations
Bob Dylan
American Singer-Songwriter
61 book recommendations
Bruce Springsteen
American Rock Singer-Songwriter
24 book recommendations
Paul McCartney
Co-Founder of The Beatles and Singer-Songwriter
11 book recommendations
PW
Pharrell Williams
Grammy Award–winning musician and artist
2 book recommendations
PG
Peter Gabriel
Musician
2 book recommendations
BE
Brian Eno
Musician and Composer
2 book recommendations
Amanda Palmer
part yoko, part bukowski. i make songs & stuff. my band: @dresdendolls. funded by patrons. IG @amandapalmer. podcast "the art of asking everything" out now:
3 book recommendations
Rosanne Cash
Singer-Songwriter, Author
2 book recommendations
Al Yankovic
Satirical musician and parodist
2 book recommendations
The Mountain Goats
I’ve got to hit the grit just as fast as I can
9 book recommendations
Frank Turner
‘Live In Newcastle’ now available everywhere folks https://t.co/AS3V79tApL
2 book recommendations
More Musicians
- Krishna Das
- Stefan LessardAKA Fonz, Fonzy Trying to live that Homo Deus lifestyle
- Derek SiversAuthor and Founder of CD Baby
- Jann Ardenfeet on ground- heart in hand. ... JANN streaming now on https://t.co/R7ITVry2cz and https://t.co/hDWpLmiLPd @HULU in the U.S. Plants for the planet. #endanimalcruelty
- Jimmy WayneRecording Artist • #NYT #Bestseller @Walk2BEAutiful @RubyFosterDog • Founder of @ProjectMMH • #TEDx #KeynoteSpeaker • For music, books & booking info. visit
- Edwyn CollinsI am sound of body and of mind, and what's more I'm witty and refined
- Har Mar SuperstarBarely Living Legend
- Brett Gurewitzlife is a song, a short melody, harmonizing with reality
- Richard ChristyRichard Christy's Heavy Metal Band Charred Walls Of The Damned
- Zoe KeatingWhen all the doors are closed sometimes you're better off making your own building. Cellist. Composer. Canadian.
- Raffi CavoukianTroubadour. children's champion. ecology advocate. emergency responder. @RaffiFoundation #childhonouring #ClimateEmergency #DylanSingsQuarantine
- Tim Hughes
- Madonna Louise CicconeSinger, Songwriter and Actress
- Chris HawkeyPowertrip Morning Show on KFAN. Vocals for Chris Hawkey Band. co-Host Vikings Connected on Vikings Radio Network. Still in Pursuit...
- Daniel NewmaThanks WALKING DEAD fans for your ❤ for my new character & my Music! #LGBTQ **I try to follow fans back! UNTITLED MGMT: bloombergbooking@gmail.com