15 essential books written by musicians (2024)

There's no better time than the present to curl up with a good book. And if you're a music fan, there's nothing better than reading about the stories behind your favorite songs. Who doesn't want a peek into some of the world's most creative minds?

Flip through the slideshow below for 15 essential books written by musicians, from non-fiction tomes on creativity and songwriting to fiction, essays, memoirs, and more. Even if you think you're not a fan of a particular artist on this list, give the book a chance — all 15 are stellar reads.

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This 2010 memoir from legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is among the great rock autobiographies. It's packed with wild, unbelievable, and incredible stories from Richards' decades in the music industry, along with thoughtful discussions of his own battles with substance use and his relationship with frontman Mick Jagger.

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Known for his earnest, folksy tunes as the songwriter behind The Mountain Goats, John Darnielle is also an accomplished fiction writer who's released multiple novels. "Wolf in White Van" is his first, and earned heaps of critical acclaim and a nomination for the National Book Award.

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Few artists have managed to span the cultural zeitgeist like David Byrne, and his nonfiction book "How Music Works" is a fascinating look into the machinations into one of the most creative minds in the world.

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Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon offers an intimate look into her personal and creative history in "Girl in a Band," a compellingly written memoir that traces her California childhood to her time in Sonic Youth and her eventually tumultuous marriage with bandmate Thurston Moore.

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Punk icon Patti Smith details her relationship with the artist and photographer Robert Mappelthorpe in this 2010 memoir, which won the National Book Award that year. According to Smith, the book was the result of a vow she made to Mappelthorpe on his deathbed, promising to tell their story.

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A tough read at times, Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis tells the story of his life, and struggle with substance abuse, in 2004's "Scar Tissue."

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Okay, British author Nick Hornby isn't a musician in the traditional sense, but he has written a ton of lyrics and had multiple works adapted into musicals. His 1995 novel "High Fidelity," which would later be turned into a feature film starring John Cusack, is a cult-favorite among music fans who have a ton of nostalgia for the mixtape era.

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Of course a guy like the late, great Jimmy Buffet is going to be great at telling stories, a collection of which appear in "Tales From Margaritaville." Released in 1989, the book is a must-read for any Parrothead.

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Whether or not you're a punk rock historian, Henry Rollins's memoir of his time as the frontman of Black Flag is an essential read for any music fan. It's a collection of journal entries written contemporaneously by Rollins, and includes the highs (and lows) of this legendary act's history.

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Fans of Nick Cave's music will likely be unsurprised that the artist's second novel, "The Death of Bunny Munro," traverses some pretty dark territory that involves a serial killer, a father-son relationship, and the titular character's looming mortality after the death of his wife.

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Also the name of a song written by Bob Dylan, "This Wheel's on FIre" offers Levon Helm's perspective on both his childhood, and the interpersonal conflicts that led to the dissolution of The Band. Whether or not you fully believe Helm's often one-sided take, it's still a worthy read.

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"The Creative Act" offers a peek inside the mind, and the creative processes, of legendary producer Rick Rubin, known for his work with artists like Johnny Cash, Jay-Z, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among many other acts.

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A must-read for any aspiring songwriter, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy offers tons of helpful advice in "How to Write One Song," a book that actually encourages music fans to try their hand at writing songs of their own.

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Whether you're a Dylan obsessive or just curious about one of music's most legendary songwriters, "Chronicles" is a great place to learn more about Bob Dylan. The book, which won the Nobel prize for literature, covers his rise to fame, his years in declining popularity, and the resurgence that followed.

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One of the most notable figures of the disco era, Nile Rodgers's memoir "Le Freak" is a deeply honest book about one of the wildest times in music history. It tracks Rodgers's creative growth, his struggles with addiction, and what happened when the disco era unceremoniously ended as the 1980s began.