An emotional, small-town, first-love romance between a spirited athlete and her football hero neighbor. Feisty, dive queen Cam Swayne refuses to give up on her destiny. For as long as she can remember, her heart has belonged to the dreamy boy next door. But despite their lifelong friendship, the three years separating them seems like an insurmountable hurdle to the relationship she really wants. Until one summer night, when everything changes and Jake finally sees her for the woman she's become. Can Cam's sheer determination keep them together when college, illness, and fate come calling? Or will she be left to pick up the pieces without him? "You were my only wish. My only dream come true. But what if I couldn't keep you?" Inspired by Taylor Swift's "Begin Again," this heartbreaking story of love, resilience, and unexpected happily ever afters might just leave a permanent mark on your soul. Warning: tears may fall... Start the complete, interconnected series today.
From the beloved host and creator of NPR’s All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk Concerts comes an essential oral history of modern music, told in the voices of iconic and up-and-coming musicians, including Dave Grohl, Jimmy Page, Michael Stipe, Carrie Brownstein, Smokey Robinson, and Jeff Tweedy, among others—published in association with NPR Music. Is there a unforgettable song that changed your life? NPR’s renowned music authority Bob Boilen posed this question to some of today’s best-loved musical legends and rising stars. In Your Song Changed My Life, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), St. Vincent, Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Cat Power, David Byrne (Talking Heads), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Jenny Lewis, Carrie Brownstein (Portlandia, Sleater-Kinney), Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Trey Anastasio (Phish), Jackson Browne, Valerie June, Philip Glass, James Blake, and other artists reflect on pivotal moments that inspired their work. For Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, it was discovering his sister’s 45 of The Byrds’ “Turn, Turn, Turn.” A young St. Vincent’s life changed the day a box of CDs literally fell off a delivery truck in front of her house. Cat Stevens was transformed when he heard John Lennon cover “Twist and Shout.” These are the momentous yet unmarked events that have shaped these and many other musical talents, and ultimately the sound of modern music. A diverse collection of personal experiences, both ordinary and extraordinary, Your Song Changed My Life illustrates the ways in which music is revived, restored, and revolutionized. It is also a testament to the power of music in our lives, and an inspiration for future artists and music lovers. Amazing contributors include: Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Portlandia, Wild Flag), Smokey Robinson, David Byrne (Talking Heads), St. Vincent, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), James Blake, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Trey Anastasio (Phish), Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Sturgill Simpson, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Cat Power, Jackson Browne, Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Philip Glass, Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Hozier, Regina Carter, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, and others), Courtney Barnett, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers), Leon Bridges, Sharon Van Etten, and many more.
“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” —Stevie Wonder, “Sir Duke” In 2003, young professor Ferentz LaFargue traveled to Paris, where his fiancée, Tricia, declared she wasn’t happy with their relationship, ending what he thought was a wonderful engagement. After days of “craying”—“that sorrow-laden blend of crying and praying delivered in perfect pitch by those in mourning”—Ferentz happened upon Stevie Wonder’s 1976 classic double album Songs in the Key of Life. Listening to it anew was a healing, spiritual trip down memory lane, helping him to come to terms with his breakup and reflect on how songs in general have been linked to his life. In this book, Ferentz invites us to get cozy and listen as he hits PLAY on meaningful tracks from Wonder and others, including Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, LL Cool J, Beenie Man, Sheryl Crow, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, and Black Sabbath. He recalls: How the fusion of rock and rap in the breakthrough Run-D.M.C./Aerosmith video “Walk This Way” helped to change an adolescent Ferentz from outcast to authority figure How Michael Jackson’s Thriller brought back a traumatic childhood experience How Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” speaks to the tension between his Christian beliefs and his need to rip it up in clubs as a hip-hop head In the tradition of Nick Hornby’s Songbook¸ these words paint a portrait of a life framed by sounds, allowing all of us to think about what songs have been key in our own lives.
What if you are my dream? Feeling guilty for her brother's death and being invisible are what Mia Phillips is good at, but suddenly soulful musician, Derek Waters, is making her see that it's possible to put her shattered heart back together. Mia and Derek help each other close the door on their pasts in this contemporary women's fiction about forgiveness, love, & healing inspired by Ed Sheeran love songs.--Publisher.
The chief creative officer of Sony Music presents a candid assessment of his life and the past half-century of popular music from an insider's perspective, tracing his work with a wide array of stars and personalities.
When a relationship-adverse guitarist is handed guardianship of his niece, he finds solace and help from an unexpected source. Known as the comic relief and steadfast bachelor of the chart-topping band, Water Reflection, Lonnie Brennan is only in Tennessee to make sure their lead singer doesn't get his heart stomped on. He has no intention of falling in love with the Southern charm of the town...or the sexy redhead whose problems are far too reminiscent of the childhood he escaped. Wynn Nichols was always the stable friend guiding others. So how did she end up divorced, slinking home with disappointment and failure following her? The last thing she's looking for is a new relationship, and certainly not one with a sexy musician who treats life like a series of jokes. When Lonnie suddenly finds his tiny niece placed in his care and has no idea what to do with her, Wynn swoops in to help. They form an unlikely friendship that gets them through the darkest days of their lives. Can they risk the relationship they need for the attraction that brews between them and a chance at a very unlikely happily ever after? "I always saw relationships as a burden instead of a gift...until Wynn showed me the way." Inspired by Chris Janson's "Drunk Girl," this heart-searing, single-dad, slow-burn standalone is the fourth book in an interconnected, standalone series.
Discover the music that influenced some of the biggest stars in Music history in 10 Albums That Changed My Life, a personal, insightful and gloriously illustrated look at the music that matters the most to the artists who matter the most to you. More than a hundred musicians invite you backstage, each revealing in their own words the 10 albums that influenced their lives, their music and their futures. Artists from Punk to Classic Rock, British Invasion to Pop, and Heavy Metal to Modern Rock take the stage in this sonic coming-of-age adventure. With more than 1,000 albums illustrated and profiled, 10 Albums That Changed My Life shares wonderfully intimate perspectives and surprising selections. Consider Henry Rollins, the legendary front man for punk's Black Flag. Slipped into his list of heavy rockers, you'll find The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hair. "I had this record in 4th or 5th grade. It was my mother's. I knew it was subversive and I probably shouldn't be listening to it and that's what made it irresistible to me. Besides, there is some great songwriting and performances on this album," Rollins says. From the Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, Rolling Stone's Exile on Main Street to The Beach Boys Pet Sounds, Flatt & Scruggs The Original Sound to Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced, the book is packed with classics and cool revelations. Featuring a Foreword by Rock And Roll Hall of Fame artist Nancy Wilson of Heart, 10 Albums That Changed My Life is a fun and fabulous page-turner, tuning into the music that made a difference. And still does.
From migrations to pop culture, loss to la dérive, Life in a Country Album is a soundtrack of the global cultural landscape—borders and citizenship, hybrid identities and home, freedom and pleasure. It’s a vast and moving look at the world, at what home means, and the ways we coexist in an increasingly divided world. These poems are about the dialects of the heart—those we are incapable of parting from, and those that are largely forgotten. Life in a Country Album is a vital book for our times. With this beautiful, epic collection, Nathalie Handal affirms herself as one of our most diverse and important contemporary poets.
This updated New York Times bestselling collection of essays by seven-time Grammy nominated singer songwriter Sara Bareilles “resonates with authentic and hard-won truths” (Publishers Weekly)—and features new material on the hit Broadway musical, Waitress. Sara Bareilles “pours her heart and soul into these essays” (Associated Press), sharing the joys and the struggles that come with creating great work, all while staying true to yourself. Imbued with humor and marked by Sara’s confessional writing style, this essay collection tells the inside story behind some of her most popular songs. Well known for her chart-topper “Brave,” Sara first broke through in 2007 with her multi-platinum single “Love Song.” She has since released seven albums that have sold millions of copies and spawned several hits. “A breezy, upbeat, and honest reflection of this multitalented artist” (Kirkus Reviews), Sounds Like Me reveals Sara Bareilles, the artist—and the woman—on songwriting, soul searching, and what’s discovered along the way.
One of America's most popular music artists bares her heart and soul in her first autobiographical work. With honesty and depth, Grant offers poignant and often startling insights on motherhood, marriage, forgiveness, and faith--revealing a life blessed with jagged edges as well as vivid colors.
