“A pop-music fairy tale linking the Beatles to Bruno Bettelheim.” — The Village Voice

“In the telling of Ray’s story, Lewis Shiner reflects the mythic nature of the music from a bygone era and yet, at the same time, he reminds us that we are creating our own myths with the music we listen to every day of our lives. “ — blogger J.P.

“Luminous…finally, a novel that understands rock and roll!” — Jon Pareles, The Village Voice Literary Supplement

“My personal favourite is Great Jones Street about the reclusive rock star and the hack writer who lives in the same building. Years he’s been at it. Success still elusive. And he keeps saying: ‘Fame. It won’t happen. But if it did. But it won’t. But if it did, but it won’t. But if it did. But it won’t.’ Class.” — blogger Adrien in a comment on LarvatusProdeo.net

“Hornby’s amazingly accomplished debut should definitely appeal to music fans (and snobs), but it’s his literate, painfully honest riffs on romantic humiliation and heartbreak that make the book so special.” — Booklist

“I found myself connecting with Rob’s business, with his slowly failing shop, and his attempts (admittedly not very dedicated) to get business through the door.However, persistence is all, and this is what Rob discovers for himself at the end of the book.” — blogger Jane

“This cheeky first novel by a Dublin native, punctuated with Irish obscenities and quotes from soul classics, informed by righteous working-class anger and youthful alienation, offers the entertaining and insightful chronicle of The Commitments’ rise and inevitable fall.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“[I]t provides a lot of entertainment and flow for an enjoyable read. If you’re a music lover, I’d recommend it wholeheartedly.” — blogger foibles_fables

“Ellison’s players are as finely crafted as ever. They are flawed creatures, some of them beyond redemption, some of them hoping to be more than the sum of their sins, but each of them believable and, in the case of Stag Preston, frighteningly intriguing.” — Dark Horse reviews

“[The Armageddon Rag] It highlights what was cool and significant in the sixties to show us why there are people who miss it so much they’ll do anything to get it back…” — BoingBoing.net

“It’s about the stage of life that very rarely gets written about, not the transition from youth to adult but the transition from young, idealistic, passionate adult to middle age and acceptance of one’s limitations.” — blogger Liz

“[A]n engrossing, non-stop excursion into a believable vision of Hell.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“Radio Free Albemuth is easily one of Dick’s most thought-provoking and provocative books. As a novel that includes many of Dick’s personal experiences, and Dick himself as a major character, the story takes on a strange, surreal quality that invades our reality and toys with our perception of the book itself – as fiction or as an allegory of actual events in Dick’s life.” — blogger Keith at Nut in the Shell

“[T]he pervasive passion for music [provides] the novel with a steady heat.” — Kirkus Reviews

“…the novel catches very honestly the unique flavor of a black musician’s life, a kind of melancholy swan song.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“Peter Guralnick is my favorite music writer.” — blogger awmercy

“Lazar has created a powerful, infernal prism through which to view the potent, still-rippling contradictions of the late ’60s.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Lazar writes extremely well and provides a fascinating take on the end of the optimism of the hippie era, as well as providing deft fly on the wall style imaginings of the birth of the Stones and the death of Brian Jones…” — blogger Chris

“A story that takes off like a 747 and doesn’t let up until the very end.” — San Francisco Examiner

“One lush, tipsy, all-night mambo of a novel about Cuban musicians in strange places like New York City.” — People

“The Fabulous Mambo King.
Serenading all the ladies.
Miss Vanna Vane on his arm.
Drinks for all on his bill,
Festive songs flowing all night long.
Brother by his side,
With his trumpet playing,
Beautiful Maria of my Soul.
Over and over and over.”

— blogger Alexis, inspired by The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love

“The Wishbones is a smart, very funny look at one man’s ambivalence toward adulthood and commitment; it also offers a colorful cast of band mates and an obvious affection for its characters and their music.” — Booklist

“It’s got compelling characters, well-placed bursts of comedy, and a surprisingly relatable vibe.” — blogger David

“Shiner competently vivifies the uncertainties and boredom of the musician’s life, but more impressively, he manages to convey the almost indescribable joy of bringing an audience from a state of apathy to the edge of hysteria.” — Booklist

“McCrumb writes with quiet fire and maybe a little mountain magic. Like every true storyteller she has the sight.” — New York Times Book Review

“Sharyn McCrumb inspires me to go back in [the storytelling] direction, asking new questions.” — blogger Ellouise

“Kuntsler’s knowledge of rock’n'roll comes through on every page. I’ve read it more than once. And I’m always sorry that it ends…” — customer on Amazon

“Is there a better, funnier, truer novel about the contemporary music business? I don’t think so. A&R is that extremely rare, satisfying thing-ferocious satire with a moral compass.” — Kurt Andersen, author of Turn of the Century

“Flanagan’s a clever writer, and he threw enough curve balls to keep it interesting.” — blogger Alex

“This is a fully musical work of literature, a book with a beat so good you could almost dance to it.” — author David Hajdu (Positively Fourth Street)

“I’m really glad someone like Dunn exists, someone who has such a sharp imagination, engaging literary style and a genuine love for Rock ‘n’ Roll, a love that’s going increasingly out of fashion as each year goes by. Not to mention a story telling ability that lingers with you for days afterwards.” — reviewer mojo_navigator

“Erdrich draws us into her exquisitely detailed world effortlessly . . . Hard to believe, but Erdrich just keeps getting better.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred

“Erdrich’s compassion is coupled with her skill and her wonderful imagination. Once again, she has written another masterpiece.” — blogger/author Ann Victor

“George’s style is, well, seductive, luring the reader into a world that takes in the range of black experience funneled through the music industry.” — St. Petersburg Times

“Wonderful…Clyde Edgerton tells us another of his lovely tall tales.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

“I read “Killer Diller” years ago and had forgotten how great it was until I saw it on eBay recently. Loved it.” — blogger ZaZa in a comment on Faster Than Kudzu

“Tyler’s characters have character: quirks, odd angles of vision, colorful mean streaks and harmonic longings.” — Time Magazine

“While set in the unique surrounds of small town America of the 1960s, Tyler’s characters are both universal and timeless.” — blogger Marg

“[The Exes] offers a basic 4/4 beat, something you can groove to, but underneath is a lovely swirl of countermelodies and sounds that are unfamiliar, but engaging.” — Salon Magazine

“Kennedy combines the skill of an accomplished and trained writer with the knowledge and credibility of someone who has actually participated in underground culture.” — blogger Anna

“Defines the raw impulses of a generation!” — New York Daily News

“[A]bsolutely brilliant” — blogger drew in a comment on Pretending Life Is Like A Song

“CROSSROAD BLUES is like a classic song–the right feeling, the right note, at the right time.” —B.B. King, Blues Legend and author of BLUES ALL AROUND ME

“An intricately structured novel, full of a wealth of detail about music, Cornwall, and things magical and arcane.” — Patricia McKillip

“ In this story, music – and folk music in particular – is a link to our deep past, a half remembered awareness of loss, and a bridge to a different world.” — blogger Masha

“The combination of Goldmark’s playful humor, her smooth prose style and her knowledge of the music business carry the day.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“…[W]hat really gives the book its vitality is the obvious love that Shannon (and presumably Fitzhugh) have for classic rock music of virtually every persuasion.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“Radio Activity is highly recommended as a smart, quick read which, though it goes down fast and easy will leave you full and satisfied.” — blogger RJG at The Book Frog

“Tucker’s assured debut novel is an achingly tender narrative about grief, love, madness and crippling family secrets.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“It doesn’t matter what type of books you previously liked; you’ll love this one.” — blogger Nora

“Holmes’s narrative is saturated in the atmosphere of noir and swing, and he has even recorded an accompanying CD of jazzy numbers containing musical clues.” — The New Yorker

“The second mystery from Rupert Holmes is peppy and twisty, and a nice read for a plane.” — blogger j.tallman

“[S]uch shrewd storytelling and strong voices will have blues lovers ‘hooked, lined and sinkered.’” — Publisher’s Weekly

“I enjoyed the southern voice and feel of this book as well as the history and the music. The music is sad, electrifying, artful, and can never be repeated. Thanks to David Dalton for giving us the blues!” — blogger LibraryManiac

“[F]ull of cool references to Kansas City and Missouri back in the day – really engrossing and awesome read.” — blogger Darla at Darla Designs

“Joy’s rants exhibit a romantic streak wider than Alanis Morisette’s leer.” — Spin Magazine

“Joy ably combines the adamant style of Hunter S. Thompson with the enthusiasm of Jack Kerouac.” — blogger Carol

“[This book has] a writing style as melodic and haunting as a good bluegrass song…” — Library Journal

“Ms. Kijewski captures the sweaty thrills of life on the road.”

– New York Times Book Review

“Fuller’s latest novel [is] itself a kind of jazz improvisation, with multiple voices playing within a structured plot line, trying to define a life that defies explanation.” — Library Journal

“A mystery wrapped in jazz history…I have to wonder why this book hasn’t been translated on screen yet…” — blogger Carlos

“… as eloquently piercing and deeply American as a classic folk ballad…told in haunting prose that allows Lost Highway to emerge on the page like music itself.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“A nuanced and poetic first-person narrative…” — blogger Meredith Sue Willis

“[A] first novel that enhances Becker’s promise as a major voice in American fiction… full of bittersweet truths and appealing characters.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“[A] funny, sad portrait of rock’n’roll dreams that never get farther than the opening chords.” — blogger Michael at The Greatest Show

“Adventurous, exhilarating story. Danger and intrigue are a constant presence.
Highly passionate . . .outstanding; I could not put this book down.”
— RomanceJunkies.com

“I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy about Lark’s sisters, Lily and Laurel.” — blogger Jill