December 2025 Reading Wrap-Up
December turned into an unexpected deep dive into music. Almost every book I picked up had something to do with songwriting, musicians, memoirs, or the music business. As someone who loves listening to music but also enjoys understanding how it’s made, this was a really enjoyable month. Some books focused on creativity, others on the lives behind the songs, and a few offered practical advice for making a living in the industry.
If nothing else, this month reminded me that great music rarely happens by accident.
World Within a Song by Jeff Tweedy ★★★★☆
I enjoyed this one, but I also recognize that my enjoyment probably came from already being a fan of Jeff Tweedy and Wilco.
On its own merits, I’m not sure this book quite earns four stars. A casual reader might wonder what all the fuss is about, while a diehard Wilco fan would probably hand it five stars without hesitation.
I landed somewhere in the middle. This is a look at the songs that had the greatest effect on his life and art. If you are a fan of Tweedy, there’s plenty here to enjoy. If not, this probably isn’t the place to start.
How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy ★★★★☆
This one falls into much the same category.
If you’re a Wilco fan, you’ll probably love it. If you’re a casual listener, you’ll likely enjoy it. If you’ve never heard of Wilco, I’d honestly recommend picking up a different songwriting book.
Tweedy has some interesting thoughts on creativity, but there are stronger books available if your primary goal is learning the craft of songwriting.
Acid for the Children by Flea ★★★★☆
This memoir had quite a few surprises.
For one, I had no idea Flea was a serious trumpet player before he ever picked up a bass. Since reading this, I’ve been enjoying his recent jazz album. It was fascinating to read about those early influences.
His upbringing was exactly as colorful and chaotic as I expected. He’s always been a unique personality, and this book certainly reinforces that. As wild as some of his stories were, nothing here came close to shocking me as much as Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, particularly his account of a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Nothing nearly so distasteful in Flea’s memoir.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have released some music I’d gladly skip, but they’ve also created absolute classics like Under the Bridge and the Californication album. If you’re more than a casual fan of the band, this memoir is definitely worth reading.
Murder Ballads by Katy Horan ★★★★☆
Sometimes a book does exactly what it promises.
This was an interesting look at the history and tradition of murder ballads. Nothing about it completely blew me away, but I enjoyed learning more about a niche corner of music history that I hadn’t explored before.
If the subject interests you, I think you’ll come away satisfied.
It Was You All Along by Russ ★★★★☆
Before reading this, I wasn’t familiar with Russ beyond knowing the name.
I came away impressed.
The book is encouraging, motivational, and filled with lessons about believing in your work and sticking with it even when success doesn’t come overnight. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to go create something.
Such Great Heights by Chris DeVille ★★★★☆
The title immediately caught my attention because I’ve always loved The Postal Service.
Truthfully, I was probably more of an emo kid than an indie rock kid growing up, but there was plenty of overlap. Bands like The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie have always been favorites of mine.
This was a fun look back at the rise of indie rock and the cultural moment that surrounded it. If that era of music or music history in general means anything to you, it’s well worth the read.
The Upcycled Self by Tariq Trotter ★★★★☆
If you’d asked me who Tariq Trotter was before this book, I probably wouldn’t have known.
Ask me about Black Thought from The Roots, though, and that’s a different story.
I’ve admired his lyricism for years. He’s one of those rappers who consistently has something meaningful to say, and this memoir only deepened my appreciation for him.
Fans of The Roots will find a lot to enjoy here.
Earth to Moon by Moon Unit Zappa ★★★★☆
Who names their child “Moon Unit”?
Frank Zappa, of course.
Coming from the daughter of one of rock music’s greatest eccentrics, I expected this memoir to be unusual. It certainly was.
Parts of it were funny. Parts were disturbing. Some sections were downright bizarre. It isn’t always an easy read, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into a family that was anything but ordinary.
How to Make It in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand ★★★★☆
I’ve followed Ari Herstand’s videos and podcast for several years, so I was already familiar with much of his advice.
Even so, this book does an excellent job of pulling everything together into one practical resource.
If you’re an independent musician, starting a record label, or managing artists, there’s a lot of useful information here. The music industry has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades, and Herstand does a great job explaining how artists can build sustainable careers without following the traditional major label path.
I hate the cover art, but at least it’s not AI…
Final Thoughts
December didn’t have a single five-star book, but that doesn’t mean it was a disappointing month. In fact, I had a great time with almost everything I read.
More than anything, this month reminded me that I love learning about the people behind the music almost as much as I enjoy listening to the music itself. Whether it was Jeff Tweedy reflecting on songwriting, Flea telling stories from his chaotic childhood, Black Thought sharing his inspiring journey from South Philly to the Tonight Show, or Ari Herstand explaining today’s music industry, every book gave me a deeper appreciation for the art and the artists.
I wouldn’t recommend every one of these books to everyone. Most of them are best suited for fans of a particular musician or genre. But if you’re the kind of person who likes pulling back the curtain and seeing how music gets made, December had plenty to offer.
Books Read: 9
Average Rating: 4.0/5
