We love it when authors make playlists inspired by their books. It gives a totally new perspective on the work. Here are some of our favorite author playlists:
My new book is a collection of essays, speeches, and other nonfiction of all kinds, called The View from the Cheap Seats.
I wrote about everything from reading to music. Here’s a playlist
loosely inspired by essays and subjects I talk about in the book. It is
either willfully eclectic or simply a bit all over the place. Just like
the book.
“The quick-witted humor of Terry Pratchett, driven by the nonsense of
the mundane, collides seamlessly with the picturesque darkness of Neil
Gaiman, where the mundane reveals itself to be secretly fantastic, in
this modern comedic fantasy about a demon, an angel, and the antichrist
– who is an eleven-year-old boy named Adam – and his loyal hellhound,
Dog.” — Lonnan
I dream of the day when all of our social studies textbooks are replaced
by Kate Beaton’s hilarious historical comics. Until that day comes, Step Aside, Pops is the next best thing. From Wuthering Heights to Ida B. Wells, Beaton uses the full force of her comedic commentary to skewer the skewer-worthy and laud the laudable.
– Dot
Mix together Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, add Chris
Riddell’s stunning illustrations, pour it all into the cauldron of Neil
Gaiman’s imagination, and this gorgeous illustrated fairy tale will
result. The Sleeper and the Spindle reimagines classic fairy tales into something inspiring, wise, and slightly unexpected.
– Mary Jo
You really can’t go wrong with this excellent photographic encyclopedia
by DK and the Smithsonian, which includes diagrams, maps, timelines,
infographics, and over 10,000 stunning photos on everything from the
Mughal Empire to the taxonomy of over 70 different seashells. Picturepedia is a perfect
gift for ages 9 and up, and a fascinating reference book for many years
to come.
– Kim T
In this gutsy memoir, award-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker addresses
all the men who have influenced her path in life. Parker is a talented
writer, and Dear Mr. You is a strikingly intimate tribute to
the resonance of human encounters, to personal and artistic development,
to love and loss and perseverance.
– Renee P.
You do not need to like Sleater-Kinney, Riot Grrrl, punk music, or Portlandia to love Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. It is accessible, entertaining, and very well told. Carrie Brownstein has a fascinating life.
– Britt A.
Fred and Sam are the best of friends. They both love to read and play
music and make comic books. But how long can an imaginary friend stick
around? Imaginary Fred reminds us of the power of
true friendship.
– Jen H.
Career of Evil, the third installment of the Cormoran Strike series starts off with a
delivery containing a severed leg. Strike and his assistant, Robin, must
figure out who sent it before the killer can get to Robin. If you enjoy
a good mystery, you’ll love this smart and plot-twisting novel.
– Jen H.
Trigger Warning is a delicious cornucopia of Gaiman’s short fiction. Dip in and enjoy. There’s a bit of everything here, from Doctor Who to an unpublished American Gods story. Once again, Gaiman waves his magician’s wand and we are swept away to slightly disturbing and eerie lands.
– Mary Jo
Robinson’s graceful, gorgeous prose is matched only by her magnificent
intelligence, and nowhere is that more evident than in her essays.
Exploring subjects as complex as faith, metaphysics, and capitalism, The Givenness of Things shows Robinson at the height of her powers, urging us to be more thoughtful about our role in the universe and to each other.
– Jill O.
First came Rainbow Rowell’s book Fangirl, whose main character –
Cath – lives and breathes the fictional world of Simon Snow, boy
magician. In Carry On we meet Simon himself, along with his dastardly (yet
handsome) vampire roommate, Basil. Once again, Rowell is magic, telling a
story that’s sarcastic and sweet in all the right places.
– Dot
Six wildly explosive characters, each with a special talent, are hired
to rescue a scientist from an impenetrable prison. Powerful writing and
moments of brutality and surprising tenderness make Six of Crows a compelling read.
– Richard C.
Neverwherewas removed from Alamogordo High School’s reading list because a student complained that it had an R-rated scene. The heavily criticized removal was later revoked after a school board review.
“Neil Gaiman at his fantastical best! The story of a man discovering that his childhood may have contained more than he ever imagined possible, The Ocean at the End of the Lane will enchant from the very first sentence. It is the sort of tale you can read over and over again, and it will never lose its magic.” - Amantha
