Black Friday Bonanza: 10 Pop Music Books From The Past Year That Serve As Perfect Stocking Stuffers

Published: November 27, 2014
Pop Knowledge Is Power
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Between Jay Z and Beyonce’s On the Run Tour and the arrival of Taylor Swift’s behemoth pop album 1989, 2014 has had quite a few key music moments. And now it’s that time of year when we try to figure out sort out what to give as holiday presents. So what do you do when your favorite music fan already owns all their favorite albums or has seen more concerts than they can count?

With the end of 2014 around the corner, there are still lots of bits and bobs you can stuff stockings with. For instance, what about getting your friend a book this holiday season? To help you out, we rounded up some of the reads that might have slipped under your radar. Whether you want to read up on some music history or learn more about an iconic musician, these are some books that you might want to grab for your pop-loving best friend or maybe even for yourself.

Loving Amy: A Mother’s Story by Janis Winehouse
Amy Winehouse’s death in 2011 came so abruptly that it shocked the world. However, no one was as devastated as her family. Following the memoir written by Amy’s dad, Mitchell, in 2012, the “Back To Black” singer ‘s mother is now coming out with her own memories, experiences and feelings toward her late daughter. Including family photos and excerpts from her childhood diaries, this book shows us that Amy Winehouse wasn’t only one of the iconic voices of the 21st century but also was once a mother’s little girl.

Bastille: The Bad Blood Tour photos by Gregory Nolan
With sold out tours and enthusiastic fans singing their songs wherever they go, it’s safe to say that past year has been a whirlwind for Bastille. This stardom has been years in the making, and in the band’s new box set, photographer Gregory Nolan captures Bastille’s day-to-day actions, from the moments before they were about to release Bad Blood all the way through the band’s world tour. The photo-filled book also comes with a 12″ vinyl EP of new songs. Perfect for the ultimate fan who wants to see just what Bastille have done to get to this point but doesn’t necessarily want to read all about it.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!: The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé by Bob Stanley
Although people have their preconceived notions of what pop music sounds like, it does come in many different forms. And Bob Stanley from UK band Saint Etienne tracks the history of pop music by looking at individual songs, major scenes and actual bands. Examining all genres (even country and metal), Stanley gives us a history of how pop music has not only put many of us in a good mood, but also how the songs and bands we chose to put at the top of the charts was a reflection of how the world was feeling in that moment. If your friend is a big music geek, this is a great stocking stuffer.

True Love by Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has been a regular on the screen, stage and red carpet. Behind the fame, the actress and pop star has been going through some issues that left her hurt and beaten. In her new memoir, she delves into that abuse and describes how her children were what kept her going. This book doesn’t hide much, and it shows us that even the biggest of stars can go through some tough times. True Love is great not only for JLo fans, but also for those who may be going through some issues and need a pick-me-up.

Unbreak My Heart: A Memoir by Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton was one of the biggest R&B stars in the ’90s. And although she and her family continue to stay in the spotlight, Toni hasn’t had the easiest life since those chart-topping days. Delving into everything from bankruptcy to being diagnosed with lupus, the “Unbreak My Heart” songstress sets the record straight here and talks about the importance of family. Braxton also reveals what life has been like while mothering an autistic child. For those who want to read about a star who’s gone through the ringer and still come out a stronger individual, this will indeed be a page-turner.

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