As the summer winds down, it’s a good time to glance at that summer reading list and see what kind of progress we all made. Did you make a dent? Still procrastinating? Or did the summer get away from you? Well, never fear because I’m here to give you the top 4 books every musician should read to get a jump start on the Fall.
1. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy
Although this is a must-read for EVERYONE (in my opinion), it’s particularly important for musicians with the “chutzpah” to try to live their dream – despite the odds. Conditioning your subconscious mind to focus on your goals and ignore the naysayer in your conscious mind takes a lot of work – and this book is a great place to start.
2. Six Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume
If you write your own songs, you may think you already know everything you really need to know – or maybe you prefer to try to get by on sheer creativity. The truth is, no matter how long you’ve been writing songs or how good you think you are, you WILL learn things in this book that will make you even better. And if you’re just starting out, what a wonderful guide book to help you along the way!
3. Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live by Martha Beck
We’re all here for a reason. If you’re confused about your true purpose (or even if you’re sure or just pretty sure), this book is a great guide to living the most fulfilling life possible. Full of practical advice and step-by-step methods, it’s an absolute MUST.
4. Helluva High Note by Kara DioGuardi
When we face adversity in life, it’s how we respond that ultimately defines us. Kara has assuredly written songs you know and even judged on American Idol. But it wasn’t all wine and roses. This book is sure to not only inspire you to be better, but also to make you feel less alone in many of the struggles you’re certain to have faced.
Well, there you have it. The Cari Cole End-of-Summer 2012 Reading List. I hope you enjoy these wonderful books and would love to hear your specific thoughts (as well as other great book suggestions) below in the comments.
©2012 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.