Billboard is February's Magazine of the Month

On February 3rd, 1959 the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed near Mason City, Iowa, killing the three musicians and the pilot. This tragic event was commemorated in Don McLean's American Pie, and every year since 1979 fans have gathered at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake for a memorial concert.

In honor of these musical innovators, we've selected Billboard as our February magazine of the month. Billboard began publication in 1894 as a trade magazine for the billboard industry, and over the years evolved into covering the carnival industry, motion pictures, radio and television. In the 1930s Billboard began publishing their charts of popular music, and in 1961 they began to focus exclusively on the music industry. You can read more about the history of Billboard on Wikipedia, or check out the latest music news on their website: www.billboard.com

Be sure to stop into Carnegie-Stout to check out the latest issue of Billboard and browse our music collection on the first floor because we've got an eclectic collection with something for every listener! You might also want to browse our many biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs on and by musicians of every genre.

If fiction is more your style, we've pulled together a few titles you might enjoy:

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon
The latest character-driven title by the acclaimed Chabon, Telegraph Avenue focuses on a economically vulnerable record shop owned by two friends in California. Richly detailed and humorous, this novel tackles touches on the issues of race and consumerism in America. 

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Hornby writes about the foibles and loves of eccentric young people with humor and care. High Fidelity, an upbeat and character-driven novel of music, love, and a record store, is also the basis for a movie starring John Cusack.


A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Egan demonstrates her chops as a master of the unconventional and thought-provoking in A Visit from the Goon Squad. As the narrative switches between the engaging characters, the reader is taken on a journey through the changing music industry.

Year Zero by Rob Reid
A humorous science-fiction take on illegal downloads, Reid's first novel, Year Zero, is packed with detail. When aliens, addicted to Earth's music, discover that they owe astronomical fees for their illegal downloads, they engage the services of entertainment lawyer Nick Carter to fight back. Failing that, they'll simply destroy the Earth.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

Beukes' second novel is a fast-paced, award-winning, hard-boiled supernatural mystery about the dark-side of the South African music industry. You can read Sarah's staff review of Zoo City, which includes a link to the book's official soundtrack with songs by South African musicians.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud 

A retelling of Pride and Prejudice where Darcy and Elizabeth are members of two rival rock bands. Steamy, witty, and of a faster-pace than Austen's original that's sure to charm readers who can't get enough Darcy.

 

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!