Greetings Superstars!
As a writer, I love books and absorbing information through stories. Since we’re here to discover and examine the stories and histories behind reggae, rockers & ska music (and everything in-between), what better way than to start a reggae book club? We could call it the ‘Takin’ It Easy’ Book Club! Because this is a no-stress, purely for fun endeavor. What do you think?
I’ve chosen four books related in some way to reggae music. I’ll tell you a bit about each one, as well as why I think it sounds interesting.
Then, you vote in the poll posted below and let me know what we should read first.
You’re in charge!
Let’s go:
Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King
Published in 2000, this book examines the development of reggae in Jamaica, its ties to politics, and how it and its subsequent sub-genres captivated the world. It includes stories about Bob Marley, Prince Buster, King Tubby.
I’m interested in reading this book because of the expertise of the author, Lloyd Bradley, who is a Black music journalist from England whose insight into the art and industry of music is well-respected.
Find it here: https://a.co/d/ivmZq7e
A Brief History of Seven Killings
Author Marlon James published this award-winning book in 2014, and it’s the only novel on our list. (The rest are non-fiction.) Here is the blurb:
“On December 3, 1976, just before the Jamaican general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica Concert to ease political tensions in Kingston, seven gunmen stormed the singer’s house, machine guns blazing. The attack wounded Marley, his wife, and his manager, and injured several others. Little was officially released about the gunmen, but much has been whispered, gossiped and sung about in the streets of West Kingston. Rumors abound regarding the assassins’ fates, and there are suspicions that the attack was politically motivated.”
I’m interested in reading this book because I love a good historical crime thriller, and even in the recent Bob Marley movie, One Love, the motivations and fates of these gunmen were vague.
Find it here: https://a.co/d/eunqfKf
In Defense of Ska - Vol. 2
This book is an ode to the joy that ska music brings. Unfathomable as it is, ska gets a lot of hate and podcaster Aaron Carnes is here to build a “ska army” of defenders. Updated this year, Carnes added 30,000 words of insight into social and political events have impacted the genre.
I’m interested in reading this book because I am an unapologetic ska lover and I think everyone should give it a chance. Plus, it promises some music industry gossip.
Note: This edition has yet to be released, so we’d have to wait—or read the original which was written in 2021.
Find it here: https://a.co/d/abUXhGl
The Natural Mystics: Marley, Tosh, and Wailer
This 2011 book explores the ideals that Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer represented to Black youth in 1970s Jamaica. Reggae is a young music genre that exploded like the Big Bang—bringing life where there might have been a void. Author Colin Grant visits with the peoples’ leaders to learn more.
I’m interested in reading this book because, as an islander who lives in the States, I am fascinated by the way that small, isolated groups self-govern, and where the population tipping point stands in terms of social disorder. Jamaica is a big island that fought for its people through the ideals of Rastafari—I’d like to learn about how it started and if it worked.
Find it here: https://a.co/d/dFxxifm
Which one will it be??
This week, I hope that you are inspired by something that you read. 📚🤩
Reggae in Books