Every year for Christmas my family does a “Secret Santa” with the adults. The idea is you write down three things you want under a certain price, and the person that picked you out of a hat gets you one of those things. This year, I wrote my annual three different forms of gift cards to clothing stores I liked.

One day during the holiday season I was listening to the radio and heard an interview with Nile Rodgers, an iconic musician, producer, composer, guitarist and arranger who just released his memoir Le Freak named after the famous disco song which he wrote. After hearing his interview, which covered some brief snippets of his incredible life, good times at Studio 54, and the songs he wrote for the likes of David Bowie and Madonna, I looked up the book immediately online. I knew I had to get it, and fast. Of course, when I looked at that book, there were ads for other books I “might like”. The first suggestion had a giant picture of Kurt Cobain on the front, “Go on..” I thought. I clicked the link to that book, called I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. I am a huge history buff, so anything that can bring music and history together I am totally into.

I knew I had to change what I asked for on my list. I emailed my mom and she told my “Secret Santa” of my changes who ended up buying me Le Freak! Since then I have been reading it every free chance I get, the book is absolutely incredible. To my luck early that day my Aunt gave me her gift, she said “I was told you have enough clothes so…” it was a gift certificate to the book store! I knew exactly what I wanted. I went in the next day and went nuts! Here is what I bought:

Rock Chicks by Alison Stieven-Taylor covers some of the most iconic rock chicks from the 1960s to today through images and words. I can’t wait to read it for some quality inspiration!

Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie of The Runaways. I have been dying to read this book since it came out, so I was so stoked for the opportunity to finally get it. I am inspired by Cherie Currie and Joan Jett’s style, attitude, talent, and ability to overcome all of the hard times they’ve been through. I really look up to them and can’t wait to read about Cherie’s insight on their childhood and growing up fast in their band The Runaways.

Just Kids by Patti Smith is another memoir I’ve been dying to read. I saw a documentary on Patti Smith and I have been hooked ever since. She is such an incredible singer, musician, artist, and I feel like she just breathes poetry. She seems like the kind of lady where when she speaks you just want to listen fully, to soak it all in. She seems so wise, yet so humble. I really want to discover her roots, how she found true love, and learn about what it was like living in NYC in the late sixties.

I seriously cannot recommend Le Freak enough. I have been reading it since I bought it, trying to find time and make time as much as possible for it. It is so interesting, heartbreaking, real, emotional, happy, funny, and most of all inspiring!

I know we all get busy with our lives with work during the week, hobbies, social lives, weekend fun, and I feel like the only time I took to read was that day I went to the beach in the summer, or every day when I was in college. I always wanted to change that. By getting these books, I’ve never been more excited to make reading a regular routine for myself. Reading really helps me wind down, while still feeling like I’m learning and reliving another person’s story. What’s great about shopping for books is you can go into a store with absolutely no clue, and find books on topics of your interests that can help you be better versed in what you love, or learn new things about something you’ve always wanted to explore. I highly recommend also looking up books you know you want online, for it’s an easy way to find similar books you might also love! 2012 is a year I want to start taking the best care of myself, and reading regularly is definitely on my list!

From mylifeinsound.com happy reading, and please recommend your favorite books for me to read next!

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Best,
Cheryl Dunn

mylifeinsound: ear & eye candy… great music, new music, epic music videos, gig photos xx