Best Reggae Music Books of 2025

Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks is a unique guide that combines music and cocktails. The book features 70 great records from the 1950s through the 2000s, with each entry having liner notes that underscore the album's musical highlights and accompanying "Side A" and "Side B" cocktail recipes that complement the music's mood. The book is organized by mood, making it easy to find the perfect cocktail and album pairing for any occasion. The photography throughout the book is stunning and adds to the overall experience. Booze & Vinyl is a must-read for music and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

Guitar Book for Adult Beginners is a comprehensive book and streaming video course designed to teach beginners how to play famous guitar songs, chords, music theory, and technique. With step-by-step lessons, this interactive and engaging method by music professor Damon Ferrante is perfect for those who struggled with other guitar lessons or want to expand their musical understanding. The book covers a range of famous songs, including Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, and Silent Night. Overall, this beginner guitar book and video course is an excellent resource for anyone looking to take their guitar playing to the next level.

Grapefruit is a book of instructions for art and life by Yoko Ono, featuring whimsical and subversive ideas that were groundbreaking when the book was first published in 1964. The book is back in print after almost thirty years, and it includes a foreword by Ono and an afterword by David Brinkley. The book also features quotes from Ono's late husband, John Lennon. This book is a must-read for those interested in avant-garde art and the countercultural movements of the 1960s.

The "How To Play Acoustic Guitar" book is the ultimate guide for beginners who want to learn how to play the guitar. With 130 pages of superbly explained guitar lessons, 100 beautifully illustrated guitar chords, and rhythm patterns, this book is better than a guitar teacher. It also includes over 100 easy-to-play guitar songs and step-by-step lesson videos, live, and email support. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to play acoustic guitar quickly and efficiently without any prior knowledge of music.

The Reggae & Ska Guitar Book is a comprehensive guide to the guitar styles of reggae music. The book takes you on a journey through the decades, exploring the evolution of reggae and its many sub-genres, including ska, rocksteady, dub, and more. With each stop on the journey, the book teaches you how to play authentic, stylistically accurate guitar parts. You'll learn essential techniques like the skank groove, double-stops, pentatonic riffs, and more. This book is a must-have for any guitarist looking to master the unique rhythms and sounds of reggae music.

The Islander: My Life in Music and Beyond is a memoir by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. The book tells the story of Blackwell's life and career in the music industry, working with legendary musicians such as Bob Marley, U2, and Grace Jones. Blackwell's unconventional path and his commitment to championing overlooked musicians make this book a warmhearted and inspiring read. The Islander is a must-read for fans of reggae music and anyone interested in the music industry's history.

The updated and revised Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley is a classic rock biography that explores the life of the reggae legend. This fourth edition includes new material and revisions made by the author before his death, as well as an expanded discography and updated facts throughout. The book also delves into Marley's legacy and the ongoing controversy over his remains. Written by prominent music journalist Timothy White, this biography is probably the finest ever written about a popular musician. It is a must-read for any Bob Marley fan.

The Guitar Chord Book: Acoustic Guitar Chords For Beginners & Improvers is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn guitar chords quickly and efficiently. With clear illustrations and personalized playing tips, this book is ideal for beginners and more experienced players alike. The simple 3-step practice guide ensures correct finger positioning every time, which is crucial for success. The book covers basic chords, open chords, barre chords, poly chords, and color chords, making it a comprehensive guide for any guitarist. The addition of video lessons and email support sets this book apart from others in its category. Overall, this is a must-have for anyone serious about learning guitar chords.

The oversize book "Bob Marley: Portrait of the Legend" is a must-read for any fan of the reggae legend. It features over 150 photographs from the Marley family archives, mixing iconic and intimate images of Marley's life on and off stage. The book is a fitting tribute to Marley's influence, and its design is a testament to his greatness. Ziggy Marley, Bob's son, has done a superb job in curating this definitive portrait of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. The book is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn more about the life and legacy of Bob Marley.

The book "So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley" by Roger Steffens is a comprehensive portrayal of the reggae legend's life. Through interviews with band members, family, and friends, Steffens provides a rare and intimate look into Marley's personal and professional life. The book covers everything from his humble beginnings to his tragic death from cancer. With vivid scenes and eyewitness accounts, readers get a better understanding of the man behind the music. Overall, this book is a must-read for any Bob Marley fan and serves as a definitive and insightful portrait of one of the greatest pop culture figures of the twentieth century.