While you're lounging on a sunny beach with a book, your favorite bands are toiling on the road on their summer tours. But just because musicians are always on the move doesn't mean they don't have time to curl up with a good book. We caught up with artists touring this summer and asked them what books they'll be packing for the trip. Happy reading! William Tyler
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes
"I just found out David Bowie was obsessing over it when he recorded Low."
Heather McEntire, Mount Moriah
Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough and My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman
"I'm excited to learn more about these two artists who have contributed heavily to my musical foundation."
Sonny Smith, Sonny & The Sunsets
1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die by Steven Jay Schneider
"I like to look at the movie stills in it and read the little synopses."
John Darnielle, The Mountain Goats
The Sarban Omnibus by Sarban; The Time of the Doves by Mercè Rodoreda; Maidenhair by Mikhail Shishkin
"I doubt that I get all three done. I'm not a fast reader, but hope springs eternal."
Eleanor Friedberger
Speedboat and Pitch Dark by Renata Adler
"A friend sent me both, after another friend had already lent me them. I'm curious to see why they both thought I would enjoy them."
Alex Bleeker, Real Estate
The Cardboard Universe by Christopher Miller
"Particularly looking forward to this one because it combines aspects of two literary monuments, Philip K. Dick, and Nabokov's Pale Fire."
Max Gregor, Lemuria
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson
"I'm behind on the whole Girl with... fad, but I started reading the first book while on vacation, and couldn't put it down. Bought the second a couple weeks ago."
Tim Forgarty, El Ten Eleven
Who I Am by Pete Townsend
"I grew up on The Who, and I'm a sucker for autobiographies."