For first-time authors like me, asking colleagues and strangers for “blurbs” (cover endorsements) is a total nail-biter. What if no one replies? What if they don’t like the book? What if they love it, but don’t send the blurb in time for the cover deadline?
It’s a huge favor to read someone’s book knowing they hope or expect you to praise it. People at the top of their fields get asked a lot, and understandably, they’re reluctant to endorse books they don’t truly like. I kept my expectations low, so imagine what a thrill it was to read these responses to Wired for Music from scholars and writers I deeply admire:
“Beautifully written…a riveting account of how melodies and rhythms connect us, and help us deal with alienation and anxiety…May every parent and teacher—everybody who aspires to make our world a better place—read this wonderful book.”—Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score
“Brilliantly written, restlessly curious… A fascinating read for musicians and non-musicians alike.”—Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
“An elegant and deeply researched book that reveals how melody and rhythm can define us, heal us, and dance us toward our better selves.”—Michael Harris, author of The End of Absence and All We Want: Building the Life We Cannot Buy
“A brilliant piece of storytelling. Barton’s quest is twofold: to understand the meaning of music in her own life and to explore its impact on the human mind and spirit… A beautiful and captivating book.”—Claudia Kalb, author of Spark: How Genius Ignites, From Child Prodigies to Late Bloomers
“If you’ve ever drifted away from a once-loved piano in the basement or an old guitar in your closet, this book will lead you home. Smart, healing, enlightening, and uplifting. It’s pitch-perfect.”—Dr. Jillian Horton, author of We Are All Perfectly Fine: A Memoir of Love, Medicine and Healing
“Wired For Music is an eye (and ear!) opening exploration of music’s amazing effects on the human brain. A pleasure to read.”—William Gibson, author of Agency and Neuromancer
“An accomplished and inspiring debut… Barton’s engaging personal story, interwoven with expert scientific research, kept me riveted to every page.”—Angie Abdou, author of This One Wild Life: A Mother-Daughter Wilderness Memoir
“I loved the mix of personal stories, investigation, history, travel, reflection, and research… Whether you are a music fan, a science fan, or a science and music fan, this book is for you!"—Timothy Caulfield, author of Relax, Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety
A huge “thank you!” to the very first readers of Wired for Music.
In other news, invitations for speaking events are rolling in. My first one was at the beautiful Chan Centre (see photo), where I gave a talk for the music department at the University of British Columbia.
A series of events are being planned after the book’s publication date of Oct. 11, 2022. Links for pre-ordering can be found here.
Meanwhile, click here to view my conversation with Dr. Jillian Horton in the National Arts Centre series “Medicine, Arts, and #Life.”