Inspiring Women Musicians: Books That Tell Their Stories - Book Buying Guide
- Matt
- Sep 14, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Music history is full of amazing people who define generations. Among these transformative figures are women who often had to work twice as hard, breaking down barriers their male counterparts didn’t face.
From folk storytellers to rock goddesses and hip-hop lyrical savants, these books shine a light on the female voices that shaped genres. Whether you’re after personal memoirs, cultural deep dives, or lyrical reflections, this curated list of books about female musicians will let you dive into the courage, creativity, and determination it took them to make it in the music world.
The Power of Female Voices in Music
These books focus on individual stories, but I thought it would be great to include two exceptional examples that look at a broader group of women.
Contents of Books
Broken Horses
Eternal Flame: The Authorized Biography of The Bangles
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics
Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush
Mirror in the Sky: The Life and Music of Stevie Nicks
Joni Mitchell: In Her Own Words
How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music
The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop
A Closer Look at Each Book
Author: Brandi Carlile
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Brandi Carlile’s memoir is as heartfelt as her songs. She takes readers from her small-town childhood home to her rise as a Grammy-winning superstar. With great honesty and humor, Carlile shares her struggles with identity, poverty, and ambition. She paints a portrait of resilience and shows how music can be a powerful healing force.
Why I Like This Book:
It offers a raw and unpolished glimpse into the music industry.
Honest stories about her upbringing and challenges are rare in autobiographies.
I found it inspiring, especially as she balances artistry and family.
Author: Various contributors
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: This biography explores the story of The Bangles, the all-female band that defined the pop/rock sound in the 1980s. From “Manic Monday” to “Eternal Flame,” this book captures their rise to international fame and the struggles of maintaining credibility in a male-dominated music scene.
Why I Like This Book:
It offers a revealing look at the 80s pop-rock explosion from a female perspective.
It highlights the challenges female groups faced and how they navigated through them.
I found it a great balance of nostalgia and critical insight into the band and the era.
Author: Dolly Parton
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: The Queen! Through her own lyrics, Dolly tells her story. This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a lyrical scrapbook of her journey from Tennessee to global icon. Each song reveals a different piece of her personality—both her struggles and her endless optimism.
Why I Like This Book:
I love that Dolly tells her story in her own words.
It’s a unique mix of autobiography and songbook, which I've never seen before.
It reminded me why she’s one of music’s most beloved and talented figures.
Author: Graeme Thomson
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Kate Bush has always had a mysterious aura. This biography peels back that mystique and looks at the artist behind it. From her teenage breakthrough song “Wuthering Heights” to her lasting influence on today’s musicians, it follows the evolution of a musician who always chose art over fame.
Why I Like This Book:
It explains how Kate Bush redefined creativity in pop music.
It provides insight into her reclusive yet genius persona.
It’s a perfect read for fans of avant-garde artists or the style as a whole.
Author: Simon Morrison
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Summary: Stevie Nicks is one of the most fascinating figures of the 70s. This biography details her mystical style, her songwriting brilliance, and the turbulent Fleetwood dynamics that helped her rise above others. The author balances admiration with honest critique, giving fans a full picture of her life and legacy.
Why I Like This Book:
It captures a balanced view of Stevie—not just the magic and brilliance but also her flaws.
It provides details on Fleetwood Mac’s chaos that I hadn’t heard before.
It discusses not only the band but her solo career and lasting influence.
Author: Malka Marom (interviews with Joni Mitchell)
Star Rating: 4.4 Stars
Summary: This book is a collection of interviews where Joni Mitchell reflects on her songwriting, influences, and journey as a musician. It’s less of a traditional biography and more of a conversation, allowing readers to hear her voice directly.
Why I Like This Book:
It features Joni speaking for herself, which I found unfiltered and refreshing.
It provides a rare look into her creative process.
A must-read for fans of Joni and songwriting alike.
Author: NPR Music contributors
Star Rating: 4.4 Stars
Summary: This book provides a sweeping history of women’s contributions to music. It delves into forgotten pioneers and global superstars, placing women at the heart of musical revolutions across genres. It reminds us just how much women's stories in music matter.
Why I Like This Book:
It’s the first book on this list that brings multiple stories together for a common perspective.
It shows how women influenced the entire history of popular music.
I found it both educational and easy to read.
Author: Clover Hope
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Hip-hop has had powerful female voices throughout its history, and this book gives them the recognition they deserve. It documents women who built hip-hop culture, from Roxanne Shanté to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.
Why I Like This Book:
It sheds light on overlooked artists who deserve recognition.
It can be used as both a reference book and a casual read.
Anyone wanting to explore hip-hop history should read this for a female perspective on the genre.
Summary - The Best Female Musician Icon Books
Women have always been, and will always be, central to music—even if history has tried to push them down and portray them as 'less than.' These eight books reveal the highs and lows of female musicians throughout popular music history.
If I had to pick one standout, for me it’s Dolly Parton: Songteller. No one tells her story better than she does, and the unique way it’s done using lyrics is simply brilliant.
One final shout-out—Amazon is hands down the best place to get these books. You’ll find fast shipping, easy returns, and plenty of reader reviews to guide your choices.
Even if nothing here catches your eye, you can browse the full Amazon Books home page through the banner below and find something that does.
As always, thanks so much for reading! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, opinions, or ideas for my next article.
Have a great one!
About The Author
Matt A, Founder and Head Writer @ Music Thought House
I’ve had a lifelong passion for music. I picked up my first guitar when I was 10, and it’s been with me ever since—most of the time, haha! I’ve played and studied music continuously, always trying to learn more and improve. There’s not one aspect of music that I’m not still in awe of.
I’ve gathered a lot of information over time, and now, with Music Thought House, I’m excited to share it with the world.
I know that music can be daunting and seemingly complex, but I’m not a complicated person. The blog posts I write aim to keep things simple and straightforward so everyone can better understand music.