York County Public Library (YCPL) is exploring recent American history through a musical lens with a New York Times bestselling novel during Big Library Read, the world's largest digital book club. From April 4-18, booklovers can join over a hundred thousand others around the world in reading Questlove's thought-provoking Music Is History from their public library. York County Public Library card holders can borrow the famous musician’s ebook and audiobook for free without waiting on the Libby app or by visiting our OverDrive Digital Collection. Readers can then join the discussion online at Big Library Read.
Big Library Read is available in over 21,000 libraries and hundreds of colleges around the world, including approximately 90 percent of public libraries in North America. During the program, readers participate in engaging online discussions about the title. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.
Music Is History focuses on the years 1971 to the present as Questlove finds the hidden connections in the American tapestry, whether investigating how the blaxploitation era reshaped Black identity or considering the way disco took an assembly-line approach to Black genius. These critical inquiries are complemented by his own memories as a music fan, and the way his appetite for pop culture taught him about America. A history of the last half-century and an intimate conversation with one of music's most influential and original voices, Music Is History is a singular look at contemporary America.
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is an Academy Award winning director, filmmaker, drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. He is also cofounder of the hip-hop group the Roots. Questlove is the musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the Roots serve as the house band.
Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects millions of readers around the world with an ebook and audiobook through public libraries. Music Is History is the 27th selection of this program which began in 2013 and takes place three times per year. Readers can join an online discussion about the book at https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion/.
Music Is History was published as an ebook by ABRAMS and as an audiobook by Recorded Books. The title can be read on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™ without waitlists or holds. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
To join the discussion, learn about past Big Library Read titles and download Libby, visit biglibraryread.com.