Book Reviews

‘I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine’

Thinking of music as a balm isn’t a new concept. There have been numerous articles and quips and even songs written about the human compunction to use sound to express oneself and tap into something raw. Here, though, we have a voluminous work combining anthropology and musicology with the depth and breadth to prove something I think many of us already know — music is more than just communication; it can heal in profound and uniquely human ways.

Reviewing cultural influences, scientific studies and the history of music through the lens of neuroscience, this book weaves a multifaceted tale of the power of sound. Not just a soothing lilt for a fussy baby or a salve for a broken heart; music has shown definitive success as a therapy for a wide range of illnesses and conditions. The often surprising and fascinating ways the human body responds to music absolutely blew my mind. I learned so much from this book and made dozens of new playlists. I now feel totally justified playing my favorites over and over again.

Daniel Levitin clearly loves music, and his passion makes this a fantastic book for any audiophile. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

‘The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World’

“Braiding Sweetgrass,” Robin Wall Kimmerer’s last book, was a literary sensation and, for me, life-changing. My vague, unfocused environmentalism has new purpose and deeper understanding as a direct result of her work. It is with no small amount of joy that I leapt for this new work by such a venerable author. 

“The Serviceberry” is a beautiful tale of indigenous knowledge about how nature’s bounty serves to enrich each part of the world. This time, the author ties this lesson to a view of what we, as a society, choose to value and, even more importantly, the model with which we approach relationships. She speaks of abundance, generosity and the idea of gift economy as seen in nature. Adeptly teaching natural wisdom and uncovering the truth of competition-based economies, Kimmerer offers a new model for interacting with others to the benefit of all. 

For such a slim volume, this book packs a soul-stirring punch. Once again, I think the author has changed my worldview for the better. I can’t think of a better gift for this season of giving. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich