Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story, in Music Lessons

Renowned classical pianist and MacArthur “Genius” Denk combines memoir and music theory, making for a fascinating read. He details his childhood as a prodigy in New Jersey, which was upended when the family moved to New Mexico and he had to find a new piano teacher. At sixteen, he left for Oberlin College and navigated the cruelties and kindnesses of music teachers there. Denk shares the pieces and composers who most impacted him and opines on the benefits of practice and the way melody, harmony, and rhythm function. Music touches every part of his life and, as readers, we are reminded of the ways music functions in our lives as well.