Here are 77 books that Well Traveled fans have personally recommended if you like Well Traveled. Book DNA is a community of 13,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Complete Blues & Ragtime Guitar Player

Jamie Akers Author Of Christmas Carols for Guitar

From my list on to help you be great at guitar.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been playing the guitar since I was ten years old. From then until now it has been my life’s focus, my friend and delight, my consolation, companion, and frustration. While I am reconciled to never being the world’s most famous guitarist, I still have a career, make a living, and, hopefully, contribute positively to the Universe. I have recorded albums of previously unheard music, performed throughout the world, and edited and published books for guitar. In spite of decades of study and practice, I find my enthusiasm undimmed and enjoy nothing more than sharing my expertise and guiding those less experienced to discover the delights of playing music.

Jamie's book list on to help you be great at guitar

Jamie Akers Why Jamie loves this book

When I started playing guitar, all I wanted to do was play the blues. Why a working-class Scottish boy would be so entranced by music so culturally and geographically remote is curious even to me but this book gave me a way in, a key to unlock the skills required to emulate the sounds of the blues greats I loved to hear. As an autodidact, clear explanations, technical advice, and background information were essential to my development and I still use this book with students to this day. 

By Russ Shipton ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Complete Blues & Ragtime Guitar Player as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(Music Sales America). Covers the whole spectrum of this exciting area of guitar playing. Careful grading enables beginners to progress through this course playing well-known songs, as well as learning the technical aspects. Songs: A Basic Blues * 'a' Simple Blues * 'a' Twelve Bar * Alice's Restaurant * Bounce Blues * Candyman * Candyman Blues * Cocaine Blues * Come Back Baby * Deep River Blues * The Entertainer * Extension Blues * First Time Blues * Gee Rag * Good Morning Blues * Half-way Rag * Harmony Blues * Hesitation Blues * Horizon Rag * How Long How…


If you love Well Traveled...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of Guitar School

Jamie Akers Author Of Christmas Carols for Guitar

From my list on to help you be great at guitar.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been playing the guitar since I was ten years old. From then until now it has been my life’s focus, my friend and delight, my consolation, companion, and frustration. While I am reconciled to never being the world’s most famous guitarist, I still have a career, make a living, and, hopefully, contribute positively to the Universe. I have recorded albums of previously unheard music, performed throughout the world, and edited and published books for guitar. In spite of decades of study and practice, I find my enthusiasm undimmed and enjoy nothing more than sharing my expertise and guiding those less experienced to discover the delights of playing music.

Jamie's book list on to help you be great at guitar

Jamie Akers Why Jamie loves this book

Madame Sidney Pratten is a unique figure in the history of the guitar and sadly neglected by history. She was well known and well connected in her day and taught many notable members of Victorian London society to play guitar, including Princess Alexandra. Her real name was Catharina - in her public work she used her husband’s name, as was common at the time - and she published her Guitar School after many years of teaching, to great acclaim. It is the most informative, wise, and practical guitar book I know, full of useful information, beautiful music, and insight into the learning process.

This book is not currently available.

By Madame Sidney Pratten ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Guitar School as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why R.M. loves this book

There is nothing that enhances the process of building guitars more than having a solid foundation in the history of the instrument.

Although there are a number of excellent guitar histories available, few offer as clear and accessible information as this book does. The book is the catalog of a traveling museum show about guitars that was curated by the author at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

It is lavishly illustrated, and contains just the right amount of text on the subject to keep the reader engaged. No builder of stringed musical instruments should be without this book.

By Darcy Kuronen ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dangerous Curves as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"The guitar and the dog, in order not to be separated from man, have submitted themselves with resignation to the worst alterations of size and appearance." Andres Segovia


If you love Jen DeLuca...

Book cover of Katie’s Gamble

Katie’s Gamble by Kara O'Neal,

Katie's Gamble is an unexpected, unique story about a young woman who's trying to support her younger siblings by keeping her family's confectionery shop open.

In order to do that, she has to take on her older brother, who's a notorious gambler in Louisiana. Additionally, she has to outsmart Rowdy…

Book cover of Hand Made, Hand Played The Art and Craft Of Contemporary Guitars

Richard Mark French Author Of Acoustic Guitar Design

From my list on people interested in guitars and guitar making.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been making guitars for about 30 years now and love it. I’m mostly self-taught and there were some pretty rough instruments early on, but I got better with every one. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve made and my favorite is always the next one. I learned my craft from people who took the time to write about it. I’ve now written dozens of articles and three books on guitars. As a professor, I run a guitar-making lab and teach classes on stringed instrument design and manufacture. I hope to do my part to help new builders the way others have helped me.

Richard's book list on people interested in guitars and guitar making

Richard Mark French Why Richard loves this book

We’re probably in a golden age of guitar making. The internet has made information on how to make guitars, once rare indeed, free to anyone who wants to learn. New builders need to see what the very top luthiers (makers of stringed instruments) are building. This book is full of beautiful pictures – more pictures than words – that show the highest levels of design and construction. When I want to dream about how my next guitar might look, I go here.

By Robert Shaw ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hand Made, Hand Played The Art and Craft Of Contemporary Guitars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Feast your eyes on more than 300 of today's most creative, imaginative and gorgeous hand-made guitars - all illustrated in full colour and featuring information about the innovative artisans who created them. Meet guitar-making legends, such as C.F. Martin, Les Paul and Leo Fender, who revolutionised the instrument's design. Discover why the past 25 years have seen an explosion of craftspeople who build guitars by hand, employing an attention to detail factories can't afford and using higher quality materials and more technical skill than in any previous era. Explore the various guitar styles used in a range of musical traditions,…


Book cover of Classical Guitar Making: A Modern Approach to Traditional Design

Richard Mark French Author Of Acoustic Guitar Design

From my list on people interested in guitars and guitar making.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been making guitars for about 30 years now and love it. I’m mostly self-taught and there were some pretty rough instruments early on, but I got better with every one. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve made and my favorite is always the next one. I learned my craft from people who took the time to write about it. I’ve now written dozens of articles and three books on guitars. As a professor, I run a guitar-making lab and teach classes on stringed instrument design and manufacture. I hope to do my part to help new builders the way others have helped me.

Richard's book list on people interested in guitars and guitar making

Richard Mark French Why Richard loves this book

This is a beautiful book written by a master, who wants to inspire others to make classical guitars. These nylon string guitars look outwardly like other acoustic guitars. However, they are for a different kind of music and are made differently. Bogdanovich does a great job in leading a new builder through each step. I refer to this book a lot. It’s so nicely produced that I find myself just browsing through it, even when I’m not actually working on a classical guitar.

By John S. Bogdanovich ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Classical Guitar Making as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What a thrill for any musician: playing a fine-sounding instrument that he or she has lovingly crafted from scratch. With this richly illustrated manual, well-known luthier and guitarist John Bogdanovich shows exactly how to build that first, beautiful guitar, using traditional, time-tested methods. All that’s required are basic woodworking techniques and a minimally equipped shop. Bogdanovich discusses the anatomy of the guitar, sound, choosing an instrument, selecting woods, templates and molds, and preparation. In more than 300 pages of text, he painstakingly lays out the details of construction, from assembling the neck and sides to installing the fingerboard and bridge.


Book cover of Music Reading for Guitar (The Complete Method)

Tobias Hurwitz Author Of The Total Rock Guitarist: A Fun and Comprehensive Overview of Rock Guitar Playing, Book & CD

From my list on for rock guitar philosophers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been immersed in playing and teaching guitar and in rock culture all my life. Since graduating from The Guitar Institute of Technology in 1987, I’ve been a full-time guitar professional. So, I’m known in my hometown of Baltimore as the go to guy for rock guitar chores of all kinds. I play for companies like Johns Hopkins, Center Stage and The Baltimore Ravens. I taught Guitar at The Gilman School for thirteen years. I’ve played every venue from the biggest stadiums to the smallest clubs. My publications include fifteen guitar books internationally distributed by Alfred Publications and features in most major trade journals. Endorsements: Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Ernie Ball Strings and Fractal Audio.

Tobias' book list on for rock guitar philosophers

Tobias Hurwitz Why Tobias loves this book

The Beatles didn’t know how to read music, and typically, rock musicians don’t read and write music. So therefore it’s a challenge to us, the people who learned to play around campfires, at the beach, and in the roadhouse, just cause we wanted to. Instead of merely presenting an increasingly difficult set of examples, Oaks teaches us how to think about reading music. He’s a great guy and it’s the best book of its kind I’ve come across.

By David Oakes ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Music Reading for Guitar (The Complete Method) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(Musicians Institute Press). Starting at the elementary level and progressing to advanced techniques, this comprehensive method is like a complete two-year guitar course in book form. It includes over 450 songs and examples, and covers: notes, rhythms, keys, positions, dynamics, syncopation, chord charts, duets, scale forms, phrasing, odd time, and much more. Designed from an MI core curriculum program.


If you love Well Traveled...

Book cover of The Delphi Agenda

The Delphi Agenda by Rob Swigart,

Papyrologist Lisa Emmer's world flips when the Sûreté detains her at her Metro station with news of the savage murder of the esteemed Paris historian Dr. Raimond Foix, her friend and mentor in the study of ancient documents.

Horrified, Lisa finds clues at the crime scene left behind for her…

Book cover of Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument

Richard Mark French Author Of Acoustic Guitar Design

From my list on people interested in guitars and guitar making.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been making guitars for about 30 years now and love it. I’m mostly self-taught and there were some pretty rough instruments early on, but I got better with every one. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve made and my favorite is always the next one. I learned my craft from people who took the time to write about it. I’ve now written dozens of articles and three books on guitars. As a professor, I run a guitar-making lab and teach classes on stringed instrument design and manufacture. I hope to do my part to help new builders the way others have helped me.

Richard's book list on people interested in guitars and guitar making

Richard Mark French Why Richard loves this book

This book has almost nothing to do with Eric Clapton. Rather, it’s an engaging story about Wayne Henderson, a retired mailman who makes some of the most desired acoustic guitars anywhere. He prefers to build for people he thinks need one of his guitars. It’s impossible to read this book and not want to make a guitar. I turn to it for inspiration when one of my guitars isn’t going well and I need to remember where I’m trying to go.

By Allen St John ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Clapton's Guitar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times bestselling author Allen St. John started off looking for the world’s greatest guitar, but what he found instead was the world’s greatest guitar builder.

Living and working in Rugby, Virginia (population 7), retired rural mail carrier Wayne Henderson is a true American original, making America's finest instruments using little more than a pile of good wood and a sharp whittling knife. There's a 10-year waiting list for Henderson's heirloom acoustic guitars—and even a musical legend like Eric Clapton must wait his turn. Partly out of self-interest, St. John prods Henderson into finally building Clapton's guitar, and soon…


Book cover of Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build

Richard Mark French Author Of Acoustic Guitar Design

From my list on people interested in guitars and guitar making.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been making guitars for about 30 years now and love it. I’m mostly self-taught and there were some pretty rough instruments early on, but I got better with every one. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve made and my favorite is always the next one. I learned my craft from people who took the time to write about it. I’ve now written dozens of articles and three books on guitars. As a professor, I run a guitar-making lab and teach classes on stringed instrument design and manufacture. I hope to do my part to help new builders the way others have helped me.

Richard's book list on people interested in guitars and guitar making

Richard Mark French Why Richard loves this book

This is very nice a two-volume set, written by Trevor Gore, an accomplished guitar maker with an extensive technical background, and Gerard Gilet, a builder of fine acoustic guitars. This is required reading for people who are interested both in how to make guitars and how they work.

Book cover of Asturias: 55 Classical Masterpieces from 5 Centuries Guitar

Jamie Akers Author Of Christmas Carols for Guitar

From my list on to help you be great at guitar.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been playing the guitar since I was ten years old. From then until now it has been my life’s focus, my friend and delight, my consolation, companion, and frustration. While I am reconciled to never being the world’s most famous guitarist, I still have a career, make a living, and, hopefully, contribute positively to the Universe. I have recorded albums of previously unheard music, performed throughout the world, and edited and published books for guitar. In spite of decades of study and practice, I find my enthusiasm undimmed and enjoy nothing more than sharing my expertise and guiding those less experienced to discover the delights of playing music.

Jamie's book list on to help you be great at guitar

Jamie Akers Why Jamie loves this book

Classical music is often seen as being unapproachable, demanding, and difficult, the domain of geniuses and prodigies not for ordinary mortals. This delightful book makes available some of the greatest guitar music ever written in a form that is accessible yet recognisable. It enables the intermediate-level guitarist to advance their abilities while playing pieces that will transfix any audience, impress friends and family and render great satisfaction to the performer. 

By Martin Hegel (editor) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Asturias as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(Guitar). This collection of 55 well-known masterpieces of classical music offers arrangements that are well suited to the guitar, while remaining as faithful as possible to the original setting. This includes widely known classical melodies through to South American tangos - music for entertainment that suits the guitar particularly well. Some historical arrangements by prominent musicians of their time such as Mertz, Coste and Tarrega are a valuable addition to this collection. This collection is a treasure trove for tuition purposes, concert performance and just for fun, with pieces presented in order of increasing difficulty.


If you love Jen DeLuca...

Book cover of The Tao of Poison

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook,

A poisonous maiden, a Daoist sex cult, and a violent insurgency.

The polyandrous Yan family in China's rural Shaanxi Province takes in two carpenter brothers. When one brother is convicted of murder after killing their neighbor in a dispute, a constable threatens to expose the family's rumored polyandry and extorts…

Book cover of Broken by the Horde King

Elizabeth Stephens Author Of Taken to Voraxia

From my list on alien romances featuring heroines of color.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a woman of color, impassioned reader, and author to boot, I'm always advocating for inclusion in my romance reads. All of my romances feature a lead or leads of color and I'm particularly drawn to books where I can identify myself in the heroines. I like to provide other readers of color with the same experience through my books, while writing compelling romances that can be enjoyed by anyone. I have published 12 novels, with 4+ coming out in 2022. I've hit the bestseller charts on Amazon in SciFi romances and multicultural romances with every new release. You can expect my Xiveri Mates series in audio, French, and German as early as March 2022.  

Elizabeth's book list on alien romances featuring heroines of color

Elizabeth Stephens Why Elizabeth loves this book

Second chances are hard sells for me however Zoey Draven has written a universe that is compelling and I picked up this book. The heroine is very talented as a healer and doesn’t let rejection from her mate stop her from being herself. The male who rejected her ultimately does come back to claim her. I won’t give anything more away. 

By Zoey Draven ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Broken by the Horde King as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Nine years ago, he broke my heart and never returned. I vowed to forget him…if only I could.

When I was a child, I fell in love with a Dakkari boy. The prince of our clan. Rukkar, we called him. For he was destined to become the greatest horde king of our time.

He was Kiran of Rath Okkili. My friend. My strong, unyielding protector. His mischievous smile and golden eyes made my heart flutter and my soul sing. And just when I began to believe he returned my love…he shattered me so completely and never once looked back to…


Book cover of The Complete Blues & Ragtime Guitar Player
Book cover of Guitar School
Book cover of Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar

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