10 Must-Read Music Books That Will Rock Your World

With unfiltered candour and heaps of nostalgia, Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division is an essential read for fans of the band and those fascinated by the enduring legacy of post-punk music. As the bassist and co-founder of the group, Peter Hook provides an insider’s account on the rise of Joy Division, their dark and hypnotic sound that helped define the Manchester music scene, and the tragic loss of their frontman, Ian Curtis.

Unknown Pleasures provides a window into the reality of post-punk life, the highs and lows of gigging, the struggles of navigating the music business, and a vivid picture of the brutalities of the industrial North in the ‘70s. From that iconic Sex Pistols gig in Manchester, which sparked the punk flame and where the band first met Ian, to the lead up to their first tour of America that never came to be, readers are treated to the lesser known anecdotes that shaped the Joy Division journey.

Hook takes readers on a trip through the Joy Division’s formation, their intense performances, and the creative process which birthed their iconic albums which led them to international acclaim. Hook's candid way of writing makes this book an easy read, making it feel as though you're speaking to a mate. Unknown Pleasures, packed with profanity and straightforwardness, will have you laughing out loud from the get-go.