Advent Reads Day 24: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook

Read for: Audio Books

Synopsis: "It seems like every year, the holiday season arrives earlier and earlier. Before Halloween’s ghosts and ghouls have even had their chance to come out of the shadows, sleigh bells and ribbons begin to materialize at the mall and towering tinsel-tinged trees appear in our living rooms. But the most telltale sign of the arrival of yuletide festivities is the unceasingly merry melody of the seasonal songbook, from "Silent Night" to "Santa Baby." Love them or loathe them, these holiday earworms are here to stay. But how do these songs endure for decades? And why are there so few contemporary Christmas carols?

In this holly jolly Audible Original, New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist John Seabrook uncovers the mysteries of the holiday music machine, exploring how these hits were made and why they’ve dominated the soundwaves each and every winter. From the mid-century reign of songwriter Johnny Marks ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") to the manufactured musical nostalgia of modern holiday hits like "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Seabrook, alongside a cast of singers, songwriters, and producers, reveals the untold stories behind the songs that have us rockin’ around the Christmas tree year after year."

My Review: I don't often listen to music anymore, but Christmas music is something special! I start listening to it right after Halloween and love every minute of it. I was really intrigued with this audio book, I find it very interesting as to where favorite songs came from and the creative process. I didn't realize how difficult it is to hit the charts with a new Christmas song. I also learned a lot of details about some of the others that I had no idea, I didn't know that Silent Night was originally in German. It was a fun book, that had the feel of a TV special and was a really enjoyable listening to while running all those Christmas errands.

My Rating: This was an interesting listen and I really enjoyed learning so many new things about Christmas music, both newer and the classics.  I would have liked even more about the older songs and I would have preferred to have a short break in between each discussion with the song they are talking about. But it was great to keep the holiday spirit going.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!