Musicophilia

I heard this book discussed on the Tim Ferriss Show podcast and it sounded interesting. I've played the violin since the age of 3 and have learned other instruments along the way.

Music is part of being human, and there is no human culture in which it is not highly developed and esteemed. I mistakenly thought the title meant "love of music" when it actually means "abnormal craving for music." And that's what Oliver Sacks covers - abnormal situations. It could be someone with Tourette's syndrome, Alzheimers, or even someone who has been struck by lightning. These ailments alter the person. In some cases, they develop an "abnormal" musical ability. This could be in their playing of the music or in their recitation of complete operas note by note and word for word.

This is a very fascinating book and it makes you wonder what we'd be capable of if we put our minds to it.