No Walls and The Recurring Dream

Ani Di Franco was a musical pioneer when I was in my twenties. She is a folk singer who lived by her own rules which included the ideas the women are equal to men and capitalism is not a great system. Because of her disdain for the record industry, she created her own record label and followed zero rules around what kind of music she'd write and what kind of press she'd participate in.

What I love most about her is that while she suffered all the challenges of fame and self-reflection regarding who she was as a female artist in this world, she tells her tales as a joyful rather than bitter person. I remember watching a documentary about The Eagles years ago. Don Henley is probably the most successful person in that very successful group -- Their record the Eagles greatest hits is the best selling album of all time. I guarantee you know every word to every song of that album even if you can't think of one right now.

Don Henley, however, was so wounded by his experience that he just seems like a big whiner. He is worth $200 million dollars and has achieved more success than most in his field but all he did was complain. He was real dull that way.

Di Franco is his opposite. She suffered many of the same disappointments but seems to respect herself and not take herself too seriously at the same time.

Her book was quite a windy road of a tale but if you love her, you'll love the book.