The stories that inspired me... and the one I finally had to write.
Music has always been the soundtrack of my life, but books have quietly shaped the way I think, create, and see the world. A great song can change your mood in three minutes, while a great book has the power to stay with you for years. Some books challenge your perspective, others inspire you to dream bigger, and a few arrive at exactly the right moment in your life. Long after I've forgotten specific chapters or memorable quotes, I can still remember how certain books made me feel—and more importantly, how they influenced the person I was becoming.
As someone who spends much of his time writing songs, producing music, and sharing stories through The Human Side, I've come to appreciate that storytelling isn't confined to lyrics or melodies. Whether it's a memoir, a biography, or a business book, every great story gives us the opportunity to learn from someone else's experiences. The best ones remind us that success is rarely a straight line and that the moments we struggle through often become the very chapters worth telling.
When I looked back at the books that have had the biggest impact on my own journey, I noticed something interesting. They weren't necessarily books about music. They were books about perseverance, purpose, business, and believing in an idea long before anyone else did. Those themes have influenced my career every bit as much as any song I've ever heard.
Shoe Dog — Dream Big, Stay the Course
One of the most memorable books I've read in recent years is Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. I expected to read a business success story. Instead, I found an incredibly honest account of uncertainty, setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of an idea that often seemed impossible.
What resonated with me most wasn't the story of Nike becoming a global brand. It was reading about the years before anyone knew the company's name—the financial struggles, the self-doubt, and the countless moments when giving up probably seemed like the logical choice. Phil Knight's story reminded me that every successful journey begins with someone willing to believe in something before the rest of the world sees its potential.
As someone who's spent decades pursuing music while building businesses along the way, I found myself relating to that mindset. Creative dreams rarely follow a predictable path, and neither do entrepreneurial ones. Shoe Dog reinforced something I've learned through my own experiences: persistence often matters more than perfection.
How to Make It in the New Music Business — Learn the Business Behind the Music
If there's one book I regularly recommend to independent artists, it's How to Make It in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand. Every musician spends countless hours learning their instrument, improving their songwriting, or refining their production skills. Unfortunately, many of us spend very little time learning the business that surrounds our art.
This book helped me appreciate just how much there is to understand beyond making great music. Publishing, royalties, branding, marketing, fan engagement, licensing, touring, and building a sustainable career all require knowledge that isn't always taught in a recording studio. Reading it reinforced something I wish every aspiring artist understood early in their journey: talent may open the door, but knowledge helps keep it open.
That lesson continues to shape the decisions I make today. Whether I'm releasing new music, building The Human Side, or growing Luis Marte Music, I want to be just as intentional about the business side of creativity as I am about the creative side itself.
You Deserve to Be Rich — Changing the Way I Think About Money
The third book on my list may seem like an unusual recommendation coming from a musician, but You Deserve to Be Rich by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings challenged me to think differently about financial freedom and entrepreneurship.
For many creatives, money can feel like an uncomfortable topic. We pour ourselves into our work because we love creating, but we sometimes hesitate to think seriously about building wealth or creating long-term financial stability. This book encouraged me to see those ideas differently. It reminded me that financial freedom isn't about chasing money for its own sake—it's about creating opportunities, reducing stress, and giving yourself the freedom to continue doing the work you love.
As my creative career has evolved, I've realized that music, business, writing, and entrepreneurship are no longer separate parts of my life. They're all connected. The stronger I become as a business owner, the more freedom I have to invest in meaningful creative projects. That shift in perspective has been incredibly valuable.
The Book I Never Planned to Write
Looking back, I realized these three books all had something in common. They weren't simply sharing information; they were inviting readers behind the curtain. They spoke honestly about uncertainty, setbacks, mistakes, and the long road that exists between having a dream and achieving it. They reminded me that the most meaningful stories aren't always about success. They're about the journey.
For years, friends encouraged me to write my own story. Every time someone mentioned it, I politely dismissed the idea. I didn't think I had written enough hit songs or achieved enough industry success to justify writing a memoir. I convinced myself that books were reserved for celebrities and household names.
Eventually, I realized I had been asking the wrong question.
The value of a memoir isn't determined by how famous the author is. It's determined by whether the story is honest enough to help someone else.
That realization became the foundation for Bronx Beats: Chasing Dreams Under City Lights.
The book tells the story of growing up in the Bronx, discovering my passion for music, navigating disappointments, celebrating victories, and learning that success isn't always measured by awards or chart positions. It's about family, resilience, creativity, and the belief that our greatest growth often happens during the seasons when we aren't sure what's coming next.
Writing Bronx Beats became one of the most rewarding creative experiences of my life. It forced me to revisit memories I hadn't thought about in years and gave me an even greater appreciation for the people, places, and experiences that shaped me. In many ways, it reminded me that every chapter—even the difficult ones—serves a purpose.
An Invitation
If you've been reading The Human Side for a while, you've already become part of this journey. You've read my reflections, followed my music, and watched new ideas take shape one article at a time. Bronx Beats simply tells the story that came before all of this. It's the story behind the songs, the lessons, the setbacks, and the dreams that eventually led me here.
If you're looking for your next read, I'd be honored if you considered adding Bronx Beats to your bookshelf. To make it a little more personal, I'm offering autographed copies for readers of The Human Side. Every copy is personally signed before it's shipped as my way of saying thank you for supporting my work and for being part of this community.
Whether you decide to read one of the books I shared today or choose to pick up Bronx Beats, I hope you never underestimate the impact a good story can have. Sometimes a single book changes the way we think. Sometimes it inspires us to take a chance we wouldn't have taken otherwise. And every once in a while, it reminds us that maybe our own story is worth telling too.
Order your autographed copy here: https://luismartemusic.com/product/bronx-beats-chasing-dreams-under-city-lights/
Continue the Conversation
What's one book that has stayed with you long after you finished reading it?
I'd love to hear your recommendation. Leave a comment or reply to this post and tell me why it made such an impact on your life. I'm always looking for the next great story—and maybe your recommendation will be the next one that stays with me.
