Read this memoir about a music fraud

and trying to make it when you're up against insurmountable odds

Dec 07, 2021

Sounds Like Titanic by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman

What It’s About

When Elizabeth from What to Read If told me about this book, I knew I immediately had to read it. Like, I downloaded the audiobook that very evening because I could not wait.

Jessica, a young student from Appalachian West Virginia headed to Columbia for college, didn’t know what she was going to do for money to pay her tuition. Her parents initially signed her up for the military, but she quickly learned that was not for her. So, in between classes, she found any job she could, even selling her eggs at a fertility clinic. When she sends in an audition tape for a musician role—she was determined to major in music, with violin as her primary instrument—she never dreamed she’d land the job. She was the last chair in freshman orchestra. But somehow, against all odds, she’s called for the job. And she’s immediately swept into gigs every week to shuffle around the east coast (and later, across the country) playing in an ensemble promoting the Famous Composer’s music (he’s left unnamed in the memoir). The only catch? Their microphones are turned off, the music blaring from CDs instead, and the music sounds an awful lot like the Titanic soundtrack rather than original compositions.

But people can’t get enough of the music, and Jessica, along with her fellow musicians, are often left deciding between a paycheck and whether to expose the sham.

It’s really an incredibly eye-opening book on what privilege alone does, and that sometimes people, even if they want to “do the right thing,” can’t afford to (literally) because they need money or relationships or success in order to survive.

Who Will Like It

Anyone who’s enjoyed expose-style nonfiction like Bad Blood I think will really enjoy this one, though there is definitely the personal memoir element that adds more character and storytelling to it. I would also recommend it to fans of the This American Life podcast, or anyone who loves a really good story told really well, especially since it includes some strange twists and turns and seems totally unbelievable at some points (even though it’s a true story).

Next Up

Look at all these women running from manors! Plus a castle! Ghost included.

I’m working on a project that will hopefully result in a cool article for Book Riot (read some of my other recent articles!), so I just got a huge pile of vintage Gothic romances, and I am in love with their dramatic covers and absolutely amazing tag lines. I can’t figure out which one I’m going to read first, but I’m already looking forward to a huge pile of snow coming down and the perfect excuse to spend a full day reading these.

This newsletter is sponsored by Your Book Here! Add your own banner image or have me create one that looks like the above. Links included are your choice: Bookshop.org, Amazon, add to your Goodreads shelf, and more. Reply to this newsletter to inquire about sponsoring a newsletter and featuring your book!