For anyone who dreams of sitting down for a discussion with one of their favorite female singers, “Solo: Women Singer-Songwriters in their Own Words” is for you.

In a collection of thoughts edited by Marc Woodworth, female musicians ranging from Mary Chapin Carpenter to Suzanne Vega share the meaningful memories and inspirations which led them to write many of the songs we love.

Real, distinctively natural photographs by Emma Dodge Hanson complete the artistic side of “Solo.”

Woodworth and Hanson said, “We decided to put ‘Solo’ together because we found that most of the pieces we read on artists we liked and most of the images we saw of them were more about hype than substance.

“As listeners we knew how powerfully these artists could express themselves in their own words and felt a book comprised of their own stories, ideas and opinions would be the best way to represent them.”

The two came up with the idea after at a Sarah McLachlan/Paula Cole concert. And after three years of interviewing and photographing, they finally felt they had “the collection that would stand as a singular record of the lives and ideas of these essential artists.”

The form of this book is excellent.

Even relative unknowns in the music business intrigue you with unique views on life and stories of their childhood and what inspired them when they were young.

Of her mother, Sarah McLachlan said, “She made it clear to me that I should not be dependent on anyone; that’s one really beautiful thing she taught me.” As fans of McLachlan may know, this influence is clear in much of her work.

Music lover Shawn Colvin spoke of a band that she loved in her younger years serving as an inspiration: “The Beatles killed me. The first record I ever bought for myself was ‘Meet the Beatles.'”

Some life lessons can also be learned from these influential women. Ani DeFranco said, “Even the most heinous things have their funny side. There is a certain personal empowerment that comes with being able to laugh at what’s most horrible. Without that capacity, we’re doomed.”

Whether a fan of just a few of these artists or an all-out Lilith Fair addict, this book’s easy style and honest photography will draw you in and manage to keep you thinking.

4 stars out of five

Kelsey Foutch is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Waterloo.