What’s the story? Books to read if you love Oasis

Revel in '90s nostalgia or get the inside story on the band and their music with our reading recommendations sure to strike a chord with Oasis fans. 

Books covers overlaid on a black and yellow background

Whether you were there in the ’90s, blasting Definitely Maybe on your Walkman, or you’ve recently discovered the anthems that defined a generation, there’s no denying the impact of Oasis. Their music is loud, swaggering and packed with emotion – and the best books about them, their influences and their era are just as compelling. As the line-up for the reunion shows is announced, we’ve looked back into our own archive (and ahead to a very exciting new release) to find some reading material to keep you entertained during the long wait until July. Get ready to dive deep into the band’s back catalogue, explore the music that inspired them and relive the era that made them.

A Sound So Very Loud

by Ted Kessler

If you want the definitive book on Oasis, this is it. Written by two music journalists who were there from the start, A Sound So Very Loud tells the story of the band through their music. From the early days playing tiny venues to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world, this book unpicks the lyrics, the recordings, and the chaos that surrounded it all. Expect never-before-heard anecdotes, deep dives into the songs, and the kind of outrageous stories only Oasis could generate. Essential reading for any fan.

All We Are Saying

by John Lennon

Noel Gallagher has never hidden his love for The Beatles. From the ‘Imagine’-inspired piano intro of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ to the Lennon and McCartney-esque melodies that run through Oasis’s back catalogue, their influence is everywhere. All We Are Saying captures John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their own words, in what would be Lennon’s final major interview. Covering everything from songwriting to fame, this book gives a raw, unfiltered look at the man who shaped modern music.

Isle of Noises

by Daniel Rachel

Noel Gallagher has always been open about his songwriting process, and in Isle of Noises, he sits down with Daniel Rachel to discuss it in detail. Alongside interviews with legends like Paul Weller, Ray Davies, and Johnny Marr, Noel shares the inspiration behind Oasis’s biggest hits and the craft of writing anthems that stand the test of time. If you’ve ever wondered how ‘Live Forever’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ came to be, this book offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Britain’s greatest songwriters.

Creation Stories

by Alan McGee

Without Creation Records, there would be no Oasis. Alan McGee, the label’s founder, signed the band in 1993 and changed British music forever. Creation Stories is his no-holds-barred account of the highs and lows of running one of the most influential indie labels of all time. From signing My Bloody Valentine to the madness of Britpop, this book is as chaotic and entertaining as the bands it nurtured. Expect tales of excess, genius, and the moment McGee first saw Oasis and knew they were going to be massive.

The Last Action Heroes

by Nick de Semlyen

Book cover for The Last Action Heroes

Oasis were the biggest band of the 90s, and the action heroes of the era were just as larger-than-life. The Last Action Heroes tells the story of the stars who dominated cinema – Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis – and the over-the-top films that defined a generation. If you grew up watching the Die Hard films and Terminator 2 this book will take you right back to the decade when everything was turned up to eleven.

Stay True

by Hua Hsu

Book cover for Stay True

The 90s weren’t just about Britpop – they were about mixtapes, late-night conversations, and, for the generation who came of age in that decade, the friendships that shaped us. Stay True is a beautifully written memoir about growing up in the period, told through the lens of a friendship cut tragically short. Hua Hsu’s story of music, identity, and loss will resonate with anyone who remembers what it was like to be young at the end of the twentieth century.

Writers & Lovers

by Lily King

If Oasis’s music captured the highs and lows of youth, Writers & Lovers does the same in novel form. Set in the late 90s, it follows Casey, a struggling writer navigating heartbreak, ambition, and the uncertainty of her future. With its sharp humour and emotional depth, this book is perfect for anyone who remembers the feeling of being on the cusp of something big.

North and South

by Elizabeth Gaskell

Oasis added another circle around Manchester on the musical map, but the city has been inspiring stories for centuries. North and South is a nineteenth-century classic set in a fictionalised version of industrial Manchester, following Margaret Hale as she moves from the south of England to the gritty northern mills. With its themes of class, conflict, and unexpected romance, it’s a novel that still feels relevant today – and a reminder that Manchester has always been a city of great stories.

High Fidelity

by Nick Hornby

Book cover for High Fidelity

This cult classic follows Rob, a record shop owner obsessed with music, lists, and lost love. Set in the '90s, it’s packed with references to the bands that shaped that and previous eras. Funny, sharp, and full of musical passion, this is a must-read for anyone who’s ever debated their top five albums of all time.