Zen and the Art of Record Collecting
An Inquiry into Vinyl
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Zen and the Art of Record Collecting
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Narrated by:
In a world where music is streamed, shuffled, and skimmed, vinyl records invite us to experience sound differently. Playing a record requires intention: selecting an album, placing it on the turntable, lowering the stylus, and giving the music our full attention. Zen and the Art of Record Collecting shows how this simple ritual can become a practice of deliberate listening, one that deepens your relationship with music and the world around it.Blending music history, practical guidance, and reflective insight, Andrew Cashin explores why vinyl continues to captivate collectors and curious newcomers alike. The book reframes record collecting not as a chase for rarities or resale value, but as a way to engage with music more thoughtfully and build a personal connection to the sounds that shape your life.
Inside, you will discover how to:
- Start a vinyl collection with intention, not hype
- Find great records through crate digging and exploration
- Choose and maintain turntables and stereo equipment
- Clean and store records so they last for decades
- Grade records and understand what condition really means for your collection
- Explore genres and music scenes beyond the algorithm
- Connect with fellow collectors and build community through listening sessions and shared discovery
Cashin also provides a carefully considered appendix of 100 album recommendations spanning classic rock, jazz, soul/R&B, punk/post-punk, world music, indie/alt-rock, hip-hop, and electronic.
Whether you have been collecting for years or are just getting started, Zen and the Art of Record Collecting is a guide to listening with purpose, building something personal, and moving music back into the center of your attention.
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Critics' reviews
“Collecting records is a way of paying attention to music, to details, and to the histories carried in physical formats. Zen and the Art of Record Collecting treats the act of collecting as something deliberate and considered, shaped over time by listening, learning, and care. It is a thoughtful reflection on why records still matter to the people who commit themselves to them.”—Kevin Lewandowski is the founder and CEO of Discogs, the world’s largest online music database and m
"If you enjoy collecting records and shopping at record stores, you're definitely going to enjoy this book. It's a load of fun, something we need more of." —Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day, established in 2008 to celebrate the culture of the i
"Zen and the Art of Record Collecting had me from the moment I heard its title — but it goes deeper than that. Vinyl meets profundity in this charming and insightful book.” —Andrew Cartmel is a playwright and novelist, author of more than 20 books, including the Hunter and
“Andrew Cashin transforms record collecting into a mindful practice that honors the music, the craft, and the community built around it. This is a guide for anyone who believes that how we listen shapes our relationship with what we hear.”—Eric Alper, Canadian music writer, blogger, and radio host
“A soul satisfying spin on the deeper meaning behind this beautiful, irrational, analog pleasure.”—David Sax, Canadian jounalist, author of The Revenge of Analog, The Soul of an Entrepreneur, and Sav
“Over my many years hosting the official Record Store Day podcast, I've been lucky enough to have conversations with people from all walks of life who share a common love and respect for recorded sound on physical media. In Andrew Cashin's slow and sensuous depictions of his own relationship to his records, I can tell he's one of us. The "Zen" in the title is no accident, as this book reminds us to slow down and truly listen to our records."—Paul Myers, host & producer of The Record Store Day Podcast with Paul Myers, and author of John Cand
“Finally, a book that understands! Collecting records is not about ownership. Cashin reminds us that records are more than sound pressed in plastic, they are rituals, teachers and companions. This book will help you slow down, listen and appreciate. Essential reading for any collector.”—Jonathan Scott is a music writer and former contributing editor to Record Collector. He has edited b
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