Title: The Love It Takes: the extraordinary influence of Louis Tomlinson
Author: Skylar Burton
Genre: Non-fiction, Inspiration, Music therapy
Book Blurb:
The Love It Takes explores the remarkable impact of Louis Tomlinson, a celebrity whose life and career exemplify the pinnacle of resilience and the strength of collective support. In contrast to conventional celebrity stories and photo collections crafted by management teams or officially sanctioned writers with specific motives, this book is uniquely authored by his fans. Being unauthorized, it stands out as raw, sincere, and deeply moving. Compiled from heartfelt stories, poetry, photography, and art from individuals from all over the world, this book paints a vivid picture of Tomlinson through the eyes, ears, and hearts of his deeply loyal fans, and why they remain loyal after all these years.
If you don't know who Louis Tomlinson is, this is an invitation to find out why his story matters.
Excerpt:
This compilation of stories, notes, and poetry will tug at your heartstrings, evoke tears, and bring smiles. Known affectionately by his fans as "King," the reason behind this nickname will become clear.
Louis Tomlinson rose to prominence as a pivotal member of One Direction—a band that, within a span of five years, broke records with five chart-topping albums, embarked on four global sell-out tours, and garnered numerous accolades before going on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Tomlinson's contribution was critical to the development of the band, gaining more writing credits than other members as the sound of One Direction grew from boy band pop to an edgier rock-inspired discography. Since then, all five members of the former band have carved out successful solo careers. Yet Tomlinson is the one you hear about the least and there's a reason that is both curious, compelling, and frustrating.
However, Louis Tomlinson is not without his trials; he has faced challenges that have left indelible marks on his life. From the pain of losing loved ones to career setbacks, from the demoralization of being told he wasn't good enough to being deliberately undermined, his journey has been fraught with obstacles. These struggles, exacerbated by the pressures of the music industry, paint a picture of a life that, while unique, shares common threads with the experiences of many of us.
Despite a lack of conventional support mechanisms such as radio play, grand promotional campaigns, or manufactured media stories designed to keep him in the public eye daily, Louis Tomlinson has managed to evolve from a boy band icon in One Direction to an important and revolutionary solo artist almost entirely through organic methods.
This book explores his influence through the eyes of his fans and how he has inspired them worldwide, the deep connection they feel with his music, his resilient personality, and why they remain loyal.
Through The Love It Takes you will discover the humility, resilience, and unwavering positivity of Louis Tomlinson and how he has motivated and inspired people across the globe and from all walks of life to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles, and become better versions of themselves.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Hardcover and Paperback Available now on Amazon
What’s your favorite way to combat stress?
I listen to music. I sit relaxed or take walks with my headphones. Certain voices and types of music are calming. We've known for a while that music is therapeutic, that music helps manage stress and improve quality of life. Music therapy can include listening to music, creating music, singing, or moving to music. It can help improve confidence, communication skills, independence, self-awareness, and concentration and attention skills.
Why is your featured book a stress busting read?
People find Louis Tomlinson and his voice comforting and calming. He has many fans that appreciate his voice and lyrics that resonate a feeling of hope and inspiration. This influence reaches beyond his musical fans.The book is about the extraordinary influence of Louis Tomlinson. Since his celebrity began in 2010 as part of the massively popular band One Direction, he has stood out as someone of courage and resilience in an industry that's known to be difficult, the music business. He has aged like fine wine becoming even more relatable with his wit, charm, intelligence, and lyrical depth that resonates with those who follow him and his music.
The book is compiled from over 400 stories, poems, photos and art from people who have opened up their heart to convey to others how they have been inspired by Louis Tomlinson and how he makes them feel. It's not a book written or constructed by his management or music industry people with their own agendas. Everything in the book comes from fans. Some of the stories are very deep and emotional and express how grateful they are to have discovered him and his music—even “saving them.” Even more so, as people have discovered his resilience and courage in a difficult personal situation and also in an industry that is full of challenges.
Many of those issues are the same as the rest of us. We can all relate to the trauma of personal tragedy, career drama and challenges, as well as difficulty being heard and understood for who we are or what we want to be. His challenges are exacerbated by the music industry but familiar at a core level to all of us. His performance on stage is passionate yet authentic and a welcome change from much of what we see in celebrity performance these days. This makes him relatable; his music is relatable and that is what makes him inspirational.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $20 Amazon gift card
Open internationally.
Runs May 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on June 3, 2024.
Author Biography:
I've had quite an eclectic background in terms of things I've done (sometimes tried and failed). When I was very young, I started a children's clothing line (on my kitchen table) and had products sold in several of the baby stores. I also started the first VIP Silicon Valley Technical History Tour (still being done today- I am a bit of a nerd) back when it was a technical tour not a tour of San Francisco.
My career began in marketing then eventually started a public relations agency in Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area mostly working with advanced technologies which was big deal at the time. This type of public relations and marketing required a different look at the way it was really done versus the traditional way it was taught in university. In Silicon Valley it was called ‘crossing the chasm’ and it's still used today. It's interesting to me, perhaps just because of my background, but I believe it applies to the music industry today, as well. The music industry has been stuck in traditional methods for decades and crossing the chasm has always been about the discrepancy between the demands of different audience groups and within that there is a gap between the two that must be crossed.
I became a publishing consultant after I stopped doing public relations as a choice, because I just couldn't relate to it anymore in the way I was doing it and with the people I was working with in that industry. Then I decided to leave California and leave some of my negative past behind. I went on a 2-year road trip alone to get my head together. It was during that two years I discovered what I was and what I wanted to be was very different. At that point I decided to only work with people who inspired me so that I could give a voice to them.
I also have been writing for myself for years, mostly short stories and poetry. Several are in the works to be published.
I was also a gallery represented artist in Palo Alto and Santa Fe at one time and still paint today. I was married but have been single for quite some time. I also have of remarkable and inspirational adult son. In my spare time when I'm not doing anything else which is quite rare these days, i love to read and I'm quite an eclectic reader and love nonfiction historical themes as well as certain biographies. I'm really drawn to true stories or novels based on true stories.
Social Media Links:
Skylar Burton
Instagram skyburton369
X (Twitter) skyburton28
YouTube skyburton
Website: skyburton.com