3425 ratings | 89 reviews | avg rating:3.44

Janis’s Year In Books

Janis’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Janis’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Janis’s 2025 Year in Books

Janis Ian’s Followers (127)

Janis’s Bookshelves

to-read (8)
currently-reading (0)
read (3737)
did-not-finish (0)
biography (21)
cookbooks (9)
fantasy-science-fiction (214)
fiction (108)
historical-fiction (46)
illustrated (15)
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Janis’s Friends (70)

Philip Athans

1,478 books | 470 friends

Zena

2,438 books | 16 friends

Kalin

2,603 books | 2,858 friends

Asdeghik

6,954 books | 1,506 friends

Melki

15,429 books | 3,074 friends

Marian

1,068 books | 209 friends

Lisa Vegan

22,056 books | 201 friends

Kathie

1,136 books | 24 friends

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Janis Ian

Goodreads Author

Born

in Bronx, The United States

Website

http://www.janisian.com

Twitter

therealjanisian

Genre

Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction

Influences

Madeleine L'Engle, Zenna Henderson, Flannery O'Connor, Pat Conroy, Ray ...more

Member Since

October 2010

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/janisian

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I was was born April 7, 1951, a month and day shared with Billie Holiday. Wrote my first song at 12, was published at 13, made a record at 14, had a hit at 15, and was a has-been at 16. I took a break for 3 years shortly thereafter, and moved to Philadelphia to write and find out if I really could be a great songwriter. "Came back" in 1973 with an album called Stars, and was fortunate enough to have a second career.
I've been lucky enough to have ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, and two Grammys - most recently for the spoken word edition of my autobiography, "Society's Child".

I love writing - articles, speeches, stories, songs, books. I love reading. For years, my fans brought me used books on tour in lieu of flowers or ...more

Combine Editions
Janis Ian’s books

Average rating: 3.9 · 7,319 ratings · 784 reviews · 64 distinct works • Similar authors

	Society's Child: My Autobiography 4.01 avg rating — 1,234 ratings — published 2008 — 27 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Stars: Original Stories Based on the Songs of Janis Ian (Daw Book Collectors, 1265) by Janis Ian (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Mercedes Lackey (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Kage Baker (Contributor) 3.73 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2003 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Tiny Mouse by Janis Ian (Goodreads Author), Ingrid & Dieter Schubert (Illustrator) 3.50 avg rating — 82 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Who Really Cares: Poems from Childhood and Early Youth 3.57 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 2002 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Water-Skiing Down The Styx 4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2003	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Janis Ian Guitar Songbook: Guitar TAB 4.25 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1997 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Janis Ian Songbook: Guitar Songbook Edition by Janis Ian (Goodreads Author), Aaron Stang (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1999 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Younger Generation Blues/Society's Child 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	FOR ALL THE SEASONS OF YOUR MIND - vinyl lp. 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Janis Ian. Miracle Row. 1971. Paper. 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Janis Ian…

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Janis’s Recent Updates

Janis Ian rated a book it was ok Tempest in the Tea Leaves (A Sunny Meadows Mystery #1) by Kari Lee Townsend (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 16, 2026 01:12PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book really liked it A Bookshop Summer by Stephanie Butland (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 10, 2026 05:58PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Bookshop Summer by Stephanie Butland. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Bookshop Summer by Stephanie Butland <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book really liked it The Shattered King (The Shattered King, #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 02, 2026 07:36PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book really liked it This One Life by Amanda Prowse (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 02, 2026 07:30PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of This One Life by Amanda Prowse. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — This One Life by Amanda Prowse <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book it was ok The Love List (Hilton Head Island, #1) by Elana Johnson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 28, 2026 07:33PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Love List by Elana Johnson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Love List by Elana Johnson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book really liked it Wake-Up Calls by Mariah Stewart	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 24, 2026 07:22PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Wake-Up Calls by Mariah Stewart. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Wake-Up Calls by Mariah Stewart <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book it was ok The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 24, 2026 07:22PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book it was ok The Blue (Genevieve Planché #1) by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 24, 2026 07:22PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian has read The Blue (Genevieve Planché #1) by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 24, 2026 07:22PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janis Ian rated a book it was ok The French House Share by Gillian Harvey (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 15, 2026 05:51AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The French House Share by Gillian Harvey. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The French House Share by Gillian Harvey <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Janis's books…

Quotes by Janis Ian (?)

“So remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
In debitures of quality and dubious integrity
Their small-town eyes will gape at you
In dull surprise when payment due
Exceeds accounts received at seventeen”
― Janis Ian

tags: integrity, life, loneliness, maturity, popularity, youth

11 likes

“The heart of a city
Is the soul of a man
It winds like a river
Through the heart of the land
They can tear down a building
They can tear down a park
They can strike at a symbol
But they can't strike the heart”
― janis ian

10 likes

“A friend of mine once told me 'For people like us, the meaning is the search for the meaning.”
― Janis Ian, Society's Child: My Autobiography

tags: inspirational, meaningful

1 likes

See all Janis Ian's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

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The Seasonal Read...: Spring Challenge 2016: Completed Tasks:PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS THREAD	2923	530	May 31, 2016 09:02PM
Fiction Fanatics: January POINTS Challenge 2017	23	80	Feb 04, 2017 11:25AM
Ultimate Popsugar...: Week 13: 3/21 - 3/28	135	244	Apr 06, 2019 10:15AM
The Next Best Boo...: The Title Game - Part Deux	8189	2711	Nov 11, 2021 05:18AM
Audiobooks: Latest from AudioFile	1376	1581	Jan 21, 2025 06:13AM

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Janis’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-1) post a comment »

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message 1: by Janis

Nov 29, 2013 12:06PM

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm holding a great charity auction on eBay - 20 authors, including George R R Martin, Mercedes Lackey, Wally Lamb, Pat Conroy, Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen - are donating fabulous items to raise money for the Pearl Foundation, and give returning students a chance. 100% of our take after eBay/Paypal fees goes to the Foundation. It ends December 1 at 6 pm CST. Please pass this on...
http://stores.ebay.com/thepearlfounda...
You can see the story behind it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJjZ...
Thanks!

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Janis’s Year In Books

Janis Ian’s Followers (127)

Janis’s Bookshelves

Janis’s Friends (70)

Janis Ian

Goodreads Author

Combine EditionsJanis Ian’s books

rssJanis’s Recent Updates

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Preview — Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend

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Preview — A Bookshop Summer by Stephanie Butland

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Preview — The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg

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Preview — This One Life by Amanda Prowse

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Preview — The Love List by Elana Johnson

See a Problem?

Preview — Wake-Up Calls by Mariah Stewart

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Preview — The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods

See a Problem?

Preview — The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

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Preview — The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

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Preview — The French House Share by Gillian Harvey

Topics Mentioning This Author

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Combine Editions
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Janis’s Recent Updates