Yo BF,
I am about 2/3's through this one and its already one of the best books about music I have ever read:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Rest-Noise-Listening-20th-Century/dp/B00115MOUC
 
It has enriched me.
 
Happy New Year and thanks for your service, here,
 
Bert
 
 
 

Of course there are also old favorites like...
 
https://www.amazon.com/HitchhikerS-Guide-Galaxy-Douglas-Adams/dp/B0043WOFQG/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZFD5XDJVJ3QA06BA1T8J
 
(I couldn't find the one I have which has all the books in one, big, black book but this set is close!)

I'd recommend the Chtorr series by David Gerrold (who wrote the Trouble with Tribbles Star Trek episode) but, as far as I know, he still hasn't finished the series!  He's working on book 5 of the "trilogy" so far - lol!  I actually used to email him and he wasn't really sure how to end things (however the 5th, and supposedly last, book may be published next month).
 
Actually, a really good single book by him is When Harlie Was One.
 

I would guess you have read it already, but I will mention anyways: A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking
Read it recently, and was blown away.
Not sci-fi though, but feels like it sometimes!

Fantasy rather than sci-fi, but "Engraved On The Eye" by Saladin Ahmed is good. It's a collection of short stories, including tales of the aging Doctor Adoulla Makhslood "the best ghul hunter in the city of Dhamsawaat" who finds he has acquired a young apprentice from the order of Dervishes who has a more puritanical approach to life than the good Doctor and has much to learn and unlearn. It's a nice change from the usual run of fantasy that has Medieval Europe as its inspiration.

A couple of more good fantasy series are Brent Week's "Lightbringer" series which are long and complex, and Ben Aaranovitch's series of very readable modern London based novels that commence with "Rivers of London".

For sci-fi Ian M Banks' Culture novels take some beating.

Fantasy also - Raymond E. Feist who is one of my favourites even if you just read the first book, Magician.
http://www.crydee.com/raymond-feist/reading-order/alternate
 
 
 
I hear that one of the classic fantasies is "The life of Bapu" (not available in hardback)

Oh my, so many interesting suggestions! Sadly, I will have grandchildren along on this trip who'll expect to be entertained with reef snorkling, boating and ziplining, so I won't be able to spend as much quiet time under the mango tree as usual. I may have to stay the whole month.

Ordered Magician. I have a nephew over there who's really into the fantasy genre, so I bought a hardcover copy rather than an eBook, so that I can leave it behind for him. Got a used copy in "very good" condition for 9 bucks.
 

Good choice bit, it is my go to book to introduce people to the genre, Both my son and nephew got it as a present and both loved it.
 
I also stood in line a few years ago to get a copy of "the colour of magic" by Terry Pratchett signed for my son. A great introduction to humour and fantasy

David Byrne's "How Music Works" has a nice big pillowy cover, so if it gets boring, you can use it as a pillow.
 
But it won't get boring if you are interested in the history of music and Byrne's interpretations of its value as a commodity.
 
Which means, you've probably already read it.
 
Have a good time!
-Tom