A love letter to local radio, Saturn’s Favorite Music marks a moment of transition in radio - from human-centred DJs to automation. The macro backdrop to the plot is interesting and dealt with nicely (albeit in a fairly well-trodden path of a corporate sell-out culture). It was an enjoyable read but perhaps not sufficiently plot-driven to be genre, whilst not sufficiently’ ‘deep’ to be literary.

Thank you to NetGalley and Elsewhere Press for a copy of Saturn's Favorite Music by Laura Lee.

Saturn's Favorite Music is a charming, sharply observed coming-of-age novel that captures a moment in time-the analog 1990s radio rea-while offering timely commentary on creativity, connection, and the human cost of technological "progress."

Clara Jane, fresh out of broadcast school and brimming with alt-rock dreams, accepts a job at a tiny radio station in northern Michigan. It's 1992, and the glamour she envisioned in broadcasting is nowhere to be found-replaced instead by small-town oddities, livestock bulletins, and a playlist filled with "light hits" far from her grunge-loving heart. Yet Clara's journey from disillusionment to self-discovery is both funny and moving, painted with warmth and subtle depth.

The setting is one of may favorites in all the books I've read so far this year. Bringing back the 90s is something that always feels special, it makes you realize the things you remember growing up are still there in a relevant memory. Not to mention, it brings you into the world of radio broadcasting which in itself is niche and not talked widely about. Laura Lee does an amazing job diving into the quirks, male-dominated on-air crews, and the threat of automation in the industry.

Clara's bond with Seth, also stands out. The jaded yet kind-hearted morning DJ, adds to Clara's journey through the world of small town broadcasting. The humor and banter, makes their relationship and shared passion realistic and grounded, not just a simple cliche of two people having to be in the same room together. Even more so, there is not romantic arc plot, and that's super refreshing. The focus on how mentorship, mutual respect, and emotional vunerablity can changes a persons path fits the vibes so much better and Lee does great not forcing something that doesn't need to be there.

Saturn's Favorite Music is the perfect note of a time capsle novel: nostalgic without being sentimental, funny without losing emotional weight, and refreshingly grounded.

I really liked this book! While it was a bit slower than I'd anticipated and I'm not usually one to read anything that does have romantic elements to it, I think it really was the topic that hooked me due to it being incredibly close to home. I believe because it was a little slower and quieter of a book, I really wanted to take my time with reading so I could focus on everything going on around.

This book is perfect for music and radio lovers, especially those who are interested in knowing how radio works behind the scenes. Clara was also such a relatable character. Great read!

This book was so fun! It follows Clara Jane fresh out of broadcasting school at her first DJ job. Clara Jane was easy to love from the beginning. The way the author writes that young, first job anxiety is almost too relatable. And the fact that the majority of the book takes place at a radio station was entertaining and really unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’re into music and nostalgia, I recommend! Would love to see more of Clara Jane’s story!

Overall pretty good. I'm familiar with the world of radio so I was able to make some of the connections.
Well written.

Saturn's Favorite Music by Laura Lee
Story follows Clara Jane as she graduates and heads off to her first job at a small rural town in MI. Love all the songs and little known facts about the singers. Brings back so many memories and I was surprised I like 99% of the songs today. Love the atmosphere she discovers when she first arrives and how it comes to be her second home. After a while she meshes with Seth and they put on dual show that fans like. The station is up for sale.... a new buyer shows up and keeps them all on, then the station goes digital and that's not what Clara wants at all in her life. Love changes she has planned for and how determined she is. All types of relationships in this read.
Great entertaining read. Learned so much about the start of radio stations and all the work involved.

Elsewhere Press provided a galley for review.

I was initially attracted to this novel because it revolves around music/radio and takes place in Michigan. And though this is my first book of hers, I always want to support the local authors from my community.

I immediately connected with Clara (my first car was a Chevy Chevette). Her starting out on her first post-college job in '92 reminded me of a similar time in my life less than a half-decade prior. With this being a period piece, it is refreshing to have that reminder of a time when the Internet was still fairly limited and smart phones were still just a dream. This all gave me a sense of nostalgia and quaintness that I appreciated.

From the story, I got a good understanding of the ins and outs of a small-town disc jockey in the early 90's. Lee perfectly created that world in a way for laymen to quickly grasp (thanks to her own experience in that world). All of the song references spoke to my enjoyment of popular music. Things get a little episodic in the middle, yet everything layers and moves the overall narrative of Clara forward to an appreciated ending.