Nothing Compares to You - by Sonya Huber & Martha Bayne

Book Synopsis

More than thirty years ago, Sinéad O'Connor shocked the world by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II in an act of protest against the violence perpetrated by the Catholic Church. This single act cemented O'Connor's place as a fearless voice and activist that would later push even further as Sinead became an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, the LGBTQ+ community, and abortion rights.

Here in Nothing Compares to You, a renowned and multi-generational group of women and non-binary authors come together to pay tribute to O'Connor's impact on our world and in their own lives and development as humans and artists. It is a loving and accessible reconsideration and entry point for understanding the Irish icon. Exploring themes such as gender identity, spirituality, artistic expression, and personal transformation, this collection shows that Sinead's voice continues to ring on even after her death and brilliantly illustrates the power of creative expression to inspire far beyond any presumed lines of age, culture, or class.

About the Author

Martha Bayne is the editor of three collections of writing about Chicago and the Midwest, most recently The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook, which was named one of the best 21st-century books about the city by Chicago magazine. A journalist and essayist, her work has appeared in local and national outlets including the Chicago Reader, The Chicago Reporter, The Baffler, Eater, Belt Magazine, The World, South Side Weekly, and The Rumpus, where she was the Sunday essays coeditor. She currently works as the regional trade editor at the University of Illinois Press and writes a Substack newsletter called Range of Motion.