The influence of the media on society in the 21st century is undeniable. Of all types of media, music and books stand out as two of the main streams that influence people the most. They are both invaluable resources of knowledge and entertainment accessible to all age groups. However, the most important aspect of music and books that has made them so important to 21st century audiences is that they offer a wide range of genres and styles. Therefore, music and books have become the main method of entertainment in many people's lives, because they give people the opportunity to break free from reality and exist in their own imaginary world. By comparing and contrasting the impact of music and books, a better understanding of their effects on society becomes evident. Pop sensations such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga have dominated and captivated the attention of global audiences. Even terms such as “Belieber” or “Bieber Fever” are used to express individuals' love for Justin Bieber. Such a crowd of admirers all over the world expressing the same adoration for a single person is perhaps rivaled only by the characters in books and novels. For example, Harry Potter and Twilight characters have established fan bases numbering in the millions. Edward Cullen in Twilight set new standards for boyfriends. While eleven year olds patiently wait for their acceptance letters to Hogwarts because they want to one day become as great a wizard as Harry Potter. However, ultimately these influences create an unrealistic illusion in the minds of individuals to imitate these events when the perpetrators simply intended them to be fictional. In the case of music, this creates unrealistic expectations... middle of paper ... like a reader might with a book. That being said, music provides benefits such as entertainment and relaxation. However, from an academic perspective, music distracts students and influences their grades by limiting their academic potential. The influence of books and music on today's society is undeniably significant. It plays an immense role in the values ​​of a society and expands the imagination of people of all ages. Such examples are that fantasy novels inspire people to think big while music is a way to express oneself through lyrics and rhythms. Other forms of media, such as the Internet, television, and radio, have made it possible to effectively disseminate the books and music of different authors and singers. They will continue to be effective as more and more applications and programs are created every day for the sole purpose of distributing these documents..