The Books began as a musical collaboration in 2000 between Paul de Jong and Nick Zammuto while they were living in the same neighborhood in New York City. Their music has been described as a mix of folk, acoustic and electronic elements, including plenty of samples of found-sound, speech and music, all combined to create a collage of sound and music.

Over the course of the last decade, they have released four full length albums, several EPs, and a DVD which showcases their video work. The duo does all of their own sample collecting, composing, writing, recording, mixing, and mastering from their home studios, and their finished works have been released both independently and on the German label Tomlab.

Currently residing in in the Berkshire Mountains of North Adams, Massachusetts, The Books plan to release their latest studio album, "The Way Out", in early spring 2010.