I am looking for a book (it may not exist)

I am looking for a good read on music theory, preferably guitar specific.

I would like it to be more academic in nature, or at least something that is not geared toward reading with an instrument in hand.

I have lots of those big skinny "Methods" books that you can get at a music store, and lots of online resources I can use with my guitar.

I am looking for more of a reference book or "bible" that I can read with a morning coffee, in bed at the end of the day when everything else is powered down, or bring to the beach. Something I can flip around in and highlight. That I can come back to repeatedly as my skills improve.

Like I said, there may not be such a book. 

Thanks for any help.

Check out Rick Beato and his Beato book (PDF), I looked at it years ago and it was more than I wanted to get into but may be what you’re looking for. 

This Reddit thread. People either hate it or love it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/sheizc/question_how_good_is_the_beato_book_by_rick_beato/

Might be what I am looking for though. Thanks for the reply.

Since you have a GT subscription you can watch my tutorial that is an overview of music theory topics.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/495/

Or this entire collection of tutorials.  This starts with the overview tutorial and goes into more topics.

https://www.guitartricks.com/collection/music-theory

I don't have any experience with the Beato book, but it's probably worth a look.

The gold standard for academic music theory (non-instrument specific) is Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka.  You can find inexpensive, used copies online.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32362836293

I've also seen them in used bookstores in bigger cities (Memphis, Nashville, etc.).  I've worked through it a few times and it is outstanding as well as comprehensive.  But it is heavyweight material.

Alfred's Essentials is a little less heavy.  But also a good primer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0882849514/

Finally, I get that you want something musically productive to do away from the guitar.  And I love studying & discussing theory!  So I definitely encourage students to take an interest in it.  But I also always encourage students to be aware that it is absolutely essential to directly apply their music theory learning in order to make it useful.  Your understanding of theory and practical playing skill should grow roughly together, at the same pace, so they are mutually reinforcing.

Hope that helps! 

Cool, thanks for the links.

I am looking forward to going through your tutorials on the website.

Between work and everything else, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer or on the phone.

I like to have a hardcopy of whatever I am learning that I can unplug with.

Thanks again.

You're welcome.  Best of success with it.

If anyone is curious, I went with Desi Serna's "Fretboard Theory Volumes 1 & 2"

https://a.co/d/9PerS2W

I've seen that mentioned favorably but not read it myself.  Hope you enjoy it!