We listen to music while doing. . . pretty much everything. Even reading sometimes!
Just like how the perfect pair of shoes can make an outfit, the perfect tune can elevate the reading experience of a favorite book. Grab your headphones and check out these book and song pairings!
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon and “Wild” by Troye Sivan.
Everything, Everything is about Maddy, a girl whose illness makes her allergic to the outside world. She lives hermetically sealed in her house, until she spies the dreamy boy next door, Olly. Together they take risks and explore something new: love. Troye Sivan’s synth-pop jam “Wild” is bound to give you all those Maddy x Olly feels. Should we just call them Molly at this point?
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven and “We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes.
Holding Up the Universe follows Libby, a girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen,” and Jack, the coolest guy in school, who has a cognitive disorder that makes him unable to recognize faces (even his own). The two are an unlikely duo who eventually get thrown into detention together for a high-school prank that goes awry. Slowly but surely, the school’s loneliest kids don’t feel so lonely anymore. The White Stripes’s “We’re Going to Be Friends” is an innocent tune about new friends, and is there a feeling more satisfying than conquering this world with a new ally or new music?
What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum and “Crowded Places” by BANKS.
What to Say Next is another story of two unlikely friends, Kit, who is dealing with the loss of her father, and David, the loner who just wants to understand the politics of high school. Together they discover that maybe what they need the most is each other. “Crowded Places” is a gloomy but heartfelt melody about keeping things simple and sticking together
Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff and “Anything Could Happen” by Ellie Goulding.
Gemina follows Hanna, the spoiled daughter of a space station captain, and Nik, the son of a notorious crime boss. They’re stuck together on what appears to be a nonthreatening space station, but, of course, that changes. We’re pairing this with British pop star Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Could Happen” because . . . well, anything can happen. And it’s an amazingly upbeat jam worth multiple listens.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley and “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith.
Words in Deep Blue is a beautiful love story about two teens who find their way back to each other in a bookstore full of secrets and crushes, grief and hope—and letters hidden between the pages. It’s about second chances, and the possibility that words, and love are enough. We think Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me” is the perfect song for a perfect love story.
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs and “Stand by Me” by Florence + The Machine.
The third book in the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children trilogy, Library of Souls sees Jacob and friends on their last adventure. Since it’s now Jacob’s duty to save most of the other children (because peril is always lurking for these guys), a moving rendition of “Stand by Me” is a perfect match. Beneath the odd powers, time loops, and endless adventures lies a story about friendship and family, and what it means to lose and find both. Florence’s take on the song (originally by Ben E. King) is eloquent and soothing. You can listen to it and be both inspired and a little melancholy. But that’s feels for ya.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and “Bored” by Billie Eilish.
You knew we’d eventually make our way to this one, right? The Netflix series Thirteen Reason Why has a mind-blowingly good soundtrack, which is no surprise since pop queen Selena Gomez produced the show. One of the standout tracks is “Bored” by Billie Eilish—trust us when we say you’re going to play this on repeat.
