Soundtracking Literature: Love these Books? Listen to these albums!

Whilst literature and music work well on their own, there is nothing better than finding a song that encapsulates the feelings and vibes of a book you have read. My favourite thing to do after reading a book is curating the perfect playlist that captures the essence of the book I have just read (yes, I am exactly like Liz from Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies). Listed below are some examples of books and albums that complement one another, and I hope I can help you craft your own playlists based on your favourite books. (Spoilers ahead!)

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – Ruelle’s Madness

Having recently read Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, I could not stop thinking about how Ruelle’s music perfectly portrays Feyre’s journey throughout the books. Ruelle’s 2016 album Madness discusses themes of shadows (fitting for Azriel!) and embracing the complexities and experiences of life. Not to mention, the entire atmosphere of her music screams fantasy in the best way possible, through the ancient and ethereal undertones – depicting romance as a destiny, something written in the stars, which is certainly the case with Feysand (and not to mention my favourite pairing, Nesta and Cassian). Additionally, her single ‘War of Hearts’, beautifully captures Feyre and Rhysand’s relationship, especially during A Court of Mist and Fury – “I can’t help but love you/ Even though I try not to” highlights the build-up to chapter 55 (if you know, you know), which is why Ruelle is a perfect complementary artist to listen to if you enjoy this series!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt and If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio – Hozier’s Hozier

Donna Tartt’s The Secret History and M. L. Rio’s If We Were Villains are two of my favourite books, so they both had to make this list! The dark academia vibes, combined with the sheer intensity of the writing, are equally felt within Hozier’s first album, released in 2014, simply titled Hozier. Both books express the worship of beauty and the terror that arises from such beauty, something which is embodied by Julian Morrow in Tartt’s book, and is also reflected in Hozier’s ‘Take Me to Church’ and ‘Arsonist’s Lullaby’. However, my favourite part about how these pieces of art work together is the homoerotic undertones echoed throughout. Richard’s obsession with Henry is the pure definition of idealised admiration, whilst the tragedy of Oliver and James in Rio’s book is a hauntingly beautiful tale – how they never had enough time, showing how passion, longing and tragedy all coexist with one another. The religious imagery used throughout Hozier’s album delivers a subtle story of intimacy through queer relationships, which is why these pairings work so well with one another.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Lorde’s Melodrama

My favourite question to ask someone is, “What is one book you studied during your time at school that has left a lasting impact on you?” For me, this has to be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (which can be attested to by the six copies of the novel currently sitting on my bookshelf). Gatsby’s idealisation of Daisy is something that can be demonstrated with Lorde’s 2017 album, Melodrama, through songs such as ‘Liability’ and ‘Hard Feelings/Loveless’. Both works express the emotions felt by the disparity of love and the loneliness that can arise as a result. Not to mention the fact that the first song on the album is titled ‘Green Light’ – the metaphorical light Gatsby reaches for across the bay. Whilst the two images hold different meanings for both Gatsby and Lorde, they still serve as a stark reminder that Melodrama is the perfect album to complement Fitzgerald’s novel. It is important to acknowledge Fitzgerald’s real-life marriage with Zelda Fitzgerald and how this influenced his novel. One song from Melodrama in particular that stands out to me is ‘Writer in the Dark’, which can be used to reflect the experiences of Zelda, an extravagant writer herself, who fell victim to a marriage tainted with alcoholism, plagiarism and mental health decline – a true writer in the dark.

To conclude this list, some final combinations that spring to mind include The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han with Taylor Swift’s Red; We Were Liars by E. Lockhart with Phoebe Bridgers’ Punisher; and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with Hozier’s Unreal Unearth. The complementary nature of literature and music is something to be utilised, and I hope this short list has provided some inspiration to create your own pairings based on your favourite books!