I’ve said before that I love pairing books and music because they just go so well together. The right song can really enhance the reading experience, and sometimes you find a song that just perfectly embodies the feeling or vibe of a book, scene, or character.
Also, books and songs are both just great, and I love recommending the good ones I find.
So here are three more book and song match-ups!
(Here’s my first post with book and song match-ups, in case you missed it!)
Book: Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Song: “Monsters” by Missio
Why It’s Perfect:
I feel like the end of this volume was all about how violence begets violence. Multiple characters were raised with violence and, because of that, turned to violence themselves. But it was also about how each of them eventually decided to handle it, how it’s not too late to try and be a better person, to break the cycle. And I feel like this song is about how you can experience trauma and have struggles on the inside, but that doesn’t make you a bad person. You can choose not to be a bad person. At least, that what the lyrics, “You’re not a monster, I’m not a monster, but we have monsters inside of us,” mean to me. (Side note: I just love this song. It’s so haunting and beautiful.)
Book: Detox in Letters by Cheryl Low
Song: “Blow (Deconstructed)” by Kesha
Why It’s Perfect:
The characters in this series, especially the protagonist, live lives of decadence and debauchery. They party and drink drugged tea and fool around. But, as the story goes on, especially in this second book, both the reader and the characters start to realize there’s an underlying danger and eeriness in their world. Kind of like this song, which, in its normal form, just sounds like a fun song about partying, but, in this version, sounds super eerie. And it turns out some of the lyrics are pretty ominous too.
Book: Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz
Song: “Clementine” by Halsey
Why It’s Perfect:
I admit I’m no great interpreter of songs, but, to me, it seems like this song is about wanting things to be different, better. And about pushing people away and not wanting to need anyone, even though you do need help. Maybe there’s even something to do with a relationship? There are mentions of breaking down and making out and not needing anyone, so at least one of those things has got to be right (she says optimistically). This book has a lot of grit and darkness and things that are just messed up. The characters would probably like for things to be different, they’re both struggling, and I think the merboy even says that he doesn’t need anyone despite it being obvious that he really could use some help, so I feel like the characters would relate to this song.
More Book & Song Match-Up Posts:
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (2)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (3)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (4) – The Simon Snow + FUN. Edition
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (5)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (6) – In Which I Gush about The Darkness Outside Us
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (7) – The Villain Edition
I love book/ music recs. And Saga wow would seem to be so perfect for a good pairing. I’m not up to date on Saga but from what you’ve said yeah this sounds like a great piece to go along with.
I love the Ke$ha song.
Teeth has me super curious and I like the Halsey song too. Plus I love aquariums. 🙂
I was gonna say quarantine is the perfect time to get up to date on Saga, but then I remembered it gets rather sad, so maybe not lol.
They’re all great songs, right? I don’t think I ever appreciated aquariums enough when I was younger!
I love all these! And the songs are all really moody, which gives me a good idea about the stories. Plus, I’ve never heard Clementine before, and I love it😁
Yes! I feel like the best pairing or playlist for books is when the feel of the songs match the feel of the book. Isn’t it such a nice song?
I adore MISSIO and their lyrics. There are a few of their songs that remind me of books – even if not specific ones – just in the sense that they are a story and I’m sure it would fit with something out there.
I love when I find the perfect song for a book or character. It ads another layer and takes you back to the book anytie or without having to read it again.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Missio has a lot of great songs!
I’ve only read the first two volumes of Saga and I really loved it! I can’t wait to read further into the series. I have been loving graphic novels lately. I also really like the song Blow by Kesha actually! Teeth is on my TBR since your review of it. Loving that you’re matching songs with books (especially as I am always curious about people’s music taste).
Gah, you gotta get on the rest of Saga! Or maybe not, cuz idk when they’re going to put out more issues, and the last one ended so horribly lol. I like a lot of Kesha songs!
I love Clementine and now I am curious about Teeth. Great idea for a post.
It’s a great song! And you should check out Teeth 🙂
Love book and music pairings! I’ve gotten back into Music Mondays on my blog and it’s so fun to figure out how books and music can work together
It’s really fun kind of combining things in different ways!
This is such a great idea for a post! Based on your descriptions, these songs seem like they go with the books perfectly.
Thanks 🙂