Do you guys look up songs and lyrics from books? Do you use author playlists? I’m a music lover and live with musicians, but I rarely listen to book playlists. Though I almost always look up song lyrics, I will only occasionally look up a song when it’s a real integral part of the story (I just did while re-reading The Mighty Storm, and I’m glad I did, I’m not sure I did the first time.) I’m just too anxious to get back to the story, and I don’t want to be distracted listening to a song.
Speaking of that, can you read while music is playing? For me, it depends on what is playing. My son is a guitar player, if I couldn’t read with music in the house, I would only be able to read when he is out or asleep. But if it is music I love and want to sing to, I just can’t. Surprisingly, I rarely have a problem reading when the TV is on. My husband watches movies every night when we go to bed, I just pick up my kindle and tune it out.
There are certain books, however, that the music is such a part of the book you just HAVE to listen to some or all of it. Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder comes to mind here. What about you? What books come to mind that the playlist is essential to the book?
I know some of you associate songs with books really well. And some authors have such strong playlists for their books they cant separate the two. Do you have a favorite soundtrack? Mine is definitely Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick Series, and almost any biker book. I love classic rock, so these fit the bill. (Both of my kids have Beatles related names, and lucky for me, they both play my favorite music.)
√TIP: One thing I love about reading on my iPad over my Kindle is the google/wikipedia feature. When a song is mentioned, you can highlight the title, hit google in the pop-up window in be watching the video or reading the lyrics in 1 click.
Talk to me! I’d love to know your thoughts on music and reading. Favorite playlists, whether you can read and listen, etc.
Tracy says
I always listen to music while reading. It depends on what I am reading
the play list. I love classic rock so it is most likely what is on while I read.
Ana's Attic says
Good musical taste 🙂
sharonda says
for me it depends on the type of music that is being played at the time. Im a lover of different genres of music so its all good to me
Gabriela says
I feel the same as you, I do look up the music that is mentioned – And Jasinda’s Falling into you added a few songs to my collection. I can read with the tv on, but have a hard time if playing music; unless its classical. I did try while reading FSG, specially scenes where the classical piece was playing and the actual scene, made it for my own little movie in my head. But because of te authors play lists, I’ve learned about a new artists that I did not know were out there.
Megan Wickland says
I normally read without music…however, I started going to you tube on my phone when a song was mentioned in a book that I didn’t recognize. Sometimes it ends up being a song I know, but didn’t realize the name and sometimes it’s something brand new to me. I LOVE music…it has the ability to be so powerful. Hearing the song while reading the scene it was intended to be a part of can intensify the scene and it’s meaning for me. This is a relatively new thing for me….it started when I was reading Breathe by KA. I just couldn’t figure out what Ella Mae’s version of Holding Out For a Hero sounded like…so I whipped out my phone and looked it up….it was awesome!
This is also how I was introduced to the Avett Brothers…who are AMAZING! Thanks to Colleen Hoover and Slammed! <3
Now I do it all the time, and songs gain new meaning for me!
Awesome topic!
Veronica Rundell says
I during the day I read with the radio on. If it’s night time, I read in the quiet. I mostly listen to rock/cont adult, and it doesn’t seem to distract me. For me, I don’t hear playlists in the books I read. One book I recently read, PRECIOUS THINGS by Stephaine Parent, had a lot of music going in the plot–mostly Depeche Mode. I did hear some of it in my head while reading, but I think that only reinforced the connection I’ve always felt between music and literature. Good prose is still lyrical, and lyrics are both creative and emotional.
Lu Bielefeld says
I like when the music is part of the story. I search for music when it is mentioned in a book.
I do not read with music playing.
Veronica says
Yes! Great music makes the experience so much richer. I loved it when Stella sang Pearl Jam’s Black in one of the Rock Chick books or the Killers in The Mighty Storm. Music can make or break a story line for me. Like would Remy really listen to Iris? I don’t think so.