Let’s Discuss: Books and Music

Do you listen to music while you read?

I do not listen to music while I read because I usually am trying to sneak my reading in while the husband or kids are distracted by some sort of television. (If only they could read like I do! But the kids are too young, and the husband is not interested.)

Still, I can’t help but think about music while I read. Whether it is inspired by the story or specific characters varies.

Here are the last 5 series or books I have read, and a song that seemed representative of the book. Have you read these books? What music do they remind you of?

The Vorkosigan Saga – The Warrior’s Apprentice – Lois McMaster Bujold

 This is a science fiction space adventure feature a young man who is very clever and ambitious. I think the song Science vs. Romance by Rilo Kiley is the most appropriate song I can think of.

 

 

Throne of Glass – Queen of Shadows (#4) – Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothian is an assassin who has the skills and strength to stop the evil forces from destroying the rest of the world. But she was strong before we met her in book 1, so I always think of the song Thunder by Imagine Dragons. 

 This Phenomenal Life – Misha Blaise

This is a beautiful book about how we are all connected to nature. I think the song Your Bones by Of Monsters and Men. Really most songs by that band are very nature-ish in theme.

 

 The Shifting Tides – Copper Chain – James Maxwell

A story of the battle against the greed of kings that crosses nations and oceans. There is a lot of sailing in these books and the way they describe it is both fearsome and beautiful. If Ocean Noises aren’t enough than I will choose Sinking Man by Of Monsters and Men. 

Dreams and Reason – Juliet Valcourt

This is a historical romance taking place in Victorian England, similar to all of Jane Austen’s stories. This one has some paranormal influences to it, though. I think the song Kiss with a Fist by Florence and the Machine may be a good choice because the romance in this book was really quite troubled.

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Wow, that was really hard! I was originally going to pick 10 books, but picking songs is a lot harder than I thought. Especially as the characters and story evolve a different song may be more appropriate.

How do you relate music to books? What kind of environment do you like to read in? Do you know any of these books or songs? Is there a special music/book combination that always reminds you of the other? (For example, any time I hear Alanis Morissette I think of this huge adventure story about a mole, although I can’t remember the name.)