If it’s not already apparent by my blog: I love music. I love books.
While I do think that part of the reason I pair the two together is due to my unfulfilled childhood dream of becoming a movie producer (*shakes fist at the sky*), it also makes the fantasy world that lives rent-free in my head that much more fun and memorable on a day-to-day basis.
I put entirely too much thought into matching the style and lyrics of the songs I pick, but I do so in the hopes that it catches the attention of another reader to try a book they otherwise wouldn’t pick up.
If we can’t judge a book by its cover, then that’s what music is for.
Disclaimer: Most of my favorite books I read this year were backlist – not new releases. Maybe next year I’ll get better at reading books right when they come out.
Then again, maybe not.
TOP 10 of 2022
Jude + The Serpent. I’ll leave it at that. I still get goosebumps when I hear this song. I’m not being dramatic when I say this will stick in my head for years.
Addie + The Tree Stump. This moment ripped my heart out, even more in retrospect after losing my mother-in-law. If you have ever felt Addie’s grief, the final verse of this song will get you in the feelings. “Sometimes I’d rather be dead, at least then I’m with you. Amen.”
The Prison Riot. The Prison Healer was one of my favorites of 2022, as well as one of my all-time favorite books, and the breakdown of this song fits the riot so well.
The Coupers. These lyrics. Wow. It also perfectly captures the heartache Sera feels when she walks in on the Coupers’ farmhouse and finds them dead. This song was made for this book. Also, it has genuine movie trailer energy.
Nesta + Cassian’s hike. This book is a divisive one amongst ACOTAR fans because we were conflicted about Nesta, herself. This scene is the key moment of redemption in the book, and the moment I realized I had a lot in common with a character I thought I hated.
Jude’s duel w/Grima Mog. This scene proved Jude has a backbone and solidified my love for the world Holly Black created in The Folk of The Air series. I loved how completely random but epic it felt.
Nesta dancing. This is Nesta in song form. It was also my top song in 2022. Apparently, I listened to it 74 times in a single day. Thanks, Spotify, for calling me out of that. Nesta has sharp edges and she’s a character you either love or hate – but at her core, her story is one of mental health.
Interfering with the ritual. This book was an atmospheric gem that I read at the right place at the right time (during Halloween). I still get chills when I hear this song. It’s moody and so appropriately captures this book.
The last battle scene. This book lacked in action and adventure compared to its first installment, but it almost made up for it in the final battle scene. It was a gut punch, and I’M THERE. FOR. IT.
Knocking at the front door. While I was not a fan of Haunting Adeline (too dark for my taste), it was undeniably atmospheric. The fact that it’s difficult for me to mentally separate this song from the book is a testament to how well H.D. Carlton crafted its atmosphere in the first place. Even if it’s not my cup of tea.
All Booked Up 