Reading Soundtracks


Dec 19, 2018

Do you ever want to match the tone of a novel to music? I do! Here's some of my favorite music and author combinations matched up for your listening and reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Radiohead and George Orwell 

Stylistically unique, dystopian, paranoid, deep, fascinating, groundbreaking in sound and genre, political, and futuristic are hallmarks of both Radiohead and George Orwell. The reflection of culture makes these works timeless. These British legends pair perfectly together.

Radiohead, Kid A

George Orwell, Animal Farm

 

The Beatles and Harry Potter 

As you're experiencing both The Beatles and Harry Potter, you know you'll never find anything better. Both are modern classics. There's so much to unpack with the worlds the Beatles and Rowling create. Repeat enjoyment is a true must. They share the same motto, "All you need is love."

The Beatles, Abbey Road 

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

 

Beck and Kurt Vonnegut 

These artists are irreverent, instantly recognizable, strange, off-beat, deeply moving, and prolific. Their range of topics, different styles, intelligent words and humor make them timeless.

Enjoy these together:

Beck, Odelay

Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle

 

Led Zeppelin and Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

These two are made for each other with larger than life worlds making them legendary. Led Zeppelin pays homage to Tolkien’s works throughout their songs singing of Mordor, the ring, and the Misty Mountains to name a few. Enjoy the magical, mystical worlds these works of art create. 

Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

 

U2 and Tana French

These two make Ireland proud. U2 one of the biggest bands in the world hails from the Emerald Isle. Tana French’s bestselling mystery novels follow the detectives of the Dublin murder squad.

Perfect together:

U2, The Best of 1980-1990

Tana French, Faithful Place

 

The Rolling Stones and Stephen King 

Extremely prolific, culturally significant, and huge bestsellers in their respective fields. Have fun mixing and matching titles. 

The Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers 

Stephen King, The Shining 

 

PJ Harvey and Kate Morton 

Haunting, Gothic, poetic, and lyrical describe both alternative music genius, PJ Harvey and bestselling writer Kate Morton. Genre-blending mixes of historical and modern look at the lives of women and all their fascinating aspects. Both set and record many of their works on the English coast. Cornwall is a favorite location for both. 

Perfect together: 

PJ Harvey, Let England Shake 

Kate Morton, The Secret Keeper 

 

Reviewed by Library Staff