Music to Listen to While Reading

Songs, much like books, are mediums we use to escape our thoughts and get lost in the lyrics. We use music to leave our problems and enter new worlds, sometimes, we just use it as a means of entertainment. That’s also exactly why we read books. That’s why making sure you’re listening to the right music while reading is critical… because listening to the wrong music can either make you miss out on the whole reading experience or disregard certain parts of the song. Instrumental music is a great choice to listen to while reading, however, if you’re someone like me, and prefer lyrics in your songs, I have included recommendations of songs to listen to while reading specific genres or themes.

I wouldn’t suggest listening to music while reading books about intense topics such as war and peace, judgment, or anything heavy for that matter because listening to music while reading these books may sidetrack, or divert your attention from the book to the music, but it’s completely your choice, and you can do whatever you’re comfortable with:)

**Note: Most books have various themes, so there might be songs from multiple lists best suited toward different sections of your book. I would recommend making a playlist with a mix of songs from these lists and listening to that while reading:)

Songs for sad // melancholy books

• If The World Was Ending by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels 
•  Bruises by Lewis Capaldi
• Up, Up & Away by Chance Peña
• you were good to me by Jeremy Zucker
• Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
• the broken hearts club by gnash 
• Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
• Be Alright by Dean Lewis
• Moral of the Story by Ashe
• White Horse by Taylor Swift
• Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi
• Me And My Broken Heart by Rixton
• Love Someone by Lukas Graham
• Someone Like You by Adele

Songs for books about courage // perseverance

• Lose Yourself by Eminem 
• Glorious by Macklemore and Skylar Grey
• 1-800-273-8255 by Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid 
• Hall of Fame by The Script
• 8 Mile by Eminem
• Up&Up by Coldplay
• Not Afraid by Eminem
• Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
• Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson
• ’Till I Collapse by Eminem
• Fight Song by Rachel Platten
• Like Toy Soldiers by Eminem

Songs for books about love

• All of Me by John Legend
• Sober by Lorde
• Yellow by Coldplay
• Adore You by Harry Styles
• Love on the Brain by Rihanna
• Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
• Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish
• Love Story by Taylor Swift
• Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes
• The Way by Ariana Grande and Mac Miller 
• Sunday Morning by Maroon 5
• Location by Khalid
• I Know What You Did Last Summer by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
• You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift 

Songs for books about friendship

• Umbrella by Rihanna
• Tia Tamera by Doja Cat and Rico Nasty
• Friends by The Carters
• Clique by Kanye West, Jay-Z and Big Sean
• I’m Only Me When I’m With You by Taylor Swift
• One Call Away by Charlie Puth
• Wannabe by The Spice Girls
• Count On Me by Bruno Mars
• True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
• Perfect Two by Auburn
• 7 rings by Ariana Grande
• We’re All In This Together from High School Musical

These lists cover a lot of the main themes you will find in books. Although there are other main themes in books, such as good vs evil, I didn’t know what exactly to put in those categories.

Enjoy:)

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