Book Meets Song, and They Live Harmonically Ever After

I recently wrote another blog entry for my library to tie in with our Mead Bookish Bingo Challenge. The challenge was to read a book with a connection to a song written in the year 2000. Now this included books that referenced a song from the year 2000, as well as, songs written in the year 2000 with literary connections. You can read the entire article here.

This limitation of the year 2000 was difficult, but possible, and it got me thinking about other literary-music partnerships. During my research I discovered that Artists for Literacy began a fundraising campaign in the year 2000 to recruit literary-influenced songs by top artists to inspire new readers and support free tutoring programs.

I love this idea. And I love the thought that music could be part of the Book to Art Club. Music is, after all, an art form, and admittedly, it is one that I haven’t utilized beyond creating atmospheric playlists for some of my book discussions. I am including some titles below that are married to music. This is only a small sampling of books connected to song.

Inspired by “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre

Inspired “Narcissist” by the Libertines

Inspired by the music of the Notorious B.I.G.—including “Juicy” and “Sky’s the Limit”

Inspired “1950” by King Princess

Inspired “Butterfly” by BTS

Inspired “Haunted” by Poe—written to accompany “The House of Leaves” written by her brother, Mark Z. Danielewski

Inspired “The Gladdest Thing” by Deb Talan

Inspired by the Otis Redding song, “Respect”, made famous by Aretha Franklin

Inspired Gary Numan’s “Are ‘Friends’ Electric”

I would love to hear about other music and book connections that you’ve had—even better if it relates to a Book to Art Club experience.