Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’d Give Theme Songs To

As hosted by The Broke & The Bookish

This Top Ten Tuesday is all about music. Sometimes you read a book and think of just the perfect song to go with the story. Or the other way around: sometimes you hear a song on the radio and you are just immediately reminded of a book you read.   So this is my top ten books I’d give theme songs to. Though I have to be honest: I’m a bit musically uninspired at the moment, so that’s why this list has 3 times the same artist. Any new music tips are always welcome!

My top ten in no particular order:

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne by Bring Me The Horizon

Why? I think this song perfectly describes Celaena’s complete and utter badassness. At the start of the Throne of Glass series she has been betrayed and captured, practically waiting for death as a slave in the salt mines of Endovier for a year. But she didn’t become a badass assassin by giving up easily, so count on her to get out and make an epic comeback.

So you can throw me to the wolves
Tomorrow I will come back
Leader of the whole pack
Beat me black and blue
Every wound will shape me
Every scar will build my throne

Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

The Resolution by Jack’s Mannequin

Why? This is a roadtrip book and Andrew McMahon’s music is the perfect inspirational roadtripping, daydreaming, stargazing, finding-yourself soundtrack. The book even includes ready-made playlists that include Jack’s Mannequin, though another song. But I think this one fits just as well.

I’m alive
And I don’t need a witness
To know that I survived
I’m not looking for forgiveness
Yeah, I just need light
I need light in the dark
As I search for the resolution

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Youth by Troye Sivan

Why? I was listening to this song pretty much non-stop while I was reading the book, so they have become completely linked in my mind. But I think it also fits the journey of Violet and Finch and their emotions as they are driving around together.

What if we start to drive
What if we close our eyes
We’re speeding through red lights into paradise
‘Cause we’ve no time for getting old
Mortal bodies, timeless souls
Cross your fingers, here we go
Oh, oh, oh
And when the lights start flashing like a photo booth
And the stars exploding
We’ll be fireproof
My youth, My youth is yours

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Paralyzed by Against The Current

Why? Because I feel this song really embodies Juliette’s journey. At the beginning of Shatter Me she’s been locked up for a long time.  Because of this isolation and because of what she has done, she’s just going a bit crazy and she feels paralyzed. But it’s also making her stronger to fight a little longer!

I can’t control myself, don’t know who I’ve been
And who is this monster wearing my skin?
A movie in black and white. When will it end?
‘Cause every time I scream no one hears me

It feels like I’m paralyzed,
and I can’t escape from the prison I’m living in.
I’m naming the voices in my head
They keep on telling me to give in.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars

Why? Lola has the habit of talking to the moon when she is feeling a bit troubled. This song is literally called ‘Talking to the Moon’.

At night when the stars
Light on my room
I sit by myself

Talking to the moon, tryin’ to get to you
In hopes you’re on the other side talking to me too
Oh, am I a fool who sits alone talking to the moon

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Brighter by Against the Current

Why? Heir of Fire is a big game changer in the story of Celaena Sardothien. It’s where she really starts to accept who she is and starts fighting for a worthy cause.

Can’t stand by and wait like the others
I’m front line and won’t run for cover
Head held high cause I’m burning brighter

I want something more, a life worth fighting for
I don’t need a reason, to set the world on fire
And burn a little bit brighter now
There’s something beautiful hiding in the shadows
So set the world on fire
Lets burn a little bit brighter now
It’s a brand new day, it’s never too late to start

Catching fire by suzanne collins

Running With The Wild Things by Against The Current

Why? I chose Catching Fire but this song fits pretty much any dystopian with a corrupt government where a rebellion is finally growing.

We got too big for the cage, you locked us up in
Let’s mark this down as the day, that we started something
So open the gate, open the gate cause when we
Finally escape, finally escape we’ll be
Tearing through the streets
Running with the wild things

Hey why you waiting
Quit carving notches to count the days ‘cause
They’re losing power
See ‘em growing weaker by the hour

Paper Towns by John Green

In This Diary by The Ataris

Why? To me, Paper Towns was never a romance but a story about growing up and friendship and how you should treasure those friendships and this song has always reminded me of exactly that.

All the nights we stayed up talking
and listening to 80’s songs;
quoting lines from all those movies that we love.
It still brings a smile to my face.
I guess when it comes down to it…

Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up:
These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters
is just following your heart
and eventually you’ll finally get it right.

BITTEN BY KELLEY ARMSTRONG

Shewolf by Intergalactic Lovers

Why? This is a good soundtrack for Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf in the world, and I think it perfectly describes both her struggle with herself and her relationship with Clay.

I started a fire in the basement over your heart
Feel the flames getting higher as a rage grows on in the inside
It started out good like it always does
We were so damn happy, we were so in love

And I know that you’re a good man
Yeah I know that you are gold
Got a real bad tendency though
To turn good shit into mould

Run run run as fast as you can
‘cause I’ve killed before and I’ll do it again

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Tale as Old as Time by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

Why? A Court of Thorns and Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I kind of ran out of inspiration.

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

What are some of the book you’d give a theme song to? And do you have any tips for new music I might like?