This year has been an incredible year for music, bringing some of the biggest additions — in terms of albums — to the music scene. This year also marked many changes in the sound of musicians that we have become familiar with. Charli XCX’s full electronic sound has completely shaken the internet with its club sound. I remember when Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poet Department dropped, staying up to listen to the album in its entirety with my friend. Music has had so many changes recently.
Music was not the only medium that saw a variety of new content. The world of books has also seen some amazing new titles hit the shelves. From new romance to recently published nonfiction to just-released fantasy, books of all genres have been snatched up and added to carts.
With so much new content to explore and digest, finding where to start can be a little hard. No worries! Whatever your taste in music is, I’ve developed a curated list with album and book pairings.
Brat, Charli XCX/ Colored Television by Danzy Senna
Charli XCX’s Brat has truly brought the brat out in all of us. The electronic pop and downright sassy lyrics have created an aesthetic that swept the internet by storm. An aesthetic that was modeled much after the sound of the album itself — micro skirts, large sunglasses, and big bags. The album itself has a collection of dance-worthy songs that make you feel as though you should be dancing in a club somewhere with strobe lights.
Paired with this album is Danzy Senna’s Colored Television. The book follows a young woman’s journey to making it big in Hollywood. From her witty character to the writer’s sharp satire, the tongue-in-cheek vibe to this book is a perfect pair for the bratty music of Charli XCX.
Cowboy Carter, Beyonce/ The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys In America by Ron Traver
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter was released this year and marked a huge shift in the icon’s music. Bringing the R&B and dance singer into the realm of country, Cowboy Carter was a cultural hit!
Pairing with this album is Ron Traver’s The Long Ride Home! The book captures modern-day black cowboys in America in brilliant color. The themes of the book and the overall glamour of the cowboys themselves capture the same essence of Beyonce’s album.
Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish/ Misrecognition by Madison Newbound
Billie Eilish released her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. The album explored Eilish’s growing entanglement with her celebrity status and personal revelations. The album shined light on Eilish’s relationship with her body and her sexuality in the same powerfully hypnotic vocals.
Madison Newbound’s Misrecognition pairs perfectly with the deeply personal touches that Eilish puts into her songs. After leaving a polyamorous relationship, a young woman faces her own identity as she navigates the world, she thought she left behind. The story is written with such attention to the very revelations that Eilish unravels in her newest album that it makes a perfect duo.
The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift/ Where Are You Echo Blue? by Hayley Krichser
Taylor Swift dropped her new album The Tortured Poets Department with a collection of 16 tracks! The album explored Swift’s previous relationships — specifically her long-term relationship with actor Joe Alwyn — as well as balancing her personal life with the constant intrusion of paparazzi and gossip.
Where Are You Echo Blue? Hayley Krichser tells the story of a reporter trying to piece together the disappearance of a celebrity from years prior. The story plays very much into the celebrity lifestyle and gossip culture. These themes are especially reminiscent of Swift’s album, making these two books/albums sweethearts.
Short N’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter/ Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album has been having its moment on the internet, especially with her tour now in full swing. The poppy album balances intimate ballads with even more intimate pop songs. Carpenter’s often tongue-in-cheek way of writing her music creates songs you’ll have to listen to more than once!
Paired with the Short N’ Sweet album is Sierra Greer’s Annie Bot. The book revolves around a female robot made to be the partner of a human male. As his interest dwindles, the robot struggles to come to terms with her relationship and her identity. The wonderfully feminine approach to the robot as well as the new perspective and voice given to women in the book brings in the same tone that Carpenter brings to her album.
Dive into the world of book and album pairing and enjoy! The pairings are the best way to find books that are to your taste and bring a whole new way to enjoy your favorite album of 2024!
Want some poetry with your lyrics? Take the Choose the Best Albums, Get Paired With a Timeless Poetry Book! Quiz.
For all those wanting to get their hands on some great literary fiction, Bookstr has a collection for you!
