Book Beats: Music to Your Ears
In The Beginning…
I’m going to take you all on a trip back to 2012.
A younger, sprightlier version of myself has just picked up a copy of Divergent by Veronica Roth. It’s everything I am reading at that moment – a young girl, special above all, has to lead a resistance against a corrupt government in a dystopian society. I turn the page, anxious to start reading and I am greeted with a song list to accompany my journey through the book’s pages. A song list compiled by the author herself, so you can see what she saw. Experience what she felt through the music and her words. ‘If only there was a way I could get this on CD!’
The times, they are -a- changing…
Bringing you back to 2024 and (I still read dystopian novels), *cough* – I mean, technology has made it so much easier to experience all of this at the click of a button.
Picture immersing yourself in the author’s mindset as they explore what drives their antagonist. Envision walking through the pages and being inspired to see the same vivid images that sparked their imagination.
It is becoming more and more commonplace for authors to develop a music playlist, either through music platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music, or to include a list of songs at the start of the book for you to listen to while reading so you can pick and choose your playlist. There is even a list of books that have playlists within their pages on Goodreads.
Graphic Audio Books:
Or if audiobooks are more your jam (see what I did there?) but still feel like you need that little extra *something* – I have two words for you: Graphic Audio.
I, an avid audiobook denier, have been converted since discovering these. Available on Hoopla, (and free with your Western Downs Libraries membership) these titles are changing how we listen to books. With a full cast, cinematic music and sound effects, you actually feel like you are listening to a movie made specially for your ears. They are wondrous and they are plentiful.
There are hundreds of these bad boys available on Hoopla. Click here to have a look for yourself. But for all my Book-Tok readers out there, here is just a taste of what you can read with a full dramatised experience:
A Court of Thorns and Roses
And not just ACOTAR, guys. All. Of. Them. With A FULL CAST. I don’ think I need to say more.
Fourth Wing
The dragons are giving main character energy in this really…Violet, who?
Zodiac Academy
I will not be held responsible for the rabbit hole you’ll go down with this one…
From Blood and Ash
Poppy & Casteel. That is all.
The idea of companion soundtracks for books offers a unique way to elevate the reading experience, immersing us deeper into the worlds we love. I cannot wait to see what the book world will bring us next! To access these amazing titles, you will need to sign up for Hoopla with your Western Downs Libraries membership. But why stop there?
Check out what other e-Resources we have on offer here, and don’t forget to download the Western Downs Libraries App today!
Happy listening, guys!
Sam