From Our Friends at BookSparks
Pop stars know their way to our heart; so do authors. If you’re loving this year’s pop music, we have some excellent summer book recommendations for you. Check them out…
If you feel emotionally connected to Adele’s music… Read One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
We all know what to expect when we get an Adele album: humor, sass, raw emotion, and a whole lot of tears. In Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, One True Loves, you’ll find yourself cueing the Adele soundtrack as Emma Blair’s husband and high school sweetheart returns to her three years after a helicopter crash that deemed him dead— plus she’s moved on and engaged to someone new.
>Song to play as you read: “When We Were Young”
If Beyonce’s “Lemonade” made an impact on your life… Read I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan
Beyonce stunned the world this year with the release of her compelling, stunning and bold visual album, “Lemonade”. Since its release, the film has been praised for exploring what it means to be a black woman in America. In a recent interview with Black Media Minute the bestselling author of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan chatted about her intentions with her work. “As black women, if we are not emotionally healthy, then we can’t do a lot…my goal was to explore what cripples us. What robs us of our strength and our courage, our resolve and our confidence,” McMillan says. “To explore it in a way that’s empowering, so we can get it back even if we have to snatch it.” With the release of her latest summer smash, I Almost Forgot About You, Ms. McMillan does it again and reminds us why her stories are so powerful, hilarious, charming and relatable.
>Song to play as you read: “All Night”
If you’re obsessed with Troye Sivan… Read A Work in Progress by Connor Franta
Troye Sivan is the quintessential pop star of the Digital Generation. Since building his platform from YouTube stardom, Troye is now a rising pop star on tour with support from his YouTube followers and new music fans, as well as a new voice within the LGBTQIA community. Another YouTuber with a huge following is Connor Franta, who recently released the hardcover of his New York Times bestselling memoir, A Work in Progress. It’s been rumored that some of the love affairs Troye sings about on his new record are inspired by Connor, but even if that’s not the case, we know they are both great friends, so what better music to pair as you read!
>Song to play as you read: “Wild”
If you’re a Taylor Swift super fan… Read 25 Sense by Lisa Henthorn
Taylor Swift fans will adore 25 Sense, a millennial coming-of-age story about 25-year-old Claire who just moved to New York City as a talented screenwriter struggling to navigate her life and career. Things get even more complicated when she begins to develop an attraction to her married boss and soon they start having an affair. 25 Sense offers wonderful bits of wisdom and self-reflection that any Swifty could connect with.
>Song to play as you read: “Welcome to New York”
If Lady Gaga inspires you to live your authentic self… Read Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings
You may remember hearing the word “transgender” on popular radio for the first time when Lady Gaga released her mega-hit “Born This Way.” In the bridge of the song, Gaga writes “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life / I’m on the right track baby, I was born to survive.” Since then it seems our society has made huge steps (overcoming huge obstacles in the way) toward acceptance and equality. With the release of her new memoir, Being Jazz, LGBTQIA activist and television personality Jazz Jennings talks gender identity, bullying, discrimination and life as a normal teen. As a long-time activist for LGBTQIA rights, Lady Gaga is the perfect pop star to add to your Spotify playlist as you read along.
>Song to play as you read: “Born This Way”
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If you adore the cool girl musings of HAIM… Read The Girls by Emma Cline
These singing sisters burst into the music scene in 2013 and haven’t stopped since. Their 60’s/70’s-inspired indie pop/rock takes listeners back in time. The Girls by Emma Cline is set in the 60’s and follows a group of free-spirited girls through their life in an infamous cult. While The Girls may have a much darker theme, its satirical tone pairs well with the California ease of HAIM in this Northern California-set psychological masterpiece.
>Song to play as you read: “My Song 5”
If Lana Del Rey’s L.A. inspired music speaks to you… Read The House of Bradbury by NIcole Meier
Lana Del Rey’s love for the city of angels is no secret. Though the singer is from New York, her music is all about chasing California dreams with visuals so distinctly L.A. that you find yourself daydreaming about what the city used to be and what it’s becoming. The House of Bradbury by Nicole Meier tells of an author that moves into the iconic L.A. home of Ray Bradbury, hoping to find inspiration, but ends up with an even more complicated life. A book and artist that embody the ups and downs of California life equal the perfect pairing. Too bad the Bradbury estate was torn down, we totally could have seen Lana filming her next music video in the historic house.
>Song to play as you read: “West Coast”
If you’re inspired by 80s nostalgia like Carly Rae Jepson… Read Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss
Since the release of her last album, Emotion, Carly Rae Jepson has been radiating some serious 1980’s vibes. From her choppy new hairdo, to her leather-clad outfits, and not to mention the music on her newest album, everything is all about this iconic decade. Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss is set in a bustling 1980’s New York and follows characters in the underground arts scene, presenting an intoxicating story of dreams and possibility. For fans of Carly Rae and her use of 80s iconography, Tuesday Nights in 1980 will be sure to transport you to a time of gritty and wondrous NYC experiences.
>Song to play as you read: “Run Away with Me”
If you’re a fan of Meghan Trainor’s sweet and sassy confidence… Read Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld
Meghan Trainor has been working hard in the music industry for years, writing songs for Fifth Harmony, Hunter Hayes and many others. Since she stepped into the spotlight with “All About That Bass” in 2014, we look at her and see a confident woman embarking on her creative journey with boldness. We know the story of Pride and Prejudice but in Curtis Sittenfeld’s new modern day version, Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice, we can’t help but be reminded of Trainor. The main character, Liz, doesn’t need a man to be happy but if she finds one that treats her right she’ll consider it, but he’ll definitely have to work for it.
>Song to play as you read: “No”
If you feel a connection to Selena Gomez and are dying to join her girl squad… Read Gridley Girls by Meredith First
Since Selena Gomez has stepped into the public eye she’s always made it clear her friends are important to her. With famous besties like Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid, we know Selena would be loyal friend whom we could share our secrets with. It’s no surprise that Gridley Girls by Meredith First would be the perfect read to pair with Selena Gomez. This book features four best friends who share an awful lot of secrets. We can only imagine the secrets Gomez shares with her BFFs.
>Song to play as you read: “Me and My Girls”
If you’re in the Rihanna navy… Read Conquest by Jaime Boust
If you can’t get enough of Rihanna’s latest album Anti, then you’ll love Conquest by Jaime Boust. Unapologetic and sexually empowered, Brie Baggio sets out to cross off her own sexual bucket list, living out what’s left of her youth and learning about who she is along the way.
>Song to play as you read: “Kiss It Better“
If you’re a Belieber… Read We’re All Damaged by Matthew Norman
We’re All Damaged by Matthew Norman is a story about losing it all and trying to start over…something Bieber may know a thing or two about after revamping his career with his latest record following a very public break up with Selena Gomez and committing shameful shenanigans that were caught on video. All that aside, we We’re All Damaged is about second chances and confronting your past.
>Song to play as you read: “Sorry”
If Fifth Harmony injects you with fierce confidence… Read The Regulars by Georgia Clark
Fifth Harmony represents female empowerment, diversity and sisterhood. In The Regulars by Georgia Clark, three best girl friends find themselves in an extraordinary situation that opens a few of the closed doors they’ve come across in New York City. The Regulars is a fresh look at friendship, sex, fame and career.
>Song to play as you read: “BOSS”
If Zayn Malik fulfills your bad boy fantasies… Read Hitched by Kendall Ryan
Former One Directioner and current solo pop star Zayn Malik has already been dominating the charts with his debut album, Mind of Mine. With lyrics like “He won’t touch you like I do / he won’t love you like I would” we can’t help but think about the latest series from bestselling author, Kendall Ryan. In Hitched, Ryan introduces us to a NYC playboy turned business mogul who has 90 days to marry the girl of his dreams and get her pregnant in order to save his father’s company. The only problem is: she can’t stand him. It’s up to him to make her see that he’s “the one.”
>Song to play as you read: “LIKE I WOULD”