The Playlist Book Tag

So there's this tag that's been going around YouTube, and when I needed an idea for a blog post, it seemed to hit like lightning.  Musical lightning. 

Basically, this is a simple tag where you put your iTunes, Spotify, Google Music, or whatever mode of music you most listen to, on shuffle, and pick a book to go with the songs that come up.  As every Youtuber I've watched has done a different number of books, I'm going to settle with a nice even ten.  Ten is a cool number.

(and yes, this would probably be a lot more fun if I had video capabilities.  Unfortunately, I do not, so you just get to read these words instead of hearing me say them.  Yay.)

I've hit that shuffle button and I have no idea what's coming so LET'S DO THIS THING!

(also, quick disclaimer - I have a ton of movie soundtracks in my iTunes, so to make it more fun, I'm skipping any instrumental pieces that come up, but obviously, if you want to use the instrumental pieces, you go ahead and live your dream.)

1:
The Song: I Want the Good Times Back {The Little Mermaid on Broadway}

The Book: Isle of the Lost {Melissa de la Cruz}

The Connection: Not going to lie, this one took me a minute.  I knew it had to be a story with a great villain, and what better villain-y book to use than one about Disney villains?  The book follows the children of Maleficent, Jafar, Cruella de Vil, and the Evil Queen... unfortunately, not Ursula... although I think that's in book 3.  Not to mention, this song basically spells out Maleficent's reason for getting the kids to find her staff. 


2:
The Song: Gaston {Beauty and the Beast}
(dunno why I've gotten two villain songs in a row??)
The Book: The Beast Within {Serena Valentino}

The Connection: This is a retelling of the story of the Beast.  In a really interesting and original twist, the author took the chance to make Gaston the Prince's best friend.  So obviously I had to pick this one.


3:
The Song: Walk on the Water (the remix) {Britt Nicole}

The Book: Beyond Tuesday Morning {Karen Kingsbury}

The Connection: This is a sequel, following the story of a woman whose life was forever altered by the events of 9/11.  This one centers on Jamie's new-found faith and her trying to begin a firmer relationship with God.  So this song really clicked with this book for me.  (I do recommend this series [though I haven't read the third one yet], but be forewarned - these are two of very few books that have made me full-on sob while reading).


4:
The Song: I'll Lead You Home {Michael W. Smith}

The Book: The Fire Chronicle {John Stephens}

The Connection: 'Nother sequel, sorry.  This trilogy is one of my all-time favorites, and this song just really fit this book.  The whole thing is about a certain character trying to get home and getting help along the way.  Perfect fit, in my opinion.


5:
The Song: Oklahoma {Oklahoma! Original Broadway Cast}

The Book: The Icecutter's Daughter {Tracie Peterson}

The Connection: Pretend they sing "Miiiiiinesooootaaaa" and it fits.  I genuinely couldn't think of any books I'd read that were set in Oklahoma.  Which is what I would have picked, could I think of one.  But the state pride in the song transfers to the book really well, as well as the happy ending that the song gives to the musical's love story.  Also, the song will be stuck in your head for days afterward, much like how I thought about this book for days afterward.
(yeah, okay, I'm reaching here but I needed to match one, okay?)


6:
The Song: Without You {For King & Country}

The Book: The Roar {Emma Clayton}

The Connection: While the song itself centers around a married couple (in which one partner has a life-threatening disease) (the story of this song is just heart-breaking if you haven't heard it), the book follows a pair of twins who have been separated, and don't want to live apart.  Plus the somewhat dystopian sound fits perfectly with the feel of the book.  Yes.  Good match.


7:
The Song: Wouldn't It Be Loverly? {My Fair Lady Original London Cast}

The Book: A Little Princess {Francis Hodgson Burnett}

The Connection: This song, obviously, gives me London vibes.  And not just any London vibes, poor London, turn-of-the-century vibes.  And what is my favorite story of poor Londoners at the turn of the century?  A Little Princess, of course.  This was a simple match, really.  (plus, Julie Andrews sings this version, which automatically makes it ten times more awesome)


8:
The Song: Wherever You Are {Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin}

The Book: Navigating Early {Clare Vanderpool}

The Connection: If Navigating Early was a musical, can't you hear Early singing this song, and Jack watching him gently like Rabbit does in the clip?  Because I certainly can.  And it's pretty feels-inducing. 


9:
The Song: Ceasefire {For King & Country}

The Book: Into the Gauntlet {Margaret Peterson Haddix}

The Connection: This is the last book, technically, in the original 39 Clues series.  The whole idea of this book is perfectly spelled out in the song.  Not to spoil anything, but most of the kids who have been told that they hate each other for most of the series realize that they don't need to fight each other, they need to fight together. 


10:
The Song: You're Welcome {Moana Original Motion Picture Soundtrack}

The Book: The Hidden Oracle {Rick Riordan}

The Connection: This connection is hilarious to me.  Apollo and Maui are so alike at the beginning of both of their stories, it was an obvious choice.  I mean, just imagine, "Yes, it's really me, Apollo, breathe it in."


And there you have it!

That was super fun, and surprisingly challenging.  (Like honestly, what do you do with the title song from "Oklahoma!"??) 

I'M GOING TO TAG PEOPLE BECAUSE TAGS ARE FUN SO HERE WE GO

Jonathan
Faith
Abigayle
Jazzy
Andrea
Rebekah
Chloe
And, as always, YOU! If you're a blogger and you want to do this tag, consider yourself TAGGED.

Have fun with it, guys!

~ Abby