The soundtrack of the summer is especially hot this year, with new and catchy songs dropping left and right. Whether you're a Kendrick Lamar diehard, or swear you listened to Chappell Roan before she blew up, here are some book recommendations inspired by those summer songs that are forever stuck in your head.
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
"I'm working late 'cause I'm a singer. Oh, he looks so cute wrapped around my finger."
Just like Espresso, Daisy Jones is addictive, high energy and a musical delight. Daisy Jones & the Six follows the journey of a group of musicians through the highs and lows of '70s rock stardom, and all the complicated, messy relationships that ensue between them.
Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar
"Psst, I see dead people."
After their friend Steph is murdered, Quadir, Jarrell and Jasmine conspire to make sure Steph's musical legacy is never forgotten. When Steph's demo starts gaining traction, the trio has no choice but to pretend he's alive to keep up the ruse. Let Me Hear a Rhyme is laced with hip hop history and themes, making it the perfect pair for Kendrick Lamar's heavy-hitting track, Not Like Us.
HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan
"I could be the one, or your new addiction. It's all in my head but I want non-fiction."
Chappell Roan may be a sapphic pop music icon, but she's not the only one. In Stars Collide, two pop stars on opposite ends of their careers team up for a duet, and discover their compatibility extends beyond their harmonies in the studio.
360 by Charli XCX
"When you're in the mirror, do you like what you see? When you're in the mirror, you're just looking at me."
In the spirit of BRAT summer, this LA lawyer/rapper is charging full speed ahead towards internet virality, regardless of the stakes and spirals that linger. In true Charli XCX fashion, Vagablonde teeters on the edge of confidence and narcissism, lost somewhere between chasing a dream and chasing a high.
I Had Some Help by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
"I had some help. It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself."
Four kooky, vivacious residents of Coopers Chase retirement home spend their free time discussing unsolved crimes, until they find themselves in the middle of a real-life murder investigation. Despite their old age, these DIY detectives still have their wits about them, and set out to find the killer themselves. This charming story of friendship and shenanigans accurately captures the energy of I Had Some Help.
Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish
"Can't change the weather, might not be forever ('til the day that I die). But if it's forever, it's even better."
In this fantasy tale, an astute recluse finds himself tasked with preventing an apocalypse caused by six magical orphans. After establishing himself at the orphanage, he realizes that maybe his solitude isn't all it's cracked up to be, and there's more to these orphans than their potential to bring about the end of days. The House in the Cerulean Sea evokes the same feelings as Birds of a Feather, that even though this love may bring immense pain in the future, for right now, it's worth it.
Fortnight by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
"I love you, it's ruining my life."
On paper, Alexis and Daniel's whirlwind, fast-paced romance may not make sense, but in real life, it's thrilling and true. When familial expectations and the pressure to conform threaten to sabotage their relationship, we're left with a situation that's feels reminiscent of Taylor Swift's wistful Fortnight.
Bump That Beat All Summer Long
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