Reading Playlists

I love music. I love books. Of course I put the two of them together often. One of my favorite assignments as a teacher, is having my students create playlists/soundtracks that go with the stories that they write. Sometimes, I have them pick music that goes with a particular book or even a scene.

When I am at home, I love to have various soundscapes on. Sometimes Lord of the Rings, sometimes seasonal. I just like to have something playing in the background. The same goes for when I’m reading. So I started finding playlists to go with some of these books and moods that I love!

Music has the power to envelop us and tell a story in a way sometimes words just cannot. So, if you’re reading any of the book below, or just looking for some sweet music to listen to as you go through your day, try out one of these playlists!

🌸 The Secret Garden – Overgrown and Awakening

Mood: Enchanted, introspective, blooming
Genres: Nature-inspired classical, soft piano, Celtic instrumental
Playlist: Secret Garden . Celtic Women
A soothing blend of Celtic and classical pieces reflecting the transformative journey in the secret garden.

🦇 Dracula – Gothic Shadows & Blood Moon Ballads

Mood: Dark, suspenseful, haunting
Genres: Dark classical, gothic ambient, ethereal wave
Playlist: Dracula: 120 Years of Music
This playlist features classical music and scores from various on-screen adaptations of Dracula, capturing the eerie and gothic atmosphere of the novel.

⚔️ Beowulf – Battle and Boast

Mood: Epic, primal, heroic
Genres: Nordic folk, cinematic orchestral, medieval
Playlist: Beowulf Soundtrack
An epic collection of tracks that mirror the grandeur and heroism of Beowulf’s tale.

💌 Sense and Sensibility – Hearts Held in Reserve

Mood: Restrained romance, elegance, quiet yearning
Genres: Classical piano, romantic instrumental, Regency-inspired
Playlist: Sense and Sensibility (From “Sense and Sensibility”) [BBC 2008 Adaptation] Radio
Featuring themes from the BBC adaptation, this playlist encapsulates the emotional depth of Austen’s characters.

💃 Much Ado About Nothing – Banter & Ballads

Mood: Lighthearted, romantic, witty
Genres: Baroque pop, upbeat classical, folksy love songs
Playlist: Much Ado About Nothing – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music from the film adaptation that captures the playful and romantic spirit of the play.

🛡️ The Odyssey – Journey & Triumph

Mood: Epic, adventurous, heroic
Genres: Epic orchestral, cinematic, mythological
Playlist: Epic: The Odyssey Musical – Playlist by Jacob Romero
A musical journey that parallels the epic adventures of Odysseus.

🧵 Little Women – Hearth & Heartstrings

Mood: Warm, nostalgic, tender
Genres: Classical piano, acoustic folk, chamber music
Playlist: The Classical Music featured in ‘Little Women’
A compilation of classical pieces that reflect the familial bonds and emotional depth of the March sisters.

🗡️ The Lord of the Rings: Trilogy 

Mood: Heroic, emotional, sweeping, ancient
Genres: Cinematic orchestral, fantasy soundtrack, choral epic
Playlist: The Lord Of The Rings: The Ultimate Soundtrack
Every track carries the weight of destiny, friendship, and sacrifice, guiding the listener through the misty hills of the Shire, the ominous dark of Mordor, and the celestial halls of Rivendell.

PS- at the time of writing this, the playlists were “clean.” I did not create these lists and they may be edited after I post this. I recommend taking a scroll through before listening just in case. This is the world we live in now.

AND I’M JUST SAYING: I’ve been using dashes in my writing since well before AI ever existed.