Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. This week’s prompt is a Freebie.

Hello Readers! I hope today’s TTT finds you well. Today we have a freebie, and when I saw Dini share this tag, I knew it was one I wanted to try—you all know my love of combining books and music! I’m tweaking it a bit to fit TTT and using 10 songs instead of 5. Otherwise, I’m following the rules and only using books I read in 2022, but I have a feeling that’s gonna make this tag extra challenging.😅

A little disclaimer: I mostly listen to my music through Apple Music (previously iTunes). I have years of playlists there, and it seems like I’m often coming across songs/artists that aren’t on Spotify. But I do use Spotify for my book playlists (you can find them on my book reviews), so that’s why this tag works especially well for me. I primarily make playlists for my romance books, so this list will probably be all love songs. 😍

This tag was originally done by Rosina @ Lace and Dagger Books!

The idea of this challenge is to put your 2022 playlist on shuffle, and for the first five songs, you need to pick a book you read in 2022 that fits that song. It doesn’t have to be a perfect fit. You just have to explain why you chose that book for that song. Obviously, you will not have a book match for every song, so you can skip if you need to. But the idea is that you at least need to try, even if it is embarrassing.

(Link to synopsis on Goodreads through the book title.)

1

The Scientist | The Love Hypothesis

“The Scientist” by Coldplay

…I was just guessing at numbers and figures
Pulling the puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart
But tell me you love me, come back and haunt me
Oh, and I rush to the start

Running in circles, chasing our tails
Coming back as we are…

Paired with:

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Well, this just seems too perfect. 😃 Besides the obvious science connection, the lyrics really work for the book, as well. I was thrilled this romance lived up to the hype. Angsty, spicy, and fun!

2

Lover | Book Lovers

“Lover” by Taylor Swift

…We could leave the Christmas lights up ’til January
And this is our place, we make the rules
And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear
Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?

Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home
You’re my, my, my, my
Lover…

Paired with:

Book Lovers by Emily Henry – (My Review) Another easy one! I actually used this as my song choice on my review of Book Lovers. It’s upbeat and fun just like the book.

3

Little of Your Love | Luck & Last Resorts

“Little of Your Love” by Haim

You’re just another recovering heart
I wasn’t even gonna try
You wouldn’t even give it time
Could be so easy, you make it hard
Don’t think about it all too much
My love is gonna be enough…

Paired with:

Luck & Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz – (My Review) I so adored this book and our two main characters, Nina and Ollie, who have broken pasts but find solace with each other. The line from the song, “You’re just another recovering heart,” made me think of our leads.

4

Golden | Bend Toward the Sun

“Golden” by Harry Styles

Golden, golden, golden
As I open my eyes
Hold it, focus, hoping
Take me back to the light
I know you were way too bright for me
I’m hopeless, broken
So you wait for me in the sky
Browns my skin just right…

Paired with:

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon – (My Review) One of my favorite books of the year last year, this romance set on a vineyard was devastating in the best way. “Golden” immediately made me think of Rowan and Harry, who are both “broken” in different ways.

5

Thinkin Bout You | Bad Girl Reputation

“Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean

…Yes of course I remember, how could I forget how you feel?
You know you were my first time, a new feel
It will never get old, not in my soul, not in my spirit, keep it alive
We’ll go down this road ’til it turns from color to black and white

Or do you not think so far ahead
Cause I been thinking bout forever, ooh
Or do you not think so far ahead
Cause I been thinking ’bout forever, ooh

Paired with:

Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy – (My Review) This song appeared on the playlist I created for the book, so it was another easy choice. This second chance romance was angsty and addictive!

6

Bad Romance | The Hating Game

“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga

…I want your love, and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I want your love and all your lover’s revenge
You and me could write a bad romance….

Paired with:

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – I don’t know why it took me so long to read this romance, but I’m so happy I finally did. Lucy and Josh hate each other, and they’re equally shocked when the line between love and hate begins to blur. “Bad Romance” appeared on the author’s playlist for this book, and I think it’s a perfect fit.

7

Be Be Your Love | Corinne

“Be Be Your Love” by Rachel Yamagata

…And everybody’s talking how I can’t, can’t be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real
Everybody’s talking how I can’t, can’t be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real
Want to be your everything
Everything….

Paired with:

Corinne by Rebecca Morrow – (My Review) I still find myself thinking about Corinne, a novel about forbidden love, religious trauma, and second chances. This song appeared on my book inspired playlist. It perfectly captures the yearning between our characters.

8

Ends of the Earth | Happiness for Beginners

“Ends of the Earth” by Lord Huron

…Out there’s a land that time don’t command
Wanna be the first to arrive
No time for ponderin’ why I’m-a wanderin’
Not while we’re both still alive

To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
There’s a world that was meant for our eyes to see
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
Well if you won’t, I must say my goodbyes to thee….

Paired with:

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center – Another book I wish I would have read sooner, this novel about Helen, who attends a wilderness survival course with her brother’s best friend, pulled all the right heartstrings. And Lord Huron’s song provided just the right soundtrack.

9

Stay | From Lukov With Love

“Stay” by Rihanna & Mikkey Ekko

All along it was a fever
A cold sweat, hot headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, said, “Show me something”
He said, “If you dare, come a little closer”

Round and around and around and around we go
Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know…

Paired with:

From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata – My first (and still my favorite) book by Zapata, this romance about an ice skating pairs team is the ultimate slow-burn, enemies to lovers goodness I couldn’t put down. “Stay” wonderfully reflects all that angst. And the “round and around” lyrics are spot on for these ice skaters.

10

Falling Like the Stars | One Night on the Island

“Falling Like the Stars” by James Arthur

…And I need you to know that we’re falling so fast
We’re falling like the stars
Falling in love
And I’m not scared to say those words, with you, I’m safe
We’re falling like the stars
We’re falling in love….

Paired with:

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver – (My Review) Also one of my favorite books from 2022, I felt this book down to my core. It ended up being the perfect book at the perfect time, and I love when that happens. I included this song on my book inspired playlist, and it beautifully captures what’s happening between Cleo and Mack.

Did I include any of your favorite books or songs? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!