Music is everywhere, listened to by everyone. It can make us feel happy, sad, angry, and all kinds of other things. Sometimes, with emphasis on the word “some”, it is reflective of our personalities.
We’ve all picked up a book, whether the last time you read one was in fifth grade or only a day ago. Just like music, books are a form of art, or at least that is what we believe. And just like music, books can be reflective of our interests, our dislikes, and so on and so forth.
So, here is a short list of music genres and the books we correlate with them. A small warning, some books contain content that may not be suitable for all people; they are marked with asterisks.
Pop
If you listen to Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, or Adele you probably love songs that mix catchy beats with big emotions—whether it’s the sting of heartbreak, moments of empowerment, or just pure fun that makes you want to dance around your room. If that sounds like your vibe, then these books are perfect for you. They’re packed with all the feels, drama, and unforgettable moments:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros*
A reluctant dragon rider must navigate deadly training, fierce rivals, and her own fears to survive—and maybe find love along the way.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas*
A mortal girl gets caught in the dangerous, magical world of the fae and finds herself tangled in dark secrets and fierce romance.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
When her secret love letters get exposed, a teen’s quiet life turns chaotic as she fakes a relationship to save face—and discovers real feelings.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood*
A PhD student fakes a romance with a grumpy professor to convince her friends she’s over her ex, but the fake relationship might just get real.
R&B/Soul
If you’re vibing to SZA, H.E.R., Frank Ocean, or Beyoncé, you know music that dives deep into real emotions—love, pain, growth, and everything in between. These artists don’t just sing; they tell stories that make you feel seen and understood. If that’s the kind of connection you want from a book, then you’re in the right place. Here are some reads that bring the same soulful intensity and emotional depth.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan*
Two childhood friends reunite years later, sparking a slow-burn romance full of history, healing, and all the feels.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola*
Two fiercely ambitious college rivals fake a relationship to shake up their lives—and end up discovering something real beneath all the drama.
Normal People by Sally Rooney*
A complicated on-again, off-again connection between two young people unfolds through years of awkward, intense moments and deep emotional truths.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams*
Two writers with a shared painful past collide in a steamy, heartfelt week that forces them to confront old wounds and new possibilities.
Rock/Alt-Rock
If you’re into Paramore, Hozier, or Arctic Monkeys, you know the kind of music that’s full of rebellion, raw emotions, and stories that aren’t afraid to get complicated. You probably want your books to have that same energy—characters who fight back, worlds that feel alive, and plots that keep you hooked. So here are some reads that bring all those vibes to the page:
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang*
A war orphan rises from poverty to military academy, unleashing ancient powers that force her to choose between vengeance and survival in a brutal, war-torn world.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas*
A fierce assassin gets a shot at freedom by competing to become the king’s champion, but dark magic and deadly secrets lurk around every corner.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir*
In a ruthless empire, a slave girl and a soldier from the elite military cross paths in a fight for freedom, justice, and hope against overwhelming odds.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In a dystopian future, a fierce teen volunteers to fight to the death in a televised arena—sparking rebellion and challenging everything the Capitol stands for.
Indie/Folk
If you’re into Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, or Florence + The Machine, you know that perfect cozy-sad vibe—like staring out the window while it rains and your favorite song plays on repeat. So, grab one of these books that feels just like that. Warning: side effects may include getting lost in thought and texting your friends deep quotes.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab*
A young woman makes a deal to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets—until centuries later, someone finally remembers her.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Two rival magicians, bound by a magical competition they don’t fully understand, fall in love in a mysterious, ever-shifting circus that only appears at night.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens*
A lonely “marsh girl” grows up in the wilds of North Carolina, but when a local boy is found dead, she’s drawn into a murder case that threatens to reveal everything she’s survived.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Hidden away from the celestial empire that exiled her mother, a girl sets off on a quest through a world of gods, magic, and war to claim her rightful place among the stars.
Goth/Darkwave
If you’re into My Chemical Romance, Evanescence, or The Cure, you probably appreciate songs that are tragic, haunting, and somehow strangely beautiful—like a midnight walk through a forgotten dream. If that vibe speaks to you, then these books, full of darkness and depth, are exactly what you need to curl up with (plus, maybe some black nail polish).
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson*
A centuries-old bride of Dracula finally finds the strength to break free from his seductive, toxic grip—and reclaim her power in a story dripping with gothic vibes and rage.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A mortal girl dragged into the twisted world of Faerie fights to survive court politics, deadly magic, and a cruel prince who might just hate her as much as he wants her.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
A psychic’s daughter gets tangled up with four prep school boys obsessed with finding a dead Welsh king, unlocking magic, fate, and secrets way darker than they bargained for.
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Three eerie sisters, once abducted and returned… different, unravel a haunting mystery full of body horror, beauty, and a darkness that follows them wherever they go.
Trap/Dark Hip-Hop
If you’re all about Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, or Doja Cat, you know music that’s bold, unapologetic, and full of attitude. If you like your stories just as fierce and real—gritty, sharp, and with a little edge—then these books are right up your alley. Get ready for characters who don’t hold back and plots that keep you on your toes.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Two teens meet on the last day of their lives thanks to a death-predicting app—and what starts as a goodbye turns into an unforgettable, emotional ride through life, love, and letting go.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu*
A girl scarred by a deadly illness discovers she has dark powers and joins a rebel group of gifted misfits—only to realize that becoming a hero might mean turning into the villain.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis*
After her sister’s murderer walks free, a quiet girl with a violent streak takes justice into her own hands—and in a world full of predators, she’s the one they should fear.
There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer*
A horror-loving teen throws the ultimate Halloween party in a creepy mansion—until a masked killer starts picking off guests, and surviving the night means rewriting the slasher rules.
Electronic/Synth-Pop
If you’re into Grimes, Billie Eilish, or The Weeknd, you’re probably drawn to music that’s futuristic, a little glitchy, and totally experimental—songs that bend the rules and take you to unexpected places. If that sounds like your vibe, then these books, with their time-bending plots and genre-mixing stories, are the perfect next adventure for your brain.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a future where death has been conquered, two teens are chosen to become Scythes—official killers tasked with population control—and must grapple with the ethics and power that come with the job.
Warcross by Marie Lu
A teenage hacker accidentally glitches herself into the world’s biggest virtual reality game and ends up uncovering dark secrets that could change everything.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake*
Six powerful magicians are invited to join a secret society that guards the world’s lost knowledge—but only five will be chosen, and the competition turns deadly.
The Power by Naomi Alderman*
When women around the world suddenly gain the power to emit electric shocks, the balance of global power flips—and society is forced to reckon with what happens when the oppressed become the dominant.
Classical/Orchestral
If you listen to Hans Zimmer, Ludovico Einaudi, Ludwig van Beethoven, and, of course, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (his name goes hard), you appreciate something elegant, timeless, and poetic—books that feel like a perfectly composed symphony—these picks are for you. Sure, you might get called old, but we don’t judge here.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt*
A tight-knit group of quirky students at a fancy New England college get swept up in their professor’s intense ideas, but things spiral out of control as their obsession leads them down a dark, dangerous path.
Babel by R.F. Kuang*
A Chinese orphan raised in Britain trains to become a master translator at a magical Oxford institute, but as he learns how language fuels empire, he’s forced to choose between loyalty to the system that shaped him and fighting back against its oppression.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio*
A former theater student just out of prison is forced to confront the dark secrets of his Shakespeare-obsessed friend group, where the lines between performance and reality blurred—and someone ended up dead.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara*
Four college friends chase dreams in New York City, but as the years go by, their bond is tested by success, pain, and the deep, harrowing trauma carried by the brilliant but broken Jude at their center.